A Coxswain must ensure which activity occurs before departure?

Conducting a pre-departure checklist is essential for a Coxswain as it ensures that all necessary safety, operational, and logistical considerations have been addressed before leaving the dock. This checklist typically includes verifying that safety equipment is onboard, checking the vessel’s systems, confirming that all crew members are present and briefed, and ensuring that the vessel is properly loaded and balanced.

This proactive measure is critical for maintaining safety on the water and helps to mitigate risks associated with the departure process. By completing the checklist, the Coxswain can confidently assure that the vessel is seaworthy and that crew members are prepared for the voyage, which is vital for effective seamanship.

In contrast, while memorizing routes or establishing a sail date are related to planning, they do not encompass the comprehensive safety and readiness measures that the checklist entails. Calibrating the speedometer is a maintenance function that would typically be done during vessel maintenance rather than an immediate pre-departure duty. Hence, conducting a pre-departure checklist is the most crucial activity a Coxswain must ensure occurs before departure.