Category Archives: Lore of the Sea
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
Why and How Did the MOL Comfort Break in Half? Structural Flaw or Improper Loading?
Why and how did the MOL Comfort break in half? The obvious answer is that no one knows, yet. We will learn more following an investigation, which is many months in the future. In the mean time, what are the … Continue reading
MOL Comfort – Bow & Stern Still Afloat After All
In our post yesterday we described the MOL Comfort as having “sunk.” That was in error. The ship did indeed break in two, but both halves are still afloat, at least according to recent photographs. MRCC MUMBAI: Sections of MOL … 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
Monday Morning Wisdom from Douglas Adams
From the I Fucking Love Science Facebook page.
New York Alligators – In the Peconic River, not the Sewers
For more than 80 years, there has been an urban legend about congregations of alligators living in the depths of New York City sewers. (Yes,a group of alligators is called a “congregation.” I didn’t know that either until I looked … 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
The Piri Reis Map – 500 Years Old, Still Fascinating and Controversial
In 1929, a portion of a world map was discovered in the archives at the Topkapı Palace in Istanbul. The map showed Europe, parts of Africa and Columbus’ discoveries in the New World. It was drawn in 1513 only 21 years … Continue reading
Father’s Day Sailing Trips
Father’s Day is celebrated in the United States on Sunday, June 16th. Here are a few selected Father’s Day sails which most salty dads are likely to enjoy: New York Harbor – Schooner Shearwater, Father’s Day weekend – “Fathers will be … Continue reading
Seal of Approval – Best Underwater Photos 2013
From more than 650 underwater images submitted, Kyle McBurnie’s photo of a harbor seal in a kelp forest at Cortes Bank was chosen as “Best Overall” photograph in the the 2013 Annual Underwater Photography Contest hosted by the University of … 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
Hong Kong Bids Rubber Duck Adieu as Pittsburgh Welcomes Inflated Yellow Avian
Thousands thronged Hong Kong’s Victoria harbor waterfront to say goodbye to a beloved four-story inflatable yellow duck. (See our recent post, Spreading Joy Around the World,” aka “Rubber Duck” – Inflated, Deflated, Revived & Censored) The huge inflatable duck, which is named … 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
A PSA on IMO’s PSSA (Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas)
Yesterday, we posted about a report by the WWF on shipping accident “hotspots” around the world. The report noted that often these regions of increased risk of ship sinking or collision also coincided with environmentally sensitive areas. Fortunately the shipping … Continue reading
WWF – Shipping Accident Hotspots in South China Sea, Mediterranean and North Sea
Happy World Oceans Day! The World Wildlife Federation has released a study to coincide with World Oceans Day, documenting dangerous “hotspots” around the globe for accidents involving ships. Sadly many of these “hotspots” also coincide with some of the most ecologically … Continue reading
The Future of Commercial Sail – What the Past and Present Suggest about a Likely Future For Sailing Ships
For those near New York harbor next Monday, I will be giving a presentation on “The Future of Commercial Sail” at the monthly New York City Shiplore meeting on Monday, June 10th at 7:30 PM at 79 Walker Street, 5th … Continue reading
Joan Druett Interviewed by Quarterdeck
McBook Press‘ wonderful publication Quarterdeck, has a fascinating interview with Joan Druett in their June 2013 edition. We are reposting it here with permission. Award-winning author Joan Druett sailed back into nautical fiction in 2005 with the launch of A … Continue reading
Michigan State Senate Officially Recognizes ITLPD but Not the International Day of the Seafarer
I was under the impression that the State of Michigan had serious problems – a $2 billion budget shortfall, its largest city in dire economic straits, schools closing for lack of funding, that sort of thing. Things must be better … Continue reading
