Why Do Accidents Occur? You’re Only Human

Any boater who spends any time online has seen the boat fail videos at Haulover Inlet in Florida.  It’s super easy and even fun to critique them and wonder what you would have done differently.  There […]

6 Pack UPV – Be One of the Few Legal Ones

Every week I get requests for my availability as captain for a “charter”, often to take out paying passengers.  This is followed up by a couple of questions from me: Does your boat have all legally-required […]

Crosswind Docking Like a Pro

Docking a boat in a slip on a calm day is pretty straightforward for most operators once you’ve done it a few times.  But add a crosswind (or cross current) and it can quickly turn into […]

Don’t Become a Rule 9 Violation

Last week I was heading out of Oakland Inner Harbor and negotiated passage with this inbound ship just moments after I heard them on the radio calling in a Rule 9 violation.  Not good for someone […]

Does ANYONE Know the Navrules?…

Every day on the water brings new challenges and new stories.  I was on the water just last night and experienced a close call with another vessel that I just had to share.  We all (should) […]

How to Develop a Deviation Card

OK, just a brief warning up front…this is going to get a bit complicated.  But it’s an important topic and one that many do not fully understand even through it’s a requirement for all OPFACs. The […]

Make Upwind Docking Less Scary

There’s probably no other single maneuver in boating that causes more anxiety than docking.  For beginners or seasoned pros, it is docking that has the most potential for at least some embarrassment, and at worst an […]

Facility Navigational Documents – End of An Era

All USCG Aux facility owners know that they must submit their vessel for facility inspection by a Vessel Examiner each year, with the results documented on Form ANSC-7003.  This ensures that they have all of the […]

Why Won’t This Boat Walk? Or Is It Me?…

Those who have operated a twin engine boat may know that it’s possible to “walk” the boat laterally or sideways.  This is of course a huge boon for close quarters boat handling and docking a twin.  […]

Navigation Tips for Day and Night – Don’t Become a Statistic

Coast Guard Auxiliary boat crews receive excellent training and must pass their initial and requalification checkrides to demonstrate competency.  While the vast majority of patrols are executed safely, there are those where mishaps occur and it’s […]