stay safe on the water Archives - Safe Skipper Boating & Safety Afloat Apps for phones & tablets

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...

Avoiding collisions at sea – how to stay safe on the water

by Simon Jollands | Boat Handling, Crewing skills, Navigation, Preparation

Boats have many blind spots, including the headsails of sailing boats. Always keep a lookout, stay safe and remember that whatever their size or type, all boats have a responsibility to avoid collisions with others at sea. If you are heading out on the water for the...