Boating and Navigation Rules (ROR)

ROR, which is short for International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, was a subject that I was taught at Midshipmen School in 1978. The school for Naval Officers to be. The passing rate for tests was set at 100%. I was told a 99% score was unacceptable because the 1% failed answer could be the one responsible for a collision at sea later on. Hence I learnt every one of the 37 rules by hard and committed them to memory. The ROR is one of the 11 chapters that students taking the PPCDL course have to learn. For a landlubber, the terminology may be hard to swallow. It will take a while before the terms are understood and applied to the rules.
It was immediately evident to me why these rules were critical when driving a Missile Gun Boat or a Landing Ship Tank (LST). These ships take a while to turn and maneuver out of a collision situation. However it is very different with small pleasure crafts. Yachts below 120 feet are extremely maneuverable and you can easily steer her away from a collision situation within seconds. Yes, that's right, seconds. As such, I feel when it comes to taking action to avoid a collision, the best course of action for a pleasure craft, would be to steer clear of other vessels, especially large merchant ships and leave them a wide berth. Generally ships have difficulty seeing small boats and may be reluctant to maneuver out of their path in a narrow channel or fairway, expecting the pleasure craft to stay clear instead. That to me is common sense and acceptable. By the way, almost every mile of Singapore's port waters is a fairway or part of a fairway. In any case here is a video of how the rules apply in the given circumstances.

  

Constant Wind - A hidden gem by the sea at the East Coast Park

There is a delightful place by the sea nestled at the Upper section of the East Coast Park. Its Constant Wind, the place where sailors, wind surfers, stand up paddle boarders meet. PPCDL lessons are also conducted there on weekends. Constant Wind is the operator that runs the place that is the sea sports segment of NSRCC. There are at least 3 restaurants there serving beautifully cooked local fare. The most delightful attraction of that place is the sea and the constant sea breeze. It gives the place a relax atmosphere far from the madding crowd.

Constant Wind Sea Sports & Sailing School

Dinning by the Sea.... open to sun, sea and surf

Open Dinning at the Belly View Restaurant run by Doris the bubbly owner

Sheltered dinning at the Belly View Restaurant 

Wind Surfing Boards are staked in almost every nook and corner

Sailing Dinghies are ever popular

The list of Occupants and the welcomed free open car park

The slipway where the boats are launched. Notice the carpeting to give better grip on an otherwise slippery slope 

Another view of the free car park

Dinning by the sea anyone? You may want to bring a small portable light as it can get rather dark on moonless nights  

They even have free shuttle buses to Constant Wind from Tanah Merah MRT Station

The pontoon that is used for the PPCDL alongside training just off Constant Wind

I'm glad we held our Exco meeting there.Much more relaxed and enjoyable

    

Little girl saves a sinking boat & her occupants

This is a video of an amazing little girl, with a remarkable skill in bailing out water from a sinking sampan (local wooden boat). For sure, formally trained Ship and Yacht Captains do not posses this knowledge or skill. I have always and will always respect the local knowledge & skills of local sea villagers and fishermen. This little girl has obviously honed her skills to perfection.
Watch and be amazed.

  

Boat Handling Training for New & Seasoned Boaters

I love boats and I love handling them. I am comfortable handling any boat from 8 feet to 300 feet. Sometimes I think the larger the vessel, the easier it is to handle them. Hence when I has the opportunity to train new boat owners to handle all aspects of their boat, I jump at the opportunity to spend time coaching them and at the same time, enjoy the boat. It has been my desire to have the pleasure of handling every pleasure vessel in Singapore. I just enjoy the activity immensely. I am also glad that many new yachts come with both Bow & Stern Thrusters nowadays, even small 36 footers. It is so much more boat handling friendly and new owners only need a few lessons to build confidence in handling their new toy.

Coming aboard for the first time & meeting the owner

Making boating fun is first priority

Briefing before the Sea Training Sortie

Disconnecting the shore cable as part of the Pre Sailing Checks

Starting the generator & turning on the circuit breakers 

The view from the Berth. Learning how to slip of the berth first

       

What Does Boating Mean To You

I probably started boating in 1969, when I was 9 years old off Changi beach. My uncle Jeffrey was a keen angler and he sometimes brought me fishing on weekends. We would hire a wooden sampan and row to a nearby kelong to tie up. The fish we caught were small Pasir-Pasir on our hand-lines. I remember the water being shinning green. I loved those times. I wasn't afraid of being on the water as I had learnt to swim when I was 5 yrs old. My step father Derrick Coupland made it mandatory that all the children could swim.
Boating to me then was pure freedom. I enjoyed the outdoors immensely; the sun, sea and surf appealed to my adventurous spirit. Hence it was no surprise that I owned my own wooden sampan when I was 15. It was a 18 footer with a flat transom to mount an outboard motor. As I couldn't afford an outboard yet, I just used the oars to propel the vessel. From that humble beginning, I gradually advanced to ski boats, cuddy cabins and eventually to cabin cruisers. Not surprising, my early years led me to sign up with the Singapore Navy when it was time to serve National Service in 1978. In all I was a regular serviceman for 15yrs and a Reservists for another 17yrs.

I guess I will always be a boater as long as I live. I saw this American video about what boating means to most people, which I can relate to well. Enjoy it:

  


     

Scale sized Yacht Models

If you can't afford the real thing, it's probably fair compromise to buy the miniature model, especially if its skillfully crafted. I came across these models on the Captain's Models website recently. They look incredibly real.

The Fleming 55 Motor Yacht

Front View Fleming 55 Motor Yacht

The Classic Kogen Passage Maker

A Sports Fisherman complete with Tuna Tower

Why does Beer taste so good at sea

It seems I have no appetite for beer when I'm ashore. Strange but its probably only unique to me. I don't feel the urge nor the desire to open a bottle even after a nice dinner. The moment I set sail and the lines are cast off, that first bottle of beer; usually Hoegarden, tastes heavenly. A glass of red wine is like sweet nectar. The hotter the weather at sea, the more beer I drink.
The moment I arrive back in the Marina, my appetite for a beer diminishes and I stick with Chlorophyll or just water. Cheers... (I just wanted to pen this down & read it again 10 years from now)

Cheers; To fair winds and following seas....