We Finally Had To Write The Manuals

It's hard to delegate from memory and to operate Vanguard; we must write some things down. Our CE certification should have included a basic manual (they forgot that bit), and the UK MCA will also require one as part of their own Certification. So it came time to bite the bullet, so to speak, and go write one—well, two, to be precise: a Crew Training Manual and an Operations Manual. These also had to comply with the form and contents of both certifying bodies.

Though a web search did not reveal many solid examples, everything has to start somewhere. Commercial services exist to assist in their creation, but the cost is high. This task was going to have to be a homegrown effort. CE is formulaic about what the contents should be. To kick the process off, we located a proforma manual from Wijma Marine Consultants in the Netherlands and built upon that.

We then trawled through every system on Vanguard, photographing and documenting what they did and how they worked. Honestly, it is mind-numbing but strangely therapeutic as the process unfolds. The mind has to flip from conscious competence to trying to teach others more pedantically. A constant supply of hot tea is quite helpful.

Anyhow, we got there after a two-week project. Rather than squeeze a blog out any longer, I thought we'd post them here and see what you think. Any suggestions or comments are welcomed. The Operations Manual also explains just how she is built and with what. Finally, we added a glossary of terms as I already had it in a spreadsheet, and I would rather make flipbooks.

(CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR A LINK TO THE FLIPBOOK)

Our seemingly endless "fix it" tasks are now indeed ending. One more big week on the solar and electrical system, and then she will finally be seaworthy. This week, we attacked the Websato Bluecool Connect system, which now operates from our phones; the Control4 lighting automation and audiovisual that had never worked now does. The Pogues can be played full blast in every cabin! The galley furniture was sent off for more robust seaworthy closures, cabin sinks were equipped with proper U Bends (smell much better), and many minor fiddly jobs were finally ticked off.

As the weather in Spain begins to turn autumnal, we have three more weeks of cruising the Islands before Vanguard is loaded for a transatlantic trip to Fort Lauderdale, FL. Fuel and crew costs were similar for a crossing on her own keel, but I'm out of time and need to go home for a while. We will see how she fairs in the Caribbean this winter before heading north to Canada in late Spring.

Regards to all,

CHRIS LEIGH-JONES