Tag Archives: crew skills

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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Round Turn and Two Half Hitches

Posted on July 5, 2014 by captnmike

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 →

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

Pelican Hooks / Gate Hooks

Posted on June 23, 2014 by captnmike

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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Buntline Hitch

Posted on June 8, 2014 by captnmike

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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Personal Boating Safety Equipment

Posted on May 28, 2012 by captnmike

What safety equipment should I have on me when I am boating or what safety equipment should I add to my lifejacket is a common question  ask at boating safety events. Here is the safety equipment that I and other … Continue reading →

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

Mountaineers Sailing Crew Class Resources – Spring 2012

Posted on April 10, 2012 by captnmike

Here are a few links to help the students in the Mountaineers Spring Sailing Crew Class that I helped teach. These links are also good starting point for any recreational boater. Links are provided to Nav. Problems, handouts,  additional information … Continue reading →

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

Cell Phone Overboard

Posted on February 22, 2012 by captnmike

2011 seemed to be the year of the “Cell Phone Overboard” event.  I received several emails, phone calls from land lines, smoke signals at public event and such explaining the cell phone had went into the water and they needed … Continue reading →

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U.S. Aids to Navigation

Posted on January 7, 2012 by captnmike

Understanding what an Aid to Navigation (ATON) means is a very important part of Safe Boating.  One of the problems understanding what each Aid to Navigation means is visualizing what a specific ATON looks like and match it to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Boating Safety, Navigation, Sailing and Boating Skills, seattle | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments