ShipMaster Marine Surveying & Inspection

08/31/2026

Austal USA has begun construction on the future USCGC Ingham (WMSM-917), the US Coast Guard's third Heritage-class offshore patrol cutter, at its Mobile, Alabama shipyard, part of a $3.3-billion program to deliver up to 11 cutters that will replace the aging Famous- and Reliance-class patrol boats.

Austal is using a modular construction method and a virtual 3D twin of the vessel to speed up manufacturing and outfitting, and once complete, the Ingham will be homeported in Kodiak, Alaska, supporting command and control, border protection, humanitarian response, and Washington's efforts to secure emerging commerce and energy activity in Alaska.

The 360-foot cutters carry three rigid-hull inflatable boats, a medium helicopter, an unmanned aerial system, over 120 personnel, twin diesel engines giving a 23-knot top speed, a 10,200 nautical mile range, and armament including a 57mm gun plus smaller-caliber weapons. Austal is simultaneously building the fifth and sixth hulls in the series, the Pickering and Icarus.

08/31/2026

Immediate Action by the Master During a Blackout Near Berth

A blackout during vessel maneuvering is one of the most critical bridge emergencies. It instantly deprives the bridge team of propulsion, steering, and active navigational displays in confined waters.

When a vessel experiences a blackout—especially during critical maneuvering close to berth—the master must act decisively to maintain safety and control. Here’s the structured response expected:

Immediate Actions
Take Command

The master must immediately assume control of the situation from the pilot.

Announce: “I have the conn.” to ensure clarity of authority.

Sound Emergency Alarm

Alert all crew to the emergency condition.

Ensure the engine room team is aware and begins blackout recovery procedures.

Communicate

Inform the pilot and bridge team of the blackout.

Notify engine room via sound-powered phone or emergency communication system.

Stop All Movements

Order “All stop” on propulsion and thrusters (if power returns intermittently).

Prevent unintended movement due to residual momentum.

Assess Vessel’s Situation

Check heading, speed, and proximity to berth or other hazards.

Deploy anchors if necessary to prevent drifting.

Monitor Power Restoration

Coordinate with the Chief Engineer for immediate restoration of essential power.

Prioritize steering gear, propulsion, and navigation systems.

Prepare for External Assistance

If drifting toward danger, request tug assistance or standby lines from berth.

Follow-Up Actions
Log the incident in the deck and engine room logbooks.

Conduct a post-event review to identify the cause of the breaker trip.

Report to port authorities if required.

08/31/2026

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08/29/2026

08/29/2026

So your engines are not new.
On engine diagnostics.

The weather is favorable and the sea is calm—conditions are ideal for your voyage. However, just as you’re preparing to launch your personal watercraft (PWC), an unfamiliar warning indicator suddenly illuminates on the dash. For many Yamaha and Suzuki owners, this is a situation they know all too well.

Whether you’re operating a powerboat, jet boat, Waverunner, or Jet Ski, it’s not uncommon to encounter drivability concerns such as engine faults, abnormal fuel consumption, or unstable idling during routine service. The difficulty, though, is that modern powersports craft rely on proprietary onboard system protocols. As a result, fault codes can only be accurately interpreted with specialized marine diagnostic equipment designed for those systems.

Without the correct diagnostic tools, operators are often left to make repeated trips to repair facilities—driving up maintenance costs and pushing back sailing schedules. Engine scans and diagnostics are snapshots of what has been, what is occurring and what may happen. They are not a warranty or a guarantee of an engine’s future.

Gasoline (gas) marine engines — typical “many still run” life
2,000–4,000 hours is a common practical range before you’re looking at major wear items
With great maintenance and moderate use, some make 4,000–6,000+ hours
In harsh duty (lots of high-load operation, poor cooling, long idling), they can be shorter

Diesel marine engines — typical “many still run” life
3,000–6,000 hours is a common range before major overhaul becomes likely
With good maintenance (and especially good fuel/filtration), 6,000–10,000+ hours is achievable
Many operators plan on rebuilds/major services rather than “replace engine,” and they can rack up very high total hours that way

And regardless of which engine you have, saltwater verses freshwater along with the operator and the maintenance can impact the life. If the engine hasn’t been ran in several seasons, well that could also be a problem.

Here’s an excellent example of what you could expect from a diagnostic:

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08/29/2026

So you decided to purchase a boat…
Every used vessel is its own creature, and a careful inspection is the surest way to know what you’re truly getting.
Even when a yacht has been kept in fine shape by seasoned hands, understanding her present condition will help you map out your budget, set your priorities for upgrades, and set your expectations for a smooth start to your first season aboard.

Key areas to lay your eyes on include:

FIRSTLY, Is a warranty included for any of the systems?

SECONDLY, Was a prior survey undertaken?

Now, Get an inspection:

Engines and Propulsion: engine hours, service intervals, and any recent work carried out

Rigging and Sails(if applicable): age and condition of both standing and running rigging, sail inventory, and any recent sail or rigging replacements

Electrical Systems: batteries, charging capacity, alternators, shore power, and the arrangement of inverter and/or generator systems

Onboard Systems: air conditioning, refrigeration, water systems, toilets, and the pumps that keep her running true

Hull and Structure: condition of the bottom, through-hulls, deck fittings, and any signs of water ingress

Cruising Equipment: dinghy and outboard, safety gear, electronics, and any other included items that add real value

Getting clear on what’s included in the sale—and what you may wish to upgrade after closing—will set you up to make a proper, informed decision on the full measure of your investment.

Whatever you do “Get a survey” from an accredited and INSURED surveyor.
Then check the surveyor’s references; and

NEVER, Never let anyone onboard your boat who is not insured.

08/28/2026

Press Release | August 2026

Coast Guard Warns the Public About Illegal Charter Operations

The Coast Guard is warning the boating public about the life-threatening risks and legal consequences of illegal charter operations throughout the Northeast District.

A suspected illegal charter operation is a passenger-for-hire operation that does not comply with applicable federal requirements. Dependent on the vessel and operation, this may include operating without a properly credentialed captain, carrying more passengers than authorized, operating without a required Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection (COI), failing to meet drug and alcohol testing requirements, or lacking required safety equipment.

Illegal passenger-for-hire operations can put passengers at risk by bypassing safety, credentialing and inspection requirements designed to protect people on the water.

“The Coast Guard’s priority is protecting the public and supporting safe passenger-for-hire operations on America’s waterways. Before paying for or boarding a charter, passengers should ask to see the captain’s Coast Guard credential and confirm the vessel is authorized to carry their group. Do not board a vessel that appears unsafe or illegal and report suspected illegal charter activity through established Coast Guard channels,” said Rear Adm. Matt Lake, the commander of the Northeast District.

Illegal charter operations continue to pose a risk to public safety by operating outside established Coast Guard safety, credentialing, inspection, and passenger-for-hire requirements.

Passengers should make informed decisions before they book or board. Anyone paying for a boat trip should ask to see the operator’s valid U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential. For vessels carrying more than six passengers for hire, passengers should also ask whether the vessel has a valid Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection. If an operator cannot provide appropriate documentation or clearly explain the arrangement, passengers should reconsider the trip.

Anyone with information regarding illegal charter operations is encouraged to contact your local Coast Guard sector.

08/23/2026

One of the most critical pieces of gear you can have on your vessel is an anchor ⚓️

Not only can it be used to give you peace of mind while relaxing at the sandbar, it can also be used to stop your vessel from colliding while rocks in the event of engine failure.

Always inspect your gear before and after your boating adventures to prevent any unexpected surprises from holding you back.