Category Archives: Boating Safety

Coast Survey improves access to data on thousands of wrecks and obstructions

Knowing the locations of shipwrecks and other obstructions has always been important for safe navigation ‒ but mariners are not the only people who want to know about wrecks. They are also important for marine archeology, recreational diving, salvage operations,…

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Round Turn and Two Half Hitches

A great Fender Knot is the Round Turn and Two Half Hitches, it is also a great all around knot for both using on a boat and at home. I find the Round Turn and Two Half Hitches just as … Continue reading

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Towboat Hitch / Capstan Hitch – UPDATED

The Towboat Hitch or Capstan Hitch is a great knot or hitch to use when you need to tie a line to your winch or a post.  The Towboat Hitch or Capstan Hitch is quick and easy to tie, very … Continue reading

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Pelican Hooks / Gate Hooks

The simple Pelican Hook / Gate Hook seems to befuddle many crew members (and a fair number of skippers also).   Here are some simple tips to take the mystery out of the Pelican Hook/ Gate Hook. Improper operation of the … Continue reading

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21st Century ATON’s & Waterway Safety

Tuesday June 3, 2014 I attended the Future of Navigation Listening Session in Seattle. This was a chance for Puget Sound boaters to find out about recent Aids to Navigation changes and hear about changes on the way and for … Continue reading

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Buntline Hitch

The Buntline Hitch is a very secure, but little known knot.  It’s history goes back to the age of sail when a knot was needed that would stay tied to the foot of the sails on Square-Rigged Ships with the … Continue reading

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How are Your Boat Roping Skills?

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) demonstrate their cowboy skills in this video with a lass rope to get a runaway boat under control. In the Public Education Classes we make a big issue of why boaters should attach the … Continue reading

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Drowning Does Not Look Like Drowning

#122702810 / gettyimages.com I found this article over on gCaptain, they published it in June of 2010 and they have republished it by popular demand every Labor Day Weekend since then.  A very enlightening article on why you will not … Continue reading

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