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Talking the Talk: Sailing Lingo Every Sailor Should Know

Talking the Talk: Sailing Lingo Every Sailor Should Know

Don’t just sail—speak the language. Master key nautical terms before you hit the water. Sailing isn’t just a sport or a way to travel—it’s a world of its own, full of colorful language rooted in centuries of maritime tradition. If you’re new to sailing, some of the vocabulary might feel like a foreign language. Why…

The CND Logo: A Nautical-Inspired Symbol of Peace and Protest

The CND Logo: A Nautical-Inspired Symbol of Peace and Protest

How a Maritime Signal Became the World’s Most Iconic Peace Symbol The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) logo is one of the most recognisable symbols of peace in the world today. Often referred to as the “peace symbol,” it has transcended its original purpose and become a universal emblem of non-violence, anti-war movements, and global…

How to obtain an International Certificate of Competence (ICC)
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How to obtain an International Certificate of Competence (ICC)

The International Certificate of Competence (ICC) is an internationally recognised qualification that certifies an individual’s ability to operate a pleasure craft safely. It is particularly useful for those who wish to hire or operate boats abroad, as many countries require proof of competence before allowing access to their waters. This guide outlines the steps necessary…

Measuring the Winds of the World
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Measuring the Winds of the World

The History of the Beaufort Scale The Beaufort Scale is perhaps one of the best-known ways to measure wind force, offering a standard method to classify wind speeds based on their effects both on land and at sea. It’s a valuable tool used by meteorologists, sailors, and engineers, significantly influencing modern understanding of wind strength…

Time Travel is Real, and It’s in the Bering Strait

Time Travel is Real, and It’s in the Bering Strait

A Tale of Big and Little Diomede Ah, time travel. A notion that’s been tickling our imaginations for donkey’s years. H.G. Wells scribbled about it, Doc Brown cobbled together a DeLorean for it, and Doctor Who nailed it with a flying blue police box. But what if I told you that time travel is already…

Cold Enough to Freeze the Balls Off a Brass Monkey
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Cold Enough to Freeze the Balls Off a Brass Monkey

Why Some Sailors Just Can’t Stay Ashore The wind howls like a banshee, rain lashes against the windows, and the mere thought of venturing outside sends shivers down your spine. It’s a perfect day… for some hardy souls to don their foul-weather gear, wrestle their boats from the clutches of winter, and head out onto…

You are not going bananas!

You are not going bananas!

Why are bananas supposed to be bad luck on boats? If you’ve ever set sail or chatted with seasoned sailors, you might have stumbled upon a curious maritime superstition: bananas are bad luck on boats. This peculiar belief, like tales of mermaids and ghost ships, has been passed down through generations. But why do these…

Worst-case Scenario?
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Worst-case Scenario?

Are charted depths based on the worst-case scenario? Traditional and electronic navigation charts (ENCs) provide us with an understanding of depth, particularly near the coastline. Generally, we ask ourselves: Can we float? After all, we don’t want to run aground! The numbers provided on charts give a likely worst-case scenario, known as chart datum. For…

If you belive the Earth is flat, you're about to fall of the end...

If you belive the Earth is flat, you're about to fall of the end...