Broadly defined as the art of taking a vessel from one place to another, seamanship has diverse elements. It encompasses the various aspects of ship performance, from rigging to engines, as well as the daily management of the vessel. This centers on the safe, proper, and efficient handling of elements such as anchors, cables, gear, boats, and sails. It includes marine meteorology, knowledge of the winds and tides, and making knots and splices. Watch kept, whether at sea or in harbor, is critical to seamanship, as is seeing a vessel through stormy seas and rough weather. It involves being able to quickly and accurately read navigational data.
There are some fundamentals of seamanship that transcend one specific skill and involve an attitude and sense of awareness. When operating a boat, one is always maintaining a backup plan for any possible situation. This involves an understanding of available options and practical ways of implementing them. For example, in case the engine breaks down, you should know how to use a dinghy to steer the boat back to the harbor.
Another example is plotting a course using a paper chart for lengthy and complex passages in case the navigational aid goes out. In cases where the freshwater pump goes out, it pays to have a spare and a hand pump on board as well.
One way to stay prepared is to run through crisis situations, such as an abandon ship call, and how you would coordinate action with fellow seamen to stay afloat. Define crew responsibilities and practice emergency situations together, drilling exactly how you would handle challenges on the open waves.
Seamanship is also about proper preparation, which involves gathering supplies and stowing them properly so that they can be accessed at a moment’s notice. Do not neglect first aid kits, life jackets, life rafts, and other elements of survival. Check all engines and systems before taking the boat out, as well as the running rigging, which controls the sails, and the standing rigging, which holds the mast fast.
Make a checklist that includes elements such as diesel, propane, and dinghy fuel levels, as well as even small but important things such as filled water tanks. Even when crew members are responsible for various facets of boat operation, ensure that one person is responsible for checking everything in the end.
Whenever a piece of equipment gets torn, frayed, or broken, don’t leave it “as is” for an extended time. The moment you get into the harbor and have time, set about ensuring that it’s in proper functioning order. You don’t want a situation where the embarkation date comes on the horizon, and you are behind on repairs. Rushing to complete even standard maintenance is an invitation for problems out at sea, where you can least afford them.
Beyond this, seamanship involves lifetime learning. It’s important to take courses on specialized skills and work with seamen who are able to train and drill you on the fundamentals of operating vessels, including specific boats. Training extends to protocol in situations involving other boats, such as permission to board and come alongside and courtesy and right-of-way rules when crossing paths with adjacent vessels.
