Category Archives: Safety Thoughts

Coast Guard halts illegal charters on Lake Washington, Lake Union

Posted on September 8, 2020 by captnmike

The U.S.Coast Guard is charged with safety on Federal Navigable Waters among their many areas of responsibilities. Boats carrying passengers for hire are required to have licensed Masters/Captains in charge and onboard. This is to help keep passengers safe. The … Continue reading →

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Boating Safety Tips For The Holiday Weekend

Posted on September 4, 2020 by captnmike

The Coast Guard urges boaters across the country to use extra caution while on the water this Labor Day weekend. Here is the safety advice from two districts with additional suggestions I have learned over the last 30 years as … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Falling By Brion Toss

Posted on May 17, 2020 by captnmike

Falling by Brion Toss is a delightful and entertaining must read for anyone that works aloft, while the adventures are mostly from the marine field, anyone that has ever worked aloft will find something interesting and maybe even amusing as … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Into the Raging Sea, Thirty Three Mariners, One Megastorm, And The Sinking of the El Faro

Posted on January 21, 2019 by captnmike

Into the Raging Sea Thirty Three Mariners, One Megastorm, And The Sinking of El Faro By Rachel Slade The loss of the 790 ft U.S. Flagged container ship in Hurricane Joaquin three years ago on October 1, 2015 with 33 … Continue reading →

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Hoax calls affect us all – A Bit of History

Posted on July 10, 2018 by captnmike

A rather sobering bit of information from the U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic on the impact of false MAYDAY calls. This is the fishing vessel SOL E MAR. This is a MAYDAY, were sinking, we need help now! were … Continue reading →

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Life Jackets Work!! But Only If You Wear It

Posted on July 25, 2016 by captnmike

Last Saturday as we were putting out the fenders at the end of the sail, I heard a splash followed by a couple of expletive deleted words, a quick look around the boat indicated we were short one crew member. … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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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