First Aid Afloat – Here is what to do if somebody stands on a fish spine:
• Check for dangers. Is it safe for you to enter the water?
• Check for levels of response and for normal breathing
• Inform emergency services if necessary
• If needed treat serious bleeding
• If easily done remove embedded fish spines
Immerse wound in as hot water as possible without scalding. Leave in the water for up to 90 minutes for pain relief and to help remove small spines
• Apply a cold compress to wound if hot water is not relieving the pain
• Clean wound with antiseptics wipes from the first aid kit
• Seek medical assistance if necessary
(taken from Paul Hopkins new app for iPhone & Tablets, First Aid Afloat)
Steel and Aluminium Hulls
The two metals used for hull construction are steel and aluminium. These are both very strong materials and will last a long time as long as they are cared for, which primarily means protecting steel boats from rust and aluminium boats from electrolytic action.
ColRegs Rule 14 – Head-on Situation
Getting a tow for your sail or power boat at sea or on inland waterways
Antifouling for leisure boats – Part 1
Boats that are kept afloat can very quickly become a home for small marine organisms such as barnacles, weed and slime. Applying an antifouling paint to your hull is necessary to protect it from these micro-organisms, as a fouled hull can cause problems and will slow down a boat’s maximum speed considerably if left unchecked.
Tacking a sailing boat
Dag Pike’s Boat Survey
Competent crew skills: arriving and leaving a berth
Marine engine electrical system
The typical basic electrical system associated with a marine engine includes a dedicated engine starting battery, a starter motor, a charger in the form of an alternator, a solenoid and some engine sensors and instruments.
First Aid Afloat – how to deal with a fracture at sea
Navigation safety: a quick-reference mobile app to learn the ColRegs NavLights and Shapes
Antifouling for leisure boats – Part 4
Applying antifouling. Antifouling is best applied on a dry, calm day. It is best to apply the antifouling in the middle of the day to ensure the hull is dry and as warm as possible.
Safety Briefings – leave nothing to chance
Keel maintenance and Repair – Part 2
If you have ever witnessed a boat colliding with a rock or other submerged obstacle you will know that there is an almighty thump and the whole boat shakes and judders. While such hard groundings seldom result in catastrophic keel failure, something has to give and even the sturdiest keels can easily be damaged by such an impact.
Boating emergency – how to broadcast a MAYDAY emergency call
Fire prevention on boats
Essential Knots: Reef knot
ColRegs Nav Lights & Shapes, Rules Of The Road and IALA Buoys Apps
A five day sailing cruise of the Solent, UK
Cutless bearing replacement
Cutless bearings can last for many years but if the propeller shaft is out of alignment they will wear through more quickly. If you have noticed a clunking sound when motoring then it could be a worn cutless bearing that is causing the problem.
Seasickness – how can you prevent it?
First Aid Afloat – jellyfish stings
Wooden Hulls – Part 1
Traditional wooden boats have a plank on frame construction, a centuries old boat building method that is still in use today. Variations of the traditional method include carvel, clinker and strip planking, which all relate to the way the planking is attached to the frame.
Essential Boat Spares for Safety
Man Overboard Drill
Electric motors and hybrid systems
In recent years there have been considerable advances with the development of electrically powered propulsion in the leisure marine sector. This includes developments with inboard and outboard electric motors, hybrid systems, lithium-ion battery technology as well as solar, wind and hydro powered generators.
