This afternoon, sailing south from Ålesund bound for Haugesund, on Hurtigruten’s MS Trollfjord, I noticed something unusual. The ship was pitching and rolling. The motion was gentle but evident. On the previous twelve or so days of the voyage to … Continue reading
Category Archives: Lore of the Sea
Around 5 am about 14 miles southwest of the island of Heligoland, Germany, the British bulk carrier Verity sank after colliding with the Bahamian-flagged bulk carrier Polesie. Of the Verity‘s crew of seven, two were rescued, one has died and … Continue reading
We recently crossed the Arctic Circle on a Norwegian voyage on the Hurtigruten MS Trollfjord. The crossing brought to mind the question — who first devised this imaginary line at 66° 34′ N latitude? My first guess would have been … Continue reading
I am currently traveling, so I managed to miss Trafalgar Day. Here is an updated repost in honor of Nelson’s great victory over the combined French and Spanish fleets a day ago on October 21, in 1805. There is a … Continue reading
The Institute of Maritime Research announced recently that the wreckage of the World War II British submarine HMS Thistle has probably been discovered outside Rogaland, Norway, after more than 80 years on the seabed. In the Spring of 2023, the … Continue reading
In a press release on Tuesday, Berge Bulk, one the world’s leading dry bulk ship owners, announced the launch of its 211,153 DWT Newcastlemax bulker, Berge Olympus, with four retrofitted BARTech WindWings by Yara Marine Technologies. The WindWings installation is … Continue reading
Last Wednesday, the 123-year-old Victory Chimes was towed past the Rockland Harbor breakwater, in all likelihood, ending her long and storied carrier as a commercial sailing vessel. This Saturday, she arrived at Pier 25 in Manhattan on the Hudson River, … Continue reading
Today, October 13th, is celebrated as the birthday of the United States Navy, not to be confused with Navy Day which was once celebrated on October 27th. The current “birthday” may have more to do with bragging rights than real … Continue reading
After sitting dark for a decade, Alligator Reef Light in the Florida Keys is shining again. An Islamorada community group is spending $6 million to restore and preserve the 150-year-old lighthouse. The group turned on its new solar-powered lights last … Continue reading
The schooner Grace Bailey, built in 1882, was returning from a four-day Fall Foliage cruise on Monday morning, when an upper section of the main mast broke and fell to the deck, killing one passenger and injuring three others. Thirty-three … Continue reading
Like millions of other children, I was taught that Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492. Then when I was seven years old, the site of the Norse settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland was discovered and I learned that Columbus … Continue reading
Recently, it was announced that Bound4Blue’s eSAIL® suction sails will be installed on an Odfjell chemical tanker and a ro/ro for Louis Dreyfus Armateurs. The technology goes by various names. When developed for Jacques-Ives Cousteau’s research vessel, Alcyone, it was … Continue reading
Yesterday the USCG issued a press release: A Coast Guard boat crew rescued 12 people, Wednesday morning, after they were forced to abandon the M/V Bonnie G that was taking on water and ran aground just south of the airport … Continue reading
Sharks are among the top predators of sting rays. Here is a short video of a large school of stingrays narrowly escaping a shark attack in September off Anna Maria Island, in Manatee County, FL. The drone footage, captured by … Continue reading
Until fairly recently, scientists attempting to establish the existence, health, or migration of marine life had to use nets, cameras, or other means to identify and count the number of animals involved. Now researchers have a new and powerful tool, … Continue reading