COASTGUARDS have urged boat owners to ensure their vessels and maritime safety equipment is seaworthy following the long winter.

Coastguard Gerry Hall says many of the incidents his colleagues attend are because of a lack of maintenance.

As the evenings get lighter and Dorset basks in sunnier weather, many more seasonal boaters will be thinking about getting back out on the water.

Gerry, of Solent Coastguard, said: “People report running out of fuel, sometimes because fuel indicators are broken or because fuel can’t get through pipes and the engine is starved.

“Electrical issues are also a frequent problem.

“Often oxidation happens if engines are laid open to the elements and it affects the wiring.

“Engines are susceptible to frost so following our cold winter they will certainly need a good service.” Coastguard bosses also insist boat owners check their lifejackets function correctly.

Jacket cylinders and auto mechanisms should be washed in fresh water, before being inflated with a hand pump and left for 24-hours to make sure they don’t deflate.

Then reassemble the lifejacket, ensuring the cylinder is screwed back in securely.

A coastguard spokesman said: “Appropriate and fully functioning communications equipment will be vital should you find yourself in an emergency situation. Check all your existing communication equipment. Ensure your VHF DSC radio unit’s MMSI registration is up to date with Ofcom so that the coastguard has the right emergency contact details.

“If you have an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) or a personal locator beacon (PLB), replace batteries before they expire and don’t just rely on the ‘test’ button.

“Also ensure the beacon’s registration details are up to date so that the coastguard has the right emergency contact details and correct information for both yourself and your vessel.”

Visit rnli.org/uk/seasafety for lifejacket maintenance tips.