U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 03-09 Mobile, Alabama

06/23/2026

06/23/2026

A word of safety from our Flotilla!

06/09/2026

It’s the start of Hurricane Season!!!

Do you know the difference between a watch and warning?

No? Well this graphic can help break it down!
Be sure to check in with us regularly for more preparedness advice.

📸: National Weather Service

06/09/2026

Your time on the water helps shape the future of safer boating.

The Safe Boating Campaign is asking boaters to take a few minutes to share how they boat, what safety habits matter most to them, and where we can do better. Your feedback helps us better understand real boater behavior so we can adjust our outreach, resources, and messaging to meet boaters where they are.

Safe boating works best when it is built together. Share your experience, help strengthen the campaign, and be part of creating safer days on the water for everyone.

Take the 2026 Boating Participation Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026-Boating-Participation-Survey

Bonus: After completing the survey, you will be entered for a chance to win boating swag from the campaign!

06/09/2026

⚓ EXPLAIN “WHEEL OVER POINT” LIKE I’M 5 👶

Imagine you’re riding a bicycle toward a corner 🚲

If you wait until you reach the corner before turning…

❌ You will go too far.

So what do you do?

👉 You start turning BEFORE the corner.

🚢 Ships do exactly the same thing.

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📌 What is a Wheel Over Point (W*P)?

A Wheel Over Point is the position where the ship must begin its turn to safely follow the planned route.

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📌 Why is it important?

Ships cannot turn instantly.

They need:

• Time to respond
• Space to turn
• Advance and transfer distance

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📌 Real life onboard:

Wheel Over Points are used during:

• Coastal navigation
• Pilotage
• Traffic Separation Schemes
• Channel transits
• ECDIS route monitoring

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📌 How does it work?

1️⃣ Ship approaches a waypoint

2️⃣ Officer identifies the Wheel Over Point

3️⃣ Rudder is applied at the correct moment

4️⃣ Ship follows the next leg safely

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⚠️ What happens if you turn late?

❌ Overshoot the track

❌ Increased XTE

❌ Close to hazards or shallow water

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📌 What affects the Wheel Over Point?

• Ship speed
• Turning circle
• Rudder angle
• Draft
• Wind and current

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👉 In short:

Wheel Over Point = The place where you START the turn, not where you FINISH it.

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⚓ Good turns begin before the corner.
— Maritime Journey PH