Rules of the Road
Beware trend that considers seafarers as criminals
It happens. Be it a big accident or a little accident, it happens. It is nothing new to our industry. The history of accidents at sea transgresses to the first…
Sea, stand-by, watch and yard time clarified under MCA
We are an industry where bigger is better and appearances set the standard. With that ever-increasing desire by owners to push the envelope for a yacht’s overall length, we have…
New yacht regulations for 2015
As we say goodbye to 2014 and welcome in the New Year, we look ahead to what awaits us in the world of maritime regulations. It is time again for…
Keep it simple: Use acronyms from ANOA to USCG
Having chosen the exotic adventure of a career at sea, at the ripe old age of 18, I found myself on board a 600-foot cargo ship heading for parts unknown.…
Rules for charter yachts stretch far, wide
For a pleasure yacht to be legally engaged in trade and considered a commercial yacht, she must be surveyed and certified to numerous international and national regulations. These rules cover…
US cruising license halts re-clearing, adds privilege
As regular readers of this column know, our organization, International Yacht Bureau (IYB), acts as an inspection agency on behalf of several flag administrations. We are a classification society, but…
HMS Bounty mistakes translate into yacht issues
As regular readers of this column will note, I have been following the investigation of the loss of the HMS Bounty. The ship sailed from New London, Conn., on Oct.…
Old sea superstitions and nautical terms
Rules of the Road: by Capt. Jake Desvergers The winter and spring season is over, and summer is here (depending on your hemisphere). The shipyard refits are nearing an end,…
Unpaid wages top list of complaints
“How would you like to come to my yacht and work for me? What? You would also like to be paid? How is an owner supposed to survive these days?…
Devices keep track of yachts on the water
As we continue to watch the tragic events surrounding Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, the news headlines continue to blast the same message: How does a jet just disappear? In…
