​My name's Mark Burkes. I'm an RYA Yachtmaster Ocean and have spent 35 years sailing and over 25 years sailing professionally.  

​I currently work as a Yachtmaster Instructor & private skipper.  I've sailed on private yachts & race boats all over the world with approximately 250,000 miles under my belt.

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PASSAGE PLANNING & PILOTAGE INTO PORTS

Why are wind and tide critical to safe Passage Planning?
Passage Planning - Where to Start?
How to Build a Safe & Reliable Pilotage Plan for Port Entry
What's the difference between a passage plan and a pilotage plan?
How to Maintain a Ship's Log
How to Build a Rock-Solid Passage Plan Every Time!

KNOTS, SEAMANSHIP & SAILING TECHNIQUES

PASSAGE PLAN TEMPLATE

Always create a robust, rock-solid passage plan quickly and reliably.

PILOTAGE PLAN TEMPLATE

Never get lost on an unfamiliar night-time port entry of an unfamiliar port.

PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST

Delegate pre-departure checks to your crew with confidence every time.

RECOMMENDED READING FOR
​NEW, INTERMEDIATE, AND EXPERIENCED SAILORS

The links in the recommended reading list above are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy from Amazon we may get a few pennies in referral commission. You pay the same either way, so it costs you nothing. Any support provided by using these affiliate links helps support this resource.

UNDERSTANDING & PREDICTING Tides & Currents
You can buy or sell pre-used sailing kit | ​​CLICK HERE

CHARTWORK & NAVIGATION
Our guides are in development. They are a lot of work! When the first one becomes live, we will be offering the first 20 people that register with us FREE ACCESS to the guide for three months, in return for some feedback.

SKIPPER ADVICE | TIPS & TRICKS

LET ME KNOW WHAT VIDEOS TO MAKE..

If you'd like me to do a video or article on anything in particular, just drop me an email here with your idea.
Free Sailing Tutorials & Fierce Turtle are brands managed by BCO Online. This website may use affiliate links. If you click on them and you are then directed to a product on Amazon, for example, we may be paid a small commission, if you buy. This has no effect on the price you pay. You pay exactly the same. But it is a way to help support this free resource.