They are coming out at a leisurely pace – no scrambling so far. It is hard to believe it is only one week to the last day before the Thanksgiving holiday. This may call for a countdown! We had one boat that the engine seacocks could not be opened. The owner says the boat has always been south and has never been winterized, but it makes you wonder whether he ever cleans the strainers? In any case, we were afraid of breaking them but found a nice tool that could help us circumvent the problem. You just stick on the thruhull and pump the water through that way. What a concept – it’s a freakin’ toilet plunger! I get a lot of email…

Using Sound Signals To Alert Other Boaters

A vessel leaving a dock in a busy channel should make its intentions clear by sounding off one long blast.

This week Capt. Steve goes over sixteen short video clips and guidelines on using sound signals to alert other boaters of your intentions on the water. By using specific sound signals boaters can communicate whether they want to pass another boat to port or starboard, cross in front of a slower boat even though they are the give-way vessel, and several other things. These are basic procedures which all recreational boaters should be aware of. The videos presented this week are part of BoatTEST.com’s Boating Course which is USCG-approved. Watch these video boating lessons every week on BoatTEST.com. To view this week’s lessons —