He never wanted to fight a swordfish, but then the skipper ordered him into the chair To be honest, I never set out to catch a swordfish. I had written about the rise of daytime swordfishing—landing broadbill swordfish in full daylight off Islamorada in the Florida Keys—and seen it done enough to appreciate the skill … Read more

Smoove Ultimate Boat Wash — Concentrated, Biodegradable Cleaner for Gelcoat and Fiberglass Smoove Ultimate Boat Wash is a concentrated, biodegradable, and phosphate-free cleaner formulated specifically for boats. Designed for use on gelcoat, fiberglass, and painted fiberglass surfaces, this product aims to remove dirt, salt, and grime while preserving existing wax protection. According to the manufacturer, … Read more

Massive Floating Seaweed Mat Off Alaska’s North Coast Mistaken for Oil Slick What residents and mariners first feared was an oil spill turned out to be an enormous floating mat of decomposing vegetation — most likely seaweed or algae — drifting across the Chukchi Sea. The unusual event drew attention from local fishermen, the U.S. … Read more

Jack Sherwood was a writer who delighted in telling the stories of people who lived and worked on and around Chesapeake Bay — watermen, boatyard hands, itinerant cruisers and the memorable characters he met along the waterfront. A former feature writer and columnist for the Washington Star, Sherwood wrote the monthly Bay Tripper column for … Read more

Ocean Acidification Is Dissolving Dungeness Crab Larvae and Threatening Pacific Northwest Fisheries New research from NOAA Fisheries’ Northwest Fisheries Science Center shows that rising ocean acidity is already dissolving the shells of Dungeness crab larvae, sharply reducing their chances of survival. The study’s lead author, Jason Miller, reports that young crabs exposed to the lower … Read more

The Lowcountry of South Carolina is more than a region on a map—it’s a distinctive way of life shaped by rivers, marshes and sea islands. Traveling along the Intracoastal Waterway, many boaters find themselves drawn to this gentle, watery landscape where tidal creeks and wide estuaries carve a network of navigable routes that lead to … Read more

Nautic Alert: Comprehensive Vessel Monitoring, Tracking and Security The Nautic Alert platform is a comprehensive vessel monitoring, tracking, safety and security system designed for boat owners who want real-time awareness and rapid notification of onboard incidents. At its core the system provides audible deterrence with a built-in 95-decibel alarm and uses microwave-based intrusion detection to … Read more

New Sailboats Offer an Escape: What to Watch for at This Fall’s Boat Shows This year’s crop of sailboats promises a welcome escape from the world’s daily stresses. As political unrest, natural disasters and economic uncertainty dominate headlines, many sailors are choosing a simpler remedy: untie the lines, raise the sails and go find calm … Read more

Caution on the Catwalk Photographer: Paul Kemiel Camera: Canon EOS 30D Lens focal length: 210mm Aperture: 1/500 second @ f/11 ISO: 800 This image originally appeared in the December 2011 issue. Image Overview and Intent “Caution on the Catwalk” is a striking photograph credited to Paul Kemiel. The title immediately suggests an element of alertness … Read more

Humpback Whale Capsizes 25-Foot Boat Near Seaside Park, New Jersey Two people were thrown into the ocean after a breaching whale capsized their 25-foot boat close to the shore at Seaside Park, New Jersey. The whale, believed to be a humpback, appeared to be feeding when the incident occurred and did not seem to notice … Read more