Important Seattle Area Boating Information

Posted on August 20, 2010 by captnmike

Information to help you stay out of trouble with the Harbor Patrol and Coast Guard when boating in the Seattle area.

July 1, 2013 – Post Updated

The Seattle Harbor Patrol has published a very nice booklet (available from the Seattle Harbor Patrol and at Coast Guard Auxiliary events in the Seattle Area) (also available in PDF format for a free download) on how to avoid unwanted attention from the Seattle Harbor Patrol and other Law Enforcement Organizations

Avoiding the Seattle Harbor Patrol’s Attention

Rules of the Water:

All vessels operating on federally regulated waters, including those in the City of Seattle, shall be in compliance with all Federal, State and local equipment requirements.

Speed Limits (SMC 16.20.130)


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Posted in Navigation, Safety Thoughts, Sailing and Boating Skills | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Pictures of Wandering from Stockholm to Lisbon:

Posted on August 11, 2010 by captnmike

Pictures from Europe

Aboard the 19m Icebreaker Patrol Boat A. E. Appelberg

 

Read Not a Sailing Trip – Notes from an Icebreaker in Europe

Read About My European Icebreaker Adventure helping to Deliver the A.E. Appelberg a 62 foot former Swedish Coast Guard Auxiliary Icebreaker patrol boat from Stockholm Sweden to Lisbon Portugal.



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Posted in Sailing Trip Notes | 2 Comments

Anchor Types and Tips

Posted on August 10, 2010 by captnmike

What size and type of anchor do you need?

To fully answer the what size and type would require a book and even then not everyone would agree on the conclusions. What size and type of an anchor is a question bar fights have been known to be made of.

The bottom line is that all anchors will fail in some conditions many cruisers carry multiple types and sizes of anchors so they are ready for different conditions.

Every boater is encouraged to check the size and type of anchor and rode for their boat at least once to help insure they have the proper anchor and rode for their intended use. Every boater should understand the limits of each anchor they have on board. The manufactures literature as well as various catalog sheets and tests by publications such as Practical Sailor, Chapman Piloting, Seamanship & Small Boat Handling as well as the manufactures of your anchor line.

Extreme caution should be exercised when setting and retrieving the anchor to prevent damage to the boat and injury to the crew. Do not stand in the byte of the rode and getting caught in the rode and drug overboard. Also be careful of the windlass as it is easy to get caught in it’s teeth, also guard fingers against getting caught in or pinched by the chain.

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Anchoring Your Boat

Posted on August 5, 2010 by captnmike

Ground Tackle: Anchor, Chain, Rode and Scope


Guidelines from a power boat cruiser.

Your vessel needs adequate ground tackle to hold it in place at a safe depth in any weather you may encounter while off the dock.

Anchors: The type of anchor varies greatly so personal preference is where I will leave that.

Scope: The ratio of the length of the anchor line / rode to the depth of the water.

Rode: All the chain and or chain and line, here again personal preference.

All anchors require some chain to work correctly; rule of thumb is, the chains length is equal to or greater than length of the vessel.

Chain: Perhaps the most important part of the ground tackle it helps maximize the holding power of the anchor. The heaver and longer the chain the better your anchor can hold.

Things I look at when arriving at an anchoring area:


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Mountaineers Aug 10 2003

Posted on August 2, 2010 by captnmike

Pictures from the Archive

Nice afternoon

Has been moved to:

http://captnmikephotos.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/mountaineers-aug-10-2003/

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Mountaineers July 25 2010

Posted on July 25, 2010 by captnmike

Great group – 8 to 12 knots of wind, 3 inch chop, sun, Mt. Baker and Mt. Rainier were both out, fine food – one big hole in the wind right in the shipping / VTS lane we had to power out of to get out of the way of the tug and tow, but other than that all was well.

Has been moved to:

http://captnmikephotos.wordpress.com/2010/07/25/mountaineers-july-25-2010/

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Yacht Club June 12 2010

Posted on June 12, 2010 by captnmike

Great wind and weather – nice group of folks – includes pictures from Carol

Has been moved to:

http://captnmikephotos.wordpress.com/2010/06/12/yacht-club-june-12-2010/

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Mountaineers June 05 2010

Posted on June 5, 2010 by captnmike

Started with light wind and filled in to 8 to 10 knots for most of the afternoon, sun was out, good company and good food, everybody did a good job.  A few pictures, at least one good one for every one, and yes a few open mouths and a couple of “don’t point the camera at me again” look.

Has been moved to:

http://captnmikephotos.wordpress.com/2010/06/05/mountaineers-june-05-2010/

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