Clearing Lines - Another way to plot a safe course

The previous post profiled the port of Racine WI. The approach to Racine WI has a very clearly marked hazard - Racine Reef - that has brought many ships to grief. In discussing the approach, reference was made to clearing lines.

 Sometimes when navigating, you don’t need to know exactly where you are you are. It may be enough to know approximately where you are, and to be sure that you are clear of dangers. If you can draw a single position line, you can tell at a glance which side you are on to keep out of danger. This line is known as a clearing line. 

In the section on plotting a course (  http://www.great-lakes-sailing.com/course_plotting.html ) there is a fuller discussion on this and other aspects of plotting. 

And remember - a basic principal of navigation is to NEVER leave a known safe position for an unknown position until you have worked out a plan for your next leg.

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Fair Winds

Michael 

Ports Update: Make sure you bring your sweet tooth to Racine WI

Home of both the largest Danish community outside of Denmark AND the mouth-watering Danish kringle pastry, Racine has a lot to offer a cruising sailor. A harbout with nearly 1,000 slips is a heck of a start.



Here is a detailed port review on Racine, WI: http://www.great-lakes-sailing.com/racine_wi.html

As always, all 100+ port reviews are free to access, download or print.

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Fair Winds

Michael 

Ports Update: St. Joseph, MI / Benton Harbor, MI - the "Riviera of the Midwest"

Save the cost of airfare! We have our own 'riviera' here on the Great Lakes. With one of the best beaches on the entire Lake Michigan, the twin cities of St. Joseph/Benton Harbor attract thousands who enjoy the expanse of Silver Beach.


Here is a detailed port review on St Joseph MI / Benton Harbor MI: http://www.great-lakes-sailing.com/st_joseph_mi.html

As always, all 100+ port reviews are free to access, download or print.

Sign up for our free newsletter - just see the subscribe box on any page on the site. 

Fair Winds

Michael 

RESOURCES - A New Section

Every sailor has a collection notes, scribbled calculations, file cards, etc with helpful tips and calculations. I have created a page where you will find links to a number of such notes that I have organized. There is a brief explanation of each note and a link to either a page and explanation or to a downloadable copy. Feel free to download them and use them where they fit. Each document is in pdf format.

New items will be added over time

Here is where you can fine the new section: http://www.great-lakes-sailing.com/resources.html
 
 

As always, all 100+ port reviews are free to access, download or print.

Ports Update: Picton, ON

Nestled at the head of one of the finest bays on Lake Ontario, Picton is a delight to visit. From here, its very easy to bicycle down a tree-shaded path and slip into 'the county' - Prince Edward County, one of Ontario's gems.

 
Here is a detailed port review on Picton, ON: http://www.great-lakes-sailing.com/picton_ontario.html

All 100+ port reviews are free to access, download or print.

St Lawrence Seaway - Welland Canal & The Soo Locks

Ever wonder whats involved in 'climbing the stairs' around Niagara Falls?The Welland Canal is an engineering marvel - as is the entire St. Lawrence Seaway. Both the Wellan Canal and the Soo Locks open up the vast reaches of the upper lakes to every sailors and let you explore right into the heart of North America.

Click here for a description of the Seaway and the specifics of using both the Welland Canal and the Soo Locks: http://www.great-lakes-sailing.com/st_lawrence_seaway.html



As always, all 100+ port reviews are free to access, download or print.

International Code Flags

These signalling flags have been used for decades to communicate from ship to ship and ship to shore. In addition to 1-flag signals, there are group signals for common messages. For clarity, only a few colours are used and these are used in a strict combination for visibility.

Here is a piece of trivia: the 'O' flag is hoisted to signal 'Man Overboard'. The 'O' flag is known as 'Oscar' and hence Oscar is the name given to the man-shaped training dummy used for MOB drills.

A downloadable copy is available at: http://www.great-lakes-sailing.com/phonetic_alphabet.html


As always, all 100+ port reviews are free to access, download or print.