Marlborough joins the NZ debate on compulsory life jacketsBy Marlborough Express/Sail-World, ,
9:55 AM Sun 27 Oct 2013
The Marlborough district on the north east of the south island of New Zealand has joined the current debate about boaters being forced to wear, not just carry, life jackets when boating. As the regulation would apply to all vessels under 6 metres, it would catch the tender dinghies of all sailing boats. ...[more]

Transmitter maintenance could affect BBC Marine ForecastBy RYA/Sail-World Cruising, ,
6:15 AM Wed 9 Oct 2013
If you are to be sailing in UK waters in 2014, put the dates in your diary. Essential transmitter maintenance could affect BBC Shipping Forecast as the BBC’s Droitwich transmitter will undergo essential maintenance during 2014. From approximately April to mid-August the 12:01 2014 shipping forecast will potentially be transmitted at a lower power or maybe inaudible on LW for that period. ...[more]

World's most dangerous waters, by the WWF and AllianzBy Lee Mylchreest,
6:54 AM Sat 5 Oct 2013
For we who might want to sail away into the sunset, we need to know that the ocean varies widely on the other side of that horizon. Apart from all the other knowledge we need to take with us, we should be aware of which are the most dangerous ocean areas on earth, just this year identified by a studies the WWF and insurance giant Allianz ...[more]

Six basic rules for taking your pet sailingBy Sail-World Cruising, ,
8:15 AM Mon 2 Sep 2013
There are regulations covering the crew and visitors on your sailing boat, but what about your seafaring pets? One veterinarian is appealing for folks who take their dogs on boats to prepare carefully and take care of pets adequately while boating. ...[more]

New Zealand's South Island better at wearing life jacketsBy OTD/Sail-World,
6:08 PM Wed 21 Aug 2013
New Zealand's South Island leads the pack on the wearing of life jackets. All right, it's only a pack of two, but being in the lead is a cause for celebration according to one Otago harbour master. ...[more]

USA's Women Coast Guard - the effort for recognition since 1915By Lauren Laughlin/Sail-World Cruising,
7:44 AM Mon 24 Jun 2013
As cruising sailors, we depend heavily on the Coast Guard. What happens if you take a Coast Guard office and fill it full of women? Give up? No, this is not a joke. The answer always was … the same as if it were all male (some would say, better). But this was a difficult learning curve for traditionalists in the USA. ...[more]

WARNING against electronic flaresBy Sail-World Cruising,
12:08 PM Mon 10 Jun 2013
Britain's Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has warned all sailors and other boaters that electronic flares will NOT substitute for the traditional pyrotechnic flare, while US Coastguard has commissioned a study. ...[more]

Death report points to life raft stowage failureBy BBC/MCA/Sail-World Cruising, ,
8:04 AM Sun 2 Jun 2013
It's useless having a good life raft on board if it's not stowed so that it will deploy in an emergency. These were the sad findings of a report into the deaths of three fishermen when their boat sank. It might have been a fishing boat not a sailing boat, but the warning is equally pertinent for sailors. ...[more]

Ready, set, wear your life jacket to work!By SOS Marine/Sail-World Cruising, ,
6:59 AM Mon 20 May 2013
Aussie company SOS Marine announced today its support of 'Wear Your Life Jacket to Work' Day on May 17, 2013. SOS Marine joins boating professionals and boating enthusiasts in Australia and New Zealand to heighten awareness of different life jacket types that are available, including inflatable life jackets, and demonstrate their comfort and versatility by wearing them to work. ...[more]

Eight Safety Tips for a safe boating seasonBy US Coast Guard/Sail-World Cruising, ,
6:33 AM Mon 20 May 2013
As winter is finally loosening its grip and the beginning of the 2013 boating season is slowly beginning, the US Coast Guard urges boaters and leisure sailors to make the most of the season by keeping it as safe as possible. Here's eight safety tips so you will survive and enjoy your boating/sailing season: ...[more]

More information emerges on America's Cup capsizeBy Sail-World Cruising Round-up,
7:24 AM Sun 12 May 2013
While much of the sailing world mourns the death of British Olympic sailing star and America's Cup strategist Andrew 'Bart' Simpson, widely reported on the racing sites of Sail-World, the design of the yacht Artemis is being questioned as cracking noises were heard by the crew before the main frame simply 'cracked like a taco', injuring some crew and killing Simpson. ...[more]

Thailand: Armed robberies on sailing boats leave cruisers shakenBy Chris Husted, Phuket Gazette/Sail-World Cruising,
7:08 AM Tue 7 May 2013
Recent armed attacks against yachties by thieves in Chalong Bay, Phuket, Thailand, is the first violence that the local cruising community can remember here towards yachts in a very long time. A French yachtsman suffered severe knife wounds during an attack aboard his boat last week, and in another incident shots were fired when thieves were surprised during an attempted burglary on a vacant boat ...[more]

Lightning kills one crewman on Philippines boatBy Nancy Knudsen, ,
11:54 AM Fri 3 May 2013
Lightning has killed one crewman in a boat off the waters of Tabina in the Philippines. It was a fishing boat, not a sailing boat, but just as tragic and serves to remind all leisure sailors that lightning is dangerous on any boat if the crew is not prepared and knowledgeable ...[more]

The Six Minute Safety Sailing SpielBy BoatUS/Sail-World Cruising, ,
11:04 PM Tue 30 Apr 2013
It takes only six minutes to brief your new guests on board your boat for a day sailing, but could save the boat - or a life, and the briefing will make sure the day stays fun and relaxed. Here is the six minute safety briefing - six points, each taking only a minute: ...[more]

US Sailors to vote on Loaner Kids Lifejacket locationsBy BoatUS/Sail-World Cruising, ,
11:44 PM Mon 29 Apr 2013
USA sailors are being asked to vote for locations at which they would like to have loan life jackets available. BoatUS Foundation, which runs a Life Jacket Loaner Program for Kids at specific locations throughout the USA, is looking to expand their operations. ...[more]

Sailor's boat confiscated for carrying cigarsBy Lee Mylchreest, ,
1:49 AM Sat 27 Apr 2013
Long-range cruising sailors, be careful what you carry and be careful what you sign in unfamiliar ports. One American sailor has had his sailing boat confiscated because he was carrying some cigars on board. ...[more]

British MOB rescue cleverly uses the boat's liferaftBy Lee Mylchreest, ,
6:59 AM Fri 19 Apr 2013
This week's MOB (or COB to use recent vernacular) incident in British waters took an interesting turn. The crew member, who happened to be the skipper, fell overboard but was wearing a life jacket and remained tethered by his harness. So far, so good. But he couldn't get back on board and the remaining two crew couldn't achieve it either. ...[more]