
Check 1 | Fail to prepare, prepare to fail

Check 2 | Don't grind your gears

Check 3 | Lost your spark?

Check 4 | Running on fumes?

Check 5 | Bon Voyage!

Check 6 | SOS
Facts to keep in mind
- 1
Avoid sailing in the commercial shipping channel, especially in poor visibility
Obey Rule 9 of the Collision Regulations (COLREGS) for conduct in narrow channels by keeping to the side of the channel and crossing only when this does not impede the passage of a large vessel that can safely navigate only within the narrow channel.
- 2
Do not underestimate the speed of ships
If your boat is slow, allow sufficient time to take effective evasive action in the vicinity of large ships.
- 3
Be visible
At night make sure your navigation lights can be seen. If you see the navigation lights of a vessel and you think you have not been seen, get out of the way. Use torches, search lights or a spotlight on sails, or fire a white flare to indicate your position. Carry a radar reflector high on your boat.
- 4
Be alert
Look around every so often, especially astern.
- 5
Keep an extra vigilant watch at night
Even on a clear night you will have difficulty seeing a big ship approach. You might see it first as a black shadow against a background of shore lights, or as a growing shadow - at that point you are not far apart. Remember that your lights will not be easily spotted from the ship, particularly if seen against shore background lights.
- 6
Keep your VHF radio tuned to Channel 11
In an emergency, if you believe you have not been seen or are unsure of a ship's intentions, call them on VHF Channel 11 or 16 then shift to a working frequency or intership safety messages.
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