Author Archives: captnmike

The Seattle Harbor Patrol – From 1877 To The Present

Posted on July 5, 2016 by captnmike

The Seattle Harbor Patrol traces it’s ancestory back to 1877 when the Harbor Department was established.  It was ran by the Port Warden an elected official. In 1912 they had one boat. This is a nice video tracing the history … Continue reading →

Posted in Boating Safety, History, seattle | Tagged | 3 Comments

The View From The Fremont Drawbridge Tower – The Bridge Operators Perspective

Posted on June 16, 2016 by captnmike

Recently I had a chance to visit the Bridge Operator Tower on the Fremont Bridge and talk with some operators about the challenges they face daily balancing the needs of vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists and vessels (both recreational and commercial).  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Boating Safety, Safety Thoughts, seattle | Tagged , | 10 Comments

Beta test of crowdsourced bathymetry holds promise for improving U.S. nautical charts

Posted on June 14, 2016 by captnmike

We are on the verge of acquiring a significant new source of data to improve NOAA nautical charts, thanks to an enthusiastic industry and mariners equipped with new technology. By Lt. Adam Reed, Integrated Oceans and Coastal Mapping (IOCM) Assistant Coordinator The United…

Posted in Boating Safety | 2 Comments

Video: How to Launch a Sailboat Like a Boss

Posted on June 10, 2016 by captnmike

This has to be one of the best how to launch a sailboat videos around, no big errors just the coolest quickest and smoothest launch ever. This video was made for AV-OG-TIL, a Norwegian NGO, working to reduce the harmful … Continue reading →

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Dead Tired – Tips For Preventing and Dealing With Fatigue On The Water

Posted on June 3, 2016 by captnmike

Tired, lack of sleep and environmental stress factors (sun, heat, cold, vessel movement) are often overlooked by recreational boaters as well as professional mariners and this can contribute to accidents on the water. A person who has been awake for 17 … Continue reading →

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Be sure to get the latest nautical charts!

Posted on May 18, 2016 by captnmike

Hope springs eternal. Or maybe, given the cold and dreary May (at least on the East Coast), the adage should be re-phrased a bit, as we have “eternal hopes for spring.” In any case, boaters still have time to get…

Posted in Boating Safety | 2 Comments

Olympic Coast survey provides data for multiple uses

Posted on May 9, 2016 by captnmike

Coastal planners, fishery managers, and oceanographic researchers will soon reap important seafloor and water column data from the coast of Washington, when NOAA Ship Rainier undertakes a special project in the waters within and near the Olympic Coast National Marine…

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Proper Bridge Opening Signals and Conch Shell Horns

Posted on April 19, 2016 by captnmike

Sometimes boaters have trouble getting a bridge to open for them, there are several reasons why a bridge might not lift as soon as you sound your horn. The email below is from a Seattle Bridge Operator and was forwarded … Continue reading →

Posted in Boating Safety, Sailing and Boating Skills | Tagged , | 7 Comments