When planning an early morning departure in the dark, adjust your instrument brightness settings to night mode. This will protect your night vision when you start out in the dark.Check engines at least every 4 hours. Look for and oil, fuel or coolant leaks. Keep engines clean so minor leaks will become immediately obvious and you can determine if they are an urgent issue.Maintain a watch schedule so someone is always responsible for maintaining watch. When on watch, be on watch and not checking your email. There is time enough to check email when you are off watch. Keep a sharp lookout all around or you might get run down by a ferry.
