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Author: Alan Cross

How to Predict the Weather Onboard

Tuesday, February 14, 2023 Alan Cross Leave a comment

Learn to predict the weather onboard by mastering the basics of weather forecasting. When you understand what your observations tell…

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Posted in: Uncategorized Filed under: predicting weather, weather

Safety Tips for DIY Boat Repair

Alan Cross Leave a comment

When you finally get around to tackling those boat repairs you’ve been putting off, don’t overlook the dangers many products…

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Posted in: Uncategorized Filed under: boat repair, DIY

First Aid & CPR

Friday, January 13, 2023 Alan Cross Leave a comment

As responsible recreational boaters, we are encouraged to take a First Aid and a CPR course.    First aid is…

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Posted in: Home, Safety, Uncategorized Filed under: aed, boat operator, first aid, safety

Check your navigation lights

Tuesday, December 13, 2022 Alan Cross Leave a comment

Checking your navigation lights often takes a back seat to other boat maintenance. Besides, if the lights pass muster by…

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Posted in: Safety Filed under: boating, navigation

Inflatable Life Jackets

Thursday, October 13, 2022 Alan Cross Leave a comment

When inflatable life jackets fail, the results can be deadly. Unknown bladder leaks, fabric degradation or an improperly installed carbon…

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Posted in: Home, Safety, Uncategorized Filed under: boating, featured, inflatable life jacket, inspection of life jacket, pressure test life jacket, safety on-the-water

Fuel Dock Safety

Alan Cross Leave a comment

Topping off our fuel tanks is not only one of the more expensive activities boaters do, but it’s also one…

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Posted in: Home, Uncategorized Filed under: featured

Boating Safety Drills

Alan Cross Leave a comment

All boaters should get in the habit of staging regular boating safety drills on their vessels. No matter how much…

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Posted in: Home, Uncategorized Filed under: Boating Safety Drills, emergency on board, featured, heavy weather, safety at sea, SOLAS

U.S. Coast Guard Mobile App

Sunday, September 4, 2022 Alan Cross Leave a comment

Features of the app include: state boating information; a safety equipment checklist; free boating safety check requests; navigation rules; float…

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Posted in: Home, Uncategorized Filed under: app, cell phone, featured, safety at sea, US Coast Guard

Navigate Bridges Safely

Friday, August 26, 2022 Alan Cross Leave a comment

To navigate bridges safely, particularly on the Intracoastal Waterway, boaters should be aware of a few safety and protocol basics.

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Posted in: Home, Uncategorized Filed under: bridge, featured, ICW bridges, texas bridges

Watch Your Wake

Thursday, August 25, 2022 Alan Cross Leave a comment

Every craft moving over water leaves a wake. It has two distinct sets of waves: one following the vessel and…

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Posted in: Uncategorized Filed under: featured, no wake, wake

Hurricane Preparation for Boaters

Alan Cross Leave a comment

Hurricane preparation for boaters can help protect your boat during the predicted above-normal 2022 hurricane season. If you live in a…

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Posted in: Home, Uncategorized Filed under: 2022, featured, hurricane, hurricane preparation

Man Overboard Rescue Kit

Alan Cross Leave a comment

If someone falls in the water, having a man overboard rescue kit on your boat can aid in your rescue…

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Posted in: Home, Uncategorized Filed under: featured, man overboard, man overboard kit

New Fire Extinguisher Regulations

Wednesday, May 18, 2022 Alan Cross Leave a comment
Have the right fire extinguisher for your vessel.

Beginning April 20, new U.S. Coast Guard regulations change extinguisher expiration dates and the minimum classification of fire extinguishers carried…

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Posted in: Home, Uncategorized Filed under: boating, featured, fire, fire extinguisher, new fire extinguisher regulations

Make a First-Aid Kit

Friday, May 13, 2022 Alan Cross Leave a comment
Learn first aid

Make your own first-aid kit. Take a first aid course.

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Posted in: Home, Uncategorized Filed under: boating, cpr, featured, first aid, first aid kit, Make your own first-aid kit, standard first aid, wilderness first aid

The New Boating Season

Thursday, April 30, 2020 Alan Cross Leave a comment

Thoughts on How to Get Prepared The Boating Season is Upon Us Everyone is ready to get back on-the-water and…

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Posted in: Uncategorized Filed under: invasive species, Texas boating, Zebra Mussel

Promote Ocean Literacy from Home!

Wednesday, April 8, 2020 Alan Cross Leave a comment

Education for the young adults and children in the Squadron.

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Posted in: Uncategorized Filed under: maritime education, ocean literacy, youth education

Offshore Fishing with a Twist

Sunday, August 25, 2019 Alan Cross Leave a comment

Let’s talk about offshore fishing, with a little twist on the topic. Apparently offshore fishing is fun!  More especially it’s…

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Posted in: Uncategorized Filed under: AIS, DCS, Distress, education, EPIRB, featured, GMDSS, gps, MMSI, offshore, safety, SOLAS, training, US Coast Guard

See and Be Seen On the Water with MMSI

Friday, September 28, 2018 Alan Cross Leave a comment

Why MMSI? Any boater could face a sudden situation caused by a fire, collision, capsize, sinking boat or medical emergency.…

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Posted in: Uncategorized Filed under: AIS, DCS, Distress, education, featured, GMDSS, gps, MMSI, safety, SOLAS, training, US Coast Guard, VHF Radio

Brunswick Platinum Award for Outstanding Efforts in Boater’s Safety

Tuesday, August 28, 2018 Alan Cross 2 Comments

Texas Marine is great, and the proof is right there in the trophy case!   Over the last five years, Texas…

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Posted in: Uncategorized Filed under: ABC3, Americas Boating Course, education, featured, PFD, right skills, TPWD, training

So You Think You Can Kayak, Part 3

Saturday, August 4, 2018 Alan Cross Leave a comment

Part 3 of 3 Personal Protection – Save Your Life with a PFD First is Fit.  Not physically, but that…

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Posted in: Uncategorized Filed under: ABC3, Americas Boating Course, education, education in kayaking, featured, kayak, kayak class, kayak training, PFD, right equipment, right knowledge, right skills, TPWD, training

So You Think You Can Kayak, Part 2

Monday, July 23, 2018 Alan Cross Leave a comment
Kayak with America's Boating Club Houston

Part 2 of 3 Safer Boating with Education Boating safety training and education is easy and there are three excellent…

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Posted in: Uncategorized Filed under: ABC3, Americas Boating Course, education, education in kayaking, featured, kayak, kayak class, kayak training, right equipment, right knowledge, right skills, TPWD

So You Think You Can Kayak, But What Are the Chances You Are Wrong?

Tuesday, July 10, 2018 Alan Cross Leave a comment
Kayak with America's Boating Club Houston

Part 1 of 3 Getting Ready for the Adventure So, you’ve heard that paddlesports, including those who kayak, is the…

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Posted in: Uncategorized Filed under: ABC3, Americas Boating Course, education in kayaking, featured, kayak, kayak class, kayak training, TPWD

What Is a Float Plan?

Monday, July 9, 2018 Alan Cross Leave a comment

If you are going for just a few hours on your boat, let someone know where you expect to be…

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Posted in: Uncategorized Filed under: boating safety, featured, Float plan, search-and-rescue, US Coast Guard

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