It is good to see increasing interest in maritime leisure, which is getting into its stride this month. For everyone involved the Department of Transport has issued a well-produced booklet – the Code of Practice for Safe Operation of Recreational Craft, which information on many aspects of boat usage – radio transmissions; dealing with different conditions at sea; motorboating; rowing, sail racing and marks. It is a good reference manual to have.
In the month of ‘Mayday Mile’ when the RNLI is raising money for its lifeboats, the organisation has pointed out that battery failures are a significant cause of problems for recreational boats, leading to a rise in call-outs for mechanical and equipment breakdown issues.
I take that seriously and depend on Cork’s ‘battery people’ for safety. Established in 1938 by five brothers and named ‘O’Connell Brothers,’ re-named ‘O’Connell Batteries’ in 2018, there are a lot of batteries on the premises of the company in the Marina Commercial Park on Centre Park Road.
Two of mine have lain there since last winter, having their annual ‘R&R’. From the ministrations of “the battery people” those essential batteries are now back onboard my boat, Scribbler, rested, maintained and ready again for use. The safety message is clear to all boat users about batteries – look after them!
