Atlantic Halibut: A History of Overfishing and Decline The Atlantic halibut stands as one of the clearest examples of how vigorous, unregulated fishing can transform a thriving population into a remnant of its former self. A large flatfish related to flounder, the Atlantic halibut can grow to extraordinary sizes—historical accounts report individuals weighing hundreds of … Read more

Barcelona Confirmed as Host City for the 2024 America’s Cup Barcelona, Spain, has been chosen to host the 2024 America’s Cup, prevailing over competing bids from Málaga (Spain), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), and Auckland (New Zealand). The decision, made by the current title holders — the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Team New Zealand — … Read more

Florida Manatee Crisis: Causes, Protections, and How Boaters Can Help Florida’s manatee population suffered a catastrophic loss in 2021, with 1,101 recorded deaths — nearly double the number documented in 2020. This sharp rise in manatee mortality has raised alarm among wildlife managers, conservationists, and the public, highlighting a combination of environmental stressors and human … Read more

“We love the water, and this house is such a fun place to live,” Nora Spradlin says of the family waterfront home where the Coan River meets the Potomac in Virginia. Perched at the tip of a point, the property delivers wide water views from nearly every room, a draw for owners who value privacy, … Read more

What began as a legal ambiguity ended with a clear ruling: Club Náutico Español de Vela (CNEV) does not qualify as a proper yacht club under the terms of the America’s Cup Deed of Gift, and therefore cannot serve as the challenger of record for the 33rd America’s Cup. On April 2, the New York … Read more

From the Editor: Reporting From the Water and Working Remotely The Soundings editorial team thrives on getting out where the stories happen. For Executive Editor Pim Van Hemmen, that meant heading to the Damariscotta River in Maine to report on a local oyster-harvesting operation before winter closed the waterfront. On a bitter December morning, Pim … Read more

Rich Wilson’s Solo Vendée Globe: Endurance, Injuries, and Resolve Rich Wilson sits at home in Marblehead, Massachusetts, carrying a head full of memories and a body marked by the cost of a single-handed circumnavigation. Wilson, who turned 59 in April, became only the second American to complete the Vendée Globe, the notoriously demanding solo round-the-world … Read more

Pride of Baltimore II remains one of the world’s most revered tall ships, delighting crowds wherever she sails. We will use 2018 to reassess the ship’s future, working closely with our partners in the public and private sectors to make sure we don’t witness the end to Pride’s wonderful history. – Pride of Baltimore Inc., … Read more

Historic 1932 Norwester Yacht Grounded near Prevost Harbor The 76-foot, 1932 Norwester—a yacht with deep ties to both naval service and Hollywood—has run aground near Prevost Harbor in the San Juan Islands and now faces a perilous future. Built in 1932 and later used by the US Navy during World War II, the vessel became … Read more

Annapolis: the boater’s paradise Maritime Annapolis: A History of Watermen, Sails and Shipmen (The History Press, 2009; $19.99) by Rosemary F. Williams is a richly detailed portrait of Annapolis, tracing the city’s maritime life from its earliest days through the era that defined its relationship with the Chesapeake Bay. Williams organizes the city’s past around … Read more