Here are a few links to help the students in the Mountaineers Spring Sailing Crew Class that I helped teach.

These links are also good starting point for any recreational boater.

Links are provided to Nav. Problems, handouts,  additional information on charts,  PowerPoint presentations and additional practice problems and resources for recreational boaters.

PowerPoint’s / Videos

• U.S. Aids to Navigation – An introduction to the U.S. Aids to Navigation System with pictures showing the  Aids to Navigation (ATON’s) and chart sections showing how the ATON’s are appear on the chart.  The ATON’s and charts are from the Seattle and Puget Sound area.
• Marine Sound Signals – An introduction to common Marine Sound Signals used  in the Puget Sound Area.
• Introduction-to-Marine-Charts-Part 1 – A short  introduction on how to read a marine chart, how to choose the proper marine chart for safe boating, including how to choose the proper scale,  a few hints and tips on what to look for on a chart and  some often overlooked tidbits  that will help make your boating safer and easier.

General Reference:

• Useful Web Sites and Information for Boaters and USCG Auxiliary Members – Includes the weather links I covered in class
• Interesting and Useful Boating Books – Some general books for boaters
• Personal Boating Safety Equipment – Equipment that many people carry on their person while boating.
• What is Boating Safety?? – A few thoughts on Boating Safety & a safe attitude in general.
• Hypothermia – Symptoms and treatment, also click through the link to the Cold Water Boot Camp to see what happens in water temperatures similar to what is seen in Puget Sound.

Articles That Have Handouts You Can Print Out

• Boating Etiquette – Tips on how to behave on a boat.
• Distress Signals – A quick overview.
• VHF Marine Radio Tips – Basic how to use a marine VHF, includes the phonetic alphabet and a two page printer friendly version you can take with you on a boat.
• Crew Tips from George – Valuable tips from a sailing veteran.
• Man Overboard! / Skipper Overboard! 30 knot winds, 35 / 40 knot puffs, a Hard Knockdown, Jammed Lines and the Skipper Overboard!  A first hand account of a skipper going overboard in Puget Sound.
• Nav Rules / Marine Rules of the Road Quick Overview of the Navigation Rules with self test.  World famous one page executive summery of the Rules of the Road.
• Quick Overview of Marine Charts – A quick executive summery.
• Boating Safety Handouts Student Handouts from Classes I Have Taught.
• How to use a Winch on a Sailboat – more tips from George
• Important Seattle Area Boating Information – Local notes including speed zones.

Boating Skills

• Is This Your Cleat? or How to tie a cleat (with new pictures) – Step by step how to tie a cleat
• How to tie a Bowline with your left hand – Updated – Help tying the Bowline for left handed people.
• Towboat Hitch / Capstan Hitch – a good knot when you need a non-jamming tie to a single post, bit or sailboat winch. The Towboat Hitch or Capstan Hitch can be tied quickly. It can be untied under load.
• Lee’s Fender Knot – A quick secure knot for tying fenders and storing coils of line
• Toe Rail Fender Knot – A quick and easy knot for tying fenders for boats with a toe rail.
• Spar Hitch – Ground Line Hitch – Picket Line Hitch – a great knot for tying fenders to a lifeline. It is very secure and will hold around small and slick objects.
• How to Tie Your Boat to a Dock that has a Bull Rail – Part 1 – When there is a Bull Rail on the dock but no cleat to tie to.

Exercises

• Chart 18446 Lab Exercise – Crew Class–Part 1 – Chart familiarization Lab Exercise.  This is the Lab Exercise worked in the 2013 Crew Class.
• Crew Course Navigation Exercise 1 – Some typical navigation questions for recreational boaters.
• Navigation Exercise 2 – More typical navigation problems for the recreational boater.
• Mountaineers Sailing Crew Class Navigation Exercise – The lab handout from the second class session.

Thanks for supporting Boating Safety.

Updated: May 01, 2013

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