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Essentials for Safe Boating in Rough Waters

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

>> 1 minute read time

How to Navigate in Rough Waters

Training for the sea requires a strong foundation in both theory and hands-on skills.

Venturing out safely, especially with loved ones, demands a well-rounded and proven knowledge of maritime conditions.

Being at the helm means handling any sea state with confidence and reliability—because the sea isn’t something to take lightly.

You, as a skipper, are responsible for everything and everyone on board. Check beforehand your for instance the safety equipment and the weather forecast. Verify the fuel and radio. Inspect the condition of your RIB and engine.

Ensure alarm signals and the fire extinguisher are ready to use.

It’s only logical to do it every time you go out, whether it’s in rough waters or as calm as a mer d’huile, as the French so beautifully put it.

If you need to know more, check out these articles:

Now, Back to the Rough Waters Video

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How Do I Navigate Shallow Waters in a RIB: 10 Tips

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate
How Do I Navigate Shallow Waters in a RIB @ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat

How Do I Navigate Shallow Waters in All Safety

Shallow waters can be very beautiful and exude a certain tranquility.

Navigating shallow waters in a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) requires careful planning. It necessitates attention to detail.

Additionally, knowledge of the local conditions is essential.

It is extremely annoying and sometimes downright dangerous when you get stuck and the tide is going out.

This is one of the how-to articles series.

You will find more topics in my blog. These include preventing UV damage, how to dock, navigating in rough waters, choosing a RIB, and maintenance…

First of All

These are the number one things to do on how do I navigate shallow waters.

First, check the weather forecast to prepare for your voyage.

econdly, familiarise yourself with the tides in your outing area.

Charge all your devices like your smartphone, tablet…

Let’s go

Here are 10 tips for navigating shallow waters safely in your RIB that I want to share with you.

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Advanced Training in Rough Sea

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

Vincent’s Mind-Blowing Advanced Training

This video highlights Vincent’s autumn course aimed at improving his navigation skills on a rigid inflatable boat in the rough waters of Raz de Sein.

The Rigid Inflatable Boat is a Ribraft equipped with a 200-horsepower engine.

This unique training is organized by “OLM Perfectionnement Mer Formée“.

During this intensive course, participants have the opportunity to learn advanced techniques for high-sea navigation, handling waves and strong currents. Watch this overview of 2022 trainings.

Advanced Training in Rough Sea @ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Home
Advanced Training in Rough Sea

The experienced tutor guides participants throughout this thrilling experience, helping them develop their navigation skills and gain confidence in demanding maritime conditions.

This video was published on the OLM Perfectionnement Mer Formée YouTube channel

SIB vs RIB: Inflatable Boats Compared

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

Choosing the Inflatable is Based on Its Intended Use

I thought it would be a good idea to inform people looking for a small inflatable what the differences are between a SIB and a RIB.

Finding a good explanatory video was not that easy.

It needed to be concise. It also had to come from a trusted YouTube channel, so here it is.

By the way, I chose not to publish this video due to the brands mentioned, as they are not the focus here.

Instead, this post is centered on the structural differences between these two types of inflatable boats.

SIB vs RIB

A SIB features a soft, inflatable floor and tubes, making it lightweight and portable, ideal for casual use or smaller engines.

It is more affordable but less durable in rough conditions.

On the other hand, a RIB has a rigid, typically fiberglass or aluminum hull, combined with inflatable tubes.

This design makes it more stable, faster, and capable of handling rough waters.

RIBs are generally more expensive but offer superior performance and durability, especially with larger engines or for more demanding conditions.

SIB vs RIB, both can serve as a tender.

The RIB Hull

Seeing a RIB hull being built makes it even more clear why a RIB is structurally stronger: Exclusive – The Making of GEMINI WR880 Hull in 12 Steps

This video was published on the Review Machines Worldwide YouTube channel.

Elevating Technical Mastery Driving RIBs

Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

Mastering Technical Maneuvers!

When it comes to navigating Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs), technical skills are everything.

Whether you’re an experienced boater or a beginner, honing your ability to maneuver the boat safely is crucial.

In this blog post, Olivier Consorti, owner of “OLM Perfectionnement Mer Formée” breaks down the key targets of a technical training session.

I’ve posted many videos here of Olivier’s high-impact training sessions.

Editor’s Note

This technical training is unique in France.

The training is designed as guided learning through mistakes. It helps participants analyze their incorrect actions.

This occurs in an environment as close to reality as possible.

Accepting the physical consequences of interacting with waves is crucial and adapting to surrounding noise and shocks is important.

Adjusting driving techniques to the environment is also necessary.

There’s no shortcut. This cannot be learned from books or video tutorials.

It must be practiced in real conditions, in a suitable location, with the right equipment and a competent instructor.

Weather conditions can change throughout the day, and returning in rougher seas than at departure can be a stressful experience.

This video was published on the OLM Perfectionnement Mer Formée YouTube channel.

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