French Sub Minerve That Vanished 50 Years Ago Found in Mediterranean

In January 1968, the French submarine Minerve was underway in the Mediterranean on her way back to her home base in Toulon. Communications from the submarine advised that she would be at her berth in about an hour.  Then mysteriously, the diesel-electric … Continue reading

Update: Migrant Death Ships — 900 More Die on Sunday

The migrant crisis in the Mediterranean continues to grow more grave. Last week, we posted about the drowning of 400 migrants in an overloaded ship which capsized not long after leaving port in Libya bound for Italy.  On Sunday, a larger ship … Continue reading

Desperate Exodus Continues — 400 Migrants Feared Dead in Latest Capsize

An estimated 400 migrants drowned in the Mediterranean when their boat capsized, 24 hours after leaving Libya.  Approximately 145 people were rescued.  Italian authorities say that around 8,500 migrants had been rescued at sea between Friday and Monday alone.  Nearly 3,500 migrants … Continue reading

Italian Navy’s Operation Mare Nostrum Rescues 4,000 Refugees

Yesterday, we posted about Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS), a privately funded operation to assist refugees in trouble attempting to cross the Mediterranean. While we obviously wish them well, a recent report reminded us again of the scope of the refugee … 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

Poisoned Shipments: Are Strange, Illicit Sinkings Making the Mediterranean Toxic?

A very disturbing article in this months Scientific American suggesting that criminal groups have been scuttling ships containing chemical and pharmaceutical waste, effectively using the Mediterranean as a toxic dump site. Thanks to Steve Phelps for pointing it out. Poisoned Shipments: Are Strange, Illicit Sinkings Making … Continue reading

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez – Bidding Summer Adieu

Saint-Tropez Races Bid Summer Adieu According to legend, a bet in 1981 between two yachtsmen at a fashionable Saint-Tropez restaurant led to a race between Pride, an American-owned Swan 44 sailboat and Ikra, a French-owned International 12-meter rival. On Sunday, … Continue reading