ShipMaster Marine Surveying & Inspection

10/15/2026

The older hands at the Chatham station had made themselves scarce, so coxswain Bernie Webber took three volunteers instead.

Crossing the bar, a wave smashed the windshield and tore off the compass. They reached the broken tanker anyway — and 32 men came down a ladder onto a boat meant for about half that many.

Webber let the seas push them toward land until a red buoy light showed the way in. Townspeople were waiting at the fish pier.

That little boat is still afloat on Cape Cod.

10/15/2026

Seacocks are required for all through-hull fittings below the waterline to prevent water from entering the vessel in case of a failure. This is a safety standard outlined by the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC). And it is a requirement for good reason.

For every boat that sinks while underway, four sink at the dock.
Fifty percent of dock sinkings occur because through-hulls below the waterline simply fail.
A 1” through-hull failure can mean 50 gallons of water per minute entering your vessel.

10/14/2026

Happy Wednesday Shipmates!

10/13/2026

The image is an infographic showing a comprehensive Marine Electrical System Layout for a motorboat, outlining how power, loads, and signals are distributed across the vessel. (AI is close but no cigar re engines on starboard transom hull.)

Key Components & Color Code Legend

• Positive (+): Red wiring
• Negative (-): Black wiring
• DC Loads: Blue wiring
• AC Power: Yellow wiring
• Data / Signal: Green wiring

Main Systems & Areas

• Power Sources & Storage:
• Start battery for cranking the outboard engines
• House battery bank for running onboard accessories
• Red battery selector switch
• Shore power inlet paired with a battery charger and inverter
• Distribution & Control:
• DC distribution panel and fuse panels
• AC distribution panel and circuit breaker panels
• Helm / dashboard with a VHF radio, GPS antenna, switch panel, and wipers
• Pumps & Machinery:
• Bilge pump, livewell pump, and fuel pump
• Trim tabs and twin outboard engines at the stern
• Lighting & Accessories:
• Navigation lights, anchor light, deck lights, underwater lights, horn, and AC outlets
If you would like to explore this further, let me know:
• Are you troubleshooting a specific electrical issue on a boat?
• Do you need help with battery sizing or fuse calculations for a specific setup?

10/13/2026

10/10/2026

Maritime investigations, forensic examinations, and expert witness testimony

10/10/2026

Back on the Chesapeake.