Journal

For every responsible boater, knowledge of COLREGs navigation lights and shapes is essential, not just for staying compliant, but for sailing safely on the water. These internationally established regulations provide a set of guidelines for displaying visual cues based on vessel type, size and activity. When followed, these signals help every vessel understand the position, heading and intent of others on the water, minimising risk and keeping everyone informed.

During winter preparation, it's crucial to revisit fuel storage practices to avoid a lesser-known but increasingly common issue: sticky fuel. This problem can lead to serious engine troubles such as seized injection pump racks, clogged fuel injectors, and blocked fuel lines, all of which can seriously disrupt your boating experience.

Seacocks are often overlooked but play a crucial role in a boat's safety, functionality and long-term seaworthiness. These valves control the intake and discharge of water from various systems on board, establishing essential operations like engine cooling, bilge pumping and waste management. However, because most operate under the demanding conditions of saltwater exposure, seacocks are susceptible to corrosion and degradation, making their maintenance essential to prevent serious issues, or even catastrophic failures.

Pantaenius recently chatted with John Parker from OneSails, delving into essential insights on maintaining and caring for sails.

Embarking on a sailing adventure is a thrill, but ensuring your yacht's rigging is shipshape is essential for a safe voyage. Award-winning UK Riggers, Allspars offer some straightforward advice to keep your rigging in check.

Groundings account for a significant proportion of insurance claims at Pantaenius, highlighting the importance of careful navigation. Timo Elfes, a seasoned sailing instructor with Pantaenius, offers valuable advice on planning your voyage to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.

Investing in a boat opens up a world of possibilities for adventure and relaxation on the water. At Pantaenius UK, we understand the significance of safeguarding your boat from unnecessary depreciation - here are some tips that will help you preserve the value of your boat and ensure its longevity.

Electrical conductors are exposed to particular stresses on board. These include water and vibrations. Under certain circumstances, this can lead to a short circuit and cause a fire. Nigel Calder and Jan Athenstädt from BoatHowTo discuss Pantaenius insurance claims related to boat electrics.

A short circuit in the on-board power supply can lead to high temperatures and ultimately cause a fire. We'll show you what you need to look out for when it comes to overcurrent protection on board so that you can enjoy your time on board in a relaxed and safe manner. Nigel Calder and Jan Athenstädt from BoatHowTo discuss Pantaenius insurance claims related to boat electrics.

It is a sad fact that every spring, shortly after launching, many boats moored safely at the quay then sink, and turn what can be the most beautiful time of the year into a fiasco.

Mike Wimbridge, MD of Pantaenius UK, worked together with other industry experts in supporting British Marine’s drafting of their document “guidance on use of Lithium Ion Batteries on board.”

Lithium batteries surround us every day in smartphones and tablets. But they are also increasingly being used on boats, be it for water toys, service equipment or boat engines. Their potential is great, however, if used improperly, lithium batteries also pose risks. Below we point out what you should be aware of.