A five day sailing cruise of the Solent, UK

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Communications, Crewing skills, Navigation, Preparation, Yacht ownership

Welcome to our virtual Solent sailing cruise – a five day sail in the south of England from Bosham Quay in Chichester Harbour at the east end of the Solent to Lymington in the west. On our five day sailing cruise of the Solent we will be sailing more than 65 nautical...

VHF DSC radio – how best to communicate at sea

by Simon Jollands | Communications, Emergencies, Preparation

There are many ways to communicate with others at sea. What makes the VHF DSC radio the best form of short range communication and why is it recommended? The controls of a basic VHF DSC radio There are many ways to communicate with others at sea, ranging from signal...

Know your Navlights & Shapes – essential for all skippers

by Stuart Batley | Communications, Navigation, Preparation

Know your Navlights & Shapes International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (ColRegs) Anyone who is responsible for a vessel at sea, from the smallest dinghy to an ocean going supertanker, day or night, must be able to recognise other vessels and...

Safety Briefings – leave nothing to chance

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Communications, Crewing skills, Navigation, Preparation

Before giving your crew a safety briefing, it is worth considering the specific circumstances of the planned trip, the experience of the crew and their familiarity with the vessel and each other. If the crew already know the drill inside out and you know each other...

Getting a tow for your sail or power boat at sea or on inland waterways

by Stuart Batley | Boat Handling, Communications, Emergencies

FREE tips from the Safe Skipper App for iPhone/iPad/Android: Getting a tow for your sail or power boat Plan how to secure a tow rope to your boat. The tow rope must be attached to strong deck fittings As a rescue boat approaches, warn them of any debris or loose lines...

Boating emergency – how to broadcast a MAYDAY emergency call

by Stuart Batley | Communications, Emergencies

How to broadcast a MAYDAY emergency call How to broadcast a MAYDAY emergency call if a vessel or person is in grave and imminent danger and immediate assistance is required: • Check that your VHF radio is on and high power setting is selected Select Channel 16...

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SafeSkipper8 hours ago

Try our 60 SECOND QUIZ to test your knowledge of Nav Lights & Shapes. SHARE and challenge your nautical friends too! https://loom.ly/9p2j-cA #boating #yachting #sailing

Time limit: 0Quiz-summary 0 of 20 questions completedQuestions:1234567891011121314151617181920 Information The ultimate Boating Nav Lights challengeThe questions are randomised, so you never know what order they will appear in, and the clock is ticking.Reacting correctly to fast changing situations....

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SafeSkipper15 hours ago

VHF DSC App - An essential reference and learning tool that will ensure you get up to speed quickly with both the analogue and digital functions of a VHF radio. Click here for more: https://loom.ly/Dyv7ux0 #Sailing #Yachting #Watercraft

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SafeSkipper22 hours ago

Read everything you need to know about antifouling in our 4-part blog post including how to remove and apply antifoul safely, preparation of the hull and much more! https://loom.ly/duGoSrw #sailing #yachting #antifouling