Last year we posted about the christening of the Royal Navy’s research ship XV Patrick Blacket. (The “XV” designation refers to “experimental vessel.”) The 42-meter, 270 tonne modified crew-supply ship is intended to be a platform on which to test … Continue reading
Rick Spilman
Recent videos of a sea drone attack on a Russian warship released by Russia’s Defence Ministry and by Ukraine’s public broadcaster Suspilne tell two very different stories of the encounter. The Russian video shows a Ukrainian sea drone, a small … Continue reading
In 2019, we posted about fishermen off the coast of Norway who encountered a beluga whale wearing a harness that read “Equipment of St. Petersburg. Researchers think the beluga may be a Russian spy in training. There was speculation that … Continue reading
We are all familiar with Melville’s novel, Moby Dick, inspired, at least in part, by the ramming and sinking of the whaleship Essex by a rogue sperm whale in the Pacific in 1820. Less well-known is the sinking by a … Continue reading
An updated repost on National Maritime Day. In 1933, the US Congress created National Maritime Day to recognize the maritime industry in the United States. The date chosen to celebrate the new holiday was May 22, in honor of the … Continue reading
We now have the answer why the Royal Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, broke down off the Isle of Wight, in late August 2022. The external shaft coupling on the starboard propeller shaft failed, resulting in serious damage … Continue reading
The 112-year-old steel-hulled bark Europa slipped on her side while attempting to be placed back into the water from a drydock at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa on Saturday morning. One crew member was injured, but is … Continue reading
Orca attacks on sailboats off the Strait of Gibraltar and the Iberian Peninsula continue. Janet Morris and Stephen Bidwell from Cambridge told The Sunday Times that on May 2, on the second day of training for their week-long sailing course … Continue reading
The Jules Undersea Lodge is the only underwater hotel in the United States. Located 30 feet (9 m) deep at the bottom of the Emerald Lagoo in Key Largo, Florida, guests have to scuba dive to get to their rooms. … Continue reading
The BBC is reporting that the first full-sized digital scan of the Titanic, 3,800m (12,500ft) down in the Atlantic, has been completed using deep-sea mapping, providing a unique 3D view of the entire ship. “There are still questions, basic questions, … Continue reading
An updated repost appropriate for Mother’s Day. Sailors choose their tattoos for various reasons. Among the most popular sailor tattoos are anchors, hearts, and swallows. Not infrequently, “Mom” also made an appearance as a reminder of loved ones and home. … Continue reading
Ecoclipper has announced that with the maiden voyage of the recently refitted De Tukke, their emission-free short-sea Western European liner service has begun. From their press release: De Tukker, the first ship operated by the sail cargo company Ecoclipper, has … Continue reading
The three-masted, gaff-rigged Chesapeake ram schooner Victory Chimes was recently sold at auction to Miles and Alex Pincus, who currently own two restaurants aboard historic schooners in New York harbor, as well as several shore-based establishments. While it had been … Continue reading
In late November of last year, the guided-missile destroyer, USS Momsen, and the dock-landing ship, USS Harpers Ferry, were moving in opposite directions in San Diego Bay when they came close to colliding. The two ships came within 35 yards … Continue reading
HMS Diamond, a Type 45 Royal Navy air-defense destroyer, docked on the River Thames in Greenwich, served as the Royal Guardship during the coronation of King Charles III earlier today. While the purpose of the guard ship is to help … Continue reading
Recently, Ken Pretty, a photographer from the village of Dildo, in Newfoundland, Canada, caught some remarkable drone footage of a 30′ high dildo-shaped iceberg off the coast of Harbour Grace in Conception Bay, Newfoundland. The photographs and video of the … Continue reading
Two new ferries, powered by hydrogen fuel cells, have or will soon enter service. In Norway, the MF Hydra, the first liquid hydrogen fuel cell powered ferry entered regular service at the end of March. MF Hydra sails on the … Continue reading
I am sorry to say that we missed seeing this intriguing ferry, MV Glenachulish, when we visited Skye last September. (We went “over the sea to Skye” on the more conventional ferry from Mallaig to Armadale.) I had never heard … Continue reading
A recent investigation reveals that at least 440 people in distress appear to have been abandoned in the weeks before the worst Channel disaster in 30 years. On November 23, 2021, at around 10PM an inflatable boat with over 30 … Continue reading
Harry Belafonte, the multi-talented American singer, actor, and activist, died last week at the age of 96. Born in Harlem to Jamaican immigrants, he shattered racial boundaries in the 1950s. During his career, Belafonte popularized calypso music with audiences around … Continue reading