Safe Skipper

Is Boating Good for Your Health and Happiness?

by Safe Skipper | Crewing skills, Preparation, Yacht ownership

Absolutely! Boating offers a wealth of benefits for both your physical and mental well-being, making it a fantastic activity for overall health and happiness. Here’s why boating is good for you: 1. Stress Reduction and Mental Calm: “Blue Mind”...

Always have an emergency ditch bag ready to go…

by Safe Skipper | Boat Handling, Emergencies, Preparation, Yacht ownership

An emergency ditch bag (also known as a grab bag, abandon ship bag, or go-bag) is a crucial piece of safety equipment for any vessel venturing out to sea. It’s a waterproof and buoyant bag packed with essential survival gear that can be quickly grabbed if you...

Distress flares – which flare, how & when to use?

by Safe Skipper | Emergencies, Preparation

How to use distress flares at sea To effectively use distress flares at sea, you need to understand the different types, their purpose, and the correct deployment procedures. Distress flares should only be used when you are in a situation of grave and imminent danger...

Anchoring – getting it right

by Safe Skipper | Boat Handling, Crewing skills, Preparation

If you can set an anchor correctly with confidence and know your boat will be safe in a secure anchorage, then you can rest in comfort and will not need to rely on moorings and marinas when cruising. Anchoring is one of the most important boat handling skills. If you...

Top Tips For Learning The ColRegs Boating Rules Of The Road

by Safe Skipper | Boat Handling, Crewing skills, Navigation, Preparation

Colregs Boating Rules Of The Road The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) are a set of rules designed to prevent collisions between vessels. They are essentially the “rules of the road” for boats. Some key concepts within...