| Plan to Arrive Early | | | | whenever possible.Hold Off Entering Tricky Areas |
| If you slow down and are not going to arrive early | | | | During Squall Activity |
| enough, | | | | Fog can be a problem in non-tropical areas and |
| it's time to start the engine. Don't wait until it's too late | | | | squalls |
| to | | | | often reduce visibility in the tropics. Both conditions |
| make up for lost progress. Your priority should be to | | | | require |
| approach an anchorage safely in daylight rather than | | | | more careful navigation than at other times. Even |
| sailing | | | | though |
| into the late afternoon or evening hours with the last | | | | squalls can reduce visibility to almost nothing, at least |
| breath | | | | they |
| of wind. This is especially important when anchoring in | | | | don't last long. Adjust sail appropriately and put off |
| an | | | | passage |
| unfamiliar area or having to secure a mooring buoy | | | | in any narrow or tricky channels while the squall is still |
| where | | | | blowing. If you're in the harbor, let the squall blow over |
| only a few moorings are available. At the chart | | | | before getting underway. If underway, stand off in |
| briefing learn | | | | open |
| about locations where arriving early is | | | | water rather than trying to navigate any narrow |
| important.Maintain Situational (and Positional) | | | | channels |
| Awareness | | | | during the squall. You normally don't have to wait long |
| This means not only knowing what is going on at the | | | | before it becomes warm and clear again.Consider |
| moment, but being aware of what is about to | | | | Buddy-Boating or Flotilla Chartering |
| happen.Is leeway or adverse current taking your boat | | | | Being part of a group can add to your enjoyment and |
| toward a | | | | you |
| hazardous area? | | | | can learn from other sailors. If you're not part of a |
| Is the bearing to another boat in the distance holding | | | | yacht club |
| steady | | | | or other privately organized group, there are still ways |
| indicating the likelihood of a collision course? | | | | to get |
| Is reduced speed going to cause you to arrive at your | | | | mutual support and enjoy the company of other |
| | | | charterers. |
| destination too late to enter the anchorage safely? | | | | Some sailing club/schools offer group flotillas that you |
| Is there a squall rapidly approaching your position? | | | | can |
| Is that entire fleet of racing sailboats heading your | | | | join as individuals, couples or even whole boat loads |
| way? | | | | of |
| Are there fish trap buoys in your path?Be aware of | | | | cruisers. Many cruises organized by sailing schools |
| what's | | | | offer |
| going on around you right now and what the situation | | | | sailing instruction and even certification during the trip. |
| is | | | | Flotilla members can get to know each other before |
| going to be in the next 5 to 10 minutes or even more. | | | | the trip, |
| Keep | | | | and group organizers go along to make the cruise as |
| your mind ahead of the boat in both time and space | | | | enjoyable as possible.Major charter companies like |
| so no | | | | The Moorings and Sunsail |
| adverse circumstances can sneak up on you and | | | | offer flotilla group chartering opportunities where you |
| take you | | | | join |
| by surprise. Remember the old adage: "An excellent | | | | the flotilla with your own charter boat. The flotilla is led |
| sailor | | | | by captains from the charter company who stay with |
| is one who uses his expert judgment to avoid | | | | the fleet and take care of any problems that might |
| situations that | | | | arise.Chartering is a great way to experience the best |
| require him to use his expert skill".Never Trust Just | | | | cruising |
| One Source of Navigational | | | | locations around the world. It's a lot easier getting to |
| Information | | | | these |
| This is doubly important when dealing with information | | | | locations by chartering rather than sailing all the way |
| from | | | | from |
| electronic devices, even very good ones like GPS. | | | | home. It's also cheaper and safer. It's the only way if |
| These | | | | you |
| devices can be very easy to use but it's also very | | | | don't have many months of free time. Just follow |
| easy to | | | | good |
| occasionally punch a wrong button. Cross check | | | | practices seamanship and navigation and you and |
| navigational data by observing if the information | | | | your |
| makes | | | | shipmates will have a great time and will want to go |
| sense and by using other sources of information such | | | | back |
| as | | | | again and again. |
| depth soundings, hand bearings and dead reckoning | | | | |