A liferaft is reassuring, but only to be used as an absolute last resort. James Stevens explores the main scenarios that could lead to abandoning ship, and what to do…
James Stevens
Could you moor on a very busy pontoon?
With a 1.5 knot tide flowing and 12 knot winds blowing straight off the pontoon, would you be confident to moor in a tight spot?
Could you berth safely in a strong cross wind?
Do you panic when trying to berth in a busy marina? How would you cope with strong cross wind? James Stevens answers your Questions of Seamanship
With a ripped mainsail would you turn back or carry on?
James Stevens answers your Questions of Seamanship. In this article, with a ripped mainsail would you continue sailing from Ireland to Falmouth?
How to raft up safely and securely
James Stevens looks at the seamanship and etiquette needed to raft up and identifies the benefits and pitfalls of coming alongside
Can you fix a jammed sheave without a rigger?
James Stevens answers your Questions of Seamanship. In this article, how confident would you be about fixing a jammed sheave?
Night pilotage: How to enter unfamiliar harbours
James Stevens looks at how best to prepare for arriving at an unfamiliar harbour after dark and what to be aware of
Can you retrieve a fouled anchor in rough sea?
James Stevens answers your Questions of Seamanship. In this article, how would free a fouled anchor in a rough sea?
Is it worth moving to a new anchorage?
James Stevens answers your Questions of Seamanship. In this article, is it worth moving to a new anchorage it if meant sailing through shoal water in approaching bad weather?
Could you moor in a box berth under sail?
With an onshore wind and little space to manoeuvre, how would you tackle getting into a tight box berth? James Stevens answers your Questions of Seamanship