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ALL WINDS SKIPPER TOOLBOX

Cockpit Seamanship & Risk Management
📲 Install App on Home Screen: Add All Winds Toolbox to your phone's home screen for secure offline storage and fast cockpit access.

Skippers Decision Matrix™

Honest input = Safe Sailing.

1. The Human Factor
Skipper
Crew
2. The Environment
Wind
Sea State
Visibility
3. The Destination
Protection
4. Safety Factors (Bonus)
Safe Alternates
<1 hr away
Short Hop
<15 NM
Daylight Buffer
Arrive by 14:00
Local Knowledge
Knows port
Select All OptionsComplete the matrix above.
⚠️ Decision Support Disclaimer: This matrix provides decision support heuristics adapted from outdoor risk models. Final navigation decisions rest solely with the Skipper in Command.

Crew Safety & Welfare Briefing

💡 Skipper's Note: This checklist is a memory jogger. Walk through what is on board based on these points and check them off as you cover each item.

Boat Tour Checklist

Internal Layout

External Layout

Skipper's Standing Orders

Call the Skipper immediately if any of the following occur during watch:

🛒 Provisioning & Shopping

Anchor Scope Calculator

Don't Drag. Calculate your chain.

5.0m
1.5m
*Distance from water surface to bow roller.
REQUIRED CHAIN LENGTH
19.5 m
(5.0m Depth + 1.5m Bow) x 3 Scope

⚓ Anchoring Basics:

  1. Calculate Total Drop: Depth + Freeboard (Bow Height) + Tidal Rise.
  2. Stop into Wind/Current: Bring boat to a complete stop into wind/current. As anchor hits seabed, drift back smoothly to lay chain.
  3. Dig In Anchor: Engage reverse gradually to set flukes firmly in seabed.
  4. Verify Transits: Take shore transits in reverse to confirm zero drag.

Rule of 12ths Tidal Calculator

Estimate tidal height between Low and High water.

Total Range: 3.0m
⚠️ Peak Flow: Hours 3 & 4
!

W.O.B.B.L.E. Engine Check

Perform these 6 essential checks every morning before turning the key.

WWaterStrainer & coolant.
OOilDipstick level & color.
BBeltsTension & wear check.
BBilgeEnsure dry engine bilge.
LLevelsHeader tank level.
EExhaustVerify water flow on start.

Pro Tip: A dry bilge is the primary indicator of a healthy engine bay.

Engine Exhaust Smoke Diagnostics

⚫ Black / Dark Grey Smoke: Unburned fuel. Overloaded engine, dirty injector, or blocked air intake filter.
🔵 Blue Smoke: Burning engine oil. Worn piston rings, valve stem seals, or overfilled oil sump.
⚪ White Smoke: Water vapor or raw fuel. Blown head gasket, raw water in cylinder, or severe cold start.

Trip Engine Hours Tracker

Total Engine Hours Run This Trip: 0.0 hrs
⚠️ NOT FOR NAVIGATION — Visual situational overview only. Map tiles require internet connection and will not load offshore unless cached.

🗺️ Area Overview Map

Situational overview & shore bearings.

Map © OSM | Nautical © OpenSeaMap

🧭 Navigator's CTS Calculator

1. Departure (Lat / Lon)
2. Destination (Lat / Lon)
3. Environment & Boat

Key Steering & Sailing Rules

RuleSummary & Mandatory Action
Rule 5Lookout: Maintain continuous lookout by sight, hearing & all available means.
Rule 6Safe Speed: Adapt speed to visibility, traffic density, maneuverability & lighting.
Rule 7Risk of Collision: Exists if compass bearing of approaching vessel stays constant.
Rule 8Action to Avoid: Positive, made in ample time, and large enough to be obvious.
Rule 9Narrow Channels: Keep to starboard outer limit. Vessels <20m shall not impede power.
Rule 10TSS: Cross traffic lanes at right angles (90° Heading).
Rule 12Sailing Rules: Port tack gives way to Starboard. Windward gives way to Leeward on same tack.
Rule 13Overtaking: Overtaking vessel keeps clear (>22.5° abaft beam).
Rule 15Crossing (Power): Vessel with other on starboard side shall give way.
Rule 17Stand-on Vessel: Maintain course & speed. Act if give-way vessel fails to respond.
Rule 18Hierarchy: NUC → RAM → CBD → Fishing → Sailing → Power.
Rule 19Restricted Visibility: No stand-on vessel. Avoid altering course to Port for vessel forward of beam.

Sound Signals Reference

SituationSignalMeaning
Altering Starboard● (1 Short)Altering course to Starboard
Altering Port● ● (2 Short)Altering course to Port
Astern Propulsion● ● ● (3 Short)Engines going astern
DANGER / Warning● ● ● ● ● (5+ Short)Wake up! / Action unclear
Fog: Power Making Way▬ (1 Long / 2m)Power vessel underway & making way
Fog: Power Stopped▬ ▬ (2 Long / 2m)Underway but stopped
Fog: Sail / RAM / NUC▬ ● ● (1 Long 2 Short)Sailing, Fishing, RAM, NUC or Towing

Day Shapes & Lights Reference

TypeLightsDay Shape
NUCRed / RedBall / Ball
CBDRed / Red / RedCylinder
RAMRed / White / RedBall / Diamond / Ball
AgroundNUC + AnchorBall / Ball / Ball
TrawlingGreen / WhiteTwo Cones (Hourglass)
FishingRed / WhiteTwo Cones (Hourglass)

Beaufort Wind Scale

FKnotsSea ConditionWaves
0< 1 ktGlassy smooth0 m
11 – 3 ktRipples, no foam0.1 m
24 – 6 ktSmall wavelets, glass crests0.2 m
37 – 10 ktLarge wavelets, scattered foam0.6 m
411 – 16 ktSmall waves, frequent whitecaps1.0 m
517 – 21 ktModerate waves, spray & foam2.0 m
622 – 27 ktLarge waves, white foam crests3.0 m
728 – 33 ktSea heaps up, foam blown in streaks4.0 m
834 – 40 ktModerately high waves, breaking crests5.5 m

The 6-Minute Rule (Speed & Distance)

Divide boat speed in knots by 10 to find distance in NM run in 6 minutes:

  • 3 Knots: 0.3 NM (3 Cables) in 6 min
  • 4 Knots: 0.4 NM (4 Cables) in 6 min
  • 5 Knots: 0.5 NM (5 Cables) in 6 min
  • 6 Knots: 0.6 NM (6 Cables) in 6 min → At 6 knots, 1 minute = 1 Cable!

📝 Digital Deck Log

Alarm: OFF
📲 CREW TRIP SYNC & WATCH HANDOVER

Yacht & Compliance Details

⛵ Vessel Details & Registration

👨‍✈️ Skipper Credentials

👤 Candidate / Crew Manifest

📊 Mileage & Days at Sea Breakdown (Swiss CCS/SYA & RYA)

🔧 Emergency Equipment

⚓ Join the All Winds Skipper Network

Get heavy weather seamanship updates, charter briefings, and early access to new toolbox features.

MAYDAY DISTRESS SCRIPT (CHANNEL 16)

"MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY"
"THIS IS [VESSEL], [VESSEL], [VESSEL]"
[CALL SIGN / MMSI]

"MAYDAY [VESSEL]"
"MY POSITION IS [TAP BUTTON BELOW TO FETCH GPS]"
"WE ARE [NATURE OF DISTRESS: FIRE / FLOODING / MOB / SINKING]"
"REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE"
"WE ARE [COUNT] PERSONS ON BOARD. OVER."

PAN-PAN URGENCY SCRIPT (CHANNEL 16)

"PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN"
"ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS"
"THIS IS [VESSEL], [VESSEL], [VESSEL]"
[CALL SIGN / MMSI]
"POSITION: [GPS POSITION]"
"[PROBLEM: ENGINE FAILURE / RIGGING DAMAGE / MEDICAL URGENCY]"
"REQUIRE ASSISTANCE / TOW. OVER."

VHF Operational Working Channels

ChannelPrimary Use / Protocol
Ch 16Distress, Urgency, Safety & Initial Calling.
Ch 13Bridge-to-Bridge Navigation Safety (Commercial vessels).
Ch 06Ship-to-Ship Safety & SAR Operations. Primary inter-vessel channel.
Ch 08 / 10Ship-to-Ship Working Channels (Inter-yacht communications).
Ch 72 / 77Ship-to-Ship Non-Commercial Working Channels (Yachting chatter).
Ch 12 / 14Port Operations & Commercial Harbour Control.
Ch 68 / 73Marina Calling Channels & Berthing Master Assistance.
Ch 67UK/International Small Craft Safety & Coastguard Working Channel.

👤 MAN OVERBOARD (MOB)

1. SHOUT: "Man Overboard!"
2. POINT: Assign dedicated spotter to point continuously at casualty.
3. THROW: Launch horseshoe buoy & Dan buoy to mark position.
4. DISTRESS: Press DSC Distress button if short-handed.
5. ENGINE: Turn on engine (check lines clear first).
6. RECOVERY: Approach from downwind, lash casualty to boat, use halyard hoist.

🔥 FIRE

1. ALERT: Shout "FIRE!" loudly.
2. ISOLATE: Cut Gas solenoid & Diesel supply immediately.
3. ENGINE BAY FIRE: Do NOT open hatch! Insert nozzle into fire port.
4. ATTACK: Use extinguisher or fire blanket.
5. ESCAPE: Forward deck hatch if cabin is blocked.

🌊 FLOODING

1. SOURCE: Locate water ingress source immediately.
2. CLOSE: Shut all seacocks/valves.
3. PLUG: Hammer softwood bungs or cushions into failed fittings.
4. PUMP: Activate automatic electric & manual bilge pumps.

⛵ ABANDON SHIP

1. PREPARE: Ready Grab Bag, EPIRB & Life Raft.
2. PAINTER LINE: Tie painter line to strong point before launching.
3. ACTION: Step UP into life raft only when vessel is sinking.
4. BOARDING: Strongest person boards first to assist others.

Official Distress Signals (ColRegs Annex IV)

  1. VHF DSC Distress Button or Voice Mayday on Ch 16.
  2. EPIRB deployment.
  3. SART activation.
  4. PLB or Personal AIS.
  5. Red Handheld Flares or Red Parachute Rocket Flares.
  6. Orange Smoke Signal (Daytime).
  7. Raising and lowering arms slowly to each side.
  8. SOS signal (••• — — — •••) by light or sound.
  9. Continuous sounding of fog horn or bell.
  10. International Code Flags N over C.