What you need to know about passagemaking

[Georgs Kolesnikovs]

Ahoy!

Here's a checklist of what you need to consider and know in order to voyage
and cruise with confidence:

Introduction to bluewater passagemaking
   Why do it?

The proper passagemaker
   Design considerations

How to overcome the fear factor regarding big boats

Propulsion system
   Main engine, get-home options
   Engine-room operations
   Checking oil under way
   Changing oil under way
   Fuel filtration
   Engine-room checklist
   Fuel management and range

Vital Systems
   Electrical
   Bilge pumping
   Potable water
   Steering
   Autopilots
   Plumbing
   Hydraulics

Redundancy

Interior
   Pilothouse
   Galley
   Sea berths
   Stowage

Exterior
   Deck layout
   Storm shutters
   Storage of gear when under way

Ground tackle
   Equipment and deployment

Stabilization against roll
   Passive fish
   Active fins

Communications

Offshore navigation
   Electronic charts
   Paper charts
   Log-keeping

Offshore passage planning
   Weather
   Weather consultants & routers

Heavy weather avoidance
Heavy weather tactics

Provisioning

People
   Leadership/fellowship among captain & crew
   Crew selection
   Airing expectations before departure
   Training crew

Woman's perspective on passagemaking

Setting watches & non-watchstanding duties

Medical advice and preparation
Medical emergencies

Emergency equipment and procedures
   406-MHz EPIRB
   Personal flotation gear
   Life rafts
   Jacklines, safety harness
   Survival suits
   Sea anchors
   Rescue of crew overboard
   Suddenly-alone issues
   Abandon ship

GMDSS search and rescue

Mechanical emergencies
   Engine failure
   Electrical failure
   Steering failure
   Water intakes, propellers, shafts

Night running
   Lighting
   Night vision
   Night vision equipment

Documentation for going foreign
Insurance

Piracy concerns and firearms

Joys of landfall after a passage well made


We hope you will find this checklist of interest in your own preparations.
Not by coincidence, these are the topics to be covered during the two-day
West Marine Passagemaking Under Power Symposium next Saturday and Sunday in
Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

For complete program information, go
<http://www.passagemakingunderpower.com>. Registration brochures are
available nationwide in West Marine stores, or for PDF download at
<http://www.trawlerworld.com/tfest_PUPSympo.pdf>.

Please e-mail me or call me at 905-837-0102 for additional information
about the program and to register.

We'll be glad to have you aboard.

--Georgs

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Georgs Kolesnikovs
Circumnavigator

  http://www.circumnavigatormagazine.com
Trawler World Online

  http://www.trawlerworld.com
West Marine Passagemaking Under Power
 Symposium
  November 2-3   Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  http://www.passagemakingunderpower.com
E-mail: mailto:georgs@trawlerworld.com
Telephone: 905-837-0102  Facsimile: 905-837-9253
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