Journal

The main cause of fire on board lies in electrical engineering. Old cables, defective insulation, corrosion or dirty contacts can lead to short circuits or increased contact resistance.

With the right planning, a few safety precautions and a few rules of conduct, a great holiday is almost guaranteed.

Have you ever heard of "Micturition syncope"? This is a fainting spell that can occur during or, more commonly, immediately after urination due to a severe drop in blood pressure.

Boat engines require a lot of care in order to keep them going steadily. Particularly older engines are often being neglected for any number of reasons.

Open waters are not exactly the place you want to be caught off guard by a thunderstorm. On a sailing boat, quite often, the mast is the tallest object by far and wide, and most times lightning chooses the tallest spot in its surroundings.

Although sailing uses the energy of the wind, every trip leaves an ecological footprint. Every sailor, be it on his own boat or on a chartered boat, can reduce this footprint with just a few small changes.

If a crewmember is seriously injured, the mast breaks or the vessel is taking on water; sometimes even the most experienced sailors fail to react prudently and with the necessary speed. But these kind of stressful situations can be rehearsed and the course of action practised, with the help of checklists and emergency rolls.

Pantaenius explains the essential role played by the battery and why the thoughtless extinguishing of a fire on board can have devastating consequences for both man and yacht.

Dogs and cats are often considered full family members, so why not take your furry roommates with you on the trip?

If the engine suddenly breaks down or after a long period of standing, cannot be started, the cause is often diffcult to fathom, with many owners unsure of what they are dealing with. However, it could be the fault of microorganisms which have made themselves comfortable in the fuel tank. These microorganisms can often go unnoticed until it is too late. We explain how you can deal with the problem of diesel plague.

We are at greatest risk from storm damage during spring and autumn, which means an increased risk potential for water sports enthusiasts. Whether at sea, in the harbour or on land – taking the necessary precautions and being prepared is paramount to ensuring that ship and crew survive a storm unscathed.

It was going to be a normal working day in winter storage when the owner of a nine metre long yacht was suddenly hit by a huge shock wave. What sounds like the beginning of a crime novel is unfortunately becoming a common reality. The injured person suffered burns to his face and body. His yacht also suffered considerable damage: hinges broke free of the screw connections, hatch frames flew out of the deck, and baking crates were pushed outwards. What had happened?