Red And Green, Go-Between: A Guide To Buoys And What They Mean
Buoys are navigational devices that float on top of the water. Boaters will find and use buoys on rivers, lakes, intercoastal waterways, and the open ocean throughout the world. Some buoys are equipped with lights on the top, but others do not have lights.Read More
Cruising the Panama Canal: The History of the Path Between the Seas
In December 1999, and after 85 years of control, the United States relinquished ownership of the Panama Canal to the Central American country of Panama. Before the development of the atomic bomb, the Panama Canal was probably the United States' most towering achievement, creating a link between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.Read More
Maritime History: Naval Battles of World War II
World War II was fought on land, in the air, and on water. However, some of the most intense fighting happened during naval battles. Many turning points in World War II were triggered by defeats and victories on the open ocean.Read More
All About America's Heritage Rivers
The United States Environmental Protection Agency designated the American Heritage Rivers during the 1990s. This designation had three purposes, one of which was to ensure economic revitalization. It was also a way of ensuring that they would receive special attention and recognition as natural resources.Read More
Boating Safety and Equipment Checklist
For seasoned sailors, those who are new to boating, and everyone in between, following a pre-departure checklist is an essential part of getting ready for a boat trip. Having a comprehensive checklist of what you need to do can ensure that both you and your boat are prepared for a safe and enjoyable outing.Read More
Cruising the Waters: All About Coral Reef
Some people call coral reefs the "rainforests of the oceans" because they are actually a very large and diverse aquatic ecosystem. The coral that makes up coral reefs is actually made from living creatures that belong to the same family as sea anemones and jellyfish.Read More
Cyclones, Typhoons, and Hurricanes, oh my! The Dangers of Sailing on Open Waters
Sailing on the open sea can be exhilarating, but there can be a high degree of risk with a sailing adventure. The unknowns that await on a high seas excursion are many, from marine life to atmospheric conditions and storms that could impact the voyage.Read More
Deep Seas Boating Dangers - The Deadliest Creatures in the Ocean
The world's oceans are teeming with life that's both gentle in nature and savage. Many large and small aquatic animals can potentially injure or kill both humans or other marine life.Read More
Junior Seamanship: Terminology, Safety and Navigation Basics
Getting on a boat and sailing sounds like a difficult task: You need to learn the terminology, and you also need to learn the skills and rules required for the task.Read More
Nautical Fun: Naval History, Famous Cruise Ships, and Maritime Research
Maritime history is a story of human achievements interwoven with testaments to the power of the sea. It's a broad area of study that encompasses military battles, tales of exploration, international trade, and recreational travel.Read More
Boat Sports: A Beginner's Guide to Rowing
Rowing, the art of propelling a boat using oars, includes various watercraft such as shells and sculls. Each vessel is designed for specific racing conditions on inland rivers and lakes.Read More
Boating and Sailing Knots for Beginner
Heading out onto the water for a day of boating fun is a thrilling way to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. But mastering the art of boating involves more than just floating along; it requires skillful navigation and proper docking techniques.Read More
Military Cruise Deals: How to Find the Best Discounts
Cruising is a fantastic way to see the world, and for military personnel and veterans, there are some excellent deals available. Many cruise lines offer special discounts as a thank you for your service.Read More
The History of Maritime Communication and More!
Communication has always been and will certainly continue to be an important aspect of human society. When communication occurs over any amount of distance where face-to-face interaction cannot take place, it is done by telecommunication: communication by electromagnetic or electronic means.Read More
Finding Your Family from Ship's Passenger List
When exploring genealogy, research may include poring over ship passenger lists to find names of ancestors who immigrated to the United States generations ago.Read More
Guide to Safely Traveling With Children
A family vacation with children in tow promises to be exciting and filled with memories that can last a lifetime. With careful preparation, you can ensure that the experience is a positive one.Read More
H. L. Hunley: Confederate Submarine
The H.L. Hunley was a submarine used by the Confederacy that demonstrated the effectiveness and possibilities of submersible warfare. Submarines were already in existence at the time, but this particular submarine was the first underwater vessel to engage with and destroy an enemy warship.Read More
Maritime History: U-Boats
The word "U-boat" comes from the German word "Unterseeboot," which translates to "undersea boat." Though the term has applied to many different submarines, it often evokes images of war vessels used during World War I and World War II.Read More
The Pirates who Cruised The Caribbean
Sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the eastern Pacific Ocean near the Panama Canal area during the first decades of the 1700s would surely have placed you and your crew amidst pirates!Read More
Travel by Ship: A Guide to the Earth's Bodies of Water
A majority of Earth's surface, or approximately 71 percent of it, is covered by water. Water is a necessary substance that helps to sustain nearly all human, animal, and plant life on the planet.Read More
The Tradition of Viking Ships and Rowers
Long before Christopher Columbus ever set foot in the Americas, Viking ships made their way across the Atlantic to scout out new land and trade routes. The Vikings were a seafaring people from Scandinavia well-known for their excellent seamanship, exploration, and metalwork.Read More
Maritime History, Ships, and Shipwrecks
The Annie E. Smale was a four masted schooner owned by Swayne & Hoyt. The Annie E. Smale was valued at $40,000 and carried only gear insurance. The vessel sailed from Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, bound for San Francisco.Read More
Ship Modeling for Beginners
Model ship building is an interesting and challenging hobby enjoyed by many. Combining elements of history, technology, and craftsmanship, model ship building offers a unique finished product that the builder can showcase with pride.Read More
Ship History: The Titanic
On April 15, 1912, the Titanic hit an iceberg off the coast of Newfoundland and sank into the northern Atlantic Ocean. The ship carried around 2,240 passengers and workers, and more than 1,500 of them perished in the frigid ocean.Read More
Sea Level: What is Atmospheric Pressure?
Feeling Pressured? Air pressure is the force exerted on you by the weight of tiny particles of air (air molecules). Although air molecules are invisible, they still have weight and take up space. Since there's a lot of "empty" space between air molecules, air can be compressed to fit in a smaller volume.Read More
Safety at Sea: All About Lighthouses
Lighthouses are structures that shine light beams to guide or warn mariners as they near or leave a harbor, and they're often seen while taking a boat cruise. Some lighthouses are quite tall: For instance, at 352 feet, Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial at Put-in-Bay, Ohio, is the tallest structure to function as a lighthouse in America (though it was not originally built for this purpose). A lighthouse can be constructed out of concrete, steel, granite, limestone, iron, or brick.Read More
Safety at Sea: A Guide to Lightning and Atmospheric Electricity
Lightning, the thunderbolt from mythology, has long been feared as the great weapon of the gods. The Greeks both marveled and feared lightning as it was hurled by Zeus. For the Vikings, lightning was produced by Thor as his hammer struck an anvil while riding his chariot across the clouds.Read More
Recourse Guide for Lighthouses, Lightships & Lifesaving Stations
Navigating large bodies of water has always been a challenge, especially during times of low visibility. Whether sailors are on the water at night or in foggy or stormy conditions, they need to know where land is as well as where any dangerous reefs or rocky areas are.Read More