Fire on the Horizon – The Untold Story of the Gulf Oil Disaster, by John Konrad and Tom Shroder

gCaptain is one of my favorite blogs. It has a done a great job of covering the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Now gCaptain’s John Konrad has written a book, Fire on the Horizon – The Untold Story of the Gulf Oil Disaster, … Continue reading

For shipwreck survivor, a new honor and an old story

Lanier W. Phillips, comedian Bill Cosby and former Washington Redskins star and the Dallas Cowboys’ first starting quarterback, Eddie LeBaron, were honored Wednesday with the U.S. Navy Memorial’s Lone Sailor award.  I, of course,  know Bill Cosby and as a … Continue reading

Real-time Research on Passenger Drills on RCCL’s Jewel of the Seas

As cruise ships grow ever larger safety professionals have questioned whether passengers will be able to get to the life boats in time in case of an  emergency. (See Captain D. Peter Boucher’s BIGGER IS BETTER – NOT on his Nautical Log blog for … Continue reading

Prison ship records from 19th Century published

Ancestry.co.uk. has published, on-line records, held by National Archives of 19th Century prison ships providing  a glimpse into the lives of the estimated 200,000 inmates. Prison ship records from 19th Century published The records outline the disease-ridden conditions on the “prison hulks”, created … Continue reading

Frederick Marryat’s The Mission – Cue the Helicopters

David Hayes made a discovery that is too good not to share.  He came across a book cover of a reissue of Frederick Marryat‘s The Mission by Tutis Digital Publishing.   The cover shows a helicopter hovering low over the ocean about … Continue reading

Manta Ray Camera Thief

On an exhilarating manta ray night dive off Kailua-Kona, Hawaii in August, a manta ray steals a cameraman’s rig.  Thanks to Bill Nyden for pointing this out. Manta Ray Absconds With $5,000 Camera The once-in-a-lifetime encounter between an underwater cameraman and a larceny-minded manta ray … Continue reading

World’s biggest wave energy site off Cornish coast set to go live

Last week we posted about Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) installation of  offshore buoys off the coast of Oregon  to capture and convert wave energy into electricity.   It appears that they will also be playing a key role in the world’s largest wave energy … Continue reading

Tug Caribbean Sea Never Responded to Duck Boat in Fatal Collision

On July 7th, we posted about a collision between a barge towed by the tug Caribbean Sea and a disabled “Duck boat” DUKW 34 at anchor in the Delaware River off Philadelphia.  Two of the 35 passengers on the duck … Continue reading

Jiaolong – the World’s Deepest Diving Submersible being Tested by the Chinese

Jiaolong, 蛟龙, in Chinese folklore, is a shape-shifting water dragon.  For several months this summer the Chinese government has been quietly testing a new submersible, named Jiaolong, designed to dive to 7,000 meters.  If successful, it will be the deepest diving submersible in the world, diving … Continue reading

Toshiba Tall Ships Festival at Dana Point – Squareriggers, Schooners and Giant Squid

The Toshiba Tall Ships Festival at Dana Point this weekend offers a wide range of attractions and activities.  It all starts with a parade of ships and schooners at sunset this evening.  The Brig Pilgrim, the replica of the ship made famous by Richard Henry Dana, has … Continue reading