What Is a Lift Boat? How Liftboats Work and What They Do
What a lift boat is, how it jacks up on its legs, its main parts, what liftboats are used for, US rules and how a lift boat differs from a jack-up rig.
Nautical Science
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What Is Boxing The Compass? 32 Compass Points Explained
For those fascinated by maritime navigation, the term ‘boxing the compass’ might sound familiar. But what exactly does it entail? This traditional navigational practice, essential for mariners traversing the seas, involves mastering all 32 points of the compass. While modern navigators predominantly rely on 360° angles for course-plotting, a select few sailors maintain the tradition…
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Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Causes: What Failed, Who Paid and What Changed
A case study of the 2010 Macondo blowout: the six barriers that failed, what BP, Transocean and Halliburton paid, and how US offshore safety rules changed.
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What Is A Neap Tide?
Down on the docks, a lot of different phrases and words get thrown around: port, starboard, fairway, lanyard, gunwale, tides. Trying to keep up and learn all of these different important maritime terminologies can be tricky, but luckily, we’re here to help. One such term you may come across but not know about is neap…
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Understanding the Marine Forecast
These days mariners have accurate weather forecasts at their fingertips. The science of meteorology, weather forecasting, and the tools we use to interpret weather data have improved so much that it may seem sailors needn’t worry about the weather at all. However, science is sometimes imperfect, and a good captain must closely monitor weather conditions…
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The Panama Canal: History and Impact on Global Shipping
When we think about the items we use every day, it’s easy to overlook how those items arrived at our stores, markets, and warehouses. Only recently have we learned about things like supply chain disruptions and logistics issues at our world’s ports. It’s estimated that 11 billion tons of consumer goods travel by cargo ship…
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How Are Containers Secured On Ships?
When it comes to transporting goods, containers are a vital part of the process. But just how secure are they while in transit on ships at sea? On the open sea, ships face harsh conditions and are subject to extreme forces. If containers are not secured properly, rough weather can quickly become a recipe for…
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Turning Circle of a Ship: Parts, IMO Limits and Key Factors
How a ship’s turning circle works: advance, transfer, tactical diameter, the three phases of a turn, IMO MSC.137(76) limits and factors such as shallow water.
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What Is The Difference Between A Wave And A Swell?
Different factors affect a navigating vessel whether she is in port or the open sea. These include current, swell, wind, rain, snow, fog, etc. Waves are caused by either an earthquake, underwater volcanic eruptions, or wind. While swell is formed from a sustained wind strength and duration that builds up a large amount of energy…
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What is Bridge Navigational Watch?
The practice of ship navigation is essential for safe and efficient maritime transportation. It is a system that ensures that during the voyage, a vessel stays on course, avoids collisions, complies with international regulations, and minimizes fuel consumption while keeping to schedules. This is accomplished by a set of personnel on the ship’s navigation bridge…