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There are many different kinds of boating accessories to outfit a boat with whether it is to make it look better or perform better. The most important boat accessories though are safety items, which ensure safer voyages for everyone.

Lifejackets are vital boating accessories to have even if you are not traveling far. No matter what happens on the water the chance of something going wrong and having to leave the boat is a possibility every person who steps on a boat should be prepared for.

Boating accessories such as lifejackets can be used whenever the passengers of the boat need to be in the water. Even if you are an expert swimmer lifejackets are needed boating accessories considering you could be miles from shore or caught in a current carrying you away from land. It’s important to have different sizes of lifejackets for children and adults. Obviously an adult life jacket will not fit a child properly and this can be very dangerous should the child end up in the water.

Flares are important boating accessories to carry on a boat. You never know when something could go wrong with the boat and letting others know there is a problem by firing a flare will bring help. Even if there is nothing wrong with the boat there are many other possibilities when using a flare is useful.

Flares are boating accessories to be used when you need to signal somebody for any reason whatsoever. Along the lines of flares for boating accessories for safety, flare guns can also be used to send any signal of distress. Once the flare has been ignited, help will soon be on its way.

Sometimes boats are far away from anything and if something happens where you need help radios are important boating accessories to have. Radios can be life savers as they can call ports, other boats, or even the coast guard in case of an emergency.

Being able to communicate in any way with others is needed on a boat as many times the boat is far from any help. Radios can bring help regardless of how far away from land the boat is and for this reason they are important boating accessories for safety.

Boating can be an exciting and relaxing way to spend time on the water. Being in the open water, or even close to shore, many things can go wrong whether it be with the boat or with a person on the boat. Preparing for the worst is the safest way to go and by using boating accessories for this purpose it will ensure all safety issues are covered. Taking precautions and using safety boating accessories make the experience that much more enjoyable as it makes it safe as well.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as boating accessories at http://www.boatingaccessoriesplus.com

Owning a boat can be an excellent source of pleasure and enjoyment, one of the largest manufacturers of boats worldwide is Sea Ray which is available only through experienced dealers. These specialists are expertly trained to enhance your buying experience. Founded in 1959 Sea Ray is located in Knoxville, Tennessee. Knowing the buyers’ wants and desires in a quality boat Sea Ray has the best boats available.

Sea Ray boats has won the J.D. Power and Associates Award for Express Cruisers three times in a row. Not only have they won the latter they have also won the NMMA Award for highest satisfaction of a sport boat. The boats sold by Sea Ray are high quality boats, and customer satisfaction is a top priority

Purchasing a Sea Ray boat is a sign of your excellent taste in quality, therefore the next purchase you should make is a boat cover. These covers from the manufacturer will provide excellent protection for your boat against undue wear and tear, adverse weather conditions among other protections. These boat covers are specifically designed for your specific boat meaning you can feel secure in the knowledge your boat will have protection through the years.

Sea Ray boat covers will protect your boat from the sun’s harmful UV rays by covering it and saving the paint and interior. Not only can the sun cause damage but excess heat and humidity may warp certain features on your boat. The boat covers will also protect your boat from water and hail along with snow and excess dirt due to changing weather. By keeping your boat covered you will save the interior from water and dirt accumulation and even animals in the interior.

The company has many different types of boat covers to choose from along with numerous places to purchase them both in person and online. You can also purchase these products by phone or mail. There are many online websites that can help you to find the best product for you and have excellent customer satisfaction. Sea Ray also gives some tips for purchasing your cover and recommends some other brands. Sunbrella and Cloudburst are two brand fabrics that the manufacturer has recommended because of their strength and protection.

It is equally important to periodically inspect your boat cover for any sign of damage. Be it regular wear and tear, sun damage or corrosion boat covers will not last forever. If you are careful to inspect regularly you may spot damage while it is still fairly easy to repair, saving you extra time and effort.

Owning a Sea Ray boat is one of life’s pleasures and protecting your boat with a specialty cover from the company will ensure you can enjoy it for many years to come.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as personal watercraft at http://www.personalwatercraftplus.com

Buying and maintaining a boat can be a lot of fun and provide endless entertainment. An important part of owning a boat is to care for it properly. By taking care of your boat you will have many years to enjoy it. There are many things to purchase when you own a boat that will help you to keep it in good shape. One important piece of equipment you should purchase is a waterproof boat cover.

Although it may seem like an unimportant piece of equipment, a waterproof boat cover will save you a lot of time, effort, and wear and tear on your boat. By having a cover for you boat it will protect the boat from undue damage from the sun and unpleasant weather. The sun’s rays can otherwise cause the paint and finish on your boat to fade prematurely. During a hailstorm or other stormy weather a cover on your boat may prevent damage to both the exterior and interior of your boat. During rainy weather water will be unable to fill in your boat saving time and effort trying to get excess water out of the boat and drying the interior.

Once you have had a waterproof boat cover you will also need to take care of it. The waterproof boat cover needs to be washed regularly. It is also important to pay close attention to the wear and tear of your cover, checking regularly for rips tears and decay. You may need to also check into restoring the waterproof qualities of the cover to keep your boat from undue problems due to water.

There are a few options for keeping an older waterproof boat cover effective. On way is to continue to use the same boat cover and put a waterproof tarp over the top. This is a fairly inexpensive fix but there are things to keep in mind. With a tarp, unless you have one already, you will still need to purchase one, costing money that could be spent on current cover. Another downfall to a tarp is that the tarp is not form fitting so the boat will not have the same level of protection.

If you would prefer to restore the waterproofing capabilities of your boat cover there are some products on the market to do so. Fluorocarbon is a commonly used product to use for waterproofing. With a little shopping around you should be able to find a product to suit the needs of your waterproof boat cover.

Although owning a boat is a large responsibility, the benefits of taking good care of your boat will be years of enjoyment. With the proper care your waterproof boat cover will provide adequate protection against weather, sun and excess water in your boat.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as personal watercraft parts at http://www.personalwatercraftplus.com

There are a few crucial things to consider when being around the water, let’s explore them.

Learn to swim

Swimming is such a natural action for humans that many babies are born with the ability to swim! If you don’t already know how, take lessons! This should be common sense for any one that lives near the water, but I think everyone should know how to swim.

Never swim or dive anywhere except clearly marked areas with a lifeguard.
When a boat slides out into the lake on a sweltering summer day, a strong swimmer wearing easily dried clothes is heartily tempted to jump right in!

However, some lakes can be extremely deceiving, seeming bottomless, when in fact they are only 12 feet deep in the middle. Be extremely careful when diving or jumping into water. Although the bottom may not be visible, it also may not be very far away from the bottom of the boat. The best way to stay safe when swimming or diving is to go with a friend, using the buddy system, and swim or dive only in marked areas.

Always wear a lifejacket when in or around the water.

Even the strongest swimmers can get in bad situations and should wear a life vest when playing around the water. Although when conscious and calm they may be able to swim 5 miles, a person who is injured or upset may need the extra flotation to help them survive until help comes.

Be careful when entering or exiting the water from a boat.

When scuba diving, snorkeling, or water skiing, the sport often requires exiting or entering the boat from the stern. This can be an especially dangerous aspect of the sport. Be extremely careful of propeller blades, anchor ropes, fishing line, or any other items that might be beneath the water near the boat. Wait for your driver to come to a complete stop and shut off the motor before approaching the vehicle.

Learn CPR and First Aid.

It’s always a good idea to know how to help in an emergency. Not only may you be able to rescue another from a tough situation; you may also learn important guidelines for a calm and efficient reaction to danger. Take CPR classes and First Aid, whenever you have the opportunity. Knowing a few simple and logical steps may save a life.

Know which local water animals may be dangerous.

When swimming in the ocean in particular, there are many creatures to look out for such as jellyfish, stingrays, and of course sharks. Use common sense and stay out of the water at dusk and dawn when predatory animals are feeding and stay away from schools of baitfish.

When diving or snorkeling, look- don’t touch!

Many underwater accidents happen due to blind groping. Many divers or snorkelers use their hands while lurking through the depths, and mistakenly grab a poisonous animal. It is important to avoid touching the bottom when underwater for visibility reasons as well.

Take classes or go with a certified guide.

Whether you are white water rafting, swimming, or snorkeling it is important to prepare for the sport before diving in. Many sports require certification; and even if your chosen activity doesn’t, it’s still a good idea to find out more about safety before going.

Wear sunscreen!

The reflection of sunlight from water can be intense enough to cause nasty sunburns. Avoid painful sunburns and blisters by carrying a small bottle of waterproof sunblock, and protect eyes with sunglasses.

Go with a buddy!

Never surf, swim, dive, raft, fish, canoe, kayak, or Jet Ski alone. If a person is injured during their sport, having a buddy nearby can save a life. Find a friend who wants to play in the water as well, and work together to have a splashing safe summer!

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in the coastal Florida town of Navarre with his 16 year old son. Get your boating accessories from http://www.boatingaccessoriesplus.com

There are now many companies providing yacht insurance cover with confusion often resulting as owners seek to find the best provider for their needs. Each insurance provider wants to encompass elements that are not available elsewhere but at the same time each policy holder’s individual requirements also need to be met. This article includes some basic information which is often overlooked but can help in your decision when comparing yacht insurance costs.

Carry out a check on the financial stability of the company in question and try to look at their previous year’s submitted accounts. The financial stability of a yacht insurance provider speaks much about the security of your own insurance. Search the Internet for top rated insurers of marine vessels - those with large customer bases are often rated highly by the industry watchdogs and probably the best companies to start with.

There may come a time when you need to claim on your policy and you need to be assured that the customer services department will answer your claim quickly and efficiently. To help ensure this is the case search for a marine insurer that has many outlets. The outlets should include emergency services, agencies and helpful representatives. A good reputation is often a hard won thing and important to the business that has won it. How a company’s customer service representatives act (i.e. do they seek to uphold the company’s reputation) will give a potential customer an idea on how well they will be looked after should the need arise.

The type of yacht insurance policy required is based on the ability of a company to provide services at a reasonable cost; avoid those that promise everything at the lowest cost. Be aware that marine policies can be complex and will most likely take longer to assess than regular insurance policies. Each person will have specific ideas about what they want covered with their policy; do not use an insurance provider that only has limited options available.

Consider which aspects of yacht insurance are most important to you before doing anything else: researching the finer details of each policy is easier when you have already produced a smaller list of requirements. Carrying out these simple suggestions you should help you to more easily compare yacht insurers and yacht insurance costs. The last thing anyone needs after signing their policy is to find there’s a problem with their marine insurance company.

For more advice on what you need to consider when comparing insurance costs for your yacht go to:
http://www.aboutinsurancesite.com/yachtinsurancecosts.html

For anyone who owns a boat, there are ten rules which should always be kept in mind. There is also certain equipment which should always be carried aboard ship.

1. Check your boat thoroughly and never leave your mooring until you have done so.

2. Never over-load your boat and at all times be especially careful about non-swimmers and children.

3. Carry a life preserver for every person on board. Be sure they’re worn when doing deck duty in rough weather.

4. Carry filled fire extinguishers.

5. Exercise extreme caution when filling fuel tanks - no smoking - turn off all fires and electric accessories - hold filling nozzle firmly against fill pipe (ground it) - wipe up spillage - thoroughly ventilate engine compartment and all enclosed spaces before restarting motors.

6. Observe carefully weather, wind, tide and current conditions before starting. Plan emergency harbors on long hops.

7. Keep to the right when meeting another boat and give the right-of-way to vessels approaching in your danger zone on the starboard (right) side.

8. Always be Courteous, Careful and Competent. Watch your wash! Slow down to 4 mph in harbors. Keep away from large vessels, which are not as maneuverable as smaller craft. Keep away from all sail boats - small ones may be swamped by the wash from a motor boat and large sailing yachts do not have the maneuverability of a motor boat.

9. Never make a turn at high speed. Small craft can easily be and have been swamped by their own wash.

10. Approach dock or mooring slowly against the wind or current, whichever is strongest.

Articles of Equipment Which Should Be Aboard Every Well-Found Boat, Though Not Required By Law

The Motor Boat Act prescribes that motor boats must carry certain equipment for the safety of those aboard. This includes life preservers, lights, whistle, bell, fire extinguishers, name arresters on carburetors, ventilating cowls and ducts for the bilges, and the certificate of registration. These requirements vary with the class of boat, and certain exceptions are made in some classes.

In addition to this required equipment, however, there are other things which should be aboard before a boat may be considered to be well-found. The extent of cruising the boat does will determine the amount and kind of equipment, such items as anchors and lines, boat hook, fenders, bilge pump, tool kit, spare engine parts, piloting equipment, auxiliary lighting equipment, and such special safety equipment as ring buoys, flares, and a first aid kit.

In the same category with tools and spare parts we might include a few good carpenter’s tools, extra pieces of line of several sizes, a ball of marlin, an assortment of nails, screws, bolts, washers, wire, caulking cotton, paint, etc. On boats equipped with sails a small repair kit should be added containing twine, wax, needles, palm, fid, and similar articles. All should be properly stowed to keep it accessible and in good condition.

Other miscellaneous items would be a deck mop, pail (some prefer a canvas bucket), a chamois for cleaning windows, brass polish, a supply of oil for engine, grease (both the regular and waterproof varieties as required), some light machine oil and penetrating oil for rusted parts, vaseline, distilled water, a hydrometer, some clean rags and several rolls of paper towels. An emergency tiller is often carried.

Keep the ten rules of conduct outlined, and carry the equipment mentioned above, and you will be well-prepared for anything.

Learn How To Become A Master At Sea With This Just Released Mariner’s Book Of the Ocean

Click here for FREE online ebook!

http://www.boatinginstruction.net/

What does it take to sail? The main ingredients are a sailboat, a mild breeze on a suitable body of water, and a little desire. Sailing is by no means difficult, and if you can tell which way the wind is blowing, you can learn the fundamentals in a short time.

The quickest and easiest method of learning to sail is to take a formal course. Such courses in sailing are developing in various places all over the United States and Canada. Even public funds are being allocated for this purpose in many cities and communities. The following organizations may be able to advise you of any local classes in sailing: YMCA or YWCA, Coast Guard Auxiliary, local Power Squadron, Chamber of Commerce, local marine dealers, and local yacht or boat clubs. The cost of such courses varies from nothing to several dollars an hour.

Although certainly desirable, formal sailing courses are not necessary. Many people prevail upon a friend or neighbor who has a sailboat and trade their services at spring fitting-out time for instructions in sailing.

While it’s not the fastest or best way, the most lasting method of learning to sail is by the seat of your pants in a boat, developing your sensibilities by trial and error. But before you shove off on your first sail, you should know the basic theory of what makes a sailboat go and the various points of sailing in relation to course and wind direction.

What Makes A Sailboat Go?

It may sound easy to explain why a sailboat goes. It is blown by the wind, just as your hat goes sailing down the street on a windy day. But the person who is to learn the art of sailing can’t stop there. He must have a little idea of the theory so that he’ll be better able to understand why he must handle sails and rudder in certain ways to obtain the desired results.

If we were simply to accept the analogy of the hat, we would not be able to account for the fact that a boat can sail in a great many directions other than the one toward which the wind is blowing. Actually, a sailboat can go in any direction except directly into the wind. In such a case, we must tack the boat or angle it into the wind.

When the boom is positioned directly above where the stern and the side meet, and the wind is coming about 45 degrees either side of the bow, you’re in a close-hauled (or beating, or pointing, or tacking) position. When the boom is let out a little farther and the wind comes more directly at right angles, you are reaching; and as the wind comes across the side closer to the stern, you’re on a broad reach.

Then when the wind comes over your stern, and your boom is almost at right angles to the boat, out on either side, you are running or sailing downwind. As you can see, the points or positions of sailing are governed by wind direction and the trim of the sail (location of the boom).

The closer the boat has to sail to the wind the closer the boom is brought to the centerline of the craft. The more the course of the boat approaches a run dead before the wind, the farther the boom is eased off away from the centerline.

Many people believe that the pushing effect of the wind on the sail makes a boat go, and they’re partly correct. There is, however, another force at work; it’s the same force that provides the lift for an airplane wing. By this we mean that the force of the air striking the windward side of a sail is but a small fraction of the total force; like a wing, most of the force is developed by the leeward (away from the wind) side the upper side in the case of a wing. In other words, some of the wind engages the sail and exerts a pushing force upon it.

There is more to learn abut sailing a boat, but this is a good start.

Who Else Wants Free Sailing Lessons, Tips And Tricks?!

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All of us on land have had the experience upon walking down the street of meeting another pedestrian, turning to the right and having him turn to his left, then turning to the left and having him turn to his right and finally bumping him. To the pedestrian on the sidewalk, such action and such a collision is comical but between two boats on the water, it is serious, yet boats often behave like human beings and do that very thing.

To prevent such things as collisions, very carefully considered rules have been laid down so that the duty of the skipper in charge of any boat under any meeting, overtaking or crossing situation is pretty definitely prescribed.

Duty of Man at Wheel

It should be remembered as the first principle to learn, that the man at the wheel while he is on watch has but one duty in life - the safe guidance of his ship. Everything else should be absolutely out of his mind until his boat is brought to her destination or the command is turned over to another person.

A Captain or person in charge is the absolute authority over the guidance of his ship as well as being responsible not only for her safety but for the safety of all on board. Under ordinary conditions the judgment, instructions and commands of the Captain must be complied with and may not be questioned.

Safety First

The Golden Rule for small boat handling is Safety First and Keep to the Right. Indecision of action or those actions having an obscure motive may mislead the other vessel and confusion may result. Time should never be considered wasted if safety is at stake. When there are alternate methods of avoiding danger, the safer of the two should be selected.

Rules of Road Applicable To All Types of Vessels

The rules of the road are applicable to all types of vessels when under way. Therefore, they apply with equal force whether a boat has headway or sternway. They apply to craft which are adrift or not under control. They apply to boats driven by steam, motor or sail power, ferry boats, pilot boats, tugs and tows, sailing vessels and, to some extent, to a vessel propelled by hand power and the current.

When Is A Vessel Underway?

A boat is considered underway when she is not at anchor, aground or made fast to the shore. Under all other conditions except these three, a boat is considered underway and the Rules of the Road are applicable.

Where Inland And International Rules Prevail

The Inland Rules are those applicable to the navigation of all vessels on all harbors, rivers and inland waters of the United States tributary to the sea, including coastal waters inshore of the lines established by Congress as dividing the inland waters from the high seas. Upon the high seas, that is, waters outside of these established boundary lines laid down, the International Rules apply.

The inland rules also apply (generally speaking) at all buoyed entrances from seaward to bays, sounds, rivers etc. for which specific lines are not prescribed by the Pilot Rules, inshore of a line drawn approximately parallel with the general trend of the shore, drawn through the outermost buoy or other aid to navigation of any system of aids. The Pilot Rules list in detail the lines of demarcation which have been established between the inland waters and high seas.

Fundamental Objects of Rules

The fundamental objects of the Rules of the Road whether they be the International, Inland or Pilot Rules are to prevent collisions at sea or on the water. Therefore, it may be assumed that the Rules of the Road are applicable only when danger of collision exists. Danger of collision may be deemed to exist also when there is uncertainty or doubt from any cause.

It is imperative for the boat owner to become familiar with these rules.

Learn How To Become A Master At Sea With This Just Released Mariner’s Book Of the Ocean

Click here for FREE online ebook!

http://www.boatinginstruction.net/

The great day has arrived at last you’re about to sail the boat by yourself. It’s all very well to say, “Don’t be nervous,” but as with most new things in your life it is sometimes a little hard to get used to a sailboat. It’s not that you’re afraid of capsizing (you wouldn’t be so foolish as to get into a sailboat if you couldn’t swim); it’s just the strangeness of the feeling in your bones as the boat leans with the wind and the confusing sound the sails make overhead.

One consolation is to realize that if you get confused in a sailboat, it’s perfectly safe to let everything go. When you let out the sheet, the wind spills out of the loosened sail. And although the sail flaps away noisily, you quickly realize that the boat has flattened out like an old bathtub and slowed down to a mere drift.

In a sailboat you can just let go. Try it a couple of times, to gain confidence and relaxation. Pull in the sheet and feel the boat tip as you tighten the sail against the push of the wind. Drop the mainsheet and feel the wind spill and the sail loosen and the boat flatten out. Any time that anything goes wrong while sailing, let go of the sheets. This provides time to meditate on the situation.

You sit in your boat forward of the tiller (so that you can swing it freely, to steer) and opposite your sail (so that you can balance the weight of it as well as look at it easily.) You will want to check your sail every few minutes, since its lower third, up next the mast, is like an instrument panel in a car or plane.

This is the area you will check to see if your sails are set right. While it’s all very well to stare up at the whole mainsail, for the wonder of it, luckily for your neck the lower part is all you have to keep looking at. Here’s how you check the set of your mainsail:

You let the sail out, by letting the sheet in your hand run out, until the sail begins to luff. This means that the sail in the instrument-panel section begins to flutter and bubble. Then you pull in the sail till the luffing just stops; that is the best set for your mainsail.

Remember that this sail isn’t, after all, a perfect triangle. If you look at it, you’ll see that it is skillfully cut and seamed so that there is a curve to the whole thing. Don’t pull in your sail till it’s flat; just keep a nice curve in it like a bird’s wing.

So much for the general controls for your boat; now let’s take a look at how to get started.

Getting Underway

If you are moored at a buoy, the bow will lie into the wind. For an example of getting underway, let’s say that there are several boats close to your port side, so you decide to go off to starboard in other words, on a port tack. (A boat is sailing on a port tack when the wind is coming over its port side.) With both sails hoisted, haul in the starboard jib sheet, taking up all the slack. Push the clew of the jib to port; the wind will fill the sail and force the bow of the boat to starboard.

As soon as the boat begins to swing around, let go of the sail and take up on the starboard jib sheet. Swing the tiller to port; this will help push the nose of the boat to starboard. (Unlike the steering wheel of a car, a tiller is moved in the direction opposite to the one you wish to swing the boat.) Then trim the mainsail by taking in the mainsheet until the sail is fairly flat. As the jib pushes the boat around, the mainsail will fill, and the boat will move forward.

At this moment, cast off the mooring and you’ll begin to make headway.
Congratulations! You’ve begun sailing.

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Lighthouses are the signal stations by means of which mariners determine their exact position. Mariners had once to be satisfied with natural landmarks, from which to obtain their bearings. These often being lacking at points where most needed, towers were built, and eventually lights were placed in many of them. The modern lighthouse represents the scientific development of this same idea, the signaling equipment being the culmination of many years of striving to overcome the limitations of visibility and audibility.

Coloring Of Structures

Color is applied to lighthouses and automatic light structures for the purpose of making them readily distinguishable from the background against which they are seen, and to distinguish one structure from others in the same general vicinity. Solid colors, bands of color, and various patterns are applied solely for these purposes.

Minor light structures are sometimes painted black or red, to indicate the sides of the channel which they mark, following the same system used in the coloring of buoys. When so painted, red structures mark the right side of the channel, and black structures the left side of the channel, entering from seaward.

Light Colors And Characteristics

The colors of the lights shown from lighthouses, and their characteristics or manner in which they flash, are for the purpose of distinguishing one light from others in the general vicinity and avoiding confusion with lights used for other purposes.

The length of the flashes and the intervals between may be accurately timed, and positive identification made by consulting the Light Lists. The colors of minor lights, when red or green, may also have the further significance of indicating the side of the channel which the light marks, red being on the right, and green on the left side entering from seaward.

Fog Signal Characteristics

Fog signals, both at lighthouses and on lightships, sound distinctive blasts. This is for the purpose of distinguishing one station from another. The characteristic of every fog signal is given in the Light Lists, and many of them are also given on the charts. All signals sound on a definite schedule, and positive identification may be made, even when the sending station is not visible, by timing the length of the blasts and the intervals between. With practice, mariners may also differentiate between the signals produced by the different types of apparatus.

Lightships

Lightships serve the same essential purpose as lighthouses. They take the form of ships only because they are to occupy stations at which it would be impracticable to build lighthouses. Hulls of all lightships in United States waters, excepting Ambrose Lightship, are now painted red with the name of the station in white on both sides. The superstructures are white, with the masts, lantern galleries, ventilators and stacks in buff.

All the signals, the masthead light, the fog signal, and the radiobeacon have distinctive characteristics, so that the lightship may readily be identified under all conditions. A riding-light on the forestay indicates the direction that the ship is heading, and as lightships ride to a single anchor, this also indicates the direction of the current.

Present day lightships are built of steel, with either steam or Diesel engine propulsion. Power for the operation of the signals is obtained from suitable auxiliary machinery. Each lightship has a crew of from 6 to 15 men.

Buoys

The primary function of buoys is to warn the mariner of some danger, some obstruction, or change in the contours of the sea bottom, that he may avoid the dangers and continue his course in safe waters.

The utmost advantage is obtained from buoys when they are considered as marking definitely identified spots, for if a mariner be properly equipped with charts, and knows his precise location at the moment, he can readily plot a safe course on which to proceed. Such features as size, shape, coloring, numbering, and signaling equipment, are but means to these ends of warning, guiding, and orienting.

These are all essential aids for any yachtsman.

Learn How To Become A Master At Sea With This Just Released Mariner’s Book Of the Ocean

Click here for FREE online Ebook

http://www.boatinginstruction.net/