What Checks would you do in your wheelhouse?

(1) Check the gauges (oil, exhaust, gearbox, pressures/temperatures etc)
(2) Check that the radios are switched on (test them by calling up Coastguard)
(3) Check the radar is switched on and tuned in (maximum boxes, rain/sea/gain)
(4) Check GPS receiver is on and you cross check it on a Navigation chart
(5) Check the autopilot, test the steering before you set sail
(6) Check the manual steering, (top up the steering column with hydraulic oil)
(7) Test watchkeeper alarm
(8) Test bilge/fire and gas alarms, also test them where the sensors are
(9) Check your magnetic compass for errors
(10) Check after warming up your gyro compass for errors
(11) Switch on your video-plotter and plot your voyage using waypoints
(12) Plan your voyage on a navigation chart, check this every 10 minutes, incase you have complete electrical failure
(13) Switch on your echo sounder, if in shallow water, you will get an error with the depth you are in
(14) Check your Morse controls/variable pitch is working
(15) Check the whistle and navigation lights work

NEVER OVER-RELY ON ANY NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT, THEY ARE JUST AN AID TO NAVIGATION, THEY CAN BE FAULTY.
THE VIDEO-PLOTTER CAN LEAD TO GROUNDINGS,
CROSS REFERENCE IT ONTO A NAVIGATIONAL CHART