Category Archives: Boating Safety

Safe Boating In Fog

Posted on October 21, 2013 by captnmike

With the arrival of the Fall fog season a few safety tips for boating in the fog are in order. Before the fog sets in, make sure you have charts and a compass on board.  A GPS is also good … Continue reading →

Posted in Boating Safety, Safety Thoughts, Sailing and Boating Skills, seattle | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

Your Fire Extinguisher

Posted on October 9, 2013 by captnmike

On a cold Sunday last winter some friends were on their way from Kirkland to a Frostbite Series race on Lake Union when the Coast Guard pulled along side their sailboat. The Coast Guard Boarding Officer ask if they had … Continue reading →

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Where Are You In Lake Washington?

Posted on October 3, 2013 by captnmike

This is a chart showing locations in Lake Washington I made to help the Seattle Harbor Patrol train new members on locations in Lake Washington. If a friend asks you to meet them somewhere on Lake Washington and you don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Boating Safety, Navigation, Sailing and Boating Skills, seattle | Tagged | Leave a comment

A weather radio can save your life (even if it doesn’t float)

Posted on September 25, 2013 by captnmike

EAR TO THE GROUND WITH DNR Gov. Jay Inslee has proclaimed October as Washington State Disaster Preparedness Month and NOAA Weather Radio Awareness Month. Consider a weather radio as your “first-alert” to the many types of hazardous events for which we … Continue reading →

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Special Notice To Mariners

Posted on September 23, 2013 by captnmike

Need to know how to contact the Coast Guard, either by phone or VHF radio?  Or what to do in an emergency on the water? Never fear, there is a FREE guide from the District 13 Coast Guard, covering these … Continue reading →

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Three Stopper Knots

Posted on August 21, 2013 by captnmike

Here are three different stopper knots for use on your sailboat. The Figure Eight Stopper Knot is probably the most popular Stopper Knot in use, named as it looks like a Figure 8, it’s in every sailing book. The Figure … Continue reading →

Posted in Boating Safety, Sailing and Boating Skills | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Alki Point Lighthouse History & Tours

Posted on July 22, 2013 by captnmike

Have you ever wondered what the inside of a Lighthouse looks like? The Alki Point Lighthouse in West Seattle is open for FREE tours most Weekends from the first weekend in June to the last weekend in August (Current Tour … Continue reading →

Posted in Boating Safety, History, seattle | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Washing Your Sheets, Halyards and Lines

Posted on June 4, 2013 by captnmike

Washing the lines and halyard that have been exposed to the elements over the winter is one of my spring rites of getting the boat ready for another sailing season. Washing lines can make them easier to handle, extend their … Continue reading →

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