1. Check to make sure that there are no obstructions below where you intend to lower the boat (barges, lines, etc.).

2. Secure three fenders to stanchions using rolling hitches, and place them over the side of the embarkation deck.

3. Remove cover from boat.

4. Insert boat plug into boat plug opening and secure by rotating clockwise.

5. Release manropes by removing wooden toggle pin from lanyard securing manropes.

6. Rig Sea Painter to cleat marked “rig sea painter here” using one round turn with two figure eights and a locking hitch.

7. Inspect Rottmer releasing gear, including releasing collar, to ensure it is in correct position with collar closed.

8. Inspect McCluny hooks connecting tricing pendants to falls fore and aft to ensure that they are correctly secured and moused in such a way that they will not spring open before they are pulled.

9. Inspect trackways fore and aft to ensure that they are clear of debris and obstructions.

10. Remove cover from winch motor control.

11. Inspect wire coils to ensure that they have been lubricated and that there are no double turns and no excess slack.

12. Inspect power switch to ensure it is in the off position.

13. Inspect winch motor control to ensure it is in the stop position.

14. Designate a Brakeman / Winch Operator, Power Switch Operator, Fwd Gripe Operator, After Gripe Operator, Fwd Frapping Line Handler, and After Frapping Line Handler, Coxswain, Bow Person, Stern Person, and post on station.

15. Give the command “Prepare to release the Gripes” at which time the Gripe Operators will take the mousing off of the Gripes.

16. Warn Brakeman / Winch Operator to stand clear of the track preventer bar as it may swing off of a corroded bolt and cause an accident.

17. Give the command “On my command release the gripes, 1, 2, 3, release!” at which point the Fwd and After Gripe Operators will trip the McCluny? hooks and let the preventer bars swing clear of the tracks.

18. The Gripe Operators will then manually release the gripes and let them swing freely outboard, ensuring that they are not caught up on any obstructions, and then report “Fwd / After gripes released!”

19. Ensure that hand crank is NOT engaged and give the command “Power off!”

20. Power Switch Operator ensures power is off and replies “Power off!”

21. Give the command “Lower the boat to the embarkation deck!”

22. Brakeman responds “Lower the boat to the embarkation deck!” and lifts up gently on the winch brake lever allowing davit-arm assembly to roll down trackways to the outboard lowering position. Brakeman must watch out for boat rudder as it passes by his/her head when boat is rolling down trackways.

23. Give the command “Stop!” when the boat is at the embarkation deck, but prior to the tricing pennants taking up 100 % of the strain.

24. Brakeman replies “Stop!” and lowers the winch brake lever.

25. Order the first man to embark the boat and place foot on Rottmer releasing gear lever.

26. Order one man fwd and one aft to attach the frapping lines, leading the sister hooks on either side of the tricing pennant, and attaching them to the falls with hooks facing out. This should be done from the sitting position in case the tricing pennant is tripped accidentally while under tension.

27. When frapping lines are attached the persons attaching them will call out “Frapping lines attached Fwd /Aft!”

28. Ensure chain is connected to ship stanchion, securing passage to the boat.

29. Ensure all personnel in boat are seated.

30. Give the command “Power on!” [30-36 are used for training and to prevent excessive loading and wear on equipment. If the vessel is to be abandoned with no power, the tricing pennants may be released under tension.]

31. Power Switch Operator turns power on and replies “Power on!”

32. Give the command “Hoist the boat!” 

33. Winch Operator replies “Hoist the boat!” and moves the winch hoist control lever to the “run” position.

34. Give the command “Stop!” when the tension is off the tricing pennants.

35. Ensure that hand crank is NOT engaged and give the command “Power off!”

36. Power Switch Operator ensures power is off and replies “Power off!”

37. Give the command “Lower the boat!”

38. Brakeman responds “Lower the boat!” and lifts up gently on the winch brake lever allowing davit-arm assembly to roll down trackways.