The Mariner's Blog

Essential Knots Every Boater Should Know: A Practical Guide
  • Apr 10, 2026
  • Charles Hays
Essential Knots Every Boater Should Know: A Practical Guide

Reliable knot-tying is one of the most fundamental skills in seamanship. A properly tied knot holds under load, releases when needed, and performs ...

COLREGs: International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
  • Apr 10, 2026
  • Charles Hays
COLREGs: International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, universally known as COLREGs, are the rules of the road governing vessel navigation...

How to Read Marine Weather Forecasts: A Mariner's Guide
  • Apr 10, 2026
  • Charles Hays
How to Read Marine Weather Forecasts: A Mariner's Guide

Marine weather forecasts provide the essential data behind every go or no-go decision at sea. Whether the passage involves a coastal transit or an ...

Types of Ship Propulsion Systems: Complete Overview
  • Apr 9, 2026
  • Charles Hays
Types of Ship Propulsion Systems: Complete Overview

Every vessel afloat depends on a propulsion system to convert energy into forward motion. The type of propulsion a ship uses affects its speed, fue...

What Is Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) and How Is It Calculated?
  • Apr 8, 2026
  • Charles Hays
What Is Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) and How Is It Calculated?

Deadweight tonnage is one of the most commonly referenced measurements in commercial shipping, yet it is frequently confused with other tonnage fig...

Navigating Puget Sound: Essential Tips for Boaters
  • Apr 8, 2026
  • Charles Hays
Navigating Puget Sound: Essential Tips for Boaters

Puget Sound is one of the most rewarding cruising grounds on the U.S. Pacific coast, offering sheltered waters, dramatic scenery, and access to hun...

What You Need to Know About Low-Sulfur Fuel Requirements: IMO 2020 Sulfur Cap
  • Apr 7, 2026
  • Charles Hays
What You Need to Know About Low-Sulfur Fuel Requirements: IMO 2020 Sulfur Cap

On January 1, 2020, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) enforced a global sulfur cap that reduced the maximum allowable sulfur content in...

Alaska State Flag: History, Symbols, and Maritime Significance
  • Apr 7, 2026
  • Charles Hays
Alaska State Flag: History, Symbols, and Maritime Significance

The Alaska state flag is among the most recognized and highly rated state flags in the United States. Adopted in 1927, more than three decades befo...

How to Read Tide Tables: A Practical Guide for Mariners
  • Apr 6, 2026
  • Charles Hays
How to Read Tide Tables: A Practical Guide for Mariners

Tide tables provide predicted times and heights of high and low water for specific locations, and knowing how to read them correctly is a fundament...

South Carolina State Flag: History and Maritime Significance
  • Apr 3, 2026
  • Charles Hays
South Carolina State Flag: History and Maritime Significance

The South Carolina state flag, with its white palmetto tree and crescent on an indigo blue field, carries one of the strongest connections to naval...

What Is MARPOL? The Ship Pollution Prevention Convention Explained
  • Apr 3, 2026
  • Charles Hays
What Is MARPOL? The Ship Pollution Prevention Convention Explained

MARPOL is the primary international treaty governing how vessels prevent and manage pollution at sea. Adopted by the International Maritime Organiz...

Cruising Guide for Lake Michigan: Ports, Routes, and Boating Tips
  • Apr 2, 2026
  • Charles Hays
Cruising Guide for Lake Michigan: Ports, Routes, and Boating Tips

Lake Michigan is the third-largest of the Great Lakes by surface area and the only one located entirely within the United States. Stretching 307 mi...