In reference to a recent item in Chartroom Chatter (Online 'Rules' column urges lights knowledge Issue 126, Nov./Dec. 2002), Tomas Daly is quoted as saying that his father was instructed as lookout to ring a bell once for lights to port, twice for a light to starboard and three times for a light dead ahead. The general concept is right, but I think the port and starboard signals are backwards. Referencing the American Merchant Seaman's Manual, the signals to be used by lookouts to communicate sightings from the bow to the bridge, by bell, are to ring once for an…

Darrell Nicholson is a veteran voyager and delivery skipper with 11 years and 30,000 ocean miles of voyaging experience aboard his 1937 gaff-rigged ketch Tosca. He and his wife Theresa Gibbons have voyaged in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans and are currently sailing in the Andaman Sea off Thailand. A former pilot boat captain, Darrell holds 50-ton master's license. He is a regular contributor to Ocean Navigator. OV: How do you approach the problem of keeping the gear aboard your boat working properly? DN: Keeping a 63-year-old boat like Tosca, or any boat, for that matter, ready for ocean…

As reported by Eurosail News, the Vendee Globe Race has announced a significant expansion of the race by adding a second devision. Whereas the non-stop around the world race has always been solely for singlehanders, the new division will be for double-handed crews. Like the singlehanders, the doublehanded crews will sail IMOCA 60s, with with foils or without. According to Jacques Caraes, Vendee Globe race director, the addition of more sailors will increase the human interest level for the race and give race sponsors more value for their investment. Charlie Enright, of 11th Hour Racing, gave a different reason for…

David Burch of Starpath Navigation examines the grounding of the container ship Ever Given in this video using AIS data to show the ships position on the chart.  

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Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – Dockmate®, manufacturer of advanced wireless remote controls for yachts, announced today that it has developed an interface that allows complete compatibility with a wide variety of digital (CANbus) and analog engine and thruster controls. Additionally, they have custom-made splitter cables for easy connection to existing controls with plug-and-play simplicity. All boats with electronic engine controls can be equipped with the Dockmate system, regardless of the length or type of boat. Easy-to-install and compatible with most engine and thruster systems, remote control systems let owners and crew operate engines, bow and stern thrusters, anchor winches and horns from…