NTSB says a single loose wire started the Key Bridge disaster. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

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BoatTEST - On The Water Newsletter

Hello Boater

Boston Whaler 365 Conquest 

Offshore Fishing Comfort

Boston Whaler 365 Conquest2

WHALER HERITAGE Boston Whaler’s 365 Conquest shows how far the offshore center-console platform has evolved. A 19-gal livewell, deep cockpit, and wide side decks support fishing days offshore, while the enclosed helm deck, convertible dinette, and two berths below make longer trips practical. Triple Mercury V10 Verados deliver strong acceleration and a top speed approaching 56 mph.

WATCH THE 365 TEST
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NEW MJM Yachts 38RS

Pilothouse Fishing Crossover

MJM 38RS

FISH OR CRUISE MJM built its reputation on efficient, fast composite cruisers, and the 38RS adds a fishing package to the 38R without giving up a 360-degree pilothouse that  keeps everyone comfortable when the weather turns. A 40-gallon livewell, two fish boxes, and transom doors that open flat to the swim platform take care of the fishing side. Twin 300-hp Mercurys are standard, 400s are optional.

SEE THE NEW 38RS
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⚓

US Coast Guard Captain's License

Practice Questions 

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can only navigate inside a narrow channel?

A. A vessel engaged in surveying
B. A vessel not under command
C. A vessel of less than 20 meters in length
D. All of the above

BoatTEST Featured Pre-Owned Vessels

Pre-Owned Yacht Spotlight

2020 Stingray 208 LR

stingray-208lr-2020-1 copy

LOW HOURS BOWRIDER This 2020 Stingray 208 LR bowrider is powered by a MerCruiser 4.5L 250-hp sterndrive with under 100 hours. She's been stored inside and comes with a 2020 Wesco aluminum trailer. At 20 feet with bow seating, cockpit seating, a sports tower, and a built-in cooler, she's a solid entry-level package at $44,900 in Winterville, NC.

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Key Cause of Bridge Collapse

NTSB Finds Single Wire

dali-key-bridge-collapse-NTSB-12-15-25

ONE LOOSE WIRE The NTSB says the collapse of the Key Bridge began with something almost invisible: a single loose signal wire inside the Dali’s electrical system. A second power loss followed due to an improperly configured pump. The board calls the disaster preventable and outlines changes for ships and bridges nationwide. The full findings are sobering.

READ THE NTSB BREAKDOWN

Boneheaded Boaters of the Week

When Panic Takes Over

maxresdefault-Mar-07-2026-11-10-47-7642-PM

DON’T PANIC This week’s compilation covers a boat perched on a submerged piling in the Florida Keys, a ferry collision where passengers jumped overboard in shallow water, a tight bridge passage that barely worked, and a boarding officer who ended up soaked mid-inspection. The common thread is captains making bad situations worse by panicking. Worth watching before spring launch.

WATCH THE CHAOS
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⚓

US Coast Guard Captain's License

Practice Question - Answer 

C) A vessel of less than 20 meters in length

The rule recognizes that smaller vessels have the maneuverability to stay clear, while vessels not under command or engaged in surveying have no such obligation under this specific rule.

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