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Author Archives: Rick Spilman
ROV Video – Costa Concordia Perched Perilously on Rocks, Bow & Stern
Video shot by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), roughly a month after the ship ran aground, shows that the Costa Concordia is not sitting evenly on the bottom. Instead, the 950′ long ship is perched perilously on two rocky outcroppings at the bow … Continue reading
Posted in Current, Lore of the Sea, Ships
Tagged Costa Concordia, remotely operated vehicle, ROV
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Inflatable Fishing Boat Survives Attack by Great White off South Africa
An inflatable fishing boat has survived an attack by a 7 meter long great white shark off Strandfontein, South Africa. The fisherman were fishing for smooth hound sharks, which great whites consider to be very tasty. As reported by IOL … Continue reading
Posted in Current, Lore of the Sea
Tagged smooth hound sharks, South Africa, Strandfontein
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Crisis at PortSide, Help Save the Tanker Mary A. Whalen
PortSide New York is one of the absolutely best waterfront educational organizations in New York harbor. Centered around the historic coastal tanker Mary A.Whalen, PortSide has sponsored a wide range of great programs ranging from activities for kids and adults, to hosting … Continue reading
Posted in Current, Lore of the Sea, Ships
Tagged historic coastal tanker, Mary A.Whalen, PortSide New York
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Happy Presidents Day – George Washington’s Schooners
In the United States, today is celebrated as Washington’s Birthday, also widely known as Presidents Day. On this the official day of celebration of his birthday, it seems worthwhile to look back on General George Washington’s navy of 1775 and … Continue reading
Posted in History, Lore of the Sea, Ships
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John Fairfax, Pioneer of Ocean Rowing, Dies at 74
These are busy days in ocean rowing. The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge has finishing up and the Bouvet Guyane Solo Atlantic Rowing Race 2012 is well underway. There have been races across the Indian Ocean and races are scheduled for the Pacific. It … Continue reading
Posted in Current, Lore of the Sea
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Schooner Ernestina Needs $1.4 Million in Repairs
The schooner Ernestina, Ex. Effie M.Morrissey, was built in 1894 for the Gloucester fishing fleet. Under Captain Bob Bartlett she sailed to within 600 miles of the North Pole, and later brought immigrants to the U.S. under the power of … Continue reading
French “Superyacht” Yogi Sinks in the Aegean Sea, Eight Rescued
Looking slightly like a miniature Costa Concordia, the 60.2 meter (197′) French yacht Yogi rolled and sank after reporting a ‘mechanical failure’ in high seas and Force 8 winds on Friday. The yacht sank between the islands of Skyros and Psara, 19 nautical miles … Continue reading
Posted in Current, Lore of the Sea, Ships
Tagged Aegean Sea, French "Superyacht", Greek Coast Guard, Psara, Skyros, Yogi
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Canadian Submarine HMCS Corner Brook – Damage a “Fender Bender” or is Sub “Totalled”?
Canadian Submarine HMCS Corner Brook ran aground during manoeuvres off Vancouver Island in June 2011. Two sailors were slightly injured. The Canadian navy never described the extent of the damage or released a photograph of the damage to the sub. The sub has now just … Continue reading
Rum Running Documentary on CBC’s Land & Sea
We have previously posted about the CBC’s “Land and Sea,” a program which for thirty years has been focussed on stories from people who live off the land and the sea on the Canadian Atlantic. In December, they featured a wonderful documentary on Nova … Continue reading
Posted in History, Lore of the Sea, Ships
Tagged "Land and Sea", CBC, Rum Running, Tell Tale Productions
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Italian Armed Guards Charged with Murder in Killing of Fisherman Mistaken for Pirates
Armed guards, reported to be Italian naval personnel, on the tanker, Enrica Lexie, fired on and killed two Tamil Nadu fishermen off Kochi on Wednesday, believing the fishermen to be pirates. Indian authorities said the Italian guards fired without warning in violation … Continue reading
Posted in Current, Lore of the Sea
Tagged Enrica Lexie, India, Italian naval personnel, Kochi, murder charges, pirates, Tamil Nadu fishermen, tanker
3 Comments
Pirates Kill Bulk Carrier Captain and Chief Engineer in Gulf of Guinea
Pirate attacks are escalating in the Gulf of Guinea, with tragic consequences. The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre posted on its website that eight armed pirates boarded a drifting bulk carrier, awaiting berthing instructions, on Monday in the Gulf of Guinea, 110 … Continue reading
Posted in Current, Lore of the Sea, Ships
Tagged bulk carrier, French amphibious assault ship, Gulf of Guinea, Lagos, Nigeria, pirates, Siroco
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A Houseboat on a London Rooftop and Singapore’s Cruiseship on a Skyscraper
A quick look at two quirky structures that look like a boat and a ship left high and dry. What appears to be a modest houseboat is perched above the Purcell Room of Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Southbank Centre … Continue reading
Posted in Current, Lore of the Sea
Tagged houseboat, Living Architecture, london, Marina Bay Sands, Roi des Belges, Singapore, SkyPark, Thames
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Irene Sets Sail with Ale for France & Oil For Brazil
The ketch Irene, built in 1907 to carry bricks and tiles, has set sail with a cargo of Devon ale for Brittany and Spanish olive oil for Brazil, on what will be, if all goes well, a five month voyage which will also carry … Continue reading
Posted in Current, Lore of the Sea, Ships
Tagged Fairtransport, ketch Irene, New Dawn Traders, TransOceanic Wind Transport, Tres Hombres
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