This self-paced independent study guide is for those interested in safe, legal boating. It includes navigational and safe operating rules, boat equipment and safety devices, emergency equipment and procedures, personal limitations and responsibilities, boating laws, and regulations and licenses.

Whether out for an afternoon's sail or embarking on a long offshore passage, there is always an element of chance and uncertainty about being at sea. To be responsible for the wellbeing of both crew and vessel, a good skipper needs to know their limitations and ensure they are operating well within the margins of safety. Safe Skipper is a practical and thought provoking guide for yacht skippers of all levels of experience, full of invaluable advice and tips on how to reduce to the minimum the risks of mishaps and equipment failure at sea. There's a wide range of information on seamanship, preparation, seaworthiness, gear, boat handling, leadership, teamwork, watch keeping, communications, navigation, weather and emergency procedures, all delivered in a highly practical, lively, non-preachy fashion. Included throughout are useful checklists, box-outs and case studies of accidents and their causes, with survivors' testimonials and explanations of how disasters were avoided, or could have been, all of which provides valuable lessons for everyone who goes to sea.

Boaters new to the waters around Cape Coral, Ft. Myers, Pine Island, and the barrier islands in Pine Island Sound are surprised to learn how different these waters are to any they have experienced in other parts of the country. Four unique waterways converge, each bringing their own challenges as they lead out to the Gulf of Mexico. The last 35 miles of the Caloosahatchee River flow down from the north, where the river meets San Carlos Bay, Pine Island Sound, and Matlacha Pass. These waters in many parts are shallow, forcing boaters to carefully navigate narrow and sometimes shallow channels to get to where they want to go. This guide attempts to help boaters understand where the various main and side channels can take them. Along the way it points out which channels to take a pass on, and which might lead to an interesting adventure.