The next Great North River Tugboat Race and Competition is coming up on Labor Day weekend, on September 4th on the Hudson River in New York harbor. If my count is correct, this will be the 19th annual tug boat race. One of the … Continue reading
Rick Spilman
The Royal Navy has appointed Lt Cdr Sarah West the command of HMS Portland, a Type 23 Duke Class Frigate launched in 1999. When she takes command on April 2012, she will be the first woman to command a Royal Navy warship. West previously … Continue reading
After adverse winds carried her off course, marathon swimmer Diana Nyad, 61, ended her attempt to become the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage. She had been swimming for 29 hours when she ended … Continue reading
I am not sure that this is necessarily a good idea. The US Navy is developing unmanned robotic guard ships which could be used to patrol coastal waters. An interesting idea, but getting the deployment right will be a real … Continue reading
Under the Rules of the Road, sailing vessels generally have the right of way over motor vessels, unless the motor vessel is limited by an ability to maneuver. Specifically, “small vessels or sailing vessels must not impede (larger) vessels which can navigate only within a … Continue reading
Last December we posted that the Tallship Soren Larsen was for sale. She has now apparently been acquired by new owners who will move the ship to Sydney, Australia but will otherwise maintain her Pacific sailing schedules. We wish the new owners and operators the best of luck … Continue reading
Yesterday at 7:45 PM, American endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, 61, set off swimming from Havana in an attempt to become the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the aid of a shark cage. The swim, if she succeeds, is … Continue reading
The US Coast Guard Barque Eagle visited Brooklyn, New York this weekend and was open to visitors. She is beautifully maintained and staffed by smart, eager and enthusiastic cadets. Most of the cadets had been aboard for roughly one day, … Continue reading
There is open speculation that the expansion of the Argentine Navy lead by the construction of its first nuclear submarine could prove a threat to Britain’s ability to defend and hold the Falkland Islands. Argentina developing nuclear-powered submarine Argentina has … Continue reading
When, many, many years ago, I moved from Florida to Michigan to go to school, I stopped scuba diving entirely. I had learned to dive in the warm and clear waters of the Florida keys. Why would I want to dive … Continue reading
This is an interesting story for several reasons. First, archaeologists believe that they may have discovered the wreckage of a 17th century ship lost off the coast of Panama in 1671, from the famed Captain Henry Morgan‘s fleet. Second, a … Continue reading
A fascinating new program from NOVA. Definitely worth watching. I had no idea that cuttlefish were so intriguing. Watch the full episode. See more NOVA. Thanks to Jon Clinch for pointing it out. … Continue reading
Everyone should know at least a few knots and hitches. The square knot, the bowline, and clove hitch come immediately to mind. Then there are all the other “essentials” that you may never need but are great to know. One good example … Continue reading
Last June, the inaptly named MV Wisdom, under tow to a scrap yard, broke her tow line and drifted on to Juhu beach in Mumbai, India, after narrowly missing a major bridge. This Sunday, the tanker, MT Pavit, drifted ashore … Continue reading
On the 221st anniversary of the founding of the US Coast Guard here is a dramatic look at the service in action. Narco Sub With 7.5 Tons of Cocaine Caught in Caribbean The Coast Guard caught a narco submarine trying … Continue reading