John Mecray’s Stonington Waterfront: The Passenger Steamer New Hampshire On a bustling day at the Stonington waterfront in Connecticut, the passenger steamer New Hampshire arrives at the Providence & Stonington Steamship Company in a finely detailed 19th-century scene by marine artist John Mecray. The painting captures a moment when steamship travel connected coastal towns to … Read more

Rediscovering Port Jackson: The Lost Harbor of Christopher Columbus I had already combed through historical records as part of my research, but there came a moment when archival work had to be paired with a practical test: a run on the water with a depthsounder. So I packed a portable transducer and handheld depth unit … Read more

This issue highlights a striking surge in first-time boat buyers and the corresponding rise in accidents as many newcomers take to the water. Safety professionals warn that a large portion of these incidents stem from basic, avoidable errors—mistakes made by people who have not received formal boating instruction or practical guidance from experienced boaters. As … Read more

Baltic 38DP — A Rugged Offshore Cruiser-Racer from Baltic Yachts The Baltic 38DP announces its purpose with a bold exterior: a boat built for demanding offshore conditions and fast, seaworthy passages. Baltic Yachts, founded in 1973 in Bosund, Finland, set out to produce yachts that combined strength, good manners and handsome lines, appealing to both … Read more

Wayne Gretzky, long hailed as “The Great One,” is widely regarded as one of the most talented athletes ever to lace up skates. Now retired after 20 seasons in the National Hockey League, he and his wife Janet spend summers at their Lake Coeur d’Alene vacation home in Idaho. Recently they added a striking, custom-built … Read more

Onne van der Wal remembers how sailors navigated in thick fog off the coast of South Africa in the 1970s. Back then, coastal navigation relied on paper charts and simple radio bearings. “We used a small navigation book by Mary Blewitt that focused on radio direction finders,” Onne recalls. “You’d leave Cape Town on a … Read more

Matthew Rhys and the Restored Wheeler Playmate: A Classic Wooden Boat in New York Harbor Actor Matthew Rhys did not set out to become the owner of a vintage wooden runabout, but an unexpected combination of a late-night eBay bid and a touch of whiskey changed his plans. The boat he acquired is a Wheeler … Read more

Feeding Fish at the NEFSC Woods Hole Science Aquarium The Northeast Fisheries Science Center Woods Hole Science Aquarium in Massachusetts, established in 1885 and recognized as the country’s oldest public aquarium, cares for roughly 140 species of marine animals found in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S. waters. Feeding time at this historic public aquarium is more … Read more

In late September 2015 the 790-foot TOTE Maritime containership El Faro steamed into the path of Hurricane Joaquin near the Bahamas and did not return. The ship foundered, and all 33 crew members aboard were lost. The tragedy left families devastated; three of the widows sought legal representation, and their lawyers have since produced an … Read more

Runaway Boat Near St. Pete Beach Ends Safely After Dramatic Rescue A runaway boat near St. Pete Beach, Florida, created a dangerous situation last Thursday after its operator fell overboard. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) responded quickly after receiving a report that the boater had been thrown from his vessel. Deputies launched a coordinated … Read more