Sailing Safety - How to Hook Up to Shore Power the Right Way!

When you hook up or disconnect from shore power,adapter. Don't force things. If you get resistance, stop
make the prevention of electrical shock your numberand find out why. Remember to give the plug a
one goal. Walk your crew through the proceduresquarter turn and finish up with the locking ring.
shown below, and follow these two safety rules4. Energize power from pier to boat. If not already
before you begin:energized, turn on the power at the pier. Return to the
Safety Rule #1. Never hold the live end of aboat and turn on rockers. Then turn on the accessory
shore-power plug.and equipment switches.
Safety Rule #2. Shoreside receptacles are alwaysDISCONNECT SHORE POWER FOR GETTING
LIVE! Some shoreside facilities have breaker switchesUNDERWAY
to shut off the power; others have continuous live1. Go dead ship. Turn off lights, nav equipment, and all
power. Assume they're all live and play it safe.accessories at the power panel. Check all power
HOOKING UP TO SHORE POWERpanels in the cabin and topside. Shut off the black or
1. Go dead ship. Shut down the engines and generator.white rocker (breaker) switches last.
Turn off switches first: lights, navigation equipment, and2. Remove shoreside plug. Ask the dockmaster to
all accessories at the power panel. Check panels nearsecure the power momentarily. If shoreside power
the console and in the cabin. Turn off breakers andcannot be secured, you can nevertheless pull out the
rockers (main breakers) last.plug from the shoreside receptacle.
2. Plug into boat receptacle. The receptacle on the3. Remove boat plug; coil and stow. Remove the plug
boat has no power, so plug it in. Most plugs require aon the boat. Screw the receptacle cover plate back
push and quarter turn to lock into place. The betterover the receptacle. Coil and stow the shore power
plugs have a locking ring to prevent the plug fromcord in a dry area.
pulling out of the receptacle. On boats with multiple4. Start engines and energize power. Start the
receptacles, consider color-coding the maingenerator and engines. Turn on the main rocker
shore-power plug and receptacle cover plate withswitches first, then the accessory switches. Finally, turn
Day-Glo paint.on lights and navigation equipment.
3. Plug into shoreside receptacle. Ask the dockmasterUse these easy sailing tips for sailing safety when you
to secure (turn off ) the power momentarily. Whetherhook up or break shore power on your small cruising
you can secure power at the pier or not, go aheador racing sailboat. Keep you and your crew safe and
and plug in. Check the plug and receptacle to makesound--wherever in the world you choose to sail!
sure they mate. If not, ask the dockmaster for an