Sailing in Limited Visibility
with Teresa Carey & Ben Eriksen Carey
Learn how to prepare for sailing in limited visibility at night and other conditions such as fog.
Traveling at night and in fog introduces a unique set of challenges and potential hazards that are absent during daylight hours and clear visibility. These include the peril of invisible shoals, the confusion of deciphering lights, the crucial yet tiring job of watchkeeping, and the need to adapt to varying sleep schedules. We’ve sailed in Maine for decades, where fog is the norm. We’ve also sailed thousands of offshore miles during both long passages and short coastal hops. We’ll show you how to sail like a pro and handle your boat in these tougher conditions.
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Who is this online class for?
This online class is designed for sailors who have never sailed in limited visibility and those who have but didn't feel confident. We’ll show you how taking a few preparatory steps and keeping a good routine during the dark hours or foggy days, can help boost confidence and make the experience fun! Join us to gain a comprehensive understanding of how to navigate the intricacies of nighttime and foggy conditions while ensuring safety and peace of mind.
List of Topics
- Navigating safely when you can’t see anything
- Using Radar effectively
- Showing the appropriate lights
- How to read other vessel's lights
- Why fog signals actually matter
- Night vision techniques
- Enhancing your visibility
- Effective watchkeeping
- Optimizing sleep schedules
- Conducting regular boat checks
- How the VHF can be used in the fog
- Do’s and Dont’s of overnight passages
- Why slow is pro
Your Instructors
TERESA CAREY
Teresa Carey is a US Coast Guard licensed captain, writer, and educator. Teresa is the co-owner of Morse Alpha Expeditions, a coastal and offshore sail-training program in the Atlantic. She has worked aboard a variety of sail and power boats like schooners, motor yachts, sailing yachts, and even a lobster boat — as the captain, educator, delivery crew, and charter boat captain. She taught for sea programs such as Outward Bound and has also been a Marine Science educator. Teresa lived aboard a 27-foot boat and sailed the northern Atlantic solo for a few years. She has given inspiring talks, such as her 2011 TED talk and 2012 National Women’s Sailing Association Keynote Speaker Address. She is also a science journalist and podcast producer, and she writes for NPR, Buzzfeed, The Smithsonian, and more.
BEN ERIKSEN CAREY
Ben Eriksen Carey holds a 200-ton US Coast Guard Master’s License, and a 500-ton Mate. He is co-owner of Morse Alpha Expeditions, a coastal and offshore sail-training program. He has worked aboard schooners, tugboats, sailing, and motor yachts — as captain, mate, and even dishwasher. Ben has a long list of maritime certifications including safety, firefighting, medical, etc. He began his sea life as a clammer in Stonybrook Harbor, NY. Ben pursued a degree in Human Ecology from Connecticut College with a focus on marine biology. In 1992 Ben attended the Sea Education Association (SEA) program, which sparked his love for sailing. He lived aboard Elizabeth, his 28ft cutter while chasing his girlfriend Teresa’s 27ft sloop, Daphne for several years. It worked because now they are married. He is excited to teach cruising and sailing again this summer with Morse Alpha Expeditions.
