The pilot's boat

Walk around check list
Fuel fill secured..........CKD
Waste fill secured..........CKD
Water fill secured..........CKD
Anchor secured..........CKD
Bilge status..........CKD
Bilge pump test..........CKD
Visual check of engines..........CKD
Battery water levels..........CKD
Fuselage damage..........CKD
Communication antennas..........CKD 


External Power
Ground power available..........ON/CKD 
Voltage checked..........110VAC/220VAC
Pedestal buss breaker..........ON/CKD
Battery switch..........BOTH/CKD


APU before start
Battery volts and amps..........CKD
APU bus switches..........OFF/CKD
Air cond supply switches..........OFF/CKD
Battery switch on..........CHK


APU after start
Voltage..........CKD
External bus ground power breakers..........OFF/CKD
Internal bus ground power breakers..........OFF/CKD
External power cord..........Removed/CKD
APU bus switches..........ON/CKD
Air cond supply switches..........ON/CKD


Cockpit check
Logs, manuals, emerg equip..........ON BOARD/CKD
Ship papers..........ONBOARD/CKD
Int/Ext inspection..........COMPLETE
Circuit breakers..........CKD
Navigation system..........CKD
Weather conditions...........CKD
Trip Plan............FILED/CKD


Before start
Blower system..........ON/CKD
Galley power..........AS REQ
Ignition..........Off
Windshield wipers..........CKD
Communications systems..........CKD/ON
Engine Preheat..........AS REQ
Radar..........CKD/ON
Navigation lights.........CKD
Trim tabs full retract..........CKD
Rudder operation..........CKD
Fire systems..........CKD
Throttles..........SET TO IDLE/CKD
Shifters..........SET TO NEUTRAL/CKD
Trip guidance..........CKD/DOWNLOADED
Hydraulic steering fluid levels..........CKD
Fuel levels..........CKD
Oil levels..........CKD
Coolant levels..........CKD
Tide status..........CKD
Back up charts..........CKD 


Engine start
Engine 1 ignition switch..........CKD/ON
Engine 1 start..........CKD
Engine 1 instrument operation..........CKD
Engine 2 ignition switch..........CKD/ON
Engine 2 start..........CKD
Engine 2 instrument operation..........CKD
Blower system..........AS/REQ
Engine cooling water flow..........CKD
AC cooling water flow..........CKD


Taxi from dock
Dock restraints removed/stowed..........CKD
CATV cables removed/stowed..........CKD
Visual look for traffic..........CKD
Cockpit announcement..........COMPLETED 
Navigation system operation..........CKD
Wind direction..........CKD
Passengers secured..........CKD
Transom door secured..........CKD


Cruising
Entertainment systems..........ON/CKD
GPS tracks..........ON/CKD
Route navigation activated..........ON/CKD
Autopilot..........ON/TRACKING
Bikinis..........AS REQ
Chardonnay on ice for evening..........CKD   

This is a small homage to my pilot god friend George Flavell. His book is a good read.

The check list is a variant taken from the New York Air MD-80 Flight Crew Operating Manual, Operating Procedures and Description. It's a weighty tome.

The APU is the Auxiliary Power Unit, you can substitute the word generator in its place.

Your boats console doesn't look so scary now, does it?