ColRegs Nav Lights & Shapes, Rules Of The Road and IALA Buoys Apps Make Learning Rules on iPhone, iPad, iPod and Android Easier and Faster.

With so many traditional ways to learn the ColRegs, thousands of skippers worldwide including RYA trainers and trainee skippers, are choosing to download our Safe Skipper sailing and boating apps on their mobile devices to help them learn, practise and remember the ColRegs with greater ease.

The series of instructional apps comprises three graphically-led apps , each designed to help boaters and sailors master the ColRegs (Nav Lights & Shapes, Rules of the Road) and IALA Buoys & Lights on their mobile devices.

Simon Jollands, author of the apps, took his RYA exams before smartphones and the iPad existed, and remembers finding it a real challenge learning and remembering the ColRegs. It was this learning challenge, he says, that prompted him “to create a series of highly visual apps to make learning the rules easier for everyone.” Simon was delighted when we got permission from the International Maritime Organisation to illustrate the IRPCS rules. User feedback has been excellent and Simon says he’s “encouraged by the way training schools are recommending the apps to their students. We have further ideas for marine apps in the pipeline, and the positive response from our community is giving us the impetus to create more apps for our users.”

Safe Skipper apps are ideal for RYA Yachtmaster exam candidates and RYA Day Skipper trainees who are required to know the rules thoroughly, and need to know how to apply them practically. Candidates on the Yachtmaster exam will often continue their test into the night, where there is a high likelihood they will encounter collision situations for real, and the examiner will ask candidates to identify the various lights and shapes contained in the rules – it’s this kind of situation that’s driving skippers, RYA trainers and trainees to download the apps, which look stunning on an iPad or tablet.

There are lots of ways to learn the rules, but what users genuinely seem to like is the interactive “test yourself” quiz section. The multiple choice quiz gets lots of good ratings, and, following popular demand from our users, we’ve just added an extra 10 questions in our latest update of Nav Lights & Shapes, covering more material, as well as revisions to lights for towing vessels and some improved descriptions. All our apps are compatible with the iPad.

All Safe Skipper nautical apps are designed to work on iPhone, iPod, Android and the latest generation iPad. Thorough testing prior to publishing the apps on the apps stores by a panel of experts helps ensure the apps are accurate and there are no technical glitches.

Click the link to view ColRegs apps and demo videos

Passage planning and pilotage

Passage planning and pilotage help skippers navigate safely from one port to another. A passage plan takes into account all...

Sailing to windward – how to take advantage of wind shifts

For most sailors, sailing upwind is the most exhilarating point of sail as you tack your way to your destination. Sailing to windward is a bit like zig-zagging your way up a mountain road through a series of hairpin bends – great fun but also calling for concentration and hard work.

How to improve a yacht’s upwind performance

There are several ways to improve the upwind performance of a sailing yacht. Read on for some useful tips including headsail reefing, heavy weather jibs and motor sailing.

The give-way hierarchy – sail boats and power boats

Who gives way to who at sea? Even seasoned sailors sometimes get this wrong and in a crowded harbour this can easily lead to a collision or at best considerable embarrassment for a boat that mistakenly thinks it has right of way over another.

Boat electrics inspection checklist

With the boat ashore, here are some recommendations for carrying out a boat owner electrics inspection. Safety is always paramount so remember to do the checks with the batteries off. Wearing a head torch helps, make notes as you go and only tackle a repair if you are 100% sure you know what you are doing:

Competent crew skills: mooring lines

Mooring lines are used when arriving or leaving a berth. One of the most important competent crew skills is to know how to...

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.

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?...

Marine engine oil system maintenance

The regular maintenance of a marine diesel is key to preventing engine failure at sea. This means doing regular checks of the fuel, cooling, electrical and oil systems.

First Aid Afloat – fish spine injury

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...

Learning about diesel engine maintenance

Marine diesel engines are internal combustion engines that are designed specifically for use in maritime applications. These engines are commonly used in a variety of watercraft, ranging from small boats and yachts to large ships and vessels. Learn about marine diesel engine maintenance courses.

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...

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

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...

Jester Challenge 2022 – Sailing single handed from Plymouth UK to the Azores: Part 10 – The Return Trip

Jester Challenge – A modern experiment in old-fashioned self-reliance, self sufficiency, and personal responsibility. This is the final instalment of a 10-part post where solo sailor, Bernie Branfield, shares his first-hand account of his single-handed, 2022 Jester Challenge, from Plymouth, UK to the Azores, in his 26′ Invicta Mk2, Louisa.

The dangers of running aground in a motor boat

The peril of grounding a motor boat is not only an inconvenience; it can lead to substantial risks for both the vessel and its passengers. . In this article, we’ll explore the potential dangers of running aground and highlight the importance of proper navigation and preparedness to avoid these hazards!

Antifouling for leisure boats – Part 3

Antifouling is one of the least pleasant boat maintenance jobs to do, but it has to be done. The very worst job of all is removing the old antifouling as this can get seriously messy and is very hard work.

Steel hull maintenance

A steel boat owner’s biggest enemy is corrosion. You don’t have to worry about osmosis or rotting timbers, instead rust is the number one issue that will keep you awake at night.

Avoiding personal dangers at sea

In order to stay safe at sea, we need to know the risks we are facing and to be aware of any personal dangers we could possibly encounter. Here are six of the most common potential dangers individual crew members should be aware of.

Boat electrics

All boat owners should have a basic knowledge of electrics, both to avoid encountering electrical problems at sea and to stand a chance of solving them should they occur.

Narrowboating on the Kennet and Avon Canal

A recently cancelled sailing event I was due to take part in left us with a free weekend in the diary. Given that my wife and I were celebrating a bumper wedding anniversary and the weather forecast was for fine weather, we decided to hunt around for a last minute canal holiday.