1. Draw a line from where you are (A) to where you want to go (B). (Your ground track). Be sure to extend your line through B.
2. Measure this distance and decide roughly how long it will take. Ie 1 hour, 2 hours etc.
3. At point A draw off a line to represent the tide. (A-C). The length of this line relates to the rate of tidal flow in 1 hour or 2 hours depending on your answer to point 2 above. The direction of the line relates to the direction of the tide. The rate and flow can be found in the tidal atlas or tidal diamond information on a chart. (more…)
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Course to Steer in 6 simple steps
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Part D Sounds and Light Signals
Rule 35 – Sound signals in restricted visibility
In or near an area of restricted visibility, whether by day or night, the signals prescribed in this Rule shall be used as follows:
(a) A power-driven vessel making way through the water shall sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes one prolonged blast.
(b) A power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making no way through the water shall sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes two prolonged blasts in succession with an interval of about 2 seconds between them. (more…)
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Leave Comment » Chart Projections – Mercator
Most of the charts that we use for local coastal navigation are almost always Mercator projection. Geradus Mercator was a Flemish cartographer and mathematician who developed the Mercator projection in 1569.
It became the standard map projection for maritime use because it allows rhumb lines (a course from A to B) to be drawn as a straight line, which is very handy. For example sailing from Cowes to the Lizard of Cornwall actually involves sailing over a curved surface. To be able to just plot (as you can on a Mercator projection) a straight line saves all sorts of calculations.
How is a Mercator projection formed? (more…)
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Section III – Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility
Rule 19 – Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility
(a) This Rule applies to vessels not in sight of one another when navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility.
(b) Every vessel shall proceed at a safe speed adapted to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility. A power-driven vessel shall have her engines ready for immediate manoeuvre. (more…)
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Leave Comment » Heavy Weather Sailing
Drogues and Sea Anchors
Sea anchors and drogues are essential items of safety equipment which should be carried by vessels cruising any distance offshore.
A Sea Anchor should provide sufficient power to hold the bow of a vessel head to wind in the worst storm conditions. It is deployed from the bow of the boat and greatly reduces the risk of broaching and capsizing or rolling, thus keeping the boat more comfortable and stable throughout the duration of the heavy weather. (more…)
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Annex IV – Distress Signals
1. The following signals, used or exhibited either together or separately, indicate distres and the need of assistance:
a) a gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute;
b) a continuous sounding with any fog-signalling apparatus;
c) rockets or shells, throwing red stars fired one at a time at short intervals;
d) a signal made by radiotelegraphy or by any other signalling method consisiting of the group …—… (SOS) in the Morse Code;
e) a signal sent by radiotelegraphy consisting of the spoken word “MayDay”;
f) the international Code Signal of distress indicated by N.C.; (more…)
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Leave Comment » Beaufort Scale
Do you know your Beaufort Scale and what the corresponding sea state looks like?
The Beaufort Scale was devised in 1805 by Sir Francis Beaufort in order to standardise an otherwise very subjective topic.
Initially the scale, which ran from zero to twelve, did not reference wind speed but rather related qualitative wind conditions to the effect on sails of a Man of War ship. At 0 all the sails would be up. At 6 only half the sails would be up and at Force 12 all the sails would be stowed.
In the 1850’s the scale started corresponding to the wind speed and in 1906, to accommodate the growth of steam power, descriptions were changed from how the sails behaved to how the sea behaved. (more…)
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