Operation & Maintenance- Liya 25FT Semi Rigid Inflatable Boat With CE
Simplified Maintenance & Care
After Each Use: Rinse thoroughly with fresh water, especially after saltwater use. Flush the engine(s). Clean the deck and interior, and allow to dry completely.
Regular Checks (Weekly/50-Hour): Inspect hull and tubes for damage. Check tube inflation pressure. Test the bilge pump and navigation lights. Examine engine oil and fuel systems.
Annual/100-Hour Service: Have a professional mechanic service the engine(s) per the manufacturer's schedule. Inspect the hydraulic steering system. Check and replace sacrificial anodes if needed.
Safety First: Always attach the engine kill cord to the driver. Ensure all passengers wear life jackets. Conduct a pre-departure safety check of all equipment.
I. Safety Operation Manual For The Liya 7.5M Multi-Purpose RIB
1. Foundational Safety Principles and Pre-Departure
Before every trip, a thorough check is essential. Review the weather forecast and plan your passage accordingly. Prepare a float plan and share it with someone ashore. Ensure the vessel is equipped with all legally required and recommended safety gear for the intended voyage and number of persons on board (POB). For a boat of this capacity, this includes a sufficient number of correctly sized and serviceable lifejackets, a throwable flotation device, fire extinguishers, visual and audible distress signals, a first-aid kit, a working bilge pump, and a functioning anchor with rode.
2. Critical Safety Equipment and Procedures
The Kill Cord (Engine Cut-Off Switch): This is the most critical safety device on any high-powered RIB. Its sole purpose is to stop the engine if the helmsman is displaced from the controls.
Always secure the kill cord lanyard to your person before starting the engine.
Test it regularly to confirm the engine stops immediately when the cord is detached.
Never operate the boat, even for a short distance, without it properly attached.
Stop the engine completely before transferring the kill cord to another driver.
Lifejackets (Personal Flotation Devices - PFDs): While regulations vary, the consistent wearing of suitable, well-fitting lifejackets by everyone on board dramatically increases survival probability in an emergency. Make this a non-negotiable rule, especially for children and non-swimmers.
Safe Speed and Wake Awareness: Always maintain a safe speed for the prevailing conditions—visibility, traffic density, and sea state. High speed is a major contributing factor in RIB accidents. Be acutely aware of the wash your vessel creates, as it can be hazardous to smaller boats, moored vessels, and people in the water.
Sobriety: Alcohol severely impairs judgment, balance, and reaction time on the water. The message is clear: do not drink and go boating.
3. Navigation, Communication, and Situational Awareness
Good Lookout: Maintaining a constant 360-degree visual and auditory lookout is paramount, especially when operating at higher speeds in busy areas like the Solent. Be vigilant for swimmers, divers, kayaks, and other small craft.
VHF Radio: Carry at least a waterproof handheld VHF marine radio and maintain a listening watch on the appropriate local channel (e.g., Channel 11 in the Portsmouth Small Boat Channel). It is your primary tool for traffic coordination, receiving safety broadcasts, and summoning assistance in an emergency.
Collision Regulations: In narrow channels, you must not impede the safe passage of larger vessels that can only navigate within that channel. Understand and adhere to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs).
Professional Operations: If using the vessel for commercial purposes (e.g., charters, work), be aware that specific licensing, certification, and insurance are legally required in most jurisdictions. Ensure all commercial operations are fully compliant with local marine safety codes.
4. Performance Handling for the Deep-V Hull
Power Application: With a single engine up to 500HP or a twin-engine setup, power delivery must be smooth and controlled. Apply throttle progressively to get the deep-V hull onto plane, minimizing bow rise and ensuring passenger comfort.
Rough Water Technique: The deep-V hull with step-lines is designed to cut through waves. In a head sea, you can often maintain speed comfortably by trimming the bow down slightly. In a following sea, be cautious to avoid surfing down waves, which can lead to a loss of steering control. Always reduce speed in severe conditions.
Configuration Management:The boat's versatility is a key asset. Whether configured for diving, fishing, or passenger transport, ensure all loose gear is securely stowed. The oversized console and custom platform offer great utility but require you to manage weight distribution and potential trip hazards.
II. Essential Maintenance & Care Schedule
A consistent maintenance routine preserves the vessel's performance, safety, and value.
1. After Each Use (Post-Operation)
Flush the Engine(s): If used in saltwater, flush the outboard engine(s) with fresh water using manufacturer-approved muffs or a flushing port to prevent corrosion in the cooling system.
Freshwater Rinse: Thoroughly rinse the entire boat—hull, tubes, deck, and console—with fresh water to remove salt, sand, and dirt. This is crucial for the longevity of all materials.
Clean and Dry: Wash down the anti-slip deck and interior. Wipe down the helm, electronics, and seating. Leave hatches and lockers open to ventilate and dry out completely, preventing mildew.
2. Regular Weekly or 50-Hour Checks
Mechanical Systems: Check the engine oil and coolant levels. Inspect the fuel system for leaks, and check fuel filters for water or debris. Lubricate all moving parts on the steering system and throttle/shift controls.
Hull and Tubes: Inspect the fiberglass hull for new chips, cracks, or stress points. Check the Hypalon/PVC tubes for proper inflation pressure and inspect for abrasions, cuts, or UV damage.
Electrics and Pumps: Test the automatic bilge pump. Check battery terminals for corrosion and ensure connections are tight. Verify all navigation and interior lights are operational.
Sacrificial Anodes: Check the zinc anodes on the engine(s) and hull for erosion and replace them if more than 50% worn.
3. Seasonal or 100-Hour/Annual Service
Professional Engine Service: Adhere strictly to the engine manufacturer's service schedule. A qualified technician should perform tasks like changing engine and gear oil, replacing spark plugs and water pump impellers, and inspecting the propeller shaft and seals.
Fuel System Care: If you suspect ethanol-blended fuel has been used, it is crucial to drain and clean the entire system (tank, lines, filters) before storage, as ethanol can attract water and cause damage.
Steering System Inspection: Have a professional inspect the hydraulic steering system for leaks, worn hoses, or air in the lines. Faulty steering has been a factor in fatal RIB accidents and must be in perfect condition.
Safety Gear Audit: Service fire extinguishers, inspect all lifejackets, replace expired flares, and check the contents and dryness of the first-aid kit.
4. Winterization or Long-Term Storage
Fuel: Fill the fuel tank to minimize condensation and add a fuel stabilizer, or completely drain the system.
Engine: Stabilize the fuel in the engine or run it dry as per the manual. Change the engine oil. Fog the cylinders if recommended.
Batteries: Disconnect, clean, and store batteries in a cool, dry place on a maintenance charger.
Tubes: Deflate tubes slightly (to about 80% pressure) to relieve constant stress on the fabric and seams. Cover the boat with a breathable, UV-resistant cover.
General: Drain all water systems (like any portable toilet or washdown system). Store cushions and removable gear in a dry, rodent-free area.
III. Key Recommendations for Multi-Purpose Operation
Insurance and Charter Compliance: For commercial or charter use, ensure your insurance policy explicitly covers this activity. Maintain impeccable records of all maintenance, safety drills, and crew qualifications.
Crew Training: Anyone operating this vessel should be properly trained. Consider courses from recognized bodies like the RYA (Royal Yachting Association) on RIB handling, navigation, and safety.
Documentation: Always carry the vessel's registration, insurance, and (if applicable) commercial certification documents on board.
