Hazards at Sea...
Below are our articles on the subject of Hazards at Sea. If you can't see what you are looking for our other categories are displayed on the left under 'Our Quick Links'...
A Career as a Boat Captain
As well as a passion for the open waves, the making of any successful boat captain is experience and training....
All About the Hydrofoil
In introducing a burst of speed to the sedate world of ferry travel, the hydrofoil was for two decades at the forefront of fast ferry innovation, until the catamaran stole its thunder....
Anchoring
A good skipper not only must be able to handle a vessel in full flow, but also keep it in one place. Good anchoring skills are therefore important for any skipper....
Arctic Voyaging
For an alternative cruising experience, Arctic voyaging offers an intimate perspective of the stark and beautiful far northern landscapes that are fast disappearing....
Boat Maintenance
From the moment of purchase it is essential to start thinking about boat maintenance and the schedule of upkeep if the vessel is stay looking new and performing well....
Boating and the Environment
To preserve the marine environment that give boaters so much pleasure every effort should be made to minimise their impact on it....
Boating Safety
It is important to be prepared for any trip on the water, whether with the appropriate items, necessary skills and experience of the crew or with safety of the boat itself....
Buoys and Marine Traffic Rules
In order to keep life on the water safe and free, there are some ‘rules of the road’ that need to be observed....
Buying a Boat: New or Used?
Whether to buy used or new is ultimately a question of personal wants and needs that only the prospective boat owner can answer....
Camping Skiff Holidays
If you are seeking an activity holiday that is more relaxing and fun than hair-raising and exhausting then do as the Victorians did and indulge in a camping skiff holiday....
Canoeing and Kayaking
Canoeing offers the cheapest and easiest way to get active on the waterways of the UK and with its popularity soaring there has never been a better time to join in the fun....
Cape Horn: The Everest of Sailing
Of all the world’' maritime landmarks none is more notorious or evokes more fear and awe than the remote and unforgiving waters of Cape Horn....
Certified Boats and Dealers
Before purchasing any vessel a comprehensive boat survey is recommended to assess the condition of the boat, to make sure there are no hidden surprises that could cause future headaches....
Coping with Man Overboard Situation
A ‘man overboard’ situation is a common occurrence in boating, but whether it leads to a simple rescue or a terrifying emergency is down to the knowledge of the crew....
Corporate Sailing Events
Corporate sailing events provide an excellent opportunity for employees to not only learn some new skills but learn more about their colleagues and how to work better as a team....
Daysailers
For those who love the thrill of cruising the open water exposed to the elements but don’t have the time and money required for yacht cruising, daysailing provides a sterling alternative....
Dealing with Seasickness
At some point seasickness affects almost everybody that steps on board a sea faring vessel - fortunately its often debilitating effects can be prevented....
Different Sailboat Types
Sailboats come in a variety of different traditional types and so to help identify who is who out on the water, here we present a brief guide....
Dinghy Racing
Dinghy racing not only provides the thrills of competitive sport but it also can greatly improve a sailor’s boat handling and general sailing skills....
Docking and Mooring
Docking and mooring is not a difficult art to master, but getting to that point can be an unnerving and embarrassing experience, especially with experienced dockers watching over the learning process....
Emergencies on Board: Leaks and Fires
Two emergencies that cause the most concern amongst boaters are leaks and fires, but being prepared for such eventualities can help prevent the freedom of the open water being jeopardised....
Ferrying Around the Greek Islands
Greek island hopping is a fun and relaxing holiday as long as you’re not a traveller that likes their trips to follow rigorously planned itineraries....
Ferrying Around the Scottish Isles
Scotland’s sparkling array of islands are well connected with ferry routes, and offer great potential for wild exploration and island hopping....
Financing Your Boat
Before making grand plans for a vessel purchase it is important to consider how the funds will be raised and what additional costs are not included in the price tag....
Freighter Cruising
Freighter cruising is a great way to experience the open seas on board ship without having to resort to holiday cruise pampering or the hard graft of being cargo crew....
Gaining Crew Experience
For those eager to gain crew experience on board commercial or luxury yachts, training courses provide the most effective stepping stone into an industry of adventure....
General Sailing for OAPs and Disabled
Sailing gives those with disabilities the opportunity to experience the life-affirming euphoria of cruising across the water at the helm of sailboat....
General Sailing with Children - Tips and Activities
For happy and successful family cruising holidays it is in everyone’s best interests to make sure that each passenger’s experience on the ocean wave is an enjoyable and safe one....
Getting a Boating Licence
There is no rule whereby a boater must first pass the equivalent to a driving test, instead in boating there is a greater emphasis on the competency of the boat itself....
Getting Emergency Help On Board
In moments of crisis out on the water when a problem cannot be resolved by those onboard and assistance is urgently required, the ability to call for help is imperative....
Getting the Best Channel Ferry Deal
Ferries offer a relaxing and civilised way to cross the Channel and, with some astute booking, fare deals that rival budget airlines....
How Sailing Has Become a Sport For Everyone
Not long ago it was the preserve of the elite, but now sailing is now a sport that attracts people from all ages and backgrounds. How did sailing become a sport for everyone?...
How to Avoid Sea Piracy
As the number of sea pirate attacks continues to increase, sailors are advised to be aware of the high-risk areas and keep a close eye on the safety status of those waters in which they are due to tra...
Insuring Your Boat
Accidents on the water can happen to anyone and so rather than face the financial consequences, it is better to put the mind at rest and find the right boat insurance....
Introduction to Sailing
Sailing is as popular a recreation as ever and as it is open to all ages and easy to master the basics, everyone can join in and enjoy a lifetime of rewards....
Join a Lifeboat Crew and Save Lives at Sea
In return for time and selfless commitment, lifeboat services offer one of the most exciting, challenging and rewarding voluntary jobs in the UK....
Joining a Boating Club
Joining a club is a great way for beginners to experience the wide range of exciting opportunities on offer within the world of boating....
Kayaking and Canoeing Holidays (UK & Abroad)
Canoeing is a versatile activity that can be enjoyed on all types of waterways and requires very little equipment and preparation – just a thirst for exploration and the great outdoors....
Learning Key Sailing Terms
The world of sailing operates under a different code with its own rules and terminology. Familiarising yourself with some popular sailing terms is a key step in understanding the art....
Living on a Boat
In order to join the vibrant community of boat dwellers it is important to be well informed of the ins and outs of this alternative lifestyle....
Making The Most of Marine Events
Boating has always been at the heart of British culture and its marine events play a key role in its social calendar, providing perfect days out for the whole family....
Managing a Grounded Vessel
Running aground is a common situation for experienced and novice boaters alike, and so having an array of techniques to safely re-float a grounded craft is an important maritime skill....
Modern Sea Piracy
For many, piracy is associated with a bygone age of swashbuckling seafarers on the high seas, but recent years have seen it grow into major modern day hazard....
Mooring and Storing Your Boat
One of the key priorities for any prospective boat owner should be where amongst the hundreds of mooring sites across the UK it will be stored....
Motor Boating
From across inland lakes, down rivers and over seas, motor boating can take you on relaxing and engaging journeys of discovery without needing to wait for the wind....
Motor Holidays on Inland Waterways
The inland waterways of the UK are a very popular holiday destination for those who want an exciting new way to experience the wonders of this green and pleasant land....
Motorboating Courses
Motorboating courses offer beginners, novices and the more experienced the opportunity to expand their knowledge further and achieve high levels of seamanship and navigation....
Motorboating Holidays Abroad
Motorboating is the perfect way to discover the traditional heart of a country beneath the trappings of modern development, and at a more traditional pace....
Narrow and Canal Boating
Narrowboating is for those who prefer to see the world at a walking pace, allowing time to take in the wonders of the surroundings from the comforts of a floating home....
Navigation Onboard Your Boat
Out on the open sea there are no guiding road signs and so a boater must instead rely on their skills of navigation to find their way across the waves....
Ocean Rowing
Rowing is traditionally associated with lazy bucolic days messing about on a lake, but ocean rowing is conversely an altogether more demanding feat....
Power Boat Racing
With more and more affordable routes into the fast and furious sport of powerboat racing there has never been a better time to get in on the action....
Power Boating
Those who find cruising across the water in sailboat a touch too leisurely should try out the wild adrenaline rush of powerboating....
Round the World Racing
The feat of circumnavigating the globe in a boat has fascinated skippers for centuries and is regarded by many as the greatest maritime test of them all....
Sailing and Boating Equipment
Preparation is the key to a successful and worry-free cruise, and that means making that the boat and its passengers are well prepared with the proper clothing and equipment....
Sailing Courses
Sailing is a skilled activity ruled by the weather and the tides that presents new challenges everyday and it is therefore essential that beginners undergo training before taking to the water....
Sailing Holidays in the UK and Abroad
Yacht cruising is an ideal way to unwind, get active and get out into the open air, and is therefore an ideal way to spend a holiday adventure....
Sailing, Boating and the National Trust
Some of the UK’s most beautiful waterways are in the preserve of the National Trust and as long as you play by their rules, they make wonderful locations for sailing and boating....
Selling Your Boat
Selling a boat is every bit as important as buying a boat and a little research, time and elbow grease will ultimately give the same level of satisfaction....
Tall Ship Racing
Tall ship racing is a unique maritime spectacle - not only does it feature magnificent sailing galleons from the golden age of sail but crews of young cadet sailors....
Tall Ships and Sail Training
Every year thousands of young folks from all nationalities, cultures, religions and social backgrounds set sail in majestic tall ships seeking adventure on the ocean wave....
The Demise of the Hovercraft
Once seen as the transport of the future, and among the fastest ships in the world, but now rarely ever seen – so what happened to Britain’s prized hovercraft?...
The History of the Channel Ferry
As an island nation, ferries have long provided a vital link with the rest of Europe, but after two centuries, their importance to the holidaying population is beginning to fade....
The Lowdown on UK Ferry Travel
At one time ferries connected millions of British holidaymakers with a host of European countries, but are we finally waving farewell to the UK ferry industry?...
The Mystery of the Bermuda Triangle
The Bermuda Triangle has been blamed for the disappearance of countless planes and ships over the years, but is there any genuine substance to the claims or is it more myth than mystery?...
The Rise of the Catamaran
Hailed as the ferry of the future, the catamaran ferry rose to prominence on the seas around the British Isles with its combination of ferry democracy and catamaran speed....
The Strange Voyage of Donald Crowhurst
Less a tale of daring adventure than one of delusion, deceit and madness, Donald Crowhurst's aborted voyage around the world makes for one of the most fascinating of maritime stories....
Tips for Sailing in Bad Weather
Bad weather is a common worry for those seafarers learning to sail but it needn’t be if you make adequate preparations and precautions....
Towing your Boat
Towing a cumbersome vessel can seem very daunting to the uninitiated but adherence to some basic rules and little extra care will quickly turn any fears into confidence on the road....
Trailer Sailing
Trailer sailing not only offers the freedom of the open wave but the freedoms of the highway, allowing sailors to take their precious vessels overseas or back home....
Types of Boat
Jeanneau, Broom, Sealine, Fairline, motor cruisers, daysailers, catamarans, trimarans, dayboats, Hawk 20, canal cruisers, canoes, kayaks, yacht cruisers, powerboats, RIBs, JCraft Ribs, Ribcraft Ltd, S...
Understanding Your Sailboat
Although they may initially sound like a foreign language, understanding the terms used to refer to the various parts of a sailboat form an integral part of sailing....
Weather and Tides
Understanding the patterns of weather and tides is one of the key seamanship skills, and is essential for not getting caught out by unexpected weather turns when the forecasts fail....
What Experiences and Skills for Transatlantic Sailing?
If you plan to spend long periods on the water then it is strongly advised to begin any maritime adventures by signing up for a beginner’s motorboat course....
What to Look for When Choosing a Boat
Buying a boat follows the same rules as any other large purchase; the more consideration and research undertaken beforehand, the more likely the final decision will be the right one....
Yacht Cruising
The recreation of Yacht Cruising is not a preserve of the rich - its joys of exploration and freedom on the ocean wave are open to all....
Yacht Racing
Yacht racing is not about pure high octane thrills but instead is a challenging and complex sport combining science, endurance and intellect....