Tag Archives: boating skills

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 →

Posted in Boating Safety, Safety Thoughts | 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

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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An Ode To Credit Card Captains Around The World

Posted on February 8, 2016 by captnmike

Have you ever see someone that makes you wonder if a Boating Safety Class would have helped at all? These folks crashed 6 boats in 45 minutes, cut a mooring line or two, and the list went on. These are … Continue reading →

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Chafe Protection – Or keeping your boat tied up in a storm

Posted on November 13, 2015 by captnmike

As the fall storms and winds increase, chafe protection on mooring lines is often overlooked until a line parts or breaks. Lines should be protected anytime they go over or around a sharp or abrasive object. Chafe is increased anytime … Continue reading →

Posted in Boat Maintenance, Boating Safety, Sailing and Boating Skills | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

How To Tie The Sheet Bend and Double Sheet Bend

Posted on November 6, 2015 by captnmike

The Sheet Bend / Double Sheet Bend is used to fasten two lines together of different diameters.  But it can also be used to fasten two lines together of the same size. The Sheet Bend / Double Sheet Bend is … Continue reading →

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2014 Boating Accidents & How You Can Reduce Your Risk Of Having An Accident

Posted on August 14, 2015 by captnmike

Nobody wants to have a boating accident, here are my thoughts on how not to be a boating accident statistic, this is based on the U.S. Coast Guard’s study of 4,064 accidents in and compiled their 2014 Recreational Boating Statistics. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Boating Safety, Safety Thoughts | Tagged | 4 Comments