From the bridge
RSSPractical maritime compliance.
Plain-English writing for commercial operators — USCG rules, Sub M, STCW, cyber, and the free tools we built along the way. No regulatory fog. No SEO filler.
Squat and Under-Keel Clearance: A Field Guide to Safe Speed in Confined Water
Squat has grounded more deep-draft ships in channels than almost anything else. Here's how squat works, the Barrass estimate pilots use in their head, how it eats your under-keel clearance, and how to back out a maximum safe speed.
Pilot Ladder Safety: SOLAS V/23, the Boarding Check, and When to Refuse
Boarding is the most dangerous moment of a pilot's day. SOLAS V/23 and IMO A.1045 set the rules; this is the practical rigging checklist, the common non-conformities, and how to make 'refuse boarding' a documented decision rather than a judgment call.
The Master-Pilot Exchange (MPX): What It Covers and How to Standardize It
The Master-Pilot Exchange is the most important conversation on the bridge — and the one most often left to memory. Here's what a complete MPX covers, why investigators look for it, and how to make it a repeatable card instead of an ad-hoc chat.