A Tale of Two “Code Talkers” — Marine Radioman Thomas Begay & Navy Wave Winnie Breegle

Last week, Trump’s Defense Department removed articles about Navajo code talkers from its websites amid an ongoing campaign to rid the military of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Once again, under Trump, opposition to DEI was used as a … Continue reading

Royal Navy’s Cetus, First Uncrewed Submarine, Launched

British unmanned systems manufacturer MSubs has launched Cetus, the UK Royal Navy’s first Extra Large Underwater Autonomous Vehicle (XLUAV) technology demonstrator.  At 12 m in length, 2.2 m in diameter, and weighing up to 25 tonnes with a full test … Continue reading

China Building Fleet of ‘Invasion Barges’ Suitable For Taiwan Landings

Many have dismissed Chinese threats to invade Taiwan as saber-rattling. Recent imagery, however, suggests that the risk of invasion is very real.  The images show that the Chinese are building a fleet of “invasion barges” apparently designed to facilitate an … Continue reading

Battleship USS Texas Finally Finds Home in Galveston

The battleship USS Texas, the oldest remaining dreadnought battleship, may finally have a permaneny home in Galveston, TX. After decades of heglect, the venerable old ship was drydocked in 2022 to undergo $60 million in repairs and refurbishment, which was … Continue reading

Fire and Explosions After Container Ship Strikes Anchored Tanker Off Humber in North Sea

This morning, the 804 TEU Portuguese-flag container ship Solong struck the 49,729 DWT US-flag product tanker Stena Immaculate, at anchor in the North Sea, off the mouth of the River Humber. Multiple explosions were reported as the ships caught fire.  Both … Continue reading

Women’s History Month — Celebrating Admiral “Amazing Grace” Hopper

As the current administration launches a frontal attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion, it is a good time to remember Admiral Grace Hopper. Grace Hopper was a pioneering computer scientist and a United States Navy Rear Admiral. Hopper received a … Continue reading

The Long Goodbye — Preparing SS United States to be Sunk as an Artificial Reef

The iconic passenger liner  SS United States arrived early Monday in Mobile, Alabama, nearly two weeks after departing under tow from South Philadelphia. She was docked at Modern American Recycling Service (MARS), where if all goes according to plan, she … Continue reading

A23a, World’s Largest & Oldest Iceberg, Runs Aground 50 Miles Off South Georgia Island

The world’s largest and oldest iceberg, designated A23a, has run aground in shallow water approximately 50 miles off the remote British island of South Georgia, in the South Atlantic. The island is home to millions of penguins and seals. The … Continue reading

Trump’s DOGE Fires 800 More NOAA Scientists — Endangering the Economy & Public Safety

Yesterday, hundreds of weather forecasters and other federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) employees were fired, lawmakers and weather experts said.  Federal workers who were not let go said the afternoon layoffs included meteorologists who do crucial local forecasts … Continue reading

Leaked Recordings Challenge Greek Coast Guard Account of Deadly Migrant Shipwreck

On June 14, 2023, the Adriana, an aging fishing trawler overloaded with up to 750 people, capsized in international waters off the Greek town of Pylos. One hundred and four men were rescued, and eighty-two bodies were recovered.  An additional 500 … Continue reading

In Honor of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion During Black History Month — the Floating Freedom School

At a time when programs supporting the American values of diversity, equity, and inclusion are being banned in schools across the nation, it is incumbent on the rest of us to keep alive the history that some are now seeking … Continue reading

Pacific Northwest Waterways Association Pushes Back Against DOGE Cuts of Corps of Engineers’ Critical Employees

In a surreal moment, Elon Musk, who heads the ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ (DOGE), pranced around on stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference last week in oversized sunglasses, a black gothic MAGA hat, a thick gold chain around his … Continue reading