NauticEd - International Sailing & Powerboating Education

In sailing, familiarity can hide a changing situation.

- The wind still feels manageable.
- The boat is still under control.
- The route is one you have sailed before.
- Nothing appears serious enough to demand action.
But danger often develops before it feels dangerous. Good seamanship is recognizing that change early—while there is still time, room, and control.

Always be listening on channel 16

Using a VHF marine radio. Your VHF radio is a safety tool. Even if you don’t need to communicate with anyone, you should be listening for important weather updates and other announcements on channel 16. This is especially true if you’re boating in high-traffic areas or locations where weather can change quickly. You don’t have to have it blaring beside you and not let anyone else on the boat speak (not exactly our idea of a good sail), but you’ll want to have it on while you’re in transit.

Apparent Wind and True Wind on a Sailboat on different points of Sail

How to do a Heave-To on a Sailboat

Rule 15 (Crossing situation) - COLREGS

When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.