The rules of the road, often called COLREGS, exist so boats can predict what each other will do. When they are understood, situations stay calm and orderly. When they are misunderstood, confusion builds quickly. This short course exists to strip the rules back to what recreational boaters actually need, and to explain them in a […]
The Rules of the Road Made Simple: Practical COLREGS for Everyday Boaters Read More »
For many people, the Marine Radio exam is the part they worry about most. Not because it is especially difficult, but because it feels like going back to school. That alone is enough to make some people put it off far longer than they should. In reality, the exam is far more straightforward than most
How the Marine Radio Exam Works (And What People Worry About for No Reason) Read More »
If you search online for “Do I need a licence for a marine VHF radio in Australia?”, you will find confident answers pointing in opposite directions. Some say no licence is required. Others insist you must hold one. Both statements sound certain, and both miss the point. The confusion comes from mixing two different things:
Electronic charts are one of the most powerful tools on board a modern boat. Used well, they make navigation clearer, passage planning easier, and situational awareness far better than it was a generation ago. Used without understanding, they can also create a false sense of security. This short course exists to help people use electronic
Using Electronic Charts Safely: What They Do Well and Where They Can Let You Down Read More »
If there is a marine radio on board your vessel, at least one person is supposed to hold a Marine Radio Licence. That applies to recreational boats, commercial vessels, and anyone operating under Transport for NSW (TfNSW), and Australian Maritime Safety Authority and ACMA rules (which is all of us on the water!) In practice,
Do I Need a Marine Radio Licence in Australia? Read More »
Many people head out on the water with excellent boats, good electronics, and very little understanding of what is actually going on beneath the screen. For a while, that works. Then something changes. Power drops out, a screen freezes, or conditions are not quite what was expected. This short course exists so people are not
Basic Navigation Skills for Boaters: A Simple, Practical Starting Point Read More »
Clear. Practical. Supported all the way through: Online Marine Radio Licence Course If you need a Marine Radio Licence, you want three things. Clear explanations, fair pricing, and support that does not disappear once you enrol. This course is built around those priorities. The online Marine Radio Licence course allows you to study from anywhere,
Online Marine Radio Licence Course Read More »
A small household moment can sometimes reveal more truth than any long report or tidy checklist. That’s why we created, The Skippers’s Desk! Ice Cream Stealth Noel announced that he was heading for a shower and bed, offered one last goodnight and stepped away with the air of a man who had clocked off for
From the Skipper’s Desk: Caught Out at Home Read More »
Get Certified – Coxswain & Shipboard Safety Courses this November Short-notice spaces are now open for Coxswain Grade 1, Coxswain Grade 2, and Elements of Shipboard Safety (ESS).All courses are nationally accredited and meet Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) standards, preparing you for your Certificate of Competency (CoC). Dates: 1st / 2nd week of NovemberContact:
Get Certified – Coxswain & Shipboard Safety Courses this November Read More »
Electronic charts have transformed the way we navigate. Fast, detailed, and endlessly convenient, they’ve become a skipper’s best friend on modern bridges and cockpits. Yet behind every confident mariner is one essential truth: without strong paper chart skills, you’ll never use electronic charts like a professional. The Real Foundation of Seamanship: Skill Over Screens Traditional
Paper Charts vs Tech: The Skill That Saves Skippers Read More »
