Seamanship 101

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 passagesAccess the Offshore Passage Preparation Checklist >Learn more:https://www.aabboating.com

In Making, Storing and Using Power: See What Your Boat’s Really Doing, we look at the simple steps that help you understand how your boat generates, stores and uses power. Marine electrics don’t need to be complicated — your power budget works the same way as any other budget; you need to be clear about how much power you’re generating, how much you’re storing and how much you’re using.Big days at sea, weekends onboard and extended passages all rely on having the power to run the boat. Once you can follow your power flow in real time, you can head out further, for longer, with confidence in your boat’s systems.

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.The course we mentioned in the episode is the Online Skipper Course. Click here to enrol in this course.

In this episode, Neil shares a practical approach to turning long-held boating ambitions into achievable plans. He explores how to decide whether to tackle each destination as an owner or crew, on your own boat or a charter, and how to structure your list in a realistic order so you give yourself the best chance to experience them all.

This episode explores the often-overlooked skill of line-of-sight navigation — using what you can see to stay aware of your surroundings and make confident decisions on the water. Neil shares how visual references, such as headlands, islands, and transits, remain just as relevant today, even with modern chart plotters and GNSS. It’s a reminder that keeping your head up and eyes out of the boat adds a vital layer of situational awareness that technology can’t replace.

If an unexpected mechanical issue arises, being able to either stop the boat or maintain control to steer clear of other vessels or hazards can be a game-changer. In this episode, we explore the seamanship skills that make the difference — from emergency steering and anchoring under pressure to rigging a drogue, handling a tow, and keeping the crew working together. Practising these skills gives you options when it matters most.

Thinking about boat sharing? In this episode, Neil breaks down the five essentials every navigator should understand before committing to shared ownership. From the different models available, to how exit terms work, private syndicates, locations, and training requirements — you'll get the insights you need to ask the right questions and make an informed decision.

Sharing your trip plan might feel like a formality—but it can be critical if you’re unable to raise the alarm yourself. In this episode, we explain why it’s one of the simplest and most important steps in your boating routine. From rapid abandonments to incomplete distress calls, your trip details could be the key to starting a timely rescue.T – Tell someone where you’re goingR – Report in while you’re out (e.g. log on or send a message)I – Inform them when you’re backP – Plans changed? Update them

Digital navigation tools have transformed boating—they’re brilliant for planning routes, monitoring progress, and staying safe. But with so much technology at your fingertips, a day on the water can quickly turn into just another screen session, and some of the real benefits of being afloat can slip away.In this episode, we explore how simple, hands-on navigation techniques can help you reconnect with the environment, sharpen your awareness, and get more from your time on board. It’s not about ditching the tech—but about knowing when to step back from it.

Crew overboard situations don’t just happen in bad weather—they often occur in daylight, calm seas, and under power. These incidents may end safely, but they’re a clear reminder it can happen to anyone. Research from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) shows that in cold water, crews may have less than 11 minutes to recover a person before they become unresponsive, and sometimes only four or five. Practising as a team, using the actual equipment on board, dramatically improves the chance of a successful recovery.This episode explores how to prevent someone from falling overboard, how to support a human spotter, the role of technology, and how to adapt recovery plans based on the person’s condition, sea state, and vessel type, before wrapping up with practical ways to train effectively.