Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Fog





Most of the time the view at the Bitter End Marina, Bayview Idaho - on Lake Pend Oreille - looks like this.

This morning at 8:30, it looked like this.  Pretty, eh???
Then the atmospheric conditions changed very quickly.  Humidity and dew point got together.


By 9:45, the fog started to set in and it looked like this.  Visibility around 1,000 feet.


By 10:15 the fog was so thick that visibility had been reduced to ~300 feet.
We had seen two boats head out fishing about an hour earlier.  There was almost no breeze and virtually no sound from the water.  CERTAINLY no fog horns.  I had to imagine that if I was sailing along in those conditions whether I would be able to see the fishermen before I plowed into their silent boat in the fog......
If you were in the fog, would you know the proper fog horn signals to use for your boat?

If you are motoring (including fishing) =  one prolonged blast
If you are sailing  =  one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts




























Wednesday, April 5, 2017

A Fun Little Nautical Knowledge Test To Enjoy

Here is a nice little test of your nautical knowledge - - just 50 or so questions - - see how you do  (answers are below)



Answer the following nautical trivia questions. 

  1. If you are sailing on the Gulf of Mexico and you see cirrocumulus clouds (mackerel sky), what kind of weather would you expect?
    1. Clear skies and fine, but breezy sailing
    2. An oncoming cold front
    3. A general warming
    4. Generally deteriorating conditions

  1. What is the first thing you should do if you wake up to find the bilge filled with gas fumes?
    1. Quickly reach for the Halon fire extinguisher
    2. Turn off the electrical switch to the batteries or shore-power cord.
    3. Open all the ports as soon as possible
    4. Evacuate the boat

  1. A powerboat not making way in restricted visibility should sound ______ prolonged blasts on the fog horn every two minutes.

  1. You are underway on course 090 degrees magnetic at 8 knots.  After two hours, you are on your track line but two miles behind your DR plot.  What is the set and drift of the current? 


  1. What are the three factors contributing to the height of a normal (non-seismic) wave? 
6.    Sailors know that sail trimming must satisfy two goals: Keep the boat sailing ________ and in _________

7.    When retrieving the anchor, what term is used to indicate that the anchor has cleared the bottom? 


8.    When a vessel is set off course from a quartering sea, it is referred to as ___________

9.  A telltale or a flag attached to a shroud on a docked boat will indicate the true or apparent wind direction.   

10. A Sheepshank knot is commonly used by lobstermen to ____________  _____  __________.

11.  Reading the wind: How do you know when a rainstorm is ending?  Northeast-to-south winds shifting to the east or west usually signal a storm’s break.

12. You are approaching a drawbridge that will open any time upon request.  What signal should be sounded with your horn to request that the bridge be opened? 

13. A boat with the right-of-way in a head on or crossing situation is referred to as the _______  ______  vessel.

14. A centerboard does not have to be down when: beating; running; or reaching.

15. __________  ____________ is a general term to describe the anchor, rode, fittings, etc. used to anchor a boat.

16.            What is the electronic instrument you’ll bless most when cruising or passagemaking? 


17. In a crew-overboard situation, where should the life ring be thrown?
  1. behind and beyond the victim
  2. to the right of the victim
  3. in front of the victim

18. An anchor rode should be previously “_________” to facilitate free running when cast overboard.

19. VHF (Marine Band) Communications: Which of the following channels should be utilized for distress, safety, and calling transmissions?
  1. 13
  2. 16
  3. 22a
  4. 24
  5. 27
  6. 71
  7. 72

20.Seacocks should be cycled (opened/closed) on a regular basis to prevent corrosion buildup and they should be lubricated every “_________” months.

21. Neap tides (lower highs, higher lows) occur twice a month on the “_________” and “___________” quarters of the moon.

22.A tug pushing a barge down the Columbia River would measure the trip in “______________” miles.

23.Boat hooks are good tools for fending off…… true or false??? 

24.Cruising in open water, the mate sights a float with a small flag in the distance, indicating the presence of a:
  1. fish net
  2. race marker
  3. sunken vessel
  4. diver
  5. any one of the above

25.            Considering that a line’s strength is diminished in varying degrees when tied with different knots…… would a bowline or an anchor bend be preferable when rigging a towline to a boat’s towing eye?  ________  ________ .

26.            How far will you travel in 45 minutes if your boat speed is 6 knots? 

27.What does an symbol in the shape of an anchor on a chart indicate to the navigator? 

28.Onboard toggle switches and circuit breakers can become frozen/corroded and may not work properly.  It is recommended that all toggle switches and breakers be cycled on and off on a ______________ basis.

29.Sailboats may incorporate a _________ sail to dampen the effect of the boat moving to and fro while at anchor.

30.If your dock-lines are becoming stiff due to age or exposure to the sun, try soaking them overnight in a liquid __________  __________.

31. The navigation rules are not explicit, however, it may be inferred that a boat emerging from a slip or berth does or does not have the right of way.

32.VHF Communications:  Which channel on the VHF radio should be used to contact a bridge tender at a draw bridge? 


33.You are cruising 20 miles offshore.  You observe a yellow flare off your starboard bow… What does this indicate? 


34.When a vessel is kept meticulously in every detail, it is said to be in ___________  ____________.”

35.There is a new launch driver at your yacht club.  You are happy to see that he is dropping off and picking up passengers on the proper side of the boats… which side is the proper side? 


36.            Using a scope of six, how many feet of rope should be used in five fathoms of water?  _____________

37.A propane fire is best extinguished by: (a) dousing with water; (b) using a Type B or C extinguisher; or (c) by shutting off the propane supply.

38.Navigation lights (red/green bow, white stern, (and white steaming light if motoring) must be displayed in conditions of reduced visibility (fog, rain, snow, etc.) and between ________________ and _______________ . 

39.As fog envelops you, you should slow the boat to a speed that will allow you to stop in _____   ______ the distance of your visibility.  For example, if your visibility is 200 feet, you should be able to stop in ________ feet.

40.When departing a dock, peer or float with your bow into the wind and/or current…… you should push off the Bow or Stern first.

41. Lighthouses that flash alternating lights of different colors have two ranges of visibility – one for white light and another ______ shorter for red or green lights.  A. 25%  B. 40%  C. 50%

42.The direction and force the winds seems to have when observed from a vessel in motion is referred to as ___________ wind.

43.Typically, what is the minimum angle a close-hauled boat can “point into the wind”? 

44.Cruising at night, you observe a vessel with a flashing amber light (three second intervals) indicating the presence of a _______________.

45.The “_____________  bend” or fisherman’s bend, is used to secure a line to a buoy or to the ring of an anchor.

46. A tight kink in a line may reduce the line’s strength by:
A. 15%  B. 30%  C. 45%

47. A line “rove” through a block forms a ____________ .

48. When towing at sea or in rough waters, the towline should be as _________ as possible while keeping the two boats “in-step”.  In quiet or protected waters, the towline should be as ________ as possible to allow for better control.

49. True or False: It is legal to tie your boat to a navigation buoy or other type of lateral navigation aid. 


50. POSH is an acronym that evolved from what type of reservation request for a first class state room location on a luxury liner? 


51. Who was the first and only American skipper to win the Whitbread Round the World Race (now called the Volvo Ocean Race or VOR)?  A. Dennis Connor  B. Paul Cayard   C. Dawn Riley




Okay here are the answers......  how'd you do?????



  1. If you are sailing on the Gulf of Mexico and you see cirrocumulus clouds (mackerel sky), what kind of weather would you expect?
    1. Clear skies and fine, but breezy sailing
    2. An oncoming cold front
    3. A general warming
    4. Generally deteriorating conditions

  1. What is the first thing you should do if you wake up to find the bilge filled with gas fumes?
    1. Quickly reach for the Halon fire extinguisher
    2. Turn off the electrical switch to the batteries or shore-power cord.
    3. Open all the ports as soon as possible – if you are at sea
    4. Evacuate the boat – if in port

  1. A powerboat not making way in restricted visibility should sound TWO prolonged blasts on the fog horn every two minutes.

  1. You are underway on course 090 degrees magnetic at 8 knots.  After two hours, you are on your track line but two miles behind your DR plot.  What is the set and drift of the current?  270 degrees M at 2 knots

  1. What are the three factors contributing to the height of a normal (non-seismic) wave?  Wind Speed, Fetch of the wind on the water, and depth of water.

6.    Sailors know that sail trimming must satisfy two goals: Keep the boat sailing fast and in trim.

7.  When retrieving the anchor, what term is used to indicate that the anchor has cleared the bottom?  Anchor’s Aweigh

8.    When a vessel is set off course from a quartering sea, it is referred to as Yawing.

9.  A telltale or a flag attached to a shroud on a docked boat will indicate the true or apparent wind direction.    True Wind

10. A Sheepshank knot is commonly used by lobstermen to Shorten the Line.

11.  Reading the wind: How do you know when a rainstorm is ending?  Northeast-to-south winds shifting to the east or west usually signal a storm’s break.

12.            You are approaching a drawbridge that will open any time upon request.  What signal should be sounded with your horn to request that the bridge be opened?  One long blast on the horn followed by a short blast


13. A boat with the right-of-way in a head on or crossing situation is referred to as the Stand On  vessel.

14. A centerboard does not have to be down when: beating; running; or reaching.

15. Ground Tackle is a general term to describe the anchor, rode, fittings, etc. used to anchor a boat.

16.            What is the electronic instrument you’ll bless most when cruising or passagemaking?  Depth Sounder


17. In a crew-overboard situation, where should the life ring be thrown?
  1. behind and beyond the victim
  2. to the right of the victim
  3. in front of the victim

18. An anchor rode should be previously faked to facilitate free running when cast overboard.

19. VHF (Marine Band) Communications: Which of the following channels should be utilized for distress, safety, and calling transmissions?
  1. 13
  2. 16
  3. 22a
  4. 24
  5. 27
  6. 71
  7. 72

20.Seacocks should be cycled (opened/closed) on a regular basis to prevent corrosion buildup and they should be lubricated every three months.

21. Neap tides (lower highs, higher lows) occur twice a month on the first and third quarters of the moon.

22.A tug pushing a barge down the Columbia River would measure the trip in statute miles.

23.Boat hooks are good tools for fending off…… true or false???  False – boat hooks are for bringing items to you not for fending off


24.Cruising in open water, the mate sights a float with a small flag in the distance, indicating the presence of a:
  1. fish net
  2. race marker
  3. sunken vessel
  4. diver
  5. any one of the above

25.            Considering that a line’s strength is diminished in varying degrees when tied with different knots…… would a bowline or an anchor bend be preferable when rigging a towline to a boat’s towing eye?  Anchor Bend

26.            How far will you travel in 45 minutes if your boat speed is 6 knots?  4.5 nautical miles

27.            What does an symbol in the shape of an anchor on a chart indicate to the navigator?  The anchor symbol indicates an approved anchorage – there are likely to be boats anchored at that location and since it is an approved anchorage, a masthead anchor light is not required.


28.Onboard toggle switches and circuit breakers can become frozen/corroded and may not work properly.  It is recommended that all toggle switches and breakers be cycled on and off on a Monthly basis.

29.Sailboats may incorporate a Riding sail to dampen the effect of the boat moving to and fro while at anchor.

30.If your dock-lines are becoming stiff due to age or exposure to the sun, try soaking them overnight in a liquid fabric softener.

31. The navigation rules are not explicit, however, it may be inferred that a boat emerging from a slip or berth does or does not have the right of way.

32.VHF Communications:  Which channel on the VHF radio should be used to contact a bridge tender at a draw bridge?  Use VHF channel 13 to contact the bridge tender.

33.            You are cruising 20 miles offshore.  You observe a yellow flare off your starboard bow… What does this indicate?  A yellow flare indicates a submarine is surfacing near the flare.

34.When a vessel is kept meticulously in every detail, it is said to be in Bristol Fashion .”

35.There is a new launch driver at your yacht club.  You are happy to see that he is dropping off and picking up passengers on the proper side of the boats… which side is the proper side?  The launch driver should approach boats on the starboard side.

36.            Using a scope of six, how many feet of rope should be used in five fathoms of water?  180 feet

37.A propane fire is best extinguished by: (a) dousing with water; (b) using a Type B or C extinguisher; or (c) by shutting off the propane supply.

38.            Navigation lights (red/green bow, white stern, (and white steaming light if motoring) must be displayed in conditions of reduced visibility (fog, rain, snow, etc.) and between ________________ and _______________ .  Your navigation lights should be on between sunset and sunrise while under-way.


39.As fog envelops you, you should slow the boat to a speed that will allow you to stop in one half the distance of your visibility.  For example, if your visibility is 200 feet, you should be able to stop in 100 feet.

40.When departing a dock, peer or float with your bow into the wind and/or current…… you should push off the Bow or Stern first.

41. Lighthouses that flash alternating lights of different colors have two ranges of visibility – one for white light and another ______ shorter for red or green lights.  A. 25%  B. 40%  C. 50%

42.The direction and force the winds seems to have when observed from a vessel in motion is referred to as apparent wind.

43.            Typically, what is the minimum angle a close-hauled boat can “point into the wind”?  45 degrees to the wind for close hauled

44.Cruising at night, you observe a vessel with a flashing amber light (three second intervals) indicating the presence of a submarine.

45.The “anchor  bend” or fisherman’s bend, is used to secure a line to a buoy or to the ring of an anchor.

46. A tight kink in a line may reduce the line’s strength by:
A. 15%  B. 30%  C. 45%

47. A line “rove” through a block forms a Tackle  Hence block and tackle…

48. When towing at sea or in rough waters, the towline should be as long as possible while keeping the two boats “in-step”.  In quiet or protected waters, the towline should be as short as possible to allow for better control.

49. True or False: It is legal to tie your boat to a navigation buoy or other type of lateral navigation aid.  False – it is not legal to tie to aids to navigation


50. POSH is an acronym that evolved from what type of reservation request for a first class state room location on a luxury liner?  POSH stands for Port Out, Starboard Home.  If you steamed from England bound for South Africa, the Port side stateroom portholes would have a view of the coastline.  Like wise, on the return trip it would be the Starboard side staterooms with the land view.


51. Who was the first and only American skipper to win the Whitbread Round the World Race (now called the Volvo Ocean Race or VOR)?  A. Dennis Connor  B. Paul Cayard   C. Dawn Riley


Now wasn't that fun???????