Stuart Batley

The dangers of running aground in a motor boat

by Stuart Batley | Boat Handling, Communications, Crewing skills, Emergencies, Navigation, Preparation

Picture this: you’re out on a serene lake or cruising along a beautiful coastline in your motor boat, enjoying the wind in your hair and the gentle lapping of the water against your vessel. However, amidst the bliss of boating lies a lurking danger –...

Understanding your boat’s compass

by Stuart Batley | Boat Maintenance, Navigation

Article submitted by Mike Rossiter, Certificated Compass Adjuster. Since the magnetic compass was first used by the Chinese for navigation sometime around 1044, it has become an essential instrument on every boat, yacht & ship. There are a wide range of compass...

A simple guide to understanding tides when passage planning

by Stuart Batley | Boat Maintenance, Navigation, Preparation

Understanding tides when passage planning When planning a trip in tidal waters, check the tides before going afloat. Use almanacs, charts, tide tables and tidal stream atlases to gather all the data you need. It is advisable to have a written note of tidal data for...

Learn ColRegs: Traffic Separation Schemes

by Stuart Batley | Navigation

Learn ColRegs Rule 10: Traffic Separation Schemes. (c) A vessel shall, so far as practicable, avoid crossing traffic lanes but if obliged to do so shall cross on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow. (d) (i) A...

Passage Planning Advice & Safety for skippers

by Stuart Batley | Navigation, Preparation

Passage planning helps you to: • Decide where to go • Calculate how long it will take to get there • Avoid bad weather • Take advantage of favourable tides • Be aware of possible hazards, eg shipping lanes, tidal overfalls • Decide a watch system • Decide if the crew...