We have been following the development of the Wind Challenger Project since it first was unveiled in 2012. Initially developed by the University of Toyko and now with the support of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Oshima-shipbuilding, the concept is for … Continue reading
Rick Spilman
American diver breaks record with journey to the Mariana Trench American adventurer Victor Vesco broke the record for deepest submarine dive ever in the Challenger Deep in the Pacific Ocean’s Mariana Trench. In his four hours at the bottom, he … Continue reading
This weekend Hamburg celebrated its Hafengeburtstag 2019, the 830th anniversary of the founding of the Port of Hamburg, established in 1189 by Frederick I. And celebrate they did. An estimated 300 ships participated and were greeted by over one million … Continue reading
A 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. On … Continue reading
Just returning from its seventh round the world voyage, the barque Picton Castle will set off again this summer bound for the Great Lakes to take part in the Tall Ships America’s Tall Ships Challenge — Great Lakes 2019. The … Continue reading
The media has been full of reports about the sanctions violating North Korean bulk carrier, dubiously named Wise Honest. Virtually every headline begins with “US seizes North Korean ship” or some variation thereof. The Justice Department also used the word … Continue reading
After a voyage of 147 days covering more than 2,000 nautical miles, French adventurer Jean-Jacques Savin, 72, has successfully drifted across the Atlantic Ocean on the wind and currents in his 10′ by 9′ orange barrel-shaped craft. He departed from … Continue reading
On Sunday, May 5th, armed pirates boarded the semi-submersible heavy-lift vessel Blue Marlin, 80 nautical miles offshore of Equatorial Guinea on the west coast of Africa. The ship, operated by the Dutch firm Boskalis, had unloaded cargo near Luba port, … Continue reading
Cruise Fever is reporting that Royal Caribbean is having to rearrange the itineraries for the Allure of the Seas for the next five months due to mechanical issues with one of the three Azipods, the pod propulsion units which drive … Continue reading
In July of last year, we posted about a Korean maritime salvage company which claimed to have found the wreck of the Russian armored cruiser, Dmitrii Donskoi, which sank during the 1905 Battle of Tsushima. They also claimed that the wreck … Continue reading
While docking in Vancouver on Saturday morning, the Holland America cruise ship MS Oosterdam collided with the MS Nieuw Amsterdam also owned by Holland America. The stern of the Oosterdam struck the stern of the already docked Nieuw Amsterdam. No … Continue reading
While the surface of the Earth is more than 70% covered by ocean, worlds covered by even greater expanses of water may be more common than previously thought. We have previously posted about evidence of water on other bodies in … Continue reading
Two days ago, NPR reported: “Fisherman off the coast of Norway encountered a beluga whale with “Equipment of St. Petersburg” inscribed on its harness. Researchers think the beluga may be a Russian spy in training.” There was speculation that the … Continue reading
The cruise ship MV Freewinds is described on the Scientology website as “a religious retreat ministering the most advanced level of spiritual counseling in the Scientology religion.” It is also home to at least one confirmed case of the measles. … Continue reading
Here is a fun time-lapse of the 1939 built Alden schooner, When And If, overtaking the schooner America 2.0 in the 34th Annual Schooner Wharf Bar Wrecker’s Cup Race in Key West, FL. When And If was built for General … Continue reading
For centuries, ancient megalithic monuments, such as Stonehenge, existing all across Europe, have been abiding mysteries. Who built them, how and why? A new study by Bettina Schulz Paulsson of the University of Gothenburg, Sweden may have at least one … Continue reading
When Hurricane Harvey blew through the US Gulf coast in August 2017, the replica of Columbus’ Niña sank at the dock in Corpus Christie, Texas. Last Tuesday, the replica sank again. ABC Channel KSAT 12 quotes Kim Mrazek, president of … Continue reading
Next Wednesday, May 1, from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, the City Lore gallery in Manhattan is hosting Waterfront Heroes: Women on the Waterfront which will feature a panel discussion moderated by maritime journalist Betsy Haggerty. The panelists will include Fulton … Continue reading
There has been a minor hub-bub of late over the decision by the Scottish Maritime Museum to use gender-neutral references to ships after vandals have scratched out references to “she” several times on museum displays. Putting aside the question of … Continue reading
In 1919, the three-masted schooner William H. Sumner was wrecked on the North Carolina shore near New Topsail Inlet, after a mutiny by its crew. Since then the wreck has played hide and seek, disappearing beneath the sand and emerging … Continue reading