On June 20, 2014, the White House released the United States Counter Piracy and Maritime Security Action Plan. The White House press release explains that this new maritime security and piracy plan “provides clear strategic guidance for counter-piracy efforts and outlines that the United States will use all appropriate instruments of national power to repress piracy and related maritime crimes.”The Goal and Vision of the PlanThe vision of anti-piracy security plan is increasingly safe seas with...

Voyage planning, also referred to as passage planning, is the detailed procedure of laying out a vessel’s voyage from start to finish. The steps and protocols for voyage planning are explained in the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) RESOLUTION A.893(21), Guidelines for Voyage Planning.Proper planning and navigation is crucial to accident avoidance. In fact, 80 percent of maritime accidents are the result of errors made by those in charge of navigation, according to SOLAS ANNEX 24:...

Sailing at night can be both amazing and frightening. Nighttime on the water, characterized by picturesque fog and brilliant phosphorescence, has a certain still, mysterious quality that draws people to it. At the same time, without proper preparation, good gear and a watchful eye, sailing at night can be downright disastrous.Try following the tips below to ensure your night sail goes off without a hitch.Sailing Tip # 1: Make Sure the Crew Understands the EquipmentAll crew should know how to...

Properly mooring your boat is important not only for safety reasons and theft prevention, but also to be compliant with marine insurance standards. The Law Dictionary explains that a vessel is moored safely when it is “moored to a wharf or dock, free from any immediate danger from any of the perils insured against.”Large vessels, recreational boats and specialized ships each have their own anchoring, docking and mooring guidelines. Generally speaking, solid dock lines, properly preparing before...