Boat Power Budget: Never Let Safety Gear Run Out of Power
A flat house bank takes out the VHF, the AIS, the chartplotter, the navigation lights and often the autopilot at the same moment, and it usually does so…
safety
Ditch Bag Checklist: What to Pack and What to Leave Behind
A sailboat ditch bag checklist is easy to find and easy to get wrong, because most of them are lists of everything that might help.
ISO 9650 Life Raft Contents: What to Add for Blue Water
If you are shopping for the best life raft for blue water cruising, the first thing to know is that the answer is a specification, not a brand.
Wiring Boat Safety Electronics: Keep VHF & AIS Alive
Most electrical upgrades on a cruising boat add capacity to the house bank.
How AIS Actually Prevents Collisions on Busy Sailing Routes
Most explanations of AIS stop at the chartplotter screen: a boat-shaped icon appears, you click it, a name and speed pop up, end of story. That’s the
Boat Safety Equipment Checklist: What to Carry Every Trip
Most boats leave the dock with safety gear stowed somewhere below, still in its original packaging, untouched since the day it was bought. That gear only
How AIS Enhances Maritime Safety
Step onto any modern bridge, and one of the first displays a watchkeeper glances at is the AIS. Understanding AIS maritime safety functions is no longer optional knowledge for deck cadets and junior officers; it is a core watchkeeping skill, examined in your oral assessments and relied upon every single day at sea. The Automatic … Read more
Lessons From VHF Radio Antenna Damage Preventing Mayday Calls
If you depend on your VHF marine radio for safety at sea, you know how crucial reliable communication is. I’ve experienced, through both fieldwork and talking with other boaters, that VHF radio antenna issues are one of the main reasons distress calls aren’t received—or even made in the first place. Knowing how to prevent, spot, … Read more
Compact 406 MHz EPIRB Recommended For Weekend Sailboats
A day on the water feels best when I know I’ve planned for safety. One essential piece of gear I consider for weekend sailboats is a compact 406 MHz EPIRB. Even if I stay within sight of the shoreline, emergencies can still happen. When weather changes unexpectedly or equipment fails, having a reliable distress beacon … Read more
Preventative Measures To Reduce Fire Hazards On Your Yacht
Fire hazards on a yacht can pose unique challenges, threatening not just property but the safety and peace of everyone on board. Confined spaces, limited exits, and the ocean’s isolation can turn even small fires into dangerous situations because help may take extra time to arrive. Understanding how to prevent yacht fires is crucial for … Read more
