Congratulations to PortSide NewYork – Winner of the White House “Champions of Change” Award !

Our hearty congratulations to PortSide NewYork, which today was awarded a White House Champions of Change award in recognition for the wonderful work done by the non-profit organization to assist their neighbors in Red Hook, a Brooklyn community absolutely devastated by Hurricane Sandy. The … Continue reading

Jersey Shore Offshore Roller Coast – Hurricane Sandy Icon – to Be Removed by Memorial Day

The roller coasters on the Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey have long been a major attraction of the Jersey shore resort town. The latest roller coaster on the pier, the Star Jet (also referred to as the Jet … Continue reading

A Video for a Saturday Morning – Picton Castle Sailing Out the Anchor at Palmerston Island

Remind me again why jobs, homes and careers are so important. After watching this video it is awfully easy to question one’s priorities. Here is the Barque Picton Castle sailing out the anchor at Palmerston Island in the Cook Islands in the South Pacific. Click here to … Continue reading

The Strange Voyage of Nakuru, the Giraffe

It is the classic story of young lovers separated by the briny deep, of a young heroine on a storm tossed voyage with unexpected adventure. Oh, yes, and the young heroine is a giraffe. The Aukland Zoo has been trying to setup Nakuru, a fifteen month old Rothschild giraffe, … Continue reading

The Texas City Disaster – the Explosions of the SS Grandcamp & the SS High Flyer

On Wednesday night, a huge explosion ripped through West, Texas; a small central Texas town, south of Dallas. The fertilizer factory caught fire and exploded, leveling homes and buildings for a five blocks area, killing from 5 – 40 people and injuring … Continue reading

A Swan Adrift – Abandoned Sailing Yachts Drifting on the Deep Blue Sea

In February, Wolfhound, a 48′ Nautor Swan sailing yacht, was abandoned in a storm just north of Bermuda by her Irish owner, Alan McGettigan, and a crew of three. The sailors were rescued by a passing freighter. The boat was reported to have sunk. Instead, … Continue reading

Updated: Carnival Agrees to Pay and Costa Gets a Slap on the Wrist

Update: Carnival Corp has has agreed to reimburse the U.S. government for costs related to the high-profile fires aboard the Carnival Triumph in February and Carnival Splendor in 2010. Read more here. The juxtaposition is priceless. OK, priceless may be the wrong word … Continue reading

The Future of Commercial Sail & the Nord Integrity – an Unexpected Sailor

I would like to thank all those who came out last night to the Working Harbor Committee’s presentation of “Sailing Ships at Work – Past, Present and Future.”   It was a fun evening and gratifying that the presentation was so well received.  In … Continue reading

Carnival Triumph Adrift After Breaking Moorings in High Winds, One Man Missing

Winds gusting to near hurricane strength broke the moorings on the already damaged cruise ship Carnival Triumph at her berth at BAE Shipyard in the Port of Mobile, Alabama at 1:45 p.m. CT on Wednesday. The cruise ship, which had recently been … Continue reading

The Squid Wars and Outlaw Fleets in the Argentine Waters Off the Falkland Ilsands

The ongoing dispute over the Falkland/Malvinas Islands and adjoining waters, has created an opportunity for an outlaw fleet of industrial fishing trawlers to fish, and over-fish, the rich stocks of squid in Argentine waters near the islands. Illegal fishing is estimated to be … Continue reading