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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SafeSkipper5 hours ago

Quiz time! Test out your knowledge of Nav Lights & Shapes with our quizzes. SHARE and challenge a friend too! http://ow.ly/vZ1H50DtzHR #boating #yachting #sailing

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SafeSkipper12 hours ago

Check out our 2 articles on cleaning & polishing topsides! http://ow.ly/ME4U50F34e7 #BoatMaintenance #Yachting #Sailing

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SafeSkipper19 hours ago

It is quite common to find cracks in the gelcoat when inspecting the deck and superstructure of a GRP boat and it's really important to be able to differentiate between a gelcoat crack and a scratch. Read our guide here: https://www.safe-skipper.com/stress-cracks-on-grp-boats/ #sailing #yachting #BoatMaintenance

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SafeSkipper1 day ago

In use worldwide, our IALA Buoyage & Lights sailing and marine APP provides skippers and crew with the essential quick reference knowledge they need to quickly recognise and interpret buoys and light markers and improve safety at sea: http://ow.ly/Xir450F34W1 #Sailing #SafetyAtSea

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Understanding tides

A five day sailing cruise of the Solent, UK

Light characteristics – how do navigators identify lights at night?

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

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

Passage planning and pilotage

Facebook

SafeSkipper

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