Seamanship refers to the skill, practice, and techniques involved in handling a boat or ship at sea. It encompasses line handling, anchoring, navigation, troubleshooting, and safety. The first order of good seamanship is to know everything there is to know about your boat, including its layout, construction, capabilities, carrying capacity, and limitations. You also need to learn about its propulsion, electric systems, and how to deal with its common problems.
Knowing what your boat can handle is important for safe seamanship, and may even help reduce operational costs. Look at your boat’s manual and take note of its maximum carrying and load capacity, maximum fuel range, maximum speed and range at certain speeds, maximum draft, and economical cruising speed. If you can, learn about your boat’s wind and sea limitations as well.
You will also need to know local, state, and federal safety regulations. Keep in mind, the US Coast Guard and local agencies can board your boat at any time to check if you’re complying with the set safety equipment rules and regulations. Depending on the size of your boat, you may be required to have navigation lights, emergency flares, a sound signaling device, and a specific number of life jackets. Of course, the larger the vessel, the greater the requirements.
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