Boating Insights

A legally compliant boat and an offshore-ready boat are often two very different things.

In this episode of Boating Insights, we discuss the findings from our latest review of offshore standards used by Maritime New Zealand (MNZ), Australian Sailing Category 1, the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), and ARC / World ARC.

While many skippers focus on equipment such as EPIRBs, liferafts, flares and VHF radios, one of the strongest themes that emerged from the review was the importance of training, crew competency, recovery capability and communications redundancy.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The difference between legal compliance and offshore readiness

• Why training and competency featured so strongly across the standards reviewed

• Crew overboard recovery systems and procedures

• Communications redundancy for offshore boating

• Common themes across offshore cruising and racing standards

• Where skippers should focus their time and effort when preparing for offshore passages

Boating language can be confusing until you know what it really means — and that can lead to unintended consequences when it matters most. In this episode, Neil explores the quirky world of nautical terminology, from “make fast” and “spring lines” to “all hands on deck” and “pan pan.” We highlight some of the terms most commonly misunderstood, share ways to include simple explanations when using them, and offer ideas to help you set up clear, effective briefings that bridge the gap between what’s said by the skipper and what’s heard by the crew.

In this episode of Boating Insights, we discuss the must-have tools and spares that every navigator should consider having onboard to tackle simple electrical or mechanical issues at sea. From diagnosing electrical problems with a multimeter to having a robust multipurpose line for emergency towing, this episode covers the essentials to help keep your boat running smoothly. Listen now to ensure you're prepared for those unexpected challenges while on the water!

This short list highlights the essential tools and supplies you should consider having onboard for handling common mechanical and electrical issues at sea.

Essential Onboard Tools and Supplies:

• Multimeter
• Wire Strippers and Crimpers
• Spare Fuses and Fuse Tweezers
• Hose Clamps
• Sealant and Caulk Gun (Underwater Cure)
• Ratchet and Socket Set
• Spanners and Shifters
• Locking Pliers
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Utility Knife
• Spray Lubricant
• Electrical Tape
• Strong, Multipurpose Line
• Sea Anchor
• Bungs or Plugs for Through-Hull Fittings

In this episode, we dive into the essential steps for buying a boat, focusing on structuring your research process to ensure you catch the critical details that matter most to you. We'll cover key areas to focus on during your research, including handover procedures and post-purchase familiarisation. Plus, you'll learn how to keep things simple and stress-free throughout the journey, helping you make a confident decision and enjoy your new boat from day one. Listen now for practical tips to keep your boat-buying experience smooth and enjoyable!

Ready for adventure? In this episode, we simplify the preparation process for your bareboat charter. From essential pre-charter checklists and smart packing to mastering safety protocols and effective navigation planning, this guide will help you confidently approach your charter. Whether it's your first or twentieth bareboat trip, these tips will ensure a smooth handover and help you provide an excellent introduction for crew members new to bareboating.

The latest episode of Boating Insights is now available! We dive into the exciting world of dinghies and tenders, focusing on maximising safety without compromising fun. We'll explore various power options, essential communication tools, must-have safety equipment, and the importance of compliance with local regulations. Whether you're a seasoned skipper or new to boating, this episode will provide valuable insights to enhance your boating experience.

Several factors influence a boat's responsiveness to changes in direction during close-quarters manoeuvres and its ability to hold stationary to complete manoeuvres. The skipper and crew must understand these factors to safely and confidently handle various boat handling scenarios, such as picking up a mooring, anchoring, and docking.

In this episode, we walk you through the steps to identify your vessel's unique handling characteristics, making boat handling look like a walk in the park!

The ocean is the language of us all, evoking a sense of universal connection and shared passion, especially for those who love boating, sailing, or any water-based activities. It represents a vast, communal playground that transcends individual experiences and cultures. The sea speaks a shared language through the winds, waves, and tides, uniting people in their love for water and exploration.

In this episode, we explore how you can continue to explore, learn about, and respect the marine environment. It's crucial to recognise the ocean's role not just as a playground but as a vital, life-sustaining part of our planet. We'll share practical tips to help you minimise your impact while maximising your enjoyment of the ocean, ensuring its health and preservation for future generations.

Do you have a new boating adventure starting to form as an idea?

The more adventurous and challenging the plan, the more planning you need to undertake. A significant factor in trip planning can be how much of the skills development you do for yourself and how much is suitable for the others you go boating with.

By strategically planning your training regimen and effectively navigating team dynamics, you'll set off feeling confident, prepared, and united with your fellow boaters. This episode looks at setting up your pathway to ensure you get out there feeling ready and adequately prepared for the trip of a lifetime.

This episode of Boating Insights explores the shift from paper to digital navigation, highlighting recent announcements by the UK and Australian Hydrographic Offices. Join us as we discuss the evolving trends in eNavigation and the impact on maritime practices. From the convenience of digital systems to the enduring relevance of paper charts, we'll take you through the challenges and opportunities of this transition.

In this episode of "Boating Insights," we delve into the age-old saying, "I wish I knew then what I know now!" Join us as we uncover some hidden gems of boating – those parts of the boat you might not fully understand, items you've brought on board but never used, and essential knowledge for your crew in case the skipper is unavailable. We're here to demystify the secrets of your vessel, ensuring that your boating experience is enjoyable but also safe and informed.

This episode celebrates the simple joy of being out on the water. Sometimes, amidst the hustle and bustle of life, we forget to take a moment to savour the beauty of our surroundings and the sheer pleasure of being afloat. So, this episode is dedicated to all of you who have ventured out onto the water – whether it's a serene lake, a meandering river, or the vast open sea. We want to say 'well done' for making that choice and reconnecting with the world around you. Join us as we dive into the importance of appreciating the environment, embracing the tranquillity of the water, and cherishing the incredible moments that come with it. 🚤⚓️🌊🌞

This episode helps you build the skills in the seamanship toolbox for everyone onboard. Learn how to identify the most useful areas to develop for yourself and your crew and plan simple, engaging and effective training sessions to try when you are next out on the water.

Having an MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) programmed into your AIS (Automatic Identification System) or marine radio is essential for:

1. Safety and Identification: The MMSI serves as a unique identifier for your vessel, allowing other vessels and maritime authorities to identify your boat quickly. In emergencies, the MMSI helps rescue services locate and assist you quickly.
2. AIS Communication: AIS transponders use the MMSI to exchange crucial information with other vessels and shore stations. This communication enhances situational awareness, especially in busy waterways or areas with high maritime traffic.

Our guest expert for this episode of Boating Insights is Linda Berryman, whose role at AMSA involves providing specialist advice on distress alerting, communication and safety systems.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) provides a search and rescue (SAR) service for Australia. Their search and rescue region covers the Australian continent and large areas of the Indian, Pacific, Southern Oceans, and Australian Antarctic territories. This region is nearly 53 million square kilometres (one-tenth of the Earth’s surface) and borders the search and rescue regions of 10 other countries.

For this episode, we are joined by Linda Berryman, whose role at AMSA involves providing specialist advice on distress alerting, communication and safety systems, of which she has over 20 years of experience.

Linda joins us to discuss some of the huge developments that have just taken place for marine safety, providing the boating community with some of the greatest technological advancements in over 30 years.

SHOW NOTES

For this episode we are going to be looking at if you may be missing a trick with your boating, you'll not be surprised to hear there is a core focus on safety for this one. The ideas are based around one of the founding principles of all of our training:  I HEAR I FORGET > I SEE I REMEMBER > I DO I UNDERSTAND.

In this episode, Neil takes you through the essential items he will always pack into a boating kit bag. Depending on the season, activity and location you are boating in, you will want to adjust what you carry, but this list will help to get you thinking about what you already take and see if there are any tweaks to your list that you can make. 

When you plan a passage, it's crucial to ensure you set up your plan to be dynamic so you can easily adjust for updated departure and arrival times. This episode takes you through how to manage avoidable slippage with your departure timing and the considerations for your ETA changing while you are on a passage.

When you are out at sea, many scenarios can arise where you may need to know and transmit your position. You may also need to be able to receive, record and navigate a position to assist.

This podcast examines your options for getting a quick and accurate position. We also provide some ideas to help upskill people who are boating with you to assist with this to keep you free to manage the boat and any other situations that need your attention at that time.

Without leaving your comfort zone, you can't develop your skills. This podcast has five ideas that you can implement to help to leave your boating comfort zone and keep developing your skippering skills.

You can use the links below to learn about our courses, logbook and ABB TV.

This episode of Boating Insights will help you to prepare for the voyage of a lifetime. John Hembrow joins Neil to share some of his extensive knowledge. John has been full-time cruising since 2009, created the Down Under Rally in 2014, and has led a range of yacht rallies in the SW Pacific and Australia since then. 

Changing some of the habits you have onboard can significantly impact the skill development of all involved. This episode takes you through some of the options you have for implementing changes through a typical day on the water that can help you explore more destinations, average more days on the water and avoid the issues that can come with skill fade and perishable knowledge.

For all coastal boating adventures, you will likely need an understanding of the tide. This Boating Insights video podcast episode takes you through some essential considerations to help make tide your friend.

The episode begins by looking at the potential impact of the tide on a passage plan.

The tidal situation can impact the flow and depths, or both. There are other localised impacts, such as on/offshore winds, heavy rain and flooding. You must know how to check and interpret how the range of the tide/tides compares with the mean spring range in your location.

It is also essential to confirm the quality of information on apps and whether it relates to verified information from official sources. Finally, in case of grounding, always know if the tide is flooding or ebbing.

We teach tides from an introductory to an advanced level with our internationally recognised RYA training courses. Each course builds on the knowledge gained in the previous course.

In this episode, we catch up with David Hows, the founder of Ocean Sailing Expeditions and the Ocean Sailing Podcast. David's a self-confessed sailing addict who loves introducing new people to his love of all things - sailing. David shares fantastic information about the options for gaining offshore sailing experience, training crews for emergency procedures at sea, buying boats overseas and some of his favourite destinations, which you can only reach by boat.