Safely Disposing of Expired Flares: A Boater’s Guide
Learn about the risks and proper disposal methods for expired marine flares, including legal options, environmental considerations, and safer alternat…
Tag: safety
Free PDF Download: A Guide to VHF Channels
For coastal cruising sailors, the VHF radio serves as the foremost lifeline. It also plays a crucial role in sharing safety-related information both w…
Handling Emergencies: Man Overboard
Every man or woman overboard situation should be treated as a very serious matter, even in seemingly balmy conditions. In cold waters or cold weather,…
Zero Sailing Knowledge is Unacceptable
Four hundred miles off the coast of Barbados, and more than 2,500 miles into their voyage Stan Dabrowny, 74, slipped and fell from the boat. His wif…
Ask Lauren: What Do I Do If I See an Animal Tangled in Plastic?
It is always exciting to encounter marine animals in their natural habitat- the vast diversity of creatures in the ocean both pull at our heartstrings…
National Safe Boating Week Starts Today!
May 16 – 22 is National Safe Boating Week and ASA encourages sailors to take it to heart.
Anatomy of a Rescue: How ASA Sailors Saved Lives in the Open Ocean
On May 16th in the Bay of Florida, 80 miles out of Key West and the finish line of the 2013 Bone Island Regatta, Captain…
How Not to Dock Your Boat
If only these people had taken the American Sailing Association’s Docking Endorsement. We’ll teach you everything from the physics of docking to how to step…
Sailing Tragedy in Race to Mackinac 2011
As you may have already heard, on Monday the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the death of two sailors competing in the Chicago-Mackinac Race. A late…
Voyaging with Velella: On Night Sailing
In this blog, ASA writer-at-large Meghan Cleary answers a question from a reader. Meghan is on a 9-month cruise in the tropics aboard S/V Velella.…
Can You Design a Better Life Jacket?
Ever find yourself fiddling interminably with straps and velcro, or tottering around feeling like the Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters 2? These may be signs that…
Weathering Earl in the British Virgin Islands
Many of you have been lucky enough to learn to sail, cruise or charter in the British Virgin Islands. Here is an update from Pat…