Report: Black Box Not Functioning, Watertight Doors Open When Costa Concordia Hit the Rocks

Extremely disturbing news coming out of Italy regarding the Costa Concordia, which ran aground and sank off the island of Giglio on January 13, 2012 with the deaths of at least 30 passengers. If the reports prove to be true, the ship was sailing with open watertight … Continue reading

Breaking News: NOAA Claims that Mermaids Aren’t Real!

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has taken the bold step of announcing that “no evidence of aquatic humanoids has ever been found.”  In other words, mermaids aren’t real!  Something is fishy here. On the other hand, the government has also denied the existence of space aliens, yet how else … Continue reading

The Return of Commercial Sail? Dyna-Rig Design in the News

Arthur Sewall, a shipbuilder, shipowner and industrialist from Bath Maine, is quoted near the turn of the 20th century, saying, “As long as the wind blows and water flows there will be sailing ships built and business to keep them … Continue reading

Not Your Daddy’s Americas Cup: Day One Newport – Helmets, Fancy Graphics and Color Commentators

We posted yesterday about Sailing for Couch Potatoes, or how to watch the America’s Cup Races without leaving your couch.  NBC, for example,  is broadcasting the America’s Cup World Series Finale on Sunday. The New York Times this morning featured an article describing briefly how the Cup Races … Continue reading

Knock, Knock – the Media and the Mystery of the Missing Stowaways on the Ville D’Aquarius

The story began around 3AM Wednesday morning, when a US Coast Guard boarding team, conducting a random sweep on the container ship Ville D’Aquarius, near Sandy Hook, just outside New York harbor, heard a knocking sound which appeared to be coming from somewhere in the ship’s … Continue reading

Sailing for Couch Potatoes – America’s Cup World Series Finale on NBC

Back in the old days, the America’s Cup was sailed in 12 Meter yachts in the often misty light air of Rhode Island Sound.  It was a competition more suited to still photography than video.  How times have changed.  Now elimination matches are being sailed in … Continue reading

Second Refugee Boat Bound for Christmas Island Capsizes, Merchant Ships Rescue 136

A  boat loaded with asylum seekers has capsized in Indonesian waters about 107 nautical miles north of Australia’s Christmas Island. The boat is reported to have had 150 passengers and crew aboard.  CNN is reporting that 136 have been rescued by two merchants ships. … Continue reading

OpSail Boston 2012 – June 30th to July 5th : Celebrating the USS Constitution and the War of 1812 Bicentennial

Beginning this Saturday, Boston Harbor will once again be filled with tall masts and square sails.  OpSail Boston 2012 is celebrating the USS Constitution and the bicentennial of the War of 1812.  The USS Constitution, nicknamed “Old Ironsides” after British round shot bounced off her oak planks, … Continue reading

Seafarers Awareness Week – June 25 to July 1

In concert with  IMO’s “Day of the Seafarer,”  the good folks at Seafarers UK are sponsoring Seafarers Awareness Week, starting today and running through the July 1.  Seafarers UK is a leading charity for seafarers in need and gives grants of £2.5 million annually to … Continue reading

Max Young, Circumnavigator Whose Boat was Sunk by a Whale, Returns Home After Rescue

We recently posted about Max Young, who was close to completing a twelve year circumnavigation on his 50′ sailboat, Reflections, when it was struck by a whale. The sailboat was severely damaged by the impact and began sinking. Max was … Continue reading

Update: MV Alaed, Re-flagged and Ready to Sail to Syria with Helicopter Gunships

Last week, we posted about the MV Alaed, a 9,000 DWT geared cargo ship, reported to be carrying refurbished Russian attack helicopters bound for Syria. The ship, sailing under the Curacao flag, was turned aback after the cancellation of its P&I … Continue reading

Sea Orbiter – A New Generation of Ocean Explorer

The Sea Orbiter concept design looks like something straight out of science fiction.  Floating half above and half below the surface of the water, it appears to be more like a scimitar-shaped inter-galactic spaceship than any sort of  oceanographic research vessel. Fifty eight meters … Continue reading

Fourth Annual North River Historic Ship Festival June 28-July 1, Hudson River Park Pier 25

If you are anywhere near New York City next week, the Fourth Annual North River Historic Ship Festival looks like lots of fun.  Hosted by the North River Historic Ship Society, the festival commences Thursday night, June 28th, with an opening party … Continue reading