ColRegs – avoiding collisions at sea
ColRegs Rule 8: Action to avoid collision
(a) Any action taken to avoid collision shall be taken in accordance with the Rules of this Part and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be positive, made in ample time and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship. (b) Any alteration of course and/or speed to avoid collision shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel observing visually or by radar; a succession of small alterations of course and/or speed should be avoided….
(From Nautical Rules of the Road – ColRegs for power boating and sailing – a Safe-Skipper App)
First Aid Afloat – how to deal with a fracture at sea
First Aid Afloat A closed fracture does not break through the skin. An open fracture is when the bone punctures it. A...
Repairing a leaking hull-to-deck joint
If you suspect a hull-to-deck joint has failed, then being absolutely sure where the actual leak is occurring is of prime...
Essential Boat Spares for Safety
Boats Spares Tool kit What you carry in the boats tool kit will be useful for many boat repairs, but you might want...
How to predict wind direction and strength by reading a weather chart
Weather charts, also known as surface pressure or synoptic charts, contain a lot of information that helps weather...
Essential Knots: Bowline
Essential Knots: BowlineUse: Making a secure eye or loop in the end of a rope. Bowlines have many uses on a boat, for example to make a...
Learn ColRegs: Traffic Separation Schemes
Learn ColRegs Rule 10: Traffic Separation Schemes. (c) A vessel shall, so far as practicable, avoid crossing traffic lanes...
Passage planning and pilotage
Passage planning and pilotage help skippers navigate safely from one port to another. A passage plan takes into account all...
Boat Handling – anchoring
Anchoring your yacht or motorboat Anchoring is one of the most important boat handling skills. If you can set an anchor...
Anchoring – getting it right is not always straightforward
If you can set an anchor correctly with confidence and know your boat will be safe in a secure anchorage, then you can rest...
Seasickness – how can you prevent it?
Seasickness is a common problem at sea and affects both seasoned sailors and novices. What are the causes and symptoms of seasickness?...
VHF DSC radio – how best to communicate at sea
There are many ways to communicate with others at sea. What makes the VHF DSC radio the best form of short range...
Always have an emergency grab bag to hand when at sea…
Grab bag: In the event of having to abandon ship, it is recommended to have a designated waterproof bag to carry...
Passage Planning Advice & Safety for skippers
Passage planning helps you to: • Decide where to go • Calculate how long it will take to get there • Avoid bad weather •...
Rewiring a boat – overcoming the challenges involved
Skippers need to have a basic knowledge of boat electrics, to avoid potential problems and to be able to solve them when...
Hourly Checks when sailing or motoring
Hourly Checks Get into the habit of carrying out these checks and both yourself, your crew and your boat will be...
Essential Knots: Figure of eight
Essential Knots: Figure of eight Use: Stopper knot, prevents a rope from being pulled through a hole e.g. through a block or...
Points of Sailing
The course on which a boat is sailing can be described by its angle to the wind, not to be confused with its compass...
Dag Pike’s Boat Survey
We're really pleased to be working with Dag Pike on some great new apps for iPhone & Android. Here'a a bit more about...
Hull inspection – the annual checks
With the boat ashore for the winter it is time to do a hull inspection - the annual checks. Are there any scratches and chips in the...
Essential Yachting + Power Boat Safety Briefing
Yachting Safety Briefing Down below Lifejackets and harnesses - fitting, when to wear, clipping on Gas - risks,...
First Aid Afloat – jellyfish stings
Wherever you are boating in the world I am sure you will be using a pilot guide to aid your navigation. Often in the...
Sailing & Motoring in Fog
Sailing & Motoring in Fog You can only measure the visibility accurately if sailing & motoring in fog when you have...
Essential Knots: Sheet bend
Essential Knots: Sheet bendUse: Joining two ropes together. A sheet bend is particularly useful for joining two ropes of different...
Light characteristics – how do navigators identify lights at night?
How do navigators identify the different types of light around our coasts at night and what are their characteristics?...
Boat Engine Failure – what to check
Engine failure If your engine fails or is overheating there are a number of things to check immediately: • Air filter...