Collision avoidance
Practical guides to the COLREGS, buoyage, lights and shapes, and exam prep - written to be useful at the chart table, not just in the classroom.
Rule 8: Make Your Avoiding Action Obvious and Early
Small, hesitant helm movements are invisible from the bridge of an approaching ship. Rule 8 demands large, early, readily apparent action - here's why it matters.
Rule 18 Explained: The Vessel Hierarchy Every Skipper Must Know
Rule 18 sets out who keeps clear of whom at sea. Master the vessel hierarchy from NUC to power-driven vessels and understand where other rules take precedence.
Reading a Vessel's Aspect at Night From Its Navigation Lights
Learn how arc angles reveal heading and aspect at night, which light combinations mean what, and the mistakes that catch skippers out.
Rule 15 Crossing Situations: Who Gives Way and Why
Rule 15 governs crossing situations at sea. Learn who gives way, what constant bearing means in practice, and why you must never cross ahead of the stand-on vessel.
Rule 14: Recognising a Head-On and the Starboard Reflex
How to identify a head-on situation at night, why Rule 14's in-doubt clause matters, and why starboard is always the right turn.
Stand-On vs Give-Way: Who Moves, and When Rules Change
Rule 16 and Rule 17 explained clearly - including the moment a stand-on vessel must stop standing on and take action.