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Weather forecasting resources and tips

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Communications, Navigation, Preparation

All competent sailors need to have a good basic understanding of how to interpret a weather forecast. They also need to be able to interpret the actual conditions they are experiencing. Most weather forecasts present a general picture of what to expect in a given area...

Boat Improvements

by Safe Skipper | Boat Maintenance, Preparation

My Boat – practical improvements Author – Mike Rossiter Most boat owners who have had their craft for any length of time will have made what they consider are ‘improvements’. If the boat changes hands the new owner will scratch his/her head and...

Learn ColRegs: Traffic Separation Schemes

by Stuart Batley | Navigation

Learn ColRegs Rule 10: Traffic Separation Schemes. (c) A vessel shall, so far as practicable, avoid crossing traffic lanes but if obliged to do so shall cross on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow. (d) (i) A...

Passage Planning Advice & Safety for skippers

by Stuart Batley | Navigation, Preparation

Passage planning helps you to: • Decide where to go • Calculate how long it will take to get there • Avoid bad weather • Take advantage of favourable tides • Be aware of possible hazards, eg shipping lanes, tidal overfalls • Decide a watch system • Decide if the crew...

ColRegs Rule 14 – Head-on Situation

by Stuart Batley | Boat Handling, Navigation, Preparation

ColRegs Rule 14: Head-on Situation (a) When two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision each shall alter her course to starboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the other. (b)...