Saint Lucia is one of the most visited Caribbean destinations. With its jutting mountain tops (the Pitons), crystal clear waters, and exciting culture, it’s hardly difficult to see why. Because the Caribbean is a group of islands, there are few ways better to explore it than an ocean cruise. And what better cruise is there…
A sport as old as sailing, which went unaltered for decades, is currently seeing a technological renaissance thanks to innovation in the sport. So when it comes to the best sailing watches, it’ll depend on if you are a purist (mechanical) or a modernist (digital/smart sailing watches). In my 10-year career working in the yachting…
A 10-year yachting career has meant I have dropped more pairs of sunglasses overboard than I care to remember. It has also meant that I’ve tested almost every brand out there. Here are the best sailing sunglasses that you can currently buy. Had I known about these at the beginning of my career, I may…
Let’s get straight into this by stating that the best satellite phone for sailing must use the Iridium Network. Why? Because Iridium is the only satellite communications network that has global coverage. So I’m not even going to bother recommending phones that use other satellite networks such as Inmarsat or Globalstar. If this were an…
When it comes to sailing boots, you will want to look out for a few things. Are the boots breathable, tall, or short, and what are they made from? In my 10-year career in the yachting industry, I’ve found the best overall pair of sailing boots are the Gill Tall Yachting Boot. However, the equation…
Yes, it is certainly worth getting if you are out at sea and having trouble acquiring a signal to reach out for help. While the usage of your sat phone, airtime, and data may cost more, having a direct line and GPS could mean the difference between life and death. Out at sea, a satellite…
As much as we love being at sea, it can be dangerous. And if you ever need help, you want to be as visible as possible. This means visual distress signals are essential to have on board. But these distress signals all have their different uses. For example, orange smoke signals are only acceptable for…
There are channels for emergencies and urgent matters only, boater-hailing channels, working channels for relevant communications, ship-to-ship channels, port operation channels, and weather channels. These are further divided into channels used by commercial vessels and recreational vessels. Additionally, some channels are restricted and intended for use by the United States Coast Guard (USGC) only. With…
Many people fail to register their marine radios. One reason is that they don’t know how. So how do you register a marine VHF radio? Fortunately, registering your radio is a free and straightforward process. You just need to complete an online application. Once completed, you will get an MMSI number, and your radio will be…
It is great fun being on the water and an excellent way to increase your fitness and enjoy hours of quality time with the family. But if you don’t exercise safety precautions and do not use the correct life jackets, boating activities such as kayaking, rafting, and other water sports can be dangerous. Nine out…