I would argue that the wind is, in fact, created by the sun, so all sailing ships are also solar powered, perhaps once removed. The Turanor Planetsolar is, nevertheless, a fascinating vessel. Following her successful circumnavigation, she is now engaged … Continue reading
Category Archives: Ships
Mitsui O.S.K. Line has announced that “one patrol boat and three tugboats are heading to the site, and all of them are expected to arrive within June 24.” The fore and aft sections of the ship’s hull are drifting near … Continue reading
The SSV Oliver Hazard Perry, still not quite finished but nicely taking shape, has arrived in Newport RI to be hauled and to get a fresh coat of paint. She will then will be dockside at the Newport Shipyard for … Continue reading
I wished that I could have sailed aboard a classic schooner when I was a kid. For those in the New York/New Jersey Area, The Bayshore Discovery Project is sponsoring two five-day summer sailing camps aboard the classic oyster schooner … Continue reading
Researchers at Swansea University, working with a Swedish expert, have reconstructed the face of one of Henry VIII’s elite archers, who drowned aboard the warship Mary Rose in 1545. Face of 16th-century English archer revealed It reveals a man in his … Continue reading
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? 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Recently, we celebrated the saving of the wonderful Coney Island Mermaid Parade. Now a story about “mermaids” that is a bit disturbing. There were two news stories that at first glance had little in common, other than a distant nautical … Continue reading
Here is a wonderful story of Justin Beckerman, an 18-year-old high school student in New Jersey, who is in the final testing phase of designing and manufacturing a fully-operational one-man submarine. Thanks to Irwin Bryan for passing the story along. … Continue reading
The carrack Mary Rose was King Henry VIII’s flagship. After thirty three years of service, it sank in the Solent on July 19, 1545. Out of 500 sailors, 35 survived. The wreck was located in 1971 and the ship was … Continue reading