At the end of Herman Melville’s great novel Moby Dick, after doing battle with Captain Ahab and drowning him, the white whale turned it malevolence on the whaling ship itself. Ramming the Pequot at high speed, the whale sent its tormentors to a watery grave with only one survivor, the story’s narrator, Ishmael. While the tale is often thought of as an allegory, it is in fact based on two very real incidences of whales in the South Pacific sinking whaling ships, the Essex and the Ann Alexander. A survivor of the Essex sinking, Owen Chase, wrote a memoir of…

Last Sunday, in fair weather, Arthur Furtney, 88, and his companion Paul Brown set off in Furtney’s 23-foot center console to transit Bogue Inlet, which cuts between Bogue Sound, North Carolina and the Atlantic Ocean. The Inlet is known to be swept by strong currents, and it appears that the 23-foot was caught in choppy waves and flipped throwing both men into the water. Furtney did not survive the accident and drowned. Brown was able to stay afloat and swam to the inlet’s Buoy #1 where he was able to hang on until help arrived. Help did arrive in the…

Chuck and Barb Shipley, who are retired and live aboard their Krogen 48 North Sea, are living the cruising dream They determined when they retired to move aboard and explore the world. They sold their Georgia home, and the rest is history. Barb was able to retire a year before Chuck, so she took that time to become a certified captain with a 50-ton license. This competency has proven valuable in every aspect of their cruising life aboard North Sea. The Shipley’s made the leap to cruise from the U.S. to the Bahamas and then on to the Caribbean by…

A government shutdown will affect recreational boating by closing boat ramps, marinas, and recreation sites in areas managed by federal agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and National Park Service. While essential services like the U.S. Coast Guard will continue, other agencies responsible for infrastructure, safety, and water quality could be disrupted. Direct impacts on access Army Corps of Engineers (USACE): Based on past shutdowns and current plans, most USACE-managed boat ramps, campgrounds, and day-use parks are expected to close entirely. Some concessionaire-operated facilities on leased land, however, may remain open. National Park Service (NPS): National parks and recreation…

Hunt Yachts, noted for offshore performance and classic design, is proud to announce construction is underway on its newest model, the Hunt Ocean 56. Designed for the discerning cruiser, this offshore-ready motoryacht brings together good looks, world-class craftsmanship, and a build experience that allows the owners a myriad of choices to personalize their yacht to their heart’s content. At 56 feet, the new Hunt is the ideal size for an owner-operator who seeks both ease of handling and roomy comfort. Her layout is purpose-built for spending more time aboard, offering a balance of open entertaining spaces- a salon with views…