The Mariner's Blog

American Flag Rules for Flying on Vessels
  • Oct 17, 2025
  • Charles Hays
American Flag Display Rules When Flying Multiple Flags on Vessels

Operating a vessel flying multiple flags requires understanding the proper display of the American flag alongside other ensigns. According to Publi...

What is the IAMSAR Manual
  • Oct 16, 2025
  • Charles Hays
What is the IAMSAR Manual and Its Primary Purpose?

When a distress call goes out at sea, the response needs to be immediate, coordinated, and effective. The IAMSAR Manual (International Aeronautical...

Best Marine Navigation Software
  • Oct 14, 2025
  • Charles Hays
The Best Marine Navigation Software for Vessels and Yachts

Professional maritime operations demand reliable, compliant navigation software that meets regulatory requirements while improving operational effi...

IMDG Code Amendment 42-24
  • Oct 13, 2025
  • Charles Hays
IMDG Code Amendment 42-24: What Changed for Maritime Dangerous Goods Transport

Amendment 42-24 of the IMDG Code goes live January 1, 2025 (optional) and becomes mandatory January 1, 2026. You've got one year to get your proced...

15 Types of Navigation Equipment Used on Modern Ships
  • Oct 10, 2025
  • Charles Hays
15 Types of Navigation Equipment Used on Modern Ships

The bridge of a modern ship is a sophisticated, integrated nerve center. The days of relying solely on a sextant and paper chart are long past; tod...

History of Navigation at Sea
  • Oct 9, 2025
  • Charles Hays
History of Navigation at Sea: From Stars to Modern Equipment

For as long as humans have ventured onto the water, we have faced the same fundamental challenge: how to find our way. The history of navigation at...

How to Read Nautical Charts
  • Oct 6, 2025
  • Charles Hays
How to Read Nautical Charts: A Beginner’s Guide to Safe Marine Navigation

Setting out on the open water is an adventure, but for every mariner, from a weekend sailor to the captain of a supertanker, that adventure must be...

A Complete Guide to the 9 IMDG Classes of Dangerous Goods
  • Oct 4, 2025
  • Charles Hays
A Complete Guide to the 9 IMDG Classes of Dangerous Goods

When you're responsible for a vessel at sea, nothing is more important than the safety of your crew and the compliance of your operations. That res...

What Does IMDG Mean
  • Oct 1, 2025
  • Charles Hays
What Does IMDG Mean? IMDG code Classes, and Compliance Guide

For anyone managing or operating vessels that transport goods by sea, ensuring safety and maintaining compliance are top priorities. When your carg...

ECDIS Alarm Settings: How to Stay Compliant and Safe
  • Aug 12, 2025
  • Charles Hays
ECDIS Alarm Settings: How to Stay Compliant and Safe

Learn how to set ECDIS alarms for safe, compliant navigation. Covers Safety Depth, Safety Contour, XTD, CPA/TCPA, IMO requirements, best practices,...

NOAA Nautical Charts
  • Oct 11, 2024
  • American Nautical Services
Explore NOAA Nautical Charts for Enhanced Navigation

Explore NOAA nautical charts for reliable navigation at sea. Check out A&M Nautical's extensive collection designed for shipowners and mariners.

Cayman Islands Maritime Registry logo featuring a shield with a pineapple, stars, and nautical elements, symbolizing the authority and governance of maritime activities in the Cayman Islands.
  • Oct 8, 2024
  • Charles Hays
Staying on Course: Essential Nautical Publications for Cayman Islands Registered Vessels

Safety at sea depends on preparation. This blog post examines the essential nautical publications required for all Cayman Islands-registered vessel...