Understanding tides

by Safe Skipper | Boat Handling, Navigation, Preparation

If you are used to sailing in tidal waters, you will know that tides can be both a benefit and a hindrance to the sailor. In many ways, the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages as tides can offer the navigator a free ride, provided they have correctly factored the...

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...

Light characteristics – how do navigators identify lights at night?

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

How do navigators identify the different types of light around our coasts at night and what are their characteristics?Navigating at night is made possible through an assortment of navigation aids, both ancient and modern. Lights are arguably the most important of...

Sector lights, directional lights, leading lights – how do they differ?

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

Sector lights, directional lights and leading lights guide vessels safely through hazardous waters or narrow channels at night. These lights are used when approaching or leaving harbours and are marked on charts and in nautical almanacs. How do they differ from one...

The give-way hierarchy at sea – who gives way to whom?

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Crewing skills, Navigation

Whatever their size or type, all skippers have a responsibility to avoid collisions with other boats at sea. It is important for all boat skippers to know the give-way hierarchy at sea to help avoid accidents. But how similar are the rules of the road on land and at...

Passage planning and pilotage

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

Passage planning and pilotage help skippers navigate safely from one port to another. A passage plan takes into account all the various steps and eventualities involved in a voyage, from the welfare and safety of the crew to planning the route itself. Pilotage is a...

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SafeSkipper9 minutes ago

How well do you know your Nav Lights? Take a look at our handy reference app. All nav lights and shapes at your finger tips! Do you recognise these? https://loom.ly/togfEno #SafetyAtSea #Sailing #Boating

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SafeSkipper17 hours ago

QUIZ - Test yourself on COLREGS. Anyone who is responsible for a vessel at sea, needs to be familiar with, and abide by, International Colregs. SHARE NOW and test your friends! https://loom.ly/ncfujR0 #sailing #nautical #boating #ColRegs

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SafeSkipper1 day ago

Understanding Boat Engines. The most common cause of marine engine failure is widely known to be lack of maintenance. Read our informative articles to help make sure that you keep your engine in good shape! https://loom.ly/LeENRNo #BoatMaintenance #sailing #yachting #boating