Chapter 6 · Lesson 5Written reference · about 6 minutes

Toy setup, storage and readiness

Keep matched equipment clean, dry, complete and genuinely ready for use.

See it

See it for yourself

Inspect first. Charge or store second.

Follow a battery from the end of the session. Only a battery with nothing abnormal goes on to charging or storage.

Nothing abnormalAnything abnormalAt any step, if it fails:Inspect before chargingCase, seals, connectors, cablesDry and cool firstKeep connectors dry, let it coolExact charging or storageCharger and target, or storageIsolate and reportDo not use or chargeActive failureHissing, venting or smokeRaise the alarmKeep people clear

Inspect first. Charge or store second. Battery construction, cooling time, water indicators, safe charging range and storage state vary: the manufacturer guide and the vessel's lithium-battery procedure control every step.

Illustration · the manufacturer guide and your vessel's lithium-battery procedure govern every step

What to look for

  • A set needs its matched parts

    Keep the required board, controller, fittings and PPE together in the vessel's storage scheme. Similar-looking parts may belong to different models.

  • Storage state is information

    Ready, drying, awaiting inspection and out of service mean different things. Tell the next crew which applies instead of making a tidy locker imply readiness.

From the captain

Tomorrow's session starts at today's pack-down

A toy is ready when it is clean, dry, complete and serviceable. A closed locker does not prove any of those things. Check the matched set and leave a clear report of anything the next crew member needs to know.

By the end of this lesson

Leave matched equipment clean, correctly stored and honestly labelled for its next use.

Video to be confirmed

A short video may be added to this lesson later. Everything you need is on this page.

The lesson

The lesson

Four care stages

  1. 01

    Prepare the right set

    Confirm the activity, conditions, guests and supervision plan. Bring the complete matched equipment, accessories and safety kit for the exact toy rather than assembling parts from memory.

    What goes wrong: The main toy reaches the water but a leash, fin, controller, inflation adapter or required safety item is still in the locker.

  2. 02

    Inspect before use

    Check the points that matter for that equipment: seams, valves, pressure, boards, fins, handles, leashes, ropes, connectors, fasteners and safety equipment. Follow the manufacturer check rather than a generic glance.

    What goes wrong: A worn rope, damaged seam or loose fitting is discovered only after the activity has started.

  3. 03

    Rinse and dry after use

    Remove salt and contamination with fresh water using the product's care method. Open, drain or disassemble only as instructed, then dry every component fully—including folds, valves, connectors, bags and storage pockets.

    What goes wrong: Equipment is packed damp, leaving salt and trapped moisture to attack seams, metal parts, connectors and fabrics inside the locker.

  4. 04

    Reset and record

    Return every matched part to its assigned place, update the inventory or charge status used aboard, and tag and report anything missing, damaged or not ready. Do not quietly return a suspect item to service.

    What goes wrong: The next setup looks complete until the crew discover that one component is missing, flat or damaged in front of the guests.

E-toy batteries: inspect first, charge or store second

  1. 05

    Inspect before charging

    Check the case, seals, connectors, cables and any water-ingress or fault indication specified by the manufacturer. Consider any impact or abnormal heat during the session.

  2. 06

    Dry and cool first

    A water-resistant battery is not automatically safe to charge wet or hot. Use the product's cleaning method, keep connectors dry and allow the required cooling period.

  3. 07

    Use the exact charging procedure

    Use the approved charger, charge target, location, ventilation and monitoring method for that battery and the vessel. Ready for tomorrow does not always mean stored permanently at 100%.

  4. 08

    Isolate anything abnormal

    Do not use or charge a damaged, water-ingressed, swollen, unusually hot, odorous or fault-indicating battery. Move it only under the vessel's emergency procedure and report it immediately.

  5. 09

    Do not put every battery straight onto charge

    Battery construction, cooling time, water indicators, safe charging range and storage state vary. The manufacturer guide and vessel lithium-battery procedure control every step.

Where it goes wrong

Wet equipment is packed as ready, or a suspect battery is treated as a routine charging job. If a battery is hissing, venting, smoking or showing other active failure signs, raise the alarm, keep people clear and follow the vessel’s emergency response. Do not carry it away as a storage task.

Your call

What would you do?

Pick one, then read the feedback on all three.

The situation

A toy is dry and clean, but its matched controller cannot be found. Guests have asked to use it tomorrow.

Take it aboard

Audit one stored set

Do this during your induction or first weeks, with the person responsible for your work.

Walk-through aboard

Check one approved toy set against its inventory without energising it.

  1. 01Match model-specific components.
  2. 02Check the prescribed dry and storage condition.
  3. 03Name the actual readiness state.
  4. 04Write a short exception report.

What a useful result looks like

  • Components are matched.
  • A drying or incomplete set is not called ready.

Stop: Do not charge, open battery compartments or substitute components outside the approved procedure.

Deckhand Foundation · Job card

Toy readiness

From the lesson: Toy setup, storage and readiness

  • Matched set complete.
  • Equipment-specific aftercare followed.
  • Storage condition suitable.
  • Battery state handled through the approved procedure.
  • Defects and missing parts reported.
  • Readiness clear to the next crew.

Set / missing component

Ready / drying / unavailable

Next action / owner role

Your vessel's procedures and senior crew come first. Nothing on this card is stored.

Quick check

Four decisions, then move on

This check confirms the principle. Your vessel's own induction still comes first.

QUESTION 01What makes a toy setup complete?
QUESTION 02When can saltwater-used equipment go back into storage?
QUESTION 03An e-toy battery is hot after use and its connector is wet. What should happen?
QUESTION 04A toy component is damaged during the session. What is the correct reset?

0 of 4 answered

Answer all four to check your understanding.