Congratulations to Ananya Prasad, the First Woman of Color to Row Solo and Unsupported Across any Ocean 

Congratulations to Ananya Prasad for completing the 2024-2025 World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic Challenge, a 3,000 mile race across the Atlantic Ocean from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands to Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua after 52 days at sea. The … Continue reading

Black History Month — Remembering the Golden Thirteen

In honor of Black History Month, a repost of a wonderful bit of history from the Naval History and Heritage Command — the story of the Golden Thirteen. In January 1944, there were nearly 100,000 Black Sailors in the United … Continue reading

World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic Challenge : Rowers Attacked by Marlin, Again

The World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic Challenge, a 3,000 mile race across the Atlantic Ocean from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands to Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua, is billed as the ultimate test of endurance and adventure. In addition to … Continue reading

Container Ship ASL Bauhinia Ablaze, Abandoned & Adrift in Red Sea — Houthi Attack or Hazardous Cargo?

Following an explosion and fire onboard the container ship, ASL Bauhinia, in the Red Sea early Tuesday morning, the 22 crew abandoned the ship. The crew was subsequently rescued unharmed by a passing vessel.  The 1,930-teu containership, owned by Shanghai-based … Continue reading

Will the Axial Seamount Erupt in the Pacific Off Oregon in 2025?

Seismologists at Oregon State University predict that the Axial Seamount, Oregon’s most active underwater volcano, could erupt in 2025.  The seamount, located 300 miles from the state’s coast and one mile beneath the Pacific Ocean’s surface, has been swelling at … Continue reading

Update: State of Hawaii Awards $6.5M Contract to Remove Falls of Clyde from Honolulu Harbor

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) is reported to have awarded a $6.5 million contract to a mainland marine engineering company, identified on social media as Donjon Marine, to finally remove the historic ship Falls of Clyde from Honolulu Harbor. … Continue reading

A23a, World’s Largest Iceberg, on Collision Course With South Georgia Island

The world’s largest iceberg, designated A23a, is drifting northwards from Antarctica towards South Georgia, a British territory and wildlife haven, where it could ground and break into pieces. If that happens, it poses a grave threat to King Emperor penguins’ … Continue reading

USS Jimmy Carter — the Navy’s Stealthy Spy Submarine

On the day following Jimmy Carter’s funeral, it seems like a good time to look at the top-secret submarine that bears his name. The USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23) is a unique submarine in many respects. Commissioned in 2005, she … Continue reading

Looking Back at President Jimmy Carter’s Naval Career

Today was President Jimmy Carter‘s funeral. He was 100 years old when he died after a long and remarkable life of public service. He will, no doubt, be best remembered for his personal integrity and faith in his term as … Continue reading

Warren Upton, Oldest Survivor of Pearl Harbor Attack, Dies at 105

The Washington Post reports that Warren Eric Upton died in Los Gatos, California on Dec. 25. At 105, he was the oldest survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the last remaining crew member of the USS Utah, according … Continue reading

Over the Holidays & in the New Year, May Saint Nicholas Hold the Tiller

An updated holiday season repost. Saint Nicholas, long associated with Christmas and gift-giving, is also the patron saint of ships and sailors. The St. Nicholas Center notes: “Many ports, most notably in Greece, have icons of Nicholas, surrounded by ex-votos … Continue reading

Admiral Yi Sun-sin, Korea’s Greatest Military Hero

Admiral Yi Sun-sin died 426 years ago today, in his final victory against the Japanese on behalf of the Joseon dynasty. He died of a gunshot wound at the Battle of Noryang on December 16, 1598, the closing battle of … Continue reading

Oil Spill in Kerch Strait After Russian Tankers Sink During Black Sea Storm

Authorities in Russia have said two small Russian oil tankers sank or were seriously damaged in the Black Sea on Sunday, resulting in an oil spill in the Kerch Strait.  The two tankers, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, each with cargo deadweights … Continue reading

HMS Victory, French Oak & the Ship of Theseus — Thoughts on Varied Lives of A Ship

The BBC recently reported that HMS Victory, one of the most celebrated warships in British history, is being repaired using wood from France. The conservation work is part of a 10-year project titled The Big Repair, which will cost £40-£45m. … Continue reading

Humpback Whale Makes Epic Migration of at Least 7,000 N Miles Across Three Oceans

The BBC reports that a humpback whale has made one of the longest and most unusual migrations ever recorded, possibly driven by climate change, scientists say. It was seen in the Pacific Ocean off Colombia in 2017 and then popped up … Continue reading

USS Oklahoma Sailor John Auld Who Died in Pearl Harbor Attack Finally Buried in Albuquerque

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced on Thursday that US Navy Seaman 2nd Class John C. Auld, 23, of Newcastle, England, killed on the USS Oklahoma, during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor of 1941 has been identified.  He … Continue reading