The Sorry Saga of the Ore/Oiler A Whale – From Miracle Skimmer to Bankruptcy & Abandoned Sailors

Unfortunately, the story is not that unusual. A ship owner in financial trouble and sailors find themselves abandoned on a ship, far from home, with no wages, and running out of food and fuel.  This is what has happened to … Continue reading

Historic Schooner Nina and Crew of Seven Missing Off New Zealand

The 70′ schooner Nina and her crew of seven have been reported missing. They sailed on May 29, from Opua in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand bound for Newcastle, Australia.  They were last hear from on June 4th, 370 nautical miles west … Continue reading

World’s Largest Solar-Powered Vessel in New York City

I would argue that the wind is, in fact, created by the sun, so all sailing ships are also solar powered, perhaps once removed. The Turanor Planetsolar is, nevertheless, a fascinating vessel. Following her successful circumnavigation, she is now engaged … Continue reading

Summer Camp Aboard the Schooner A. J. Meerwald – Openings Still Available

I wished that I could have sailed aboard a classic schooner when I was a kid.  For those in the New York/New Jersey Area, The Bayshore Discovery Project is sponsoring two five-day summer sailing camps aboard the classic oyster schooner … Continue reading

Fifth Annual North River Historic Ship Festival at Pier 25 in Manhattan June 20 – 23

If you are in the New York area, check out the North River Historic Ship Festival that starts with a kickoff gala tomorrow night and runs through Sunday. The festivities include: A gala reception honoring A.J. Pietrantone, the former executive director … Continue reading

Container ship MOL Comfort Breaks in Two off Yemen, Crew Rescued

UPDATE: Contrary to initial reports that the ship sank, the two halves of the MOL Comfort have remained afloat. Tugs have been dispatched to the site. The container ship MOL Comfort sank today off Yemen after suffering catastrophic hull cracking near amidships. … Continue reading

Congratulations to Francis Joyon for Setting New Singlehanded Transatlantic Record

Congratulations to Francis Joyon, who set a new west to east singlehanded transaltantic sailing record. He sailed from New York’s Ambrose Light of and crossed the line linking Lizard Point, Cornwall to Ushant in a remarkable 5 days 2:56 minutes … Continue reading

Yellow Duckmarine Sinks in Liverpool’s Albert Dock, Second Time in Three Months

An amphibious tourist bus sank in Liverpool’s Albert Dock today. All 31 aboard the Yellow Duckmarine tour boat were rescued and no serious injuries were reported.  Seventeen passengers were  admitted to the hospital but have since been discharged. The youngest passenger … Continue reading

Was the Carnival Triumph the Last Straw? Trust in Cruise Lines Plummets According to Poll

What a difference a blackout and overflowing toilets can make.  In September of last year the headline in the L.A. Times was “Cruise industry rebounding from ship accident, woes in Europe.”  The subtitle read, “Cruise reservations seem to be rising, … Continue reading

Scientists Studying Climate Change Rescued from Melting Ice

A group of 16 Russian scientists, monitoring climate change in the Arctic, encountered more than they had planned on. They had to be rescued when the ice beneath their station began to crack due to unusually warm weather. The Russian nuclear … Continue reading

Student Teams Compete to Design Safe Affordable Ferry Design

The news stories are depressingly familiar.  A ferry, often in a developing nation, sinks along the coast or in a river and the lives of hundred are lost.  In regions where ferries are the most necessary, they are often the … Continue reading