Operation Prosperity Guardian — Initiative to be Announced to Safeguard Shipping in the Red Sea

During his visit to the Middle East next week, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to announce the formation of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a new international effort to deal with Houthi threats, a U.S. military official told The War … Continue reading

Using Antibiotics & Probiotics to Save Diseased and Dying Coral Reefs

When we went on a family scuba diving trip to the coral reefs of Roatan, Honduras, we took the antibiotic amoxicillin as a prophylaxis for malaria.  Scientists are now using the same antibiotic to combat stony coral tissue loss disease … Continue reading

Yemen’s Houthis Rebels Rain Missiles and Drones on Norwegian Tanker & French Frigate

Last Saturday, Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced that the organization would target any ships heading to or from Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned all international shipping companies against dealing with Israeli ports. On Monday, the group attacked the MT … Continue reading

Huge Skull of Sea Monster Pliosaur Discovered in Dorset Cliff on UK’s Jurassic Coast

The BBC reports that the skull of a pliosaur, a colossal sea monster has been extracted from the cliffs of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. The ferocious marine reptile terrorized the oceans about 150 million years ago. The 2m (6ft 5in)-long fossil … Continue reading

Mile-High Seamount Discovered in Pacific Off Guatemala

There is an old saying that we know more about the Moon than we do about the deep ocean. Critics say that the notion, first recorded in 1954, is out of date. While that may be the case, it is … Continue reading

Sally Snowman, the Last Lighthouse Keeper in the US, Set to Retire

For the last twenty years, Sally Snowman has worked as the keeper of the Boston Light on Little Brewster Island. She was the first woman to serve as lighthouse keeper at the lighthouse in Boston Harbor, the oldest continually used … Continue reading

US Destroyer Mason Thwarts Attack on Tanker Central Park in Gulf of Yemen

On Sunday, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Mason received a distress call from the M/V Central Park, a 20,000 DWT oil/chemical tanker, in the Gulf of Aden, that reported they were under attack by an unknown entity. Five armed individuals … Continue reading

World’s Largest and Oldest Iceberg Floats Free Drifting Into “Iceberg Alley”

In 1986, a massive iceberg, almost five times larger than New York City, calved off West Antarctica’s Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf. The iceberg, designated A23a, immediately grounded on the floor of the Weddell Sea, where it remained stuck for almost four … Continue reading

Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Hijack Vehicle Carrier Galaxy Leader in Red Sea — 25 Crew Taken Hostage

Yemen’s Houthi rebels seized the vehicle carrier Galaxy Leader in the Red Sea on Sunday, officials said, taking over two dozen crew members hostage.  The Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they hijacked the ship over its connection to Israel. The group … Continue reading

The Star of India — 160 Years Old & Still Sailing

Over the Veterans’ Day weekend, the iron-hulled sailing ship Star of India left her dock at the Maritime Museum of San Diego, setting sail, for the first time in five years, to celebrate her 160th birthday.  A short news video: … Continue reading

US Tourist, 75, Dies After Ferry Boat to Blue Lagoon Island Sinks in the Bahamas

A popular, full-day excursion to Blue Lagoon Island, from a cruise ship docked in Nassau in the Bahamas, ended in tragedy on Tuesday when a ferry boat loaded with 100 passengers rolled over and sank in choppy waters. A 75-year-old … Continue reading

Saildrone Issued First-Ever Classification For A Commercial Autonomous, Uncrewed Vehicle

Intriguing news from Saildrone. The developer of ocean data collection using autonomous vehicles announced that it has received the first-ever classification for an autonomous, uncrewed surface vehicle (USV). From their announcement: The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has been a … Continue reading

World’s Newest Island Rises Off Iwo Jima After Undersea Volcanic Eruption

The world’s newest island has risen from the Pacific Ocean off the Japanese island of Iwo Jima after an underwater volcanic eruption that began toward the end of October. In just 10 days, volcanic ash and rocks built up on … Continue reading

Cruise Ship Spirit of Discovery in the Bay of Biscay — Passengers Feared for Theirs Lives, 100 Injured

A disturbing account of the Saga Cruises’ ship Spirit of Discovery that was caught in severe weather in the Bay of Biscay in which 100 passengers were injured. Five are reported to have been seriously injured. BBC reports that the … Continue reading