WHAT WE’RE READING Sounds Fishy There are roughly 33,600 fish species inhabiting the world’s oceans, rivers, lakes and estuaries. Some look familiar, while others seem almost otherworldly. In Eye of the Shoal: A Fishwatcher’s Guide to Life, the Ocean and Everything, author Helen Scales introduces readers to a diverse cross-section of these finned animals and … Read more

Boaters who limit their visit to Christmas Cove miss a peaceful, scenic 14-mile cruise upriver to the twin villages of Damariscotta and Newcastle on Maine’s Damariscotta River. The river winds past summer homes set into rolling, wooded banks, a dozen quiet coves and a riverfront forest preserve with hiking trails. These sheltered anchorages and the … Read more

Aphrodite, a 1937 Purdy Launch — Photographed at Mystic Seaport This photograph, taken by Caryn B. Davis, captures the classic launch Aphrodite, launched in May 1937 by the Purdy Boat Company. The image was made at the Antique & Classic Boat Rendezvous held at Mystic Seaport in Mystic, Connecticut. Published in the June 2013 issue, … Read more

An 8-year-old boy dies when a Coast Guard vessel collides with a Sea Ray at a holiday parade Three separate investigations were launched after a 33-foot Coast Guard response boat struck a Sea Ray during the Festival of Lights parade in San Diego Bay on December 20, killing 8-year-old Anthony DeWeese. The collision occurred amid … Read more

Bulk Carrier Sunda Rescues Four People and a Dog After Sailboat Engine Failure in the Atlantic On January 10, the crew of the bulk carrier Sunda conducted a successful at-sea rescue of four people and their dog after the sailboat they were on suffered an engine failure in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The … Read more

Grady White 204-C: A Classic Walkaround That Became a Bestseller Since 2012, the magazine Soundings has celebrated a single classic boat in every issue. Each feature pairs a finely detailed drawing by Jim Ewing with an evocative, informed description by Steve Knauth. Those regular features have introduced readers to a wide range of timeless designs, … Read more

Coast Guard Rescues Olive Ridley Sea Turtles Entangled in Fishing Nets The Coast Guard cutter Alert was conducting a routine drug patrol in the Pacific waters off Central America when the crew encountered two olive ridley sea turtles trapped in discarded or lost fishing nets. The unexpected rescue offered a dramatic interruption to the cutter’s … Read more

Dan Wilson’s Fleet Dan Wilson has owned and captained a notable collection of classic wooden boats spanning several decades. This overview lists each vessel by name (when available), type, year built and the period of Wilson’s ownership or service. The collection includes small runabouts, mid-sized cruisers and large motoryachts—highlighting both recreational and historically significant vessels … Read more

There’s a special pleasure in standing at the helm and watching a new coastline slide by—especially when you don’t have to worry about charts, engines, provisioning or meal prep. A crewed yacht charter hands those responsibilities to a professional crew so you can focus on the scenery, the company and the water-based activities. With a … Read more

Former Gloucester Captain Teaches a Classroom-Based Vocational Program for Commercial Fishing Commercial fishing is traditionally learned at sea, through long days working beside seasoned crew in challenging conditions. Joe Sanfilippo, a 47-year-old former Gloucester captain, believes there is a better way. After 28 years working with his four older brothers on a family fleet of … Read more