I came across this article about Memory Tricks for us, you guys have any more to add?
Every skipper should know those little memory tools that may help keep you safe at sea.
You know, Mnemonics like “red right returning” and “red sky at night, sailors’
delight — red sky in the morning
, sailors take warning” allow boaters to recall when and where precautions are necessary.
Along with the standards, I’ll share some additional memory ditties I find
useful for associations with safer navigation.
Having trouble remembering which side of your boat has the red light?
Port wine is red, starboard green is keen.
Keep track of navigational lights at night: Green to green or red to red,
perfect safety or go ahead.
Technically, two vertical red lights indicate the boat is dead in the water or not under command, so try prompting your memory with Red over red, this boat is dead (or the variations captain’s in
bed or in the head).
When encountering commercial fishing boats, remember Red over white, fishing
boat lights, or Green over white, trawling tonight.
Tugboats with tows have another set of lights: White over white, short tug/tow in sight, and White over white over white, long tug/tow in sight (a short tow is under 656 feet).
Sound signals take on a new urgency in crowded sea lanes (such as the approach to a busy harbor) and in bad weather. Commit these to memory: Blast quite short, turn to port and Double blast, starboard pass.
The universal danger signal is Blast quick five to stay alive.
Weather has had its long list of generally reliable mnemonics handed down over the centuries. They include Ring around the moon means rain or snow coming soon;
Rain before seven, fine before eleven; A sudden storm lasts not three hours; The sharper the blast, the sooner ‘tis past; A rainbow afternoon, good weather soon; and Winds from the East are neither good for man nor beast.
And finally, here’s a quirky non-ryhme to remind you of who takes precedence in the vessel right of way parade: Man-powered boats beat sail boats beat power boats and they all beat seaplanes