Safety Briefing Template
Emergency roles, gear use, and abandon-ship flow. Print, brief, sign.
Captain's tools
The Captain's Locker
Downloads, checklists, and companion videos from Be The Captain. No fluff—just tools you'll actually use offshore.
"Seamanship lives in what you can do when everything else fails. That's why the plan must exist before the storm."
Fair winds, James Evenson
Core tools
Crew Welcome Letter
Expectations, packing, costs, and duties—send this before they step aboard.
Captain's Entry Letter
Official crew letter for immigration when your crew is joining you.
Vessel Delivery Waiver
Owner acknowledgment for deliveries: seaworthiness, insurance, and liability.
Affidavit to Use Vessel
Owner authorization for temporary use—handy for deliveries and port clearance.
Watch Schedules
Tested rotations. Select crew size:
Skills videos
Soft-Shackle Walkthrough
Step-by-step Dyneema soft shackles and splicing basics.
How to Heave-to
Stabilize the boat and rest the crew—my offshore method.
How to Kedge Off
Get yourself unstuck safely using a kedge—gear and execution.
Checklists & guides
Abandonment Checklist
One-page checklist. Keep a copy at the nav station and in the ditch bag.
Departure Checklist
30-day countdown, dockside procedures, and pre-departure tests.
Sailing with Kids (Mini eBook)
Practical wisdom for cruising families. Safety, schooling, and routines.
Bonus deep dives
S/V Escape — Lessons Learned
What failed, what worked, and what I carry into every passage.
S/V Theros — Battery Fire
A lithium retrofit gone wrong: a fire at sea and the chain of decisions that followed.
Get Locker Updates
Want a heads-up when I add new tools or case studies? No spam—just seamanship.
Or just keep exploring — everything here stays free.
Private Decision Session with James
Facing a significant choice? Boat selection, risk assessment, or passage planning. These are 90-minute high-focus sessions—no fluff.
90 Minutes • $500
Limited availability. Please send all relevant details in advance.