Blue Water Sailing
200 Foot Super-Yacht Sinks After Less than a Year in Service
There are bad days, and then there are really, really, really bad days! The Proteksan-Turquoise designed and built super-yacht, YOGI, sank Friday morning off the coast Skyros, a small Greek island located in Aegean Sea. (Click here for video) The … Continue reading
Oyster Marine Sold to Investment Firm
The UK’s Oyster Marine has been bought by HTP Investments, a Dutch investment firm owned by entrepreneurs Wim de Pundert and Klaas Meertens. The acquisition includes the Oyster Group companies Oyster Marine Ltd, Oyster Brokerage Ltd and Southampton Yacht Services … Continue reading
15 Companies Honored at Innovation Awards
Fifteen companies were recognized at the Miami International Boat Show this past weekend at the 2012 Innovation Awards. The Innovation Awards, organized by NMMA and judged by BWI, recognize products that best meet the following criteria: innovative distinction from other … Continue reading
Experienced Cruiser Lost in MOB on Night Watch Off Thailand
They lived a sailing life, even owned and operated a sailing business, then sailed off from Australia’s Whitsundays inside the Great Barrier Reef to live and sail in the waters off Malaysia. So how did experienced sailor Carmel Brookes, from … Continue reading
LightSquared Appears to be Dead in the Water with New FCC Proposal
GPS supporters are praising the Federal Communications Commission’s proposal to suspend LightSquared’s effort to create a wireless broadband network and suspend indefinitely the carrier’s authority to operate a land-based network. The FCC issued a conditional waiver last year that would … Continue reading
Should I Donate My Boat?
Sometimes there comes a time when you have to say good-bye to your good old boat. Charles Saylan, executive director of the Ocean Conservation Society, gives us the details on when it makes sense to donate your boat in this … Continue reading
The Moorings to Open New Base in Corfu
The Moorings has announced that it will open a new base in Corfu, located just off Greece’s northwest coast. Corfu is the perfect starting point for a luxurious Moorings bareboat sailing or skippered charter through the region’s famous northern and … Continue reading
Charleston Race Week Drawing Offshort Boats; Deadline Two Months Out
Bright, sunny skies and 70-degree temperatures across much of South Carolina must be catching the eyes of sailors around the country, reminding them that Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week begins in coming up from April 19-22. What has become the … Continue reading
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Tagged Charleston, Charleston Race Week, South Carolina
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Last Minute Charter Deal from Horizon Yacht Charters in Antigua
Horizon Yacht Charters is offering a special last minute deal on a Bavaria 40 for eight days and seven nights from March 11 to 19 in Antigua for only $2,500 plus $40 per night insurance and the $30 cruising permit. … Continue reading
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Tagged Antigua, Bavaria, Bavaria 40, Horizon Yacht Charters
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Alex Thomson’s Amazing Keel Walk
This is definitely one of the coolest things we’ve seen in a long time! But warning, don’t try this at home.
Blue Water Sailing Sponsors FREE Seminars at Strictly Sail Miami
Next week at the Strictly Sail Miami sailboat show (February 16 -20 at Miamarina at Bayside), Blue Water Sailing magazine and Cruising Compass are sponsoring four days of free seminars for sailors, cruisers and racers. The seminars are complimentary with … Continue reading
Navigation Hazard Reported Entering Jolly Harbor Marina in Antigua
If you’re headed to Antigua anytime soon, you’ll definitely want to be aware of this. During the evening of 26 January, S/V Sugar and Spice sank on the approach to Jolly Harbor Marina, Antigua. At the time of the sinking, … Continue reading
RYA Drops Approved Training Courses from Group After Three Rescues in a Year
We all shook our heads when we read about a recent rescue in the English Channel which was the third within a year for a Hot Liquid Southampton run cruise. And now we’re happy to hear that someone is taking … Continue reading
Electronics Made Easy
BWS Publisher George Day takes a look at how to simplify your setup by mounting your gadgets and antennas out of sight and out of mind. Check out the special section on Safety & Electronics in the February issue of … Continue reading
New Guide Available for Aeolian Islands
Anyone planning to cruise the Sicily region of Italy will want to be sure to get a copy of this guide. Il Miglio Blue, a bareboat and crewed pleasure yacht rentals company predominately in Sicily, has produced a pilot specifically … Continue reading
Strictly Sail Chicago is Coming & We’ve Got Discounted Tickets
Strictly Sail Chicago is coming to the windy city’s Navy Pier from January 26-29. This is the nation’s largest indoor all-sailboat show and BWS is sponsoring the seminars! Many free seminars are included in the show’s admission price, but there … Continue reading
New Visa Rules for Cruising in Turkey
Anyone heading to Turkey in 2012 will want to make sure they follow up to get the most up to date news on this information provided by www.noonsite.com. New visa rules for visitors to Turkey are to start on February … Continue reading
BWS Sponsored Salty Dog Rally Departing on Wednesday with 31 Boats
A new rally for experienced cruisers aptly named “The Salty Dog Rally” has been organized by cruiser Bill Knowles, who has more than 50,000 nautical miles under his belt. Bill and his cohorts originally planned to depart from the Bluewater … Continue reading
Got Offshore Video? You Could be the Next Reality TV Star
Are you sailing offshore to the Caribbean this fall? Have a video camera? Lone Wolf Documentary Group and SeaAcher Productions, two television documentary production companies, have teamed up to produce a reality series about the adventure and drama of offshore … Continue reading
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Scientists Feared Captured/Killed by Pirates in Papua New Guinea
Not only Somalia and Nigeria are dangerous for the roving adventurer of sailor. Three scientists missing after setting sail from New Britain Islands in New Guinea are now thought to have been killed by pirates, along with the crew of … Continue reading
Did Canibals Eat German Cruiser?
Yikes! We really hope this isn’t the case, but we caution cruisers to be very careful when in this area of the globe. Stefan Ramin, 40, from Hamburg, Germany, disappeared last month after reaching the remote tropical island of Nuku … Continue reading
Whale of a Tale: Cruisers Get Unwelcome Free Ride from a Humpback
Glenn Wilson and Nerida Higgins were enjoying a quiet evening moored in their yacht off Australia’s Queensland coast when a whale took their boat’s anchor rope in its mouth and dragged them out to sea. The frightening trip lasted 15 … Continue reading
Special Rate for Apprenticeshop Boat Building Course
The Apprenticeshop is offering an opportunity to join an intensive 12-week program for anyone interested in learning how to build a boat. Between now and the end of December, participants can enroll in the boatbuilding skills program at half price, … Continue reading
NMMA Appeals E15 Ruling
The National Marine Manufacturers Association, and its partners in the Engine Products Group, filed suit this week in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s rule outlining a gas pump warning label as … Continue reading
Yacht Missing Between Bermuda and Ireland
Irish rescue services launched a major search for a missing yacht feared to have encountered difficulty during a transatlantic voyage. The Golden Eagle, a 32-foot vessel, departed from Bermuda in the middle of last month and was due to dock … Continue reading
77 Year Old Sets Record with 8th Solo Circumnavigation
This is what we call a dedicated cruiser. Congratulations to Minoru Saito on his recent record-setting accomplishments. An earthquake, two tsunamis, giant icebergs, towering waves and five typhoons: these may sound like typical challenges for anyone sailing around the world … Continue reading
BWS Hosting Lin and Larry Pardey at Newport Boat Show
Attention, cruisers! The time has arrived! BWS will play host to Lin and Larry Pardey, prestigious world cruisers and authors of 11 books, during the Newport International Boat Show this weekend (September 15th-18th, www.newportboatshow.com). The Pardeys, who have sailed more … Continue reading
French Cruisers Captured by Pirates: One Rescued, One Missing
A French hostage has been rescued from pirates off Yemen and her captors detained but her husband remains missing, EU defence officials say. Spanish troops operating with the EU’s anti-piracy force, Navfor, intercepted a skiff on Saturday, two days after … Continue reading
Extra Preparedness Aids in Rescue of Four French Sailors
The U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Halifax, a Canadian Forces CC-130 Hercules and two merchant vessels worked together to rescue four French sailors more than 1,400 miles east-northeast of Provincetown, Mass., Thursday. The 600-foot tanker Unique Sunshine, … Continue reading
Breaking News: Jan Quist Johansen and Family Freed from Somali Pirates
A Danish family of five and two crew members captured by Somali pirates in February have been freed and brought to safety, Denmark’s government says. Jan Quist Johansen, his wife, their three children, and two other adults were taken hostage … Continue reading
Rocna Owners Can Receive Refund from West Marine for Manufacturing Issue
West Marine, the biggest distributor of Rocna anchors in the U.S., has issued a “Product Specification Notice” in regard to 13 types of anchors sold by the New Zealand-based company. Rocna anchors are sold in 34 countries. The West Marine … Continue reading
How to Prep Your Boat for a Hurricane
Just in case you are the last minute type, the following recommendations are from Coast Guard Auxiliary 74 on how to prep your boat for a hurricane. We recommend you head their advice ASAP if you are in Hurricane Irene’s … Continue reading
Georgia Boaters Can Liveaboard for Longer Periods Thanks to Rule Change
This is good news for boaters who want to spend extended periods of time on Georgia’s coast. Boaters in Georgia’s saltwater coastal region might soon be able to get permission to spend more than 30 nights on their vessels under … Continue reading
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Red-Dye Fuel Causing Customs Issues in Europe for Cruisers
Admittedly they were megayachts, but the warning is clear for all cruising sailors headed for Europe after being in America, even for a short time. Two megayachts have been boarded and fined thousands of dollars by German customs officers in … Continue reading
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Gas Thefts On Board Increasing in MA Towns
While this doesn’t seem to be a widespread problem yet, it’s worth looking out for. With gas selling for about $5 a gallon at South Shore (MA) marinas, burglars have started going for the big gasoline containers boat owners sometimes … Continue reading
Where in the world is Laura Dekker?
It’s coming up to a year since Dutch solo sailor Laura Dekker, now 15, left Gibraltar on her planned circumnavigation on 21st August 2010. She is now more than half way round the world, heading for the labyrinth of coral … Continue reading
Najad Files for Bankruptcy
One of the best known names in international boat building for the last forty years has fallen victim to the economic downturn across the Western world. Swedish boat-builder Najad (Najadvarvet AB) has announced that it has submitted a petition for … Continue reading
Canadian Sailor Gets Lucky Off Australian Coast
For an allegedly experienced sailor, his lack of preparedness is quite shocking. This guy really lucked out. A lone Canadian yachtsman says he’s lucky a long out-of-date battery still powered his emergency beacon when he struck trouble in wild weather … Continue reading
Stern Rail BBQ Tips
Over the years, we have used a few different types of barbeques that attach to our boat’s stern rails. For a long time, we had a kettle type that burned charcoal or pre-packed charcoal bricks. Then we upgraded to the … Continue reading
New Licensing Requirements for Queensland Boaters
These new licensing requirements are sure to affect many Queensland, Australia cruisers, and they go into effect relatively soon. The state will require additional safety training and introduce a license class for boats 40 feet and above. The Queensland government … Continue reading
ISAF Releases New Recommendations for Sailing Through Gulf of Aden
The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) via Noonsite.com has released a new set of recommendations for yacht skippers sailing through the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean. Its resoundingly clear recommendation is that no yachts should sail through the Gulf … Continue reading
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Tagged Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, ISAF, piracy, Pirates, Somali Basin
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Coast Guard Recommends Marking All Floating Gear
Have you ever sent the Coast Guard chasing its tail unintentionally? Even if you haven’t, check your gear. While many boaters are safely at home tucked in bed, the often-volunteer rescuers are out at night searching for them because they … Continue reading
NARC Rally Sign Ups Have Begun
The 12th Annual NARC Rally (North American Rally to the Caribbean) departs from Newport, RI on Sunday, Oct. 30th or the best weather window after that date. The fleet will begin to gather at the Newport Yachting Center in Newport … Continue reading
Cruising Couple Brutally Attacked in Tobago Cays
Allen and Kate Barry of the s/v Mendocino Queen endured a horrifying attack and robbery while visiting the Tobago Cays just a few weeks ago. Below is an excerpt from their report to Noonsite. Warning: strong language is used. “About … Continue reading
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Tropical Storm Bret Threatening Bahamas and Surrounding Waters
The National Weather Service has named its second tropical storm of the season Bret and has issued a warning for 45 to 55 knot winds increasing to 55 to 60 knot winds in the afternoon in within a 40 nautical … Continue reading
Daring Rescue for Dutch Cruisers has Happy Ending
Late last week in the dark of night two Dutch sailors were rescued in rough conditions and at great risk to the rescuer when their yacht was damaged in gale force winds. They were approximately 75 miles west of the … Continue reading
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Catalina’s Two Harbors Now Offering Advanced Mooring Reservations
Mooring in the Catalina Island area just got a bit easier. Whereas Two Harbors had previously not accepted advanced reservations, you can now book your mooring for Sunday through Thursday nights up to 90 days in advance by logging onto … Continue reading
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Tagged Catalina Island, mooring reservations, Two Harbors
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Australian Reef Derails Cruisers Cross Pacific Voyage
At the end of a long but successful voyage across the Pacific two long range cruising sailors had to be airlifted to safety by RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue (Rescue 300) after their yacht ran aground Llewellyn Reef early Sunday morning … Continue reading
Limited Time Offer of Free Sails on a New Corsair
For the month of July 2011, with every new Corsair trimaran – EVERY model – that the factory sells, they will throw in a free set of Cruising Sails (main and jib) from North Sails. With a limited sailing season … Continue reading
New Anchoring Restrictions in Saint Pierre, Martinique
The French state has decided to put in place a no anchor zone in order to protect the nationally classified wrecks (shown in red & named in yellow on the plan) following the 1902 Mont Pelé explosion. The no anchor … Continue reading
