Seaman Ship Today

Seamanship involves not only knowing how to steer a boat on the water but everything related to that. What’s the weather like? What’s the weather going to be like? What are the wave heights on the ocean? Who is responsible for what at any given moment on the vessel? Who is standing watch and who is sleeping? Seamanship is knowing how to tie lines properly, how to communicate with other vessels, how to keep your engine running properly, how to sail, survival at sea and what to do if you have a fire on board.

The amount of knowledge that is needed depends on the type of vessel you have and what you use the vessel for. A sailboat for a family has one knowledge base but a sailboat that is larger and takes people on board for a week at a time would have to know a lot more. Getting your Captain's License is easier than you might think. Not everyone needs a captain's license but the knowledge is very valuable.

Once away from the dock, rules of the nautical road are most important. We spend most of our time on the Intracoastal Waterway so it is important for us to have good seamanship for safety on this busy waterway. We are a sailboat with an engine. Sometimes we sail with the jib up and the engine running. This gives us better steering as the Intracoastal is narrow in some areas and with the passing of larger boats we need to stay in between the markers of the channel and still give the larger vessels the right of way and courtesies they deserve. This is good seamanship.

When another boat is coming toward your vessel, early and decisive action needs to be taken so the other skipper knows what you are doing. Subtle changes may go unnoticed or undetected. Do not leave any doubt as to your actions. Maintain your course and speed until the passing is completed. If you are going to pass on the left or port side, steer purposefully so there is no doubt which way you are going. Slower vessels should keep to the right in the waterway.

Should an overtaking vessel want to pass on the starboard side, not normal but legal, the overtaking vessel should sound one short blast. If the priviledged vessel thinks it is unsafe to pass a response of 4 short blasts should be sounded. The passing vessel should then immediately stop all actions to pass until proper signals have been given. Although the slower vessel has the right of way she may not cross in front of the faster vessel. She must and should stay out of her way to avoid collision. Sound signals are not used in passing situations between two sailing vessels. The right of way between two sailing vessels is dependent upon the wind direction, the tack of each vessel and neither may be under power or a combination of sail and power. They must just be sailing. These and other safety rules can be found easily in the Get Your Captain's License Book . This is a complete study guide and comes with a simulated Coast Guard exam on CD. Get yours today!

Good seamanship rules between two sailing vessels that are approaching each other involve the following; a vessel that is running free must keep out of the way of the vessel that is close hauled. The running free vessel passes behind the one that is close hauled. A sailboat that is closehauled on the port tack must keep out of the way of a vessel that is closehauled on the starboard tack. When both sailboats are running free with the wind on different sides, the sailboat with the wind on the starboard side has the right of way. When both sailboats are running free with the wind on the same side, the vessel that is to windward must give the right of way to the other sailboat. The sailboat that has the wind aft must keep out of the way of the other sailboat. These actions should take place within enough time and with intentional movement so there is no doubt as to the way each sailboat is going to go and no doubt who has the right of way. That is good seamanship on the waterways and each captain will be greatful to the other one for it.

Good seamanship on the water requires someone watching at every minute. This is often taken lightly and it can be a costly mistake. Usually the helmsman fulfills this responsibility but he or she must not have any other responsibilities and he or she must be alert and qualified. No drinking and driving on the water. If an auto pilot is used the helmsman needs to not be far off to take over in an instant if necessary. The helmsman must be watching the horizon and all around the boat making sure all is well.

If you are in the fog or it is at night and you are using a GPS there still needs to be someone on the bow looking and listening for other boats. This is good seamanship on the water.

There are penalities for not obeying the rules of the nautical highway and the worst one is a collision and or with loss of life or craft. Be alert and be prepared as you enjoy your time on the water. Don’t be a Captain Disaster. Learn good seamanship before you cast off so you are prepared. Have fun and practice for safety.