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.

Phonetic Alphabet

We have all heard elements of the phonetic alphabet. It serves a very practical purpose when the air waves are full of static. Here is a copy along with the morse code for each letter.







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

Update: VHF Radio Communications

VHF radio communications are vital for safety at sea.

Here is a new section on Communications: http://www.great-lakes-sailing.com/marine_vhf_radio.html



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

Free Resources

Every sailor has a collection of notes, scribbled calculations, post-it notes on charts, etc. I am no different but what I have done is begin to organize them so that they can be printed out and filed or posted. These include:

• Distance / Speed / Time Calculators
• Distance to Horizon Calculations
• Beaufort Wind Scale

You can find these at http://www.great-lakes-sailing.com/resources.html

Over time, more will be added.


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

Ports Update: Titletown USA (which we all know as Green Bay, WI)

Green Bay WI is intensely proud of its community-owned Green Bay Packers, the winningest football franchise in the United States. Green Bay is a lovely port to visit and the trip up Green Bay would certainly be a highlight of a sailing cruise.

Here is a detailed port review on Green Bay WI: http://www.great-lakes-sailing.com/green_bay_wi.html

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