Roboship Unveiled in Virginia

Posted on by August 9, 2011

I am not sure that this is necessarily a good idea. The US Navy is developing unmanned robotic guard ships which could be used to patrol coastal waters. An interesting idea, but getting the deployment right will be a real challenge.

Roboship unveiled in Virginia

Roboships can be used to help keep the US more secure. These ships can be run without a human being and they have the ability to make contact with possible intruders.  “He will put himself in a position between the point he is defending and us,” said Capt. Carl Conti the director of Fleet Experimentation.  He is actually in it, an unmanned surface vessel and a floating robot. These are not remote controlled boats like their predecessors of the 20th.

century.

Collision at Cowes – Sailing Yacht Dismasted After Cutting in Front of Tanker

Posted on by October 9, 2013

Under the Rules of the Road, sailing vessels generally have the right of way over motor vessels, unless the motor vessel is limited by an ability to maneuver.  Specifically, “small vessels or sailing vessels must not impede (larger) vessels which can navigate only within a narrow channel.”  This weekend at the races at Cowes there was a demonstration of what happens when these rules are ignored, when the yacht ‘Atlanta of Chester’ appears to have attempted to cut across the path of the UK-flag 174,000 dwt 260-metre Suezmax shuttle tanker Hanne Knutsen.  Fortunately no one was seriously injured.

DRAMATIC COLLISION BETWEEN YACHT AND TANKER

At just after twenty past three this afternoon Solent Coastguard were informed by Hamble Rescue that the yacht ‘Atlanta of Chester’ had collided with the tanker ‘Hanne Knutsen’ off Egypt Point, Isle of Wight.  Two people were thrown overboard by the collision and the yacht lost its mast and rigging.

Yacht dismasted by supertanker off Cowes, Isle of Wight

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New Owner and Home Port for Tallship Soren Larsen

Posted on by August 8, 2011

Last December we posted that the Tallship Soren Larsen was for sale.  She has now apparently been acquired by new owners who will move the ship to Sydney, Australia but will otherwise maintain her Pacific sailing schedules.  We wish the new owners and operators the best of luck with this beautiful ship.  From the Soren Larsen Newsletter:

The Tallship Soren Larsen will be sailing towards a future base and new owners in Sydney at the end of this year, with the professional and experienced team at Sydney Tallships. Her 2011 Pacific voyages will complete as planned in October when the Soren Larsen sails from New Caledonia to Sydney. The “Bluewater” leg across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand is the only change. 
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61-year-old Diana Nyad Attempting to Swim from Cuba to Florida

Posted on by August 8, 2011

Yesterday at 7:45 PM, American endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, 61, set off swimming from Havana in an attempt to become the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the aid of a shark cage.  The swim, if she succeeds, is expected to take roughly 60 hours. Before departing on the attempt she said, “I’m standing here in the prime of my life … Now I look out at a dead, flat calm, so I think this is my day..” Ms. Nyad attempted the crossing once before when she was 28 but was stopped by winds and rough seas.

American sets off on record 103-mile Cuba to Florida swim

Nyad said her comparatively advanced age is one of the reasons she will try the swim. She hopes the swim will help people her age and older realize they still can accomplish many things.

US Coast Guard Eagle in Brooklyn

Posted on by August 8, 2011

The US Coast Guard Barque Eagle visited Brooklyn, New York this weekend and was open to visitors. She is beautifully maintained and staffed by smart, eager and enthusiastic cadets. Most of the cadets had been aboard for roughly one day, so as tour guides they lacked certain skills but their excitement about sailing the ship made up for any shortcomings.

A few photos:

Argentine Nuclear Sub Under Construction – Threat to the Falklands?

Posted on by August 7, 2011

British nuclear sub. Argentina plan to built their first nuclear sub

There is open speculation that the expansion of the Argentine Navy lead by the construction of its first nuclear submarine could prove a threat to Britain’s ability to defend and hold the Falkland Islands.

Argentina developing nuclear-powered submarine

Argentina has announced it is developing a nuclear-powered submarine, leading to fresh warnings that Britain would face an “insurmountable” task if the country invaded the Falkland Islands again. 
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Michigan’s Great Lakes offer ‘the best shipwreck diving in the world’

Posted on by August 4, 2011

Photo : Doug Bell

When, many, many years ago, I moved from Florida to Michigan to go to school,  I stopped scuba diving entirely.  I had learned to dive in the warm and clear waters of the Florida keys. Why would I want to dive in the cold dark waters of the Great Lakes?   When it comes to ship wrecks, however, cold and dark may not be such a bad thing.  Unlike in salt water, ship wrecks can often be unusually well preserved in the dark, deep, fresh water of the Great Lakes.   Apparently, Michigan is a great place for wreck diving.  Perhaps I should have invested in a dry suit, all those years ago.

Michigan’s Great Lakes offer ‘the best shipwreck diving in the world’
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Captain Morgan’s 1671 Lost Fleet Found?

Posted on by August 6, 2011

This is an interesting story for several reasons. First, archaeologists believe that they may have discovered the wreckage of a 17th century ship lost off the coast of Panama in 1671, from the famed Captain Henry Morgan‘s fleet.   Second, a fact buried in the article, the expedition is being funded by Captain Morgan Rum.   Now, I can drink rum and support underwater archaeology at the same time.

Archaeologists discover 17th century shipwreck believed to be from Captain Morgan fleet
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Essential Knots & Hitches You May Never Need : The Highwayman’s Hitch

Posted on by July 17, 2011

Everyone should know at least a few knots and hitches. The square knot, the bowline, and clove hitch come immediately to mind. Then there are all the other “essentials” that you may never need but are great to know.  One good example is the highwayman’s hitch. I presume it got its name because a highway man could use it to hold the reigns of his horse securely but could make a quick get away with the simple tug of the bitter end.

The Highwayman’s Hitch

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MT Pavit on Juhu Beach – A Security Breach Big Enough to Drift a Tanker Through

Posted on by August 5, 2011

Last June, the inaptly named MV Wisdom, under tow to a scrap yard, broke her tow line and drifted on to Juhu beach in Mumbai, India, after narrowly missing a major bridge. This Sunday, the tanker, MT Pavit, drifted ashore on the same beach, to the apparent surprise of all concerned. The ship had been previously reported to have sunk on June 29 off Oman following flooding in the engine room.

After the attacks of November 2008, in which ten terrorists in inflatable speedboats came ashore in two location in Mumbai, there have been efforts made to strengthen coastal security. Nevertheless the MT Pavit drifted for nearly 100 hours in Indian territorial waters without being detected, arriving on Juhu catching the police and coastal authorities by surprise..  As was the case following the grounding of the MV Wisdom, investigations are being called for  to determine how the MT Pavit breached coastal security.

Coast Guard Intercepts Narco Sub with 7.5 Tons of Cocaine in Caribbean

Posted on by August 4, 2011

On the 221st anniversary of the founding of the US Coast Guard here is a dramatic look at the service in action.

Narco Sub With 7.5 Tons of Cocaine Caught in Caribbean

The Coast Guard caught a narco submarine trying to smuggle $180 million worth of cocaine into the U.S., intercepting the drug vessel as her own crew tried to sink her off the coast of Honduras.

Coast Guard video shows the crew of the semi-submersible craft jumping off the boat and into a yellow life raft. As a Coast Guard boat comes alongside, the submarine can be seen quickly sinking into the Caribbean.

Crew of Cocaine Submarine Tries to Flee

Happy 221st Birthday US Coast Guard !

Posted on by August 4, 2011

On August 4, 1790, Alexander Hamilton founded the Revenue Cutter Service, the predecessor of the United States Coast Guard.   The anniversary is celebrated in various ways around the United States. Portsmouth, VA will host a celebration today through Saturday. In Alaska, August has been proclaimed “United States Coast Guard Appreciation Month.”   The National World War II Museum will also be celebrating the anniversary with a lecture by author Thomas P. Ostrom.

US Coast Guard Barque Eagle Open to the Public in Brooklyn this Weekend

Posted on by August 3, 2011

We just heard from the good folks at PortSide NewYork that the US Coast Guard barque Eagle will be open to the public for the first time ever in Brooklyn, beginning Friday afternoon and continuing Saturday and Sunday at Pier 7 at the foot of Atlantic Avenue.  The ship is wrapping up its Summer Training Cruise which included visits to Waterford, Ireland; London, England; Reykjavik, Iceland; Halifax, Nova Scotia and Hamburg, Germany.

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle and the 221st anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard’s founding, the crew of the Eagle is also holding a photography contest for the best photo of the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle in New York. Go to The Eagle in New York photo contest to learn more.
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Polynesian Voyaging Canoes Arrive in San Francisco through the Golden Gate

Posted on by August 3, 2011

Photo: Jennifer Villamin

In June, we posted about Polynesian voyaging canoes of the “Te Mana o Te Moana” (Spirit of the Sea) expedition arriving in Hilo, Hawaii after sailing from New Zealand by way of the Marquesas and Tahiti.    Yesterday, six of the vaka, traditional voyaging canoes, from several island nations sailed into San Francisco through the Golden Gate. Plans are shaping up for a a celebration of greeting to be held on Treasure Island this weekend.   Thanks to Bonnie for pointing out their arrival.

 

Ranzo, the YouTube Chanteyman

Posted on by July 24, 2011

On his YouTube channel, Hulton Clint identifies himself as “Ranzo, the YouTube Chanteyman.”  Something over  three years ago he began an ambitious You Tube undertaking : The “Shanties From the Seven Seas” project where he sings the chanteys from Stan Hugill’s classic book of the same name and records them as You Tube videos.  He describes the project as:

A quasi-systematic project of recording examples of the sea chanteys (shanties) in Stan Hugill’s book of the same title. The text compendium contains “over 400 shanties,” and Hugill was one of the last living working chanteymen aboard merchant sailing vessels, who was largely responsible for keeping alive the know-how of chantey-singing after the days off sail had ended.

It has often been said that a chantey was worth ten hands on a rope. I say that nowadays a chantey is worth 1000 songs in an iPod.
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Start of Clipper Round-the-World Race

Posted on by August 2, 2011

The yachts leaving Southampton accompanied by HMS Illustrious. Credit BBC News

10 identical yachts have set sail from Southampton, England to compete in the 40,000-mile (64,500km) Clipper round-the-world race. Many of the crews volunteered as sailing novices, although all have since undertaken a comprehensive four stage training program before setting out on the year long journey. After calling at mainland Europe, the race continues across the Atlantic to South America, before heading for South Africa and on to Australasia. Singapore is the next stop, followed by China, then across the Pacific to California. Passing through the Panama Canal, the yachts will then call at New York, before making for Canada, and finally crossing to Europe once more.

The organisers, headed by renown yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, are currently seeking crews for the next race, scheduled to start in 2013.

More details

and you can follow the race progress at the official website:

The Great Schooner Race 2011 – Photography by Doug Mills

Posted on by July 15, 2011

Beautiful photography by Doug Mills of the The Great Schooner Race of 2011 in Penobscot Bay.  It looks like they had a day of light air so the race may have been a touch on the slow side. Nevertheless the schooners are beautiful.

The Great Schooner Race 2011

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Maine Lobster Festival & “Lobster-Palooza” August 3-7th

Posted on by August 1, 2011

The Maine Lobster Festival being held in Rockland from August 3rd to the 7th is described as “Five Days of Feasting and Fun on the Fabulous Coast of Maine!”  “The festival promises “ the world’s greatest lobster cooker, 20,000 pounds of lobster, a sea goddess coronation, a big parade, top notch entertainment, an international crate race, fine art, talented crafts people and vendors, US Navy ship tours, cooking contests, marine tent and MORE?!”  Wow.

There certainly seems to be a lot scheduled.  New York may have its Mermaid Parade but Rockland has its Maine Lobster Festival Big Parade including the newly crowned Sea Goddess, all of the Sea Princesses and their Naval escorts, and King Neptune and his Court. Match that Coney Island! The theme for the 2011 parade is “Lobster-Palooza.” I am not sure exactly what that means, but it sounds like fun.