Aide memoirs and useful tricks for remembering stuff boaty

[Mark-1]

Or the other way-----Captain's Dick Makes Virgins Tremble
The only useful ones are those that are memorable.IE rude!

Which reminds me. I told my son when he was pretty early in primary school the way to remember the flashing white on Isolated Danger Marks. He was absolutely thrilled at the use of profanity. To this day (8yo) I make sure we always pass in sight of the Roway Post and he always collapses in hysterics.

I also told him about the BFC, and even now it's gone, he's in hysterics when we pass Fawley.

Obvs if my wife finds out I've shared these secrets with him the danger will be far from isolated.

Daughter's sense of humour is slightly more sophisticated than ours.

 

[Mark-1]

I can't speak for GCSEs but there definitely was a GCE O Level in Navigation.

There definitely *was* a GCSE, I suspect there no longer is.

 

[fredrussell]

Sailors often have curly auburn hair till old age.

Anyone remember that one from school?

 

[Mark-1]

Sailors often have curly auburn hair till old age.

Anyone remember that one from school?

Triggering memories?

 

[S04]

Sailors often have curly auburn hair till old age.

Anyone remember that one from school?

That's a sine of your age

 

[dunedin]

I can't speak for GCSEs but there definitely was a GCE O Level in Navigation.

And I had the first ever (perhaps only) SCSE Higher Navigation and well as SCSE O-Level in Seamanship.

 

[dunedin]

My practical light recognition for Scottish waters …..
- Blackpool illuminations - cruise ship (nav lights invisible, check AIS for direction)
- Small town illuminations - ferry, keep well clear
- Low level flood lights, navigation lights invisible - fishing boat of some type, doing something - direction, speed and future intentions unclear
- Small town illuminations topped by huge flame - oil rig or ferry in distress

Is that sufficient to pass my Yachtmaster?

(Of course in summer up north it is pretty much never dark so largely irrelevant anyway)

 

[penberth3]

The only aide memoire's that I still remember today from Uni are the filthy ones.

I'm sure there is or was a GCSE in Navigation. I google it periodically and can never find it.

Was there a Scout badge?

 

[Roberto]

My fundamental one is "Post", for POrt-STarboard, or its French equivalent Batterie, phonetically BAbord-TRIbord. I could do with something to quickly identify the simple right and left, if one tells me "turn right" I have to refer first to my left (writing) hand, then choose the opposite side.

 

[PCUK]

Brown to earth, Green to neutral, Blue to bits!

 

[penberth3]

My fundamental one is "Post", for POrt-STarboard, or its French equivalent Batterie, phonetically BAbord-TRIbord. I could do with something to quickly identify the simple right and left, if one tells me "turn right" I have to refer first to my left (writing) hand, then choose the opposite side.

"This way" and "That way" works well for left and right.

 

[ylop]

Brown to earth, Green to neutral, Blue to bits!

????

 

[NormanS]

There are even barrels of red port left. That's showing my age.

 

[fredrussell]

Here’s one I invented during my student days:

Kinky people care only for good sex.

It’s a mnemonic, but for what?

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Here’s one I invented during my student days:

Kinky people care only for good sex.

It’s a mnemonic, but for what?

Something to do with zoology.

 

[fredrussell]

Something to do with zoology.

Very good. It’s how I remembered kingdom, phyla, class, order, family, genus, species.

 

[Refueler]

Compass correction ... many different sayings - funny and not so funny ... but simplest as I see it :

Error West - Compass Best
Error East - Compass Least

I have to admit though - over the years - despite my holding senior Merchant Officer Certificates - my memory of lights fails me .. simple such ad steaming / nav lights - fine ... but when it gets to Dredgers .... Mine Sweepers .... etc - I need to consult the book !

Its also embarrassing to admit that when two sailboats meet - both under sail - I have to check which is stand on !! In fact I have a couple of Cheat Sheets laminated and hanging just inside companionway ...

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Ah yes that’s right. I went off your initial letters but forgot what the actual meaning was!

 

[DreadShips]

I'll be honest, I find it much easier to remember what I'm doing with a compass by either drawing a quick diagram or mentally holding an orienteering compass in my hand.

And if I ever have to get out of the way of a working minesweeper I've got bigger problems than his lights confusing me...

 

[DreadShips]

Two actual ways I remember something - day shapes. NUC means balls up (two of them), but aground means a total balls up (three).

And that famous anchor - or at least something rhyming with that - Hitler only had one ball, I suppose.