Navy Orders Four Orca XLUUV Drone Submarines From Boeing

The US Navy has recently ordered four Orca Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (XLUUVs) from Boeing, in a contract worth $43 million. The Orca XLUUVs are very large diesel-electric drone submarines intended to gather intelligence, place or clear naval mines, attack … Continue reading

Canadian Premiere of Trapped in Typhoon Alley, the Mystery of MV Derbyshire

Originally published in gCaptain.com. Reposted with permission.  Discovery Channel (Canada)’s new documentary series, “Disasters at Sea,” premieres on April 16th at 10 PM ET.  The first episode, “Trapped in Typhoon Alley,” looks at the mysterious sinking of the Capesize Ore/Bulk/Oiler … Continue reading

Three Sailors in the Fog — Will You Get in Trouble With the Captain?

The Dutch general cargo ship Alana Evita, on a voyage from Hamburg to Avonmouth, was recently anchored in the Bristol channel off Minehead, in Somerset, UK. Rather than go ashore in Minehead, three of her personnel; a Russian, a  Filipino … Continue reading

Flying P Liner Pommern Reopening to the Public With New Exhibits at New Dock

The Flying-P Liner Pommern will soon be open to the public again at a new dock with new exhibits in Mariehamn, on the Åland Islands of Finland. The 1903 built, steel, four-masted bark has been closed to the public since … Continue reading

Submarines Flying the Jolly Roger, the Tradition Behind the Pirate Flag

The National Museum of the Royal Navy at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has a new exhibition — Jolly Roger: A Symbol of Terror and Pride. The website describes the exhibition as telling the story of the skull and crossbones flag, … Continue reading

River Cruiser Viking Idun Collides with Chemical Tanker Near Antwerp

Just after Midnight, on April 1, the river cruiser Viking Idun collided with a laden chemical tanker, Chemical Marketer, in the Netherlands’ Western Scheldt. The river cruise ship was sailing from the port of Antwerp to Ghent while the tanker … Continue reading

Viking Ocean Cruises — From Awards to Near Disaster

In early March, a press release announced, “Viking Dominates Cruise Critic’s 2019 Cruisers’ Choice Awards.” Viking’s five 930 passenger ships won ten awards. The Viking Sky received First Place in six award categories within the small to mid-size ship group: … Continue reading

Update: Cruise Ship Viking Sky Underway After Extremely Close Call

The cruise ship Viking Sky is now underway bound for the port of Molde, Norway, accompanied by a tug and support vessels. Prior to getting underway, 479 passengers were evacuated by helicopters, leaving 436 passengers and 458 crew members onboard. … Continue reading