Titanic II – Part 1 : Downton Abbey on the North Atlantic, Cruising as Performance Art

How should we think about the RMS Titanic? Was the ship, which sank with a loss of over 1,500, a major maritime tragedy? Or was it just the backdrop for a historical drama about wealth and class conflict – a sort of Downton Abbey on the North Atlantic? … Continue reading

16th Century Replicas – Basque Whaler Planned & San Salvador 60% Complete In San Diego

In the construction of replica sailing ships, the 18th century is reasonably well represented. The 17th also has not been left out.   Replicas of Columbus’ ships have ensured that 15th century replicas still sail.  Recently two replica ships from the 16th … Continue reading

Russian Ghost Cruise Ship MV Lyubov Orlova Spotted Off The Coast Of Ireland

For almost a month, the small cruise ship MV Lyubov Orlova has been adrift in the Atlantic Ocean, a “ghost ship” without power, lights or passengers, except for the rats left aboard.  The 295′ ice strengthened cruise ship, built in Yugoslavia in 1976, has been abandoned twice – once … Continue reading

Carnival Triumph Update: Coast Guard Says Fuel Line Leak Started Disabling Fire

In an announcement that raises as many questions as it answers, U.S. Coast Guard marine casualty investigation team leader, Lt. Cmdr. Teresa Hatfield, said in a conference call with reporters that the fuel oil return line in the No. 6 … Continue reading

Rosanne Cash Helps Raise Cash to Help Save the Schooner Lettie G. Howard

On Monday, April 8 at 8:00 PM at the New York Academy of Medicine, Rosanne Cash is singing at a benefit concert to help save the schooner Lettie G. Howard. Rosanne Cash is a gifted, Grammy award winning singer/songwriter and … Continue reading

M/Y Eclipse, the World’s Largest Yacht, in New York Harbor

In October 2009, we posted “Rich Men’s Toys – Battleships, Helipads & Submarines,” about several mega-yachts, including the world’s largest, Roman Abramovich’s 557 feet (170 meters) M/Y Eclipse.  The yacht arrived in New York harbor this week and is now tied up … Continue reading

Carnival Triumph – Another Blacked-out Drifting Cruise Ship – Why Again?

There is a fire in one of two engine rooms on a cruise ship.  The fire is extinguished but the damage has been done. The cruise ship blacks out – losing power and most electricity. The ship is adrift in the ocean.  There is so hot … Continue reading