Answer:

1. Be clear: have a definite purpose for writing and make sure it is clearly communicated up front. Be bold and connect quickly. In the midst of the typhoon we needed to be clear on our commands or risk adverse reactions to the sea.

2. Be complete: include all the necessary facts and background information to support the message you are communicating. Partial instructions would not work if we were to survive. Our captain had to make sure we saw the complete picture.

3. Be concise: keep in mind the reader's knowledge of the subject and their time constraints. Convey the information as quickly and easily as possible. Keeping it concise (or short) was a life saver, more so when you needed to react immediately to a changing sea or wind pattern.

4. Be creative: use different formats (vs. straight narrative) to communicate your message. Q & A format, graphics, Idea lists, etc. Sometimes hand signals were needed when the wind and the sea drowned out our ability to hear.

5. Be considerate: keep your reader's needs in mind as you write. Ask yourself, 'Why should my reader spend time reading this?' Make it worthwhile for them to do so! We were motivated to survive, to listen and to act. Keep in mind your audience or reader might not be as receptive. 6. Be correct: by checking all your information is accurate and timely. Double- check your spelling, punctuation and grammar. Proof read it before you send it! We couldn't afford to make mistakes, our lives depended on it!

7. Be credible: strive to present yourself from a position of reliability and competence. Write to reinforce your message and make it more believable. We needed to trust that our captain, with his experience in the US Coast Guard knew what he was doing and was telling us for our own good.