Planning a cruising itinerary for you and your crew generates enthusiasm for the trip and establishes team effort. Trip planning is part of the fun, and Waggoner can help you get started with some of our planning tips, suggested resources, and the latest information about destinations.
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Fall-Winter Anchoring
Those who boat year-round know that choosing a well-protected anchorage is an important decision. Winter storms and windy conditions add to the challenge of getting a good set on your anchor. Knowing the forecast for windspeed and direction will determine which bay...
Is Your Crew Ready for An Emergency?
Boaters often invite guests or family members to ride along on a segment of their summer cruise. In addition to planning meals, destinations, and shoreside activities, it’s imperative that the crew know where to find the onboard safety equipment and how to use the...
Coast Guard Pilot Program – VTS Cetacean Safety
As boaters prepare for the cruising season, mariners are reminded that the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound has introduced a cetacean desk pilot program. The Coast Guard announced that the goal of the four-year program, hosted by the Puget Sound Vessel Traffic...
Sail Away with Confidence
If you just purchased a boat or are new to boating, the Seattle Seafaring Training Institute can help you lower any anxiety or uncertainty about handling your new vessel. Insurance companies require that you provide proof of proficient boat operation and experience,...
Problems Contacting USCG on VHF in Southeast Alaska
US Coast Guard in Alaska recently announced they will be broadcasting AIS informational messages to notify mariners of “VHF Hi-Site” outages. These broadcasts will display on most AIS equipped chart plotters. The broadcasts will display within 40 nautical miles of the...
Logs – Bad for Boaters, Good for the Environment
Hitting logs and debris in the water can mean thousands of dollars in repairs, something no boater wants to face. Whether your boat is a trawler style or a fast boat, captain and crew must remain vigilant at all times to prevent hitting logs that can cause significant...
Is Your AIS Programmed and Operating Correctly?
Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a tracking system that uses transceivers on vessels to help captains monitor marine traffic. Vessels with AIS will see a symbol on their chartplotter for every significant ship within radio range that is transmitting an AIS...
Reported Debris from M/V Kingston’s Lost Cargo
When cruising this spring and summer, boaters are reminded to be alert for debris and submerged ship containers at sea that went overboard off the cargo vessel M/V Zim Kingston during a storm back in mid-October of 2021. Approximately 109 containers were lost 25 miles...
Coyotes and Wolves – Found in Urban Areas?
Both coyotes and wolves are generally skittish or afraid of humans; but like all wild animals, people should keep their distance. Coyotes and wolves are occasionally seen during the day but are most active after sunset. If prey becomes scarce for these animals, they...
Rafting Protocol and Etiquette
Tying next to another boat at the dock, on a mooring buoy, or at anchor, often saves space for other boaters at marinas that may have limited space, or in coves that cannot accommodate a large number of boats. At Docks and Marinas Waggoner Cruising Guide includes...
How Do Whales and Dolphins Sleep?
Whales and dolphins must come to the surface of the water in order to breath or they will drown. Unlike humans on land who breath automatically when asleep, whales must make the conscious decision to breath; so how do whales get any sleep? Evidence and studies...
SR3 – Sealife Response + Rehab + Research
Did you know that SR3has established their first marine animal rehabilitation center in Washington State on the grounds of Des Moines Marina? Yes, SR3has signed a lease agreement with the City of Des Moines, and their new facility is now in place. The...
WTH Is This and What Do I Do With It?
First Aid Kit Essentials for Recreational Vessels By Annie Feyereisen RN Let me ask you this, would you buy a live cow if you lived in a studio apartment, were vegetarian and didn’t even drink milk? Hopefully not, unless you are just crazy like that or...
Don’t Rock The Boat: Prevention and Treatment Of Seasickness on a Recreational Vessel
by Annie Feyereisen If you have ever been, or are fearful that you may get so sick while out on the water that you would rather throw yourself overboard then continue to endure it, this is the article for you!Motion Sickness of any kind is just terrible,...
Be Plant Aware While Hiking
Most boaters love hiking through the forests, valleys, and along river trails of the Pacific Northwest, and we are often reminded to “be bear aware,” but how many of us are “plant aware?” How many of us can identify the plants we should stay away...