Before the era of internal combustion engines, travel by boat meant sailing, paddling or rowing—arduous work but no tailpipe emissions. Today, moving across the water without exhaust fumes is achievable without endless effort if you put the sun to work. Last summer, retired Iowans Ed and Eileen Pauley proved that point by cruising from Olympia, … Read more

Murder and Arson Rock the Cruising Community What began as a bitter personal dispute ended in a catastrophic arson and double homicide that shook the southeastern U.S. cruising community. The owner of a Great Harbour trawler lost his wife and eventually the vessel in a contentious split. Investigators believe the situation escalated into a lethal … Read more

Back Cove Introduces the New Downeast 37 Express Cruiser Back Cove Yachts has expanded its lineup with a new 37-foot express cruiser designed specifically for dayboating and short cruising adventures: the Downeast 37. Built on the same proven hull as the Back Cove 37, this new model emphasizes larger exterior social areas and a redesigned … Read more

Periods of Transition: Preserving Situational Awareness on the Water In maritime operations, transitions—changes in people, equipment, environment or plans—are frequent and often benign. But when transitions are mishandled or occur simultaneously, they can erode situational awareness and lead to serious accidents. The following incidents illustrate how easily awareness can be lost during routine changes. March … Read more

Cold-Water Survival: Why a Life Jacket Can Save Your Life The brutal reality is simple: without a life jacket, surviving in cold water is unlikely beyond about 10 minutes. With a properly fitted personal flotation device (PFD), many people can survive for an hour or more before hypothermia becomes the primary threat. When water temperatures … Read more

Mary Jane Kilborn Hayes was a nationally recognized marine photojournalist and storyteller Mary Jane Kilborn Hayes, a cherished contributor to Soundings for the past two decades, passed away on Jan. 12 in Hanover, Massachusetts. Renowned for combining the eye of a photographer with the sensibility of a storyteller, Hayes built a body of work that … Read more

Somewear Labs’ Global Hotspot is a compact satellite communicator that provides reliable off-grid communications when cellular networks are unavailable. Designed to pair with iOS and Android smartphones via Bluetooth Low Energy, this device enables two-way SMS messaging and email, regular weather reports, location sharing, and an emergency SOS function that transmits crucial information to responders. … Read more

Mystery Aboard the Sage Sagittarius: Inquest Exposes Risks of Flag-of-Convenience Shipping An Australian coroner’s inquest into the deaths of crewmembers aboard the 800-foot coal carrier Sage Sagittarius has revealed a complex and troubling picture. The proceedings opened a window into the pressures on ships registered under “flags of convenience” and into the psychological and operational … Read more

Interlux Introduces Pacifica Plus: Copper-Free Antifouling Paint Built for Modern Boating Interlux has launched Pacifica Plus, a copper-free antifouling paint formulated for boat owners seeking effective protection with reduced environmental impact. Pacifica Plus incorporates Econea, a specialized antifouling agent that targets shell-forming organisms, and pairs that active ingredient with Biolux technology to limit slime growth. … Read more

At 70, Gary Paulsen Still Intends to Take on the Sea’s Ultimate Challenge Gary Paulsen has acquired a new boat that fits him: a rugged, compact cutter built to face — and perhaps embrace — the fierce weather of Cape Horn. After six years away from sailing, the celebrated author and Iditarod racer is drawn … Read more