Good seamanship is the cornerstone of safety at sea, and its best allies are a seaworthy vessel and an able crew.
Time after time, we’re reminded that lapses in seamanship, often labeled “operator error,” are the root cause of most catastrophes at sea. Take for example, the foundering of container ship El Faro, caused by a captain who defied weather reports and clung to a course that sent him and his ship into the center of Hurricane Juaquin.
Safety & Seamanship
Is an auto-inflate PFD the right answer for solo offshore cruisers?
On the other hand, if you are conscious, there are three probable scenarios. First, you might be pinned against the topside but still tethered. Assuming your tether was conservatively short, you are within...
Safety & Seamanship
Most sailors are familiar with Thor Heyedrahl’s adventures aboard his balsa raft Kon Tiki. Some may remember the self-rescue line that they dragged behind the boat. Since the raft travelled so slowly, this “last chance” line gave a fit sailor a sporting chance to...
Marine Electronics
A typical cruising boat has thousands of electrical connections. The consequence of failure range from a light that doesn’t work to a fire that can cost lives.
by Drew Frye on January 08, 2019
Dock lines are particularly susceptible to overheating. If the boat is exposed to short-period chop from the side, the frequency can be high and the force can exceed the 10:1 safe working limit. Core temperatures above the boiling point are possible in dry conditions, and even with spray to cool the rope there may be significant weakening. Add to this considerable frictional heating at contact points and special precautions are required.
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