Blackfish, Backlash and the Bailing of the Bands from SeaWorld

This year, Seaworld Orlando is sponsoring “Bands, Brew and BBQ” during February and early March. There may be fewer bands to go with the BBQ and brew than originally planned. At least seven well known performers and bands have pulled … Continue reading

Fiona Shaw Performs ‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner’

Fiona Shaw, in an excerpt from a new staged reading of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s 1798 poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” This scene features the passage that birthed the expression “albatross around your neck.” The show, directed by Phyllida … Continue reading

Poon Lim, Surviving a Record 133 Days at Sea — “I hope no one will ever have to break it.”

Robert Redford was recently nominated for a Golden Globe award for his remarkable one man performance in the movie, “All is Lost.” While Redford’s acting was impressive, the movie was marred by an apparent lack of even a basic understand … Continue reading

Canada to Claim North Pole — Status of Santa Uncertain

Reports are that Canada is filing a claim to extend its northern sea boundary to encompass an area of over 1 million square miles of Arctic seafloor which includes the North Pole, under provisions of the United Nations Convention on … Continue reading

Rediscovering the Japanese Aircraft-Carrier Submarine I-400 — Scuttled During the Cold War

Recently, the crew of the the Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory‘s submersible Pisces V  announced finding the hull of the Japanese mega-submarine I-400  at a depth of 2,300 feet on the sea floor off Hawaii.  The huge submarine survived World War II but … Continue reading

MV Cape Ray to Destroy Syria’s Most Dangerous Chemical Weapons at Sea

When it came to destroying Syria’s most dangerous chemical weapons, there was a problem. No nation wanted to take the weapons and face the risks associated with destroying them on their soil.  Under an international agreement brokered by the US, … Continue reading

Taking the 132′ Victoria Clipper Passenger Ferry for a Joy Ride

What could be nicer than a boat ride on your birthday? Last Sunday, on his 33rd birthday, Samuel Kenneth McDonough allegedly took the Victoria Clipper, a 132′ high speed passenger ferry, for a several hour joy-ride in Seattle’s Elliot Bay. … Continue reading