Whether in the ocean, bays, sounds, inlets or estuaries, requires that the seaman develop seamanship in order to have comfortable and safe passages in these larger bodies of water.  However, what is seamanship?  Seamanship embodies a wide variety of both knowledge and skills required to handle your ship competently, efficiently, safely and legally.  The body of knowledge to be mastered over time includes such topics as a basic voyage planning, weather prediction, tides, tidal currents, waves, navigation and the Navigation Rules.  In addition, good seamanship includes good ship handling, safety precautions and rescue skills.