The Gundalow Piscataqua Splashes into the Piscataqua River

For over 200 years, gundalows – sail and oar powered cargo barges – moved on the winds and tides of the rivers and estuaries along the New England coast.  Yesterday, the brand new gundalow, Piscataqua, splashed into the the Piscataqua River … Continue reading

ROV Training on the Tanker Mary A. Whalen

Yesterday we posted about the New York Police Department Harbor Unit’s use of ROVs to maintain security in the harbot.  We had missed an amusing post by Portside New York‘s Carolina Salguero on NPYD security training on the MARY A. WHALEN.  From her post: … Continue reading

Maxi Banque Populaire V Screaming Past Cape Leeuwin in Quest for Jules Verne Trophy

Last February the crew of  the  130′ long by 120′ wide maxi-trimaran Banque Populaire V was forced to give up their attempt to the win the Jules Verne trophy for the fastest circumnavigation by sail when the trimaran struck an “unidentified floating object” while … Continue reading

Christmas Tree Ship Arrives at Navy Dock in Chicago

On Friday, the “Christmas Tree Ship” arrived again on the Chicago docks, bringing Christmas trees to needy families. The arrival of the ship has become a Chicago holiday tradition, honoring of the memory of Capt Herman Schuenemann and his three … Continue reading

The First Christmas Tree Ship – Captain Herman Schuenemann & the Schooner Rouse Simmons

Today the Christmas Ship is Chicago’s largest all volunteer charitable support program for inner city youth and their families at Christmas time.  At the turn of the twentieth century, the “Christmas Tree Ship” was a family business. In  the mid 1880s, August and … Continue reading

The Sinking of the Kowloon Bridge, 25 Years Ago Today – the World’s Largest Wreck

Twenty five years ago today, the ore-bulk-oil carrier MV Kowloon Bridge sank off the coast of West Cork with a cargo of 165,000 tons of iron ore and 2,000 tons of bunker oil, becoming the world’s largest shipwreck by tonnage. The Kowloon … Continue reading

Thunder on the Thames – HMS Belfast Gangway Collapses

The gangway to HMS Belfast, collapsed into the Thames River in London shortly after noon today.  Two work men are reported to have been taken to the hospital with what are described as abrasions.  More than 100 people on board the ship, including 30 school … Continue reading

The USS HORNET Project – Building a Replica of the Historic Sloop of War

The Naval Heritage Society is attempting to to build a full-scale, fully functional replica of of the USS Hornet, a sloop of war built in 1805, which had a successful career in the War of 1812 and beyond, before being lost in a hurricane in … Continue reading

Captain Seog Hae-gyun Earns IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea 2011

On November 21st, at IMO Headquarters in London, Captain Seog Hae-gyun was awarded the IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea for 2011 “for his decisive, brave and courageous actions to protect his ship and crew during a vicious pirate attack … Continue reading

RV Atlantis Rescues 93 Egyptians from Fishing Trawler in the Mediterranean

Last Friday night, only twelve hours into a 15 day Mediterranean voyage, the research vessel Atlantis received a mayday call, relayed by the Greek Coast Guard reporting a fishing boat in distress about 40 miles away, near the island of … Continue reading

New Frigate HMS Westminster Sent to Libya Short on Missiles & No Royal Navy Warship Left to Guard Britain

The impact of the ongoing budget crisis in Britain on the Royal Navy has been far reaching. Last week we posted about concerns that budget cuts would leave Britain with a shortage of attack submarines.  Recently, it was revealed that the … Continue reading

Bulk Carrier Swanland Sinks off North Wales – Two Crew Rescued & Five Missing

Update: Prince William co-piloted the Sea King helicopter which rescued two crew from the sinking Swanland.   Prince William serves with RAF Valley in north Wales. The bulk carrier Swanland is reported to have sunk this morning off north  Wales in heavy … Continue reading

USCG Cutter Mohawk to become Reef off Sanibel Isalnd, FL

The World War II era US Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk is scheduled to be  scuttled in 2012, 16 miles off the coast of Sanibel Island, FL in the Gulf of Mexico to serve as an artificial reef. Veteran’s Memorial Reef planned off … Continue reading

British Tall Ship Youth Trust Plans Sale of the Stavros S Niarchos

The British Tall Ship Youth Trust has published a new development plan detailing some significant changes in the organization, including the planned sale of the one remaining tall ship owned by the Trust, the Stavros S Niarchos. In September of … Continue reading