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    • City of Gulfport Monday (11/2/26) Newsletter, Gulfport, FL


      Gulfport Marina includes dry boat storage, ship store, bathroom, public boat ramp, parking, fueling stations, lighted range markers and guest docking facility.

      The City of Gulfport and Gulfport Municipal Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, always have a full calendar of events for all ages. The marina and harbor, found on the northern shores of Boca Ciega Bay, are easily accessible from the Western Florida ICW, just north of Tampa Bay.

      City of Gulfport Monday Newsletter

      City of Gulfport, FL Mon, Nov 2, 2026 at 12:06 PM
      Reply-To: info@mygulfport.us
      To: larry.dorminy@cruisersnet.net
      Weekly news & updates
      November 2, 2026 | City of Gulfport, FL – Gateway to the Gulf Newsletter
      E-Newsletter: Monday, October 26, 2026

      Missed last week’s update? Click here to read it now.

      Upcoming Events

      See what’s happening this month.

      Senior Center E-news

      Click here to see what’s happening next.

      Library Calendar of Events

      Upcoming activities at the Gulfport Library.

      Recreation Center

      Click here to see all classes and activities.

      Gulfport Community Update

      Click here to read more.

      Gulfport Arts & Heritage

      Click here to see upcoming events.

      Be Prepared This Hurricane Season!

      The Atlantic hurricane season ends November 30.

      Be prepared, visit the City of Gulfport Hurricane Center for important storm preparedness information, resources, and updates.

      Hurricane Center
      Gulfport City Council

      Mayor

      Karen

      Love

      Smiling woman with short reddish hair wearing a brown top against a light blue background.

      Webpage

      Email

      Report

      826-7208

      Ward 1

      Jennifer Daunch

      Webpage

      Email

      893-1002

      Vice Mayor

      Marlene Shaw

      A smiling woman with long gray hair. Wearing a black jacket and a red blouse stands in front of vibrant pink flowers.

      Webpage

      Email

      Report

      826-7311

      Ward 3

      Jennifer Webb

      Smiling young woman. Long wavy brown hair. Blue and white striped shirt. Green plants and tree in background.

      Webpage

      Email

      893-1001

      Ward 4 Nancy

      Earley

      Smiling woman. Long straight brown hair. Black turtleneck. Arms crossed. Plain light background.

      Webpage

      Email

      269-6625

      A Message from the Mayor
      Good Afternoon, Gulfport,

      October was packed with events and meetings, but I want to focus this newsletter on the challenging work and important decisions before this Council.

      Early in October, we received a presentation focused on ways to fund major stormwater improvements. Previous discussions addressed our needs and ranked the identified projects according to their expected benefits and costs. This presentation focused on how to pay for them. Councilmembers bring a variety of backgrounds and experience to their roles, and these presentations help us make informed decisions.

      Potential funding sources included grants, appropriations, Penny for Pinellas funds, low-interest loans, special assessments, and stormwater fees. It has taken two years since the hurricanes to reach this point, and we must keep moving forward. Our funding will likely involve a combination of these sources.

      On February 4, we will hold a workshop at 6 p.m. to discuss these important decisions. I encourage you to attend and share your thoughts during public comment. No votes will be taken, but the goal is to give the City Manager clear direction on how Council wants to proceed.

      We began discussing marina slip fees in September and concluded those discussions with a vote in October. All slip fees will increase in 2027, with the fee structure continuing to favor our residents.

      We also changed the model for commercial businesses operating out of the marina. Previously, these businesses paid the same rates as other nonresident boaters. Beginning in February 2027, they will pay a surcharge for commercial use of the City’s marina, reflecting their use of a public facility to operate a business.

      These changes have raised concerns among the approximately 20 affected businesses, and some information circulating on social media has been inaccurate. Council meetings, including the presentations and discussions, are recorded. I encourage anyone with questions to watch those recordings and hear the full discussion.

      Our marina is aging. Older pilings lack the protective wrapping used today and are being damaged by marine borers. Addressing these issues, along with ongoing maintenance, will require a substantial investment. Council determined that these costs should be supported by marina users rather than the general taxpayer.

      These discussions also highlighted the need to update our marina management and operational plan. Improvements being developed for spring 2027 include a new rental agreement, public-facing software showing available slips, a review of best practices, a stronger focus on customer service, consistent enforcement of rules, a new camera system, relocation of commercial loading and unloading areas, and changes to operating hours.

       

      I prefer to receive communications by email at klove@mygulfport.us. If you leave me a voicemail, please include your email address so I can respond in writing. I have found that written communication helps ensure clarity, transparency, and accountability.

      -Mayor Love

      City Manager’s Gulfport Community Update
      Gulfport Community Update: October 25 – 31, 2026

      Gulfport City Hall and facilities will be closed on Wednesday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. The Sanitation schedule will not be affected, and the Marina will be open.

      The City of Gulfport uses the SeeClickFix Service Request Center to receive, route and track nonemergency service requests. Residents can submit the location of a concern, upload photos and monitor progress through the City’s SeeClickFix service request page. The system can be used to report a variety of issues, including potholes, sidewalk damage, drainage concerns, traffic sign problems, graffiti, park maintenance needs, and sanitation and code compliance matters.

      Read More
      This Weeks Events & Meetings
      Learn More
      Fusion 49th District General Meeting

      Monday, November 2nd | 6 – 8 p.m.

      Recreation Center (Art Room), 5730 Shore Blvd. S.

      Join us for “First Mondays: Business Activation (We Heard You Series),” a monthly initiative from the Fusion 49th District Team designed to support local businesses with practical, results-driven resources. Created in response to feedback from corridor businesses seeking greater visibility, more customers and consistent support, these monthly sessions provide real tools, actionable strategies and opportunities to help local businesses grow and succeed.

      Held on the first Monday of each month, each gathering offers hands-on guidance to help strengthen marketing, improve financial understanding, and build sustainable business systems. This series is open to all business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in starting, growing, or strengthening a business along the corridor.

      Logo. Illustration of hand holding leaf with sun rays. Text reads Gulfport Fresh Market. Bright colors purple teal yellow orange.
      Visit our Website
      Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market

      Tuesday, November 3rd | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

      Downtown Waterfront District, Beach Blvd. S.

      The Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market is a year-round open-air market held in Gulfport’s Waterfront District on Beach Blvd. It also offers a variety of independent shops, boutiques, galleries, its own beach and a large cluster of restaurants, all within easy walking distance. The Fresh Market offers visitors the opportunity for a relaxing day trip in a small town full of “Old Florida” charms.

      2026 General Election Day

      Tuesday, November 3rd | 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

      City of Gulfport, FL

      Tuesday, November 3, is Election Day. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Gulfport residents should confirm their assigned polling location before heading to the polls and bring valid photo and signature identification.

      Gulfport polling locations:

      Find your assigned polling location and view General Election information through the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections.Questions? Call 727-464-VOTE (8683).

      Ukulele Jam

      Tuesday, November 3rd | 12 p.m.

      Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S.

      Join us for a ukulele jam session led by the Tampa Bay Ukulele Society. This program is held on the first Tuesday of the month. Music will be projected on the TV so just bring yourself and your ukulele. Check the Circulation desk to see if any of our ukulele kits are available for check out. See you there!

      Flyer. City of Gulfport logo. Text reads What’s on Your Mind. All residents welcome. Community events at SumitrA Espresso Lounge and Wonder Works. Office hours every Monday at City Hall. Photo of smiling woman with long gray hair. Red top. Black jacket. Necklace. Contact details for Councilmember Marlene Shaw.
      What’s on Your Mind? With Councilmember Marlene Shaw – Every First Wednesday

      Wednesday, November 4th | 2 – 3 p.m.

      Wonder Works, 5314 Gulfport Blvd. S.

      Join Councilmember Marlene Shaw for casual conversation and community connection at Wonder Works, 5314 Gulfport Blvd. S., every first Wednesday from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Whether you have questions, concerns, or ideas to share, she’s here to listen and talk about the issues that matter to you.

      Councilmember Shaw also holds City Hall office hours every Monday from 2:00 to 3:00 PM at 2401 53rd Street South. Appointments are available upon request.

      Contact mshaw@mygulfport.us or (727) 826-7311 for more info.

      Kinusaga Pumpkins

      Wednesday, November 4th | 2:30 p.m.

      Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S.

      Kinusaiga is back by popular demand! This month we will use foam board, adhesive, and fabric scraps to make beautiful pumpkins to display. Registration required, opens on 10/28/26. Call 727-893-1074 or email library.programs@mygulfport.us.

      Pixie Playtime

      Thursday, November 5th | 10:15 a.m.

      Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S.

      Explore the enchanted garden at Gulfport Library with ukulele music, magical moments, and playful adventures.Recommended for fans of fairies and caregivers of all ages. 

      RSVP
      Labyrinth Lights Dance Performance

      Friday, November 6th | 5 – 8 p.m.

      Gulfport History Museum, 5301 28th Ave. S.

      Experience an evening of music, movement, and light on Friday, November 6, from 5–9 p.m. at the Gulfport History Museum. Enjoy a luminary-lit labyrinth featuring a special dance and drum performance by Hip Expression Dancers and Drummers. This free community event is part of the TimeWeaving Community Labyrinth project and Creative Pinellas’ Art Everywhere initiative. Free and open to the public.

      Logo. Illustration of sunset with rays. Palm trees. Building silhouette. Text reads Gulfport Night Market. Wavy line at bottom. Blue purple orange and teal colors.
      More Info

      First Friday Gulfport Night Market

      Friday, November 6th | 5 – 9 p.m.

      Beach Blvd. S. (Waterfront District)

      Formally known as Art Walk on the first Friday and IndieFaire on the third Saturday, these recurring monthly events will launch for 2025 branded as the Gulfport Night Market. The night market concept unites the energy of the former events, offering an evening marketplace experience with vibrant local offerings from local makers, artisans, and small business vendors to engage the community and visitors as they shop, stroll, and sip in beautiful downtown Gulfport.

      Artists Map
      Gulfport’s Art in the Yard, Community Art Sale

      Saturday, November 7th | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

      City of Gulfport, FL

      Shop original artworks during the City of Gulfport Art in the Yard Community Art Sale, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday, November 7. In the event of rain, the sale will take place Sunday, November 8. This bi-annual community art sale transforms the charming City into an open-air gallery, showcasing the talent and creativity of local artists in their own front yards. A Google map of participating artists can be found at, https://mygulfport.us/gulfport-art-in-the-yard.

      Collage Group Share & Swap for Teens & Adults 

      Saturday, November 7th | 3 p.m.

      Gulfport Arts Center, 2726 54th St. S.

      Open to collage artists and enthusiast of any skill/experience level. Feel free to bring materials to share and swap with others. Scissors and glue sticks will be provided.

      Register Here

      Heroes Weekend Veterans Parade

      Sunday, November 8th | 11 a.m.

      Downtown Waterfront District, Beach Blvd. S.

      Registration is now open for Gulfport’s annual Veterans Parade, taking place Sunday, November 8, at 11 a.m. Join the community as we honor the brave men and women who have served our nation. Register by Monday, November 2, at 3 p.m.

      Upcoming Events & Meetings
      Storytelling Workshop

      Tuesday, November 10th | 5:30 p.m.

      Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S.

      Enjoy an engaging session of storytelling where you’ll listen to stories and learn how to find, structure, and tell your own. Led by Chaplain Kate Shulamit Fagan, a dynamic teacher and storyteller, this program is sponsored by Enroy Foundation, Inc. and Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Library. For more information, contact Maureen Kilroy at mk_away@yahoo.com.

      City Hall & Facilities Closed for Veterans Day

      Wednesday, November 11th | All Day

      City of Gulfport, FL

      City Hall and City facilities will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Regular operations will resume on Thursday, November 12.

      COF Presents: Florida Before Oranges

      Thursday, November 12th | 1 p.m.

      Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S.

      Did you know oranges were NOT in Florida when the first people arrived? Join us for a talk by the Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN) that covers the basics of 14,000 years of pre-contact Florida. Learn about when people arrived and how life in the sunshine state has changed. Sponsored by the Circle of Friends.

      Gulfport Environmental Team (G.E.T.) Meeting

      Thursday, November 12th | 6 – 8 p.m.

      49th Street Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S.

      Join the Gulfport Environmental Team (G.E.T.) each month at 6 p.m. at the 49th Street Neighborhood Center. G.E.T. brings residents and volunteers together to support environmental stewardship, sustainability and a greener Gulfport. Learn about local tree initiatives, urban forestry, community planting opportunities and ways to help protect and enhance Gulfport’s natural spaces. Community members interested in getting involved are welcome to attend. 

      Purchase Tickets
      Gulfport Community Players present “The 39 Steps”

      November 12 – 22 | Thurs. – Sat. at 8 p.m. & Sat. – Sun. at 2 p.m.

      Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S.

      The Gulfport Community Players present The 39 Steps, a fast-paced comedy inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1935 spy thriller, November 12–22 at the Catherine A. Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S. Follow a hero on the run through dastardly villains, biplane crashes, romantic entanglements, quick costume changes, and plenty of laughs. Performances are Thursday–Saturday at 8 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

      Google Map

      Permit Free City-Wide Yard Sale

      Saturday, November 14th | Dawn – Dusk

      City of Gulfport, FL

      Gulfport’s Permit-Free City-Wide Yard Sale takes place Saturday, November 14 (rain date Sunday, November 15), from dawn to dusk throughout the City. Brochures listing participating addresses will be available at City facilities beginning November 5 and at the Gulfport Public Library (5501 28th Ave. S.) on event day. All locations will also be featured on Google Maps for easy navigation. View participating addresses and event details at https://mygulfport.us/permit-free-gulfports-city-wide-yard-sale/.

      2nd Annual Mayor’s Community Walk

      Saturday, November 14th | 8 – 11 a.m.

      Gulfport Beach (Pavilion #6), Shore Blvd. S.

      Join Mayor Karen Love for the 2nd Annual Mayor’s Community Walk on Saturday, November 14, at Gulfport Beach! Check-in begins at 8 a.m. at Pavilion #6, with the walk starting at 9 a.m. Enjoy a guided walk through the Waterfront District, led off by the Gulfport Amalgamated Marching Band, and celebrate the expansion of the Discover Gulfport Walking Trail from four miles to more than 10 miles of paths, made possible by AARP. This free community event is open to all!

      Blues, Art & Seafood Festival

      Saturday, November 14th | 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

      Trolley Market Square, 4900 Tangerine Ave. S.

      Join the City of Gulfport and Fusion 49th District on Saturday, November 14, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for a full day of live blues music, local art, delicious seafood, food vendors, and community fun at Trolley Market Square.

      Live Music Line-up:

      • 10:00 AM – BCHS Marching Band
      • 10:30 AM – Henry Ashwood
      • 1:00 PM – Delta Swamp Rats
      • 3:30 PM – Tony and Sal
      • 6:00 PM – Tommy Z

      Bring your friends and family and celebrate the music, creativity, and community spirit that make Gulfport special. We look forward to seeing you there!

      RSVP
      Land Blessing and Thanksgiving Address

      Friday, November 20th | 4 – 6 p.m.

      Gulfport History Museum, 5301 28th Ave. S.

      Join the community for the Land Blessing and Thanksgiving Address at the Gulfport History Museum. Celebrate the future site of Gulfport’s permanent TimeWeaving Community Labyrinth with a special community blessing and dedication, followed by an interactive art activity where participants can create their own art object to become part of a collaborative labyrinth experience. Free and open to the public.

      Free Document Shredding and Medication Drop-Off

      Saturday, November 21st | 9 – 11 a.m.

      Senior Center, 5501 27th Ave. S.

      Join Pinellas County Consumer Protection on Saturday, November 21, from 9–11 a.m., or until the truck is full, at the Gulfport Senior Center (5501 27th Ave. S.) for free document shredding and medication drop-off. Shredding is limited to three boxes or bags per vehicle. Metal clips and binders must be removed; staples are permitted. For more information, call 727-464-6200.

      Free Community Tree Giveaway

      Saturday, November 21st | 9 – 11 a.m.

      Clymer Park (Greenway), 23rd Ave. S. & Beach Blvd. S.

      The City of Gulfport invites residents to the Free Community Tree Giveaway at Clymer Park, part of our ongoing Plant a Tree initiative. Gulfport residents with a driver’s license or water bill for proof can receive free trees to enhance their property and support the city’s environmental sustainability efforts.

      For more information, please contact the Parks & Facilities Superintendent at 727-893-1092.

      Swap & Drop

      Saturday, November 21st | 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.

      49th Street Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S.

      The City of Gulfport, Gulfport Grassroots and Keep Pinellas Beautiful invite Gulfport residents to the Swap & Drop at the 49th Street Neighborhood Center. Residents can bring unwanted household items for free disposal or swap usable goods with neighbors, helping reduce waste and promote reuse and sustainability. For a smooth drop-off, participants should remain in their vehicles and have items easily accessible in a trunk, backseat, truck bed or trailer. Open to Gulfport residents only; proof of residency is required.

      Logo. Illustration of sunset with rays. Palm trees. Building silhouette. Text reads Gulfport Night Market. Wavy line at bottom. Blue purple orange and teal colors.
      More Info

      Third Saturday Gulfport Night Market

      Saturday, November 21st | 5 – 9 p.m.

      Beach Blvd. S. (Waterfront District)

      The Gulfport Night Market operates year-round from 5pm to 9pm on the first Friday and third Saturday of each month. The Gulfport Merchants Chamber is proud to partner with the Tampa Bay Markets team to work directly with new and returning vendors and to manage the Gulfport Night Market events. Tampa Bay Markets is a local events management company that operates 13 successful local markets and special events within the greater Tampa Bay Area, celebrating its 15th anniversary year of operation.

      Thanksgiving Closures & Sanitation Schedule

      Thursday & Friday, November 26 – 27 | All Day

      City of Gulfport, FL

      City Hall and City facilities will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27, in observance of Thanksgiving. Thursday’s sanitation routes will be collected on Wednesday, November 25. Friday’s routes will remain on schedule, but there will be no weekly yard waste collection. The Gulfport Marina will be open on Friday, November 27.

      Tickets & Info
      ZZ Top Tribute

      Saturday, December 5th | 7 p.m.

      Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S.

      Rock out to the legendary sounds of Texas blues-rock during the ZZ Top Tribute on Saturday, December 5, at 7 p.m. at the Catherine A. Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S. in Gulfport. Enjoy an evening celebrating ZZ Top’s signature guitar riffs, bluesy sound, and classic rock hits in a live tribute performance.

      49th St. Makers & Growers Market

      Sunday, December 6th | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

      Red Feather Studio, 1301 49th St. S.

      The 49th St. Makers & Growers Market takes place on the first Sunday of each month through May 2, 2027. Browse locally made products, creative health and living goods, handmade items, and more while enjoying live music and a relaxed outdoor atmosphere. The market brings together local makers, growers, wellness-focused vendors, and the community while supporting small businesses and local creatives.

      City of Gulfport Holiday Tree Lighting

      Monday, December 7th | 6 – 8 p.m.

      Clymer Park, Gulfport Blvd S & Beach Blvd. S.

      Join us for song and good cheer during the City of Gulfport Holiday Tree Lighting in Clymer Park at 6 p.m. Monday, December 7. Enjoy an evening of light refreshments and festive music presented by the Gulfport Recreation division; meet the Mayor & City Council. Santa will visit and listen to little ones’ holiday wishes. Call 727-893-1118 for more information.

      Community Outreach
      Explore Gulfport’s past!

      Click here to view digitized City records from 1920 – 1974.

      Gulfport History Museum Online Collection

      View the Museum’s online collection here.

      Latest Beach Water Quality Sampling Data

      See the latest report here.

      Gulfport Charter & Code of Ordinances

      Online access is provided at the following link.

      Bill Payment Options

      View and pay Utility & Marina Billing accounts online here.

      Employee Directory

      Click here to view the Gulfport Employee Directory.

      “Take 2 on Tuesdays” with Mayor Karen Love

      Take Two on Tuesday with Mayor Love – Important Dates

      In Case You Missed It!

      Last week’s Take 2 on Tuesdays featured important dates.

      SeeClickFix – Service Request Center

      The City of Gulfport uses SeeClickFix to receive, route, and track non-emergency service requests. Residents can report community concerns, submit the location of the issue, upload photos, and monitor progress through the online portal. Use the portal to report issues such as potholes, sidewalk damage, drainage concerns, traffic sign issues, graffiti, park maintenance concerns, sanitation issues, and code compliance matters.

      Visit our Website
      Register Here

      Gulfport Connects: Bringing the Community Together

      Register for Gulfport Connects, an online volunteer platform designed to strengthen connections between residents, local organizations, and City departments. The platform provides a simple, reliable way to match community needs with volunteer support – both during emergencies, and in everyday life. Nonprofits, community groups and City departments can post and manage volunteer opportunities, track service hours, and coordinate projects, while residents can sign up for activities that match their interests and log their service.

      Visit https://gulfport.galaxydigital.com or email dmather@mygulfport.us to be added to the portal. Gulfport Connects transforms lessons learned into lasting community strength, keeping Gulfport connected and resilient every day.

      Water Restrictions Webpage

      Modified Phase III Water Shortage Restrictions Extended Through March 31, 2027

      The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has extended the Modified Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage Order through March 31, 2027, due to ongoing drought conditions and low regional water supplies.

      All Gulfport residents, including those using private wells or pumps, must continue following the one-day-per-week irrigation schedule. Lawn and landscape watering is allowed only between 12:01 a.m. and 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on your assigned watering day.

      Watering Schedule (based on the last digit of your address):

      • 0–1: Monday
      • 2–3: Tuesday
      • 4–5: Wednesday
      • 6–7: Thursday
      • 8–9: Friday (also applies to common areas and properties without a numbered address)

      Residents are encouraged to conserve water by following these restrictions and using water wisely. For the complete watering schedule and additional conservation tips, visit the Pinellas County Watering Schedule and Rules page. Questions? Email Water.Restrictions@WaterMatters.org or call (813) 856-5679 during business hours.

      Flood Safety Reminder: Turn Around, Don’t Drown

      Heavy rainfall can quickly cause flooding on roadways. Drivers are reminded to never drive through flooded streets or around barricades. Water may be deeper than it appears, and driving through standing water can create wakes that push water onto nearby homes and properties.

      Please obey all posted signs, road closures, and No Wake restrictions. If you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around and find an alternate route.

      Help keep yourself, your neighbors, and our community safe. Be safe. Stay dry.

      Be Hurricane Ready: Stay One Step Ahead

      Stay one step ahead as peak hurricane season approaches. The best time to prepare is before a storm is on the way.

       

      • Download the free Ready Pinellas app to create your emergency plan, use an emergency kit checklist, and keep important info at your fingertips.
      • Sign up for Alert Pinellas to receive emergency notifications about evacuations, severe weather, boil water notices and other urgent situations.

       

      Get started today:

      Ready Pinellas – https://pinellas.gov/ready-pinellas

      Alert Pinellas – https://pinellas.gov/alert-pinellas

      Hurricane Center

      Gulfport Encourages Boater Safety and Storm Preparedness During Hurricane Season

      Now that storm season is underway, the City of Gulfport encourages residents and boaters to take proactive steps to protect life and property during severe weather events. Boaters are urged to relocate vessels to safe harbors or designated hurricane holes when possible, secure anchors and mooring lines, remove loose items and sails, test bilge pumps and batteries, and document vessels for insurance purposes. Staying alert to local weather updates and evacuation guidance is also essential to reducing risk and improving safety on the water.

      In addition, the City’s Hurricane Preparedness webpage provides a centralized resource to help residents prepare for, respond to, and recover from hurricanes, flooding, and other emergencies. The page includes evacuation zone details, shelter information, flood safety guidance, sandbag usage instructions, pet preparedness resources, debris removal information, emergency contacts, and links to additional county and state emergency management tools. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and prepared before, during, and after storms by visiting https://mygulfport.us/hurricane.

      More Info

      Gulfport Residents: Take Extra Precautions Against Mosquitoes

      Pinellas County Mosquito Control is reporting increased mosquito-borne virus activity following recent rainfall. Residents are encouraged to follow the 3 Ds: Dress in protective clothing, Defend with insect repellent, and Dump or cover standing water around your property. Mosquito Control has increased treatments throughout the county. Help protect our community by checking your property for standing water and eliminating mosquito breeding areas.

      Gulfport: Don’t Miss Out on Hurricane Recovery Grants!

      The People First Hurricane Recovery Programs are here to support homeowners, renters, and local landlords impacted by Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, or Milton. These programs provide funding and assistance to repair damage, prevent long-term displacement, and make housing safer and more affordable. 

      Eligible Gulfport residents may apply online at https://recover.pinellas.gov or by calling (727) 606-3307. Case managers are available by phone, at county offices, and during community pop-up events to help guide applicants through the process.

      Apply Now!
      Let’s Keep Gulfport Beautiful and Our Streets Clean!

      Keeping grass clippings out of the street helps protect our bay, prevent flooding, and keep roads safe. Bag, compost, or blow clippings back onto your lawn to recycle nutrients naturally.

      Every small action helps keep Gulfport clean, green, and beautiful. Thank you for doing your part to care for our community!

      Visit our Website

      A Message from the Gulfport Police Department: Keep Sidewalks Clear

      Help keep Gulfport safe and accessible for everyone by keeping sidewalks clear.

      Under Florida Statute 316.1945, vehicles and other obstructions are not permitted on sidewalks, as they can create serious hazards, especially for pedestrians using wheelchairs, strollers, or mobility aids. Violations may result in fines or towing.

      Thank you for doing your part to keep our community walkable and safe!

      Learn More

      Utility Marking: Decoding the Marks

      Seeing colored flags or paint in your yard or along the street? Those markings mean underground utilities have been located within public rights-of-way or utility easements before contractors start work. They help prevent damage and keep everyone safe.

       

      Remember, these markings show public utility lines, but private lines, like irrigation, outdoor lighting, or propane may still be underground and unmarked.

       

      Always call 811 before you dig. It’s free, it’s the law, and it helps prevent damage, outages, and injuries!

      1976 Bicentennial Time Capsule Photographs

      Photos from the opening of Gulfport’s 1976 Bicentennial Time Capsule are now available online. Explore this special collection and take a look back at a unique piece of our community’s history.

      Photo Gallery

      Gulfport Public Library Story Trail Initiative

      The Gulfport Public Library is inviting community members and local businesses to help bring a new outdoor literacy experience to life through the Gulfport Story Trail. This interactive project will transform a park pathway into a walking storybook, with illustrated pages displayed along the trail so families can read together while exploring Gulfport’s parks. To help make the project possible, the library is seeking sponsors for approximately 20 outdoor reading stations. Each sponsored station will include an engraved plaque recognizing the donor, business, or honoring a loved one. Once completed, the Story Trail will promote literacy, encourage physical activity, and provide a year-round resource for families, schools, and visitors. For more information or to become a sponsor, contact the Gulfport Public Library at libraryinfo@mygulfport.us or 727-893-1074.

      Adopt-a-Drain

      City of Gulfport Adopt-a-Drain Program

      Did you know that keeping storm drains clear helps reduce roadway flooding, protects our local waterways, and keeps our community safe? The City of Gulfport’s Adopt-a-Drain Program makes it easy to make a big impact right in your own neighborhood.

      Simply choose a storm drain near your home, workplace, or favorite walking route, monitor it regularly, and remove leaves and debris as needed. After clearing debris, contact Gulfport Public Works at (727) 893-1089 for pickup.

      It’s a simple way to protect our streets and our shoreline, one drain at a time!

      City of Gulfport Utilities Department Online Utility Service Application

      The City of Gulfport Utility Billing – Customer Service Division provides an online Utility Service Application, making it easy for new customers to start water, sewer, sanitation, stormwater, and recycling service. The secure online form allows applicants to upload required documents and submit everything from any computer or mobile device.

      In-person assistance is still available at Gulfport City Hall for those who prefer to apply in person.

      The application can be accessed anytime at: mygulfport.us/utilities/utility-account-application-form. Applications submitted before 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, are eligible for same-day activation.

      For more information, visit mygulfport.us/utilities or contact Utility Billing – Customer Service at utilitiesinfo@mygulfport.us or (727) 893-1016.

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      City of Gulfport Special Events Trolley/WRD Looper

      The City of Gulfport Special Events Trolley/Waterfront Redevelopment District (WRD) Looper services large-scale special events and the First Friday and Third Saturday Night Markets from 5 to 9 p.m. and the Second Saturday’s at Trolley Market Square from 4 – 8 p.m. throughout the year.

      For more information and to view all of the Loopers convenient pickup spots, please visit https://mygulfport.us/trolley/.

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      At First Contact, our goal is to have a community that is connected and informed regarding critical health and human service information for those who need help and those who are willing to volunteer or donate their time to local community agencies.

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      Care About Me confidentially helps all residents of all ages, insured or not, by eliminating the guesswork or need to search for local behavioral health services by creating a space where residents or family members of individuals in non-crisis can call in, speak directly with experienced behavioral health specialists who can triage their needs, and get an appointment scheduled with a local provider.

      For more information, visit https://careaboutme.org or call 1-888-431-1998.

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      Gulfport History Museum Operating Hours

      • Monday & Tuesday: Closed
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      Flyer. Text reads Gulfport Recycles. The City of Gulfport Recycling Guidelines. Separate curbside recycling into two groups. Group one plastic steel and aluminum. Group two mixed paper. Free recycling containers available for residents call 727 893 1089. Free mulch at Gulfport Neighborhood Center. Plastic bag drop off at City Hall and park collection buckets. Special pick up available by calling Public Works. Yard waste picked up on Wednesdays with size and bagging requirements. City of Gulfport Public Works logo. Website link mygulfport.us public works department. Background shows Gulfport waterfront illustration.

      Gulfport provides once-a-week collection of household recyclables. Curbside service is provided to all single-family and duplex homes, apartment/condo complexes, mobile home parks and smaller businesses. Items collected are plastic containers and jugs, steel cans, aluminum cans, mixed paper, cardboard and newspaper.

      A drop-off center is located at the Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th Street South, for glass containers (all colors), mixed paper, and cardboard. It is open 24 hours / 7 days a week. For more information, visit https://mygulfport.us/public-works-department/.

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      The Gulfport Public Works Department located at the 49th Street Neighborhood Center (1617 49th St. S.) is an official collection site for rechargeable batteries!

      For more information, please call 727-893-1089 or visit https://mygulfport.us/public-works-department/.

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      The City of Gulfport Private Waterline and Sewer Lateral Replacement Assistance Program offers financial reimbursement after the replacement of a deteriorated residential waterline or sewer lateral. City Utilities residential water or sewer customers are eligible for a rebate of 50% up to $3,500.00 after the purchase, installation, and inspection of failing waterlines or sewer lateral between the home connection and the city connection.

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      The City of Gulfport Senior Center’s Telephone Reassurance Program is a free service for Gulfport Residents 50 years of age or older. Volunteers provide daily phone calls to registered members and provide comfort, security, and peace of mind to members and families.

       

      Registration is simple and free. If you or someone you know could benefit from this service during this difficult time, please call (727) 893-2237 and register today.

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      Any Gulfport residents 65 & older or residents with a disability can take advantage of GEMS door to door service for a yearly membership of $70 plus $2 per one-way trip. For more information, call 893-2242.

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    • Cruisers’ Net Weekly Newsletter – October 30, 2026

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    • At Last, the Archetype Center-Console Gets a Stepped Hull – Loose Cannon

      Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with saltwater in their veins will subscribe. $7 per month or $56 for the year; you may cancel at any time.

         
       
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      At Last, the Archetype Center-Console Gets a Stepped Hull

      Boston Whaler Has Made the Move. Does That Mean Ventilated Bottoms Are Finally Safe for Beginners?

       
       
       
       
       

      READ IN APP

       
         
      You can see the new Whalers at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this week.

       

      INTRODUCTION: Brunswick Corporation has held a stepped hull patent since 2014, but the marine manufacturing giant waited nearly 10 years to apply that technology to a European brand in its stable. Earlier this year, Brunswick launched new Boston Whaler models—the 290 and 330 Outrage—incorporating “WhalerSteps.” According to its patent language, the underwater architecture was intended to mitigate the tendency to “swap ends and/or broach, i.e. become airborne, while maneuvering.”

      So far, the press for these boats has been good. One writer said, “The hull creates a keel-like geometry that grips the water laterally in the corners, preventing any skittish behavior that plagued earlier stepped designs.”

      Of course, the same writers also said some pretty nice things about those “earlier stepped designs,” which went on to kill people. Here’s the 2025 Loose Cannon history lesson no one else would write:

      Stepped Hulls: A Deal With the Devil

      Two Decades of Death and Injury. Spin-Out, After Rollover, After Spin-Out

         
      In this screenshot from YouTube video that went viral, a Fountain 38 yaws violently during a 2012 “poker run” event on Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. You can watch the video at the end of the story. Another Fountain 38 was at the center of a lawsuit regarding its stepped hull after a 2003 accident on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire.

      Val Jenkins was vice-president for manufacturing at Cigarette, a legendary go-fast company serving racing and consumer markets. Throughout his career, Jenkins refused to build stepped-hull boats for Cigarette’s civilian customers, whom he described as “dentists, doctors and owners of dry cleaners.”

      These amateurs were just not serious enough. Their notion of boating was “go fast, look good, get laid,” Jenkins said.

      Stepped hulls have tremendous appeal because they make fast boats go even faster without adding horse power. The trade-off has been that many, if not most models can become unstable when turning.

      Share

      The existence of that deadly flaw was kept quiet in the early days of center-console adoption, according to an industry insider who will be quoted later in the story.

      With a handful of notable exceptions, the story of the stepped-hull design is a story about an industry that made a deal with the Devil. The money was good, even as the body-count rose and continues to do so. The cruel irony has been that the dead have often been the bikini-clad companions, not the operators themselves, as the latter survived by clinging tight to the wheel during 65 mph spinouts and rollovers.

      At this point, regular readers might be saying, “So what? I’ve got a sailboat, or I’ve got a trawler. We all know the go-fast crowd are a bunch of knuckleheads. Who cares?”

      Recent stories about the Bayesian disaster, the loss of the first Pride of Baltimore and a hybrid jetski-pontoon boat that will flip over forward during deceleration weren’t exactly “on market” either, but taken together with this account, they begin to paint a picture.

      Boats with design flaws are like mirror-world slot machines. When a certain malign combination of symbols finally displays—call ’em the circumstances—the unwitting players become the opposite of rewarded, whether billionaires on a yacht or a family tooling around Pontoon Lake.

         
      Quad powered, 1800-horsepower Fuel Me Up was going 77 mph when she yawed and rolled. One man died.

      Recent Fatalities

      • November 9, 2024: Eytan Genoune, 22, was killed when the Nor-Tech 34 in which he was riding made “an unexpected sudden turn” while traveling southbound on the Intracoastal Waterway near Miami. The turn was violent enough to break off the boat’s T-top and eject all three people on board.
      • November 7, 2024: Stephanie Rodriguez, 24, was killed when the Deep Impact Custom 39 in which she was riding, spun out ejecting six of eight occupants after the operator made a turn to starboard. The boat had been traveling from Miami to Key West in a “poker run” event.
      • September 26, 2023: Michael Garcia, 41, was killed on Biscayne Bay when Fuel Me Up, the Contender 39 in which he was riding “yawed to starboard and rolled multiple times to port,” ejecting the three men onboard. Garcia was interested in buying the boat, and this was a seatrial. He was at the helm.

      All the quoted information above comes from Florida Fish & Wildlife investigation reports. Investigators made no mention of drugs or alcohol being a factor. Each vessel is a center-console with a stepped hull.

      Contender is a major American boatbuilder. Loose Cannon emailed the company for comment on the Garcia fatality, referencing Val Jenkins’ position on stepped hulls. There has been no reply.

      How They Work

         
      Those two notches toward the aft end of the boat are the edges of the steps that run transversely across the bottom to the other side. This boat happens to have been built by SeaVee, one of a handful of manufacturers who have cracked the code on how to make this hull design safer for an average boater.

      The “steps” molded into a planing hull act as ventilation tunnels, which means they draw air down below the surface of the water. The roiling mix of air and water reduces the friction in the area of the hull behind the step. Reducing friction increases speed and makes for better gas mileage.

      The boat’s pivot point, the base of the transom on a conventional deep-V hull, now resides at the step instead, helping to reduce pitching and reduce bow angle, which industry people call the angle of attack. Running flatter means you can see the horizon over the bow.

      Michael Peters

      At this point, Michael Peters should be introduced. He is the naval architect most associated with stepped-hull technology. His first time in a stepped-hull speedboat was with his wife. Peters rolled it and almost killed them both. He went on to develop a stepped-hull safe enough to have been adopted for U.S. Navy fast-attack craft.

      Writing in the November 2010 issue of Professional Boatbuilder magazine, Peters highlighted how dangerous unrefined stepped hulls could be compared to conventional deep-V hulls:

      A speed, a conventional deep-V runs with its lateral area aft. And, when trimmed in for a turn, the boat adds lateral area and carves a nice, controllable turn. A stepped hull, however, behaves differently. At speed, the wetted surface and lateral area have gaps caused by the steps. The water under the bottom, aft of the steps, is actually an air-and-water mix—there are bubbles—making for very little resistance and a very fast bottom. So when you turn the boat, if you trim in (as with a conventional deep-V), you plant the bow and move all the lateral area forward, with nothing but bubbles—a wetted surface that behaves more like ballbearings…As far as the boat is concerned, there is no drive aft. And therefore no resistance to spinning out and rolling…

      We’ve since learned that every manufacturer of stepped hulls has had the same thing happen. Repeatedly. It is the best-kept secret out there.

      Hushed-Up

      That last paragraph is intriguing. In the early years of the millennia, boatbuilders were taking step-hull technology from the racing teams—whose throttlemen were strapped in and wore helmets—and applying it to center-consoles, which were family and recreational fishing craft.

      What Peters was saying, and what he repeated in an interview with Loose Cannon, was that the entire marine industry knew stepped hulls were deadly. Professional Boatbuilder covered the history and proliferation of stepped hulls most thoroughly, but ordinary consumers did not subscribe to Probo, as it was called. It wasn’t on the magazine racks at airports.

      The enthusiast magazines—publications read by ordinary boaters—kept quiet about the issue even though stepped hulls were becoming central to a growing number of personal-injury and wrongful-death lawsuits. And, even though, according to Peters, a stepped-hull boat on seatrial actually rolled with bunch of magazine writers aboard!

      Not a word was written, presumably because a potential advertiser was involved. By March 2014 Soundings—the newsiest of the boating magazines—was writing about the stepped-hull trend, and although the story buried the lead (as editors like to say), it did include a couple oblique references to the carnage.

      “In a sense it’s like going from Army boots to ballet toe shoes. In the boots you can move around a lot and not fall over, but in the toe shoes you had better put some thought into your movements or risk an accident.”—Naval Architect Richard Akers, writing in Professional Boatbuilder magazine.

      A quarter century has passed since the early stepped hulls were introduced to recreational craft and a decade since Soundings leaked its grain of truth. Today, the center-console market is booming in harmony with the near perfection of the outboard motor.

      Jenkins and other experts interviewed for this article argue that the behavior of unrefined stepped hulls is too unpredictable for your average weekend boater to master. Going back to the slot-machine analogy, there are several factors on a continuum that are always combining to affect performance as their values change: Speed, trim angle, sea state, weight (fuel in tanks), weight distribution, rate of turn, etc. The number of possible combinations is mind-boggling.

      Refinements

      Some builders are selling stepped-hull boats that aren’t much improved at all. Others have steadfastly refused to put steps in their hulls, saying their boats were fast enough already. Time has normalized the idea of steps even though the accidents continue.

      Some of these stepped-hull boats are much better than they used to be, however. As mentioned, Michael Peters came up with an innovation that largely prevented his stepped-hull designs from spinning out, though he will remind you that spinouts are never impossible given the high speeds involved.

      Peters’ refinement was to add another indented section running longitudinally connecting the aftmost step to an opening at the transom. This shallow box-like indentation was inspired by the racing powercat pontoon architecture. This “tunnel” presented just enough lateral area “to catch the hull, but not so abruptly that it will trip it,” Peters told Soundings.

         
      Peters’ innovation. If you want to understand the lingo: Longitudinally means something is laid out fore-and-aft. Transverse means something is laid out from side to side, as is the case with the actual steps. The tunnel is said to be longitudinal.

      Peters is not a boatbuilder. He founded Michael Peters Yacht Design of Sarasota, Florida in 1981, specializing in high-speed watercraft. Peters designs boats for builders and governments. He won’t license his patented stepped hull to third parties.

      His stepped-hull designs are sold by several center-console brands, including Invincible, Blackfin, Valhalla, Barker, Mag Bay and Caymas.

      (According to Peters, Contender asked him to design its first stepped hulls, but a contract with a competing builder precluded him from doing so. Had things gone differently, Michael Garcia might be alive today and tooling around Biscayne Bay in a newly purchased Contender 39.)

      The U.S. Navy’s Special Warfare Command contracted Peters to draw the lines for its MK VI Patrol Boat, a 61-foot stepped-hull design. Yes, Navy Seals ride into combat on a Peters hull, considered too valuable to die in a boating accident before they can get to the fight. (This story is part of an Invincible Boats YouTube video at bottom.)

         
      Stepped-hull designers Robert Kaidy (left) and Michael Peters.

      SeaVee

      SeaVee has been building center-consoles in South Florida since 1974. At around the same time that Peters was working toward his ventillated tunnel refinement, SeaVee decided to come up with its own solution and hired a naval architect named Robert Kaidy as vice-president of engineering.

      Where Peters’ solution had been to incorporate an “inny” feature, Kaidy found similar results from an “outy.” That is, a series of strakes, which SeaVee dubbed a “Speedrail.” Thus, declared SeaVee, the stepped-hull was “perfected.”

         
      The SeaVee patent illustration describes its “Speedrail” as strakes labeled 78B & C, 80B & C and 82 B & C.

      According to SeaVee, its Speedrail “creates a vertical positive pressure surfaces that does not allow the boat to ‘slip out’ at right speeds or going into a turn.” AI wasn’t a thing 12 years ago, when SeaVee applied for its patent, but there was such a thing as computer modeling. SeaVee went further, as shown below.

         
      A plug is a hull-prototype used by boatbuilders to create the female hull mold (any mold really). SeaVee set out to test the design by reinforcing the plug, powering it and going out on seatrials.

      At the time, SeaVee produced a marketing video documenting the company’s philosophy and the design process that produced it’s Z Series line of stepped-hull center-consoles, which you can watch below.

      Armchair experts may view both of these refinements as obvious. As Peters pointed out, however, the history of invention is full of products or methods that, while obvious in hindsight, represented a huge investment in time, money and human energy during development—in his case, an entire career.

      The fact that both solutions are patented means that any other builder who wants to refine its stepped hull to make it safer has to come up with something distinct from the Peters tunnel or the Kaidy strakes.

      Or that builder can wait until the patents expire.

      SeaVee’s Speedrail patent does not expire until 2034, but the expiration for one of the Peters stepped-hull patents is just around the corner—July 1, 2028. Loose Cannon asked Peters to channel his inner Gandhi. Would he consider releasing his patent for general use early, you know, for the public good? He chuckled and said something about “un-American.”

         
      Illustrator Douglas Coffin caught the spirit of the stepped-hull’s appeal in this cartoon published in Professional Boatbuilder magazine back in the early days of its introduction to a mass market. (Reproduced with permission)

      Training

      The U.S. Coast Guard does not have standards for center-console hull designs. The International Organization for Standardization, or ISO, has language on hull construction but not design. The American Boat & Yacht Council, or ABYC, sets standards for many facets of boat construction, but not hull design.

      The courts have been handling lawsuits over stepped hulls ever since their introduction into center-consoles, but these proceedings aren’t advertised and attracted little or no attention. You’ve already read how the marine press responded to stepped-hull disasters; this institution is even more lame today than it was then.

      So, buyer beware. Anyone with good enough credit can buy a boat that goes over 70 mph and just might rollover under circumstances that are difficult to predict. The only institution that is protecting the public appears to be the insurance industry, which is actually protecting itself.

      Some insurers are requiring go-fast buyers to present a certificate from a training organization. The primary motivator may not be as much about hull design as the fact that there are, say, four 450-horsepower outboards attached to the transom of an applicant’s boat. Nevertheless, guys like Tres Martin include lessons in stepped-hull operation in their curriculums.

      Martin was an accomplished “throttleman” from the same go-fast culture as Val Jenkins. Back when actor Don Johnson ruled the airwaves playing the lead on “Miami Vice,” Martin was ruling the actual waves of offshore racing, winning multiple world championships. He reinvented himself as a teacher when he founded Tres Martin Performance Boat School in 2004.

      He and two other instructors teach 70 to 90 people a year. The courses cost between $2,000 and $3,600 for multiple days of instruction, including time on the water on a customer’s own boat. One of the most difficult parts of the job, Martin said, is telling a student that he or she had failed the course and they would not be getting the certificate needed to obtain insurance coverage for a boat already bought.

      “There’s a lot of boats out there that are stepped bottoms developed by trial and error, not even involving a naval architect,” Martin said, acknowledging that some designs are still potentially dangerous. “All I’m here to do is keep people safe. Stepped bottoms are here to stay,” he said.

      LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.

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    • Christmas Promo: Up Your Game and Get a Painting of Your Boat for a Hundred Bucks – Loose Cannon

      Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with saltwater in their veins will subscribe. $7 per month or $56 for the year; you may cancel at any time.

         
       
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      Christmas Promo: Up Your Game and Get a Painting of Your Boat for a Hundred Bucks

      Acrylic on Canvas by Fine Artist Osiris Salomón Santos, a Loose Cannon Friend

       
       
       
       
       

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      This is a painting of Loose Cannon’s Morgan Out Island 41, underway in the Abacos. Her name is Rio.

      Anyone who upgrades to a paid subscription by November 23 is eligible to purchase a painting of their own boat or someone else’s by contemporary fine artist Osiris Salomón Santos of the Dominican Republic. Naturally, existing paid subscribers are also eligible.

      Santos is a friend who painted Loose Cannon’s ketch from a photo of Rio underway in the Bahamas.

      There are two sizes to choose from: 20 by 24 inches for $100 and 24 by 30 inches for $150. (Rio is the latter.) The medium is acrylic on canvas, which is ideal for shipping.

      Speaking of which, we must tack on $36 onto those prices to cover our shipping costs, first to the U.S. and then via the Postal Service.

      Paintings will be sent to their purchasers via USPS Priority Mail in the first week of December.

         
      Osiris Salomón Santos and some of his work.

      My Man Salomón

      Santos works from a studio in Sosua on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic. He is considered a contemporary fine artist, though he makes much of his living painting portraits for tourists who travel there on beach vacations, usually working from photos.

      Share

      The key to Santos’ productivity and reasonable pricing is his use of a wide-format printer to reproduce the image on the canvas itself, which he then paints over. Before you say that this is some form of cheating, you should know that artists of the last century often achieved similar results by sketching over an image from an overhead projector.

      Before that—and going back to the late 1500s—artists employed what was called a camera obscura to project scenes through a pinhole onto a surface such as paper or canvas, thus helping those old masters sketch out a scene.

      As far as the topic at hand—using photography as a tool for a painter—the pinhole camera brings this discussion full circle. In the first half of the 19th century this technology was refined to expose light-sensitive materials to the projected image, and so photography was born.

      Now, enough tech talk and onto the fun—and more tech talk. We can also use ChatGPT to re-render your photo into the style of famed nautical painters of yore, or any recognizable artist for the matter—before Santos applies his brush strokes. As a demonstration, I am showing how Rio would look, if she had been painted by:

         
      WINSLOW HOMER
         
      IVAN AIVAZOVSKY
         
      CARL G. EVERS
         
      VINCENT VAN GOGH

      The Process

      Here is the process to get your own boat painting:

      1. Sign up for, or upgrade to a paid subscription.
      2. New people and existing paid subscribers (We know who you are) should then email the photo they would like to see as a painting to petercswanson@gmail.com. The email must be received by November 23. Include your physical mailing address.
      3. If you want your painting to be done in the style of a particular artist, include that info. We will send you the re-rendered image for approval.
      4. Once Santos has finished the painting. He will email you a picture of the picture, and an invoice for the price of the painting plus $36 for shipping. He will include instructions on how to pay via Moneygram.
      5. You pay. We deliver.

      And that’s it. The painting will come by mail, rolled into a triangular shipping tube. It will be insured. You will then have to have it stretched for framing or attach it to the side of that big fridge of yours with magnets.

         
      Nautically themed works by the artist.
         
      Santos at work en plein air.

      LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.

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    • Could the November 1950 Superstorm be repeated this year? – Fred Pickhardt


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      In November 1950, the polar vortex underwent a massive disruption that caused upper-level winds to stretch into an enormous, elongated loop, sweeping freezing Arctic air deep into the American South late in November, fueling the historic November 1950 Superstorm (aka Great Appalachian Storm). …

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    • Albemarle-Pamlico has lost a fifth of estuary forests: Study – CoastalReview

      https://coastalreview.org/2026/10/albemarle-pamlico-has-lost-a-fifth-of-estuary-forests-study/

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    • New Jersey Boatbuilder Trials AI Whale Detection Technology – Loose Cannon

      Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with saltwater in their veins will subscribe. $7 per month or $56 for the year; you may cancel at any time.

         
       
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      New Jersey Boatbuilder Trials AI Whale Detection Technology

      Seen as Solution to the Problem of Collisions with Right Whales

       
       
       
       
       

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      No imagine what you could see at night

      The author is deputy editor of Marine Industry News, a U.K. based business-to-business outlet. This story was published on October 23, 2026 and is reprinted here with permission.


      By ANNA CUMMINS

      The New Jersey boatbuilder, Viking Yacht Company, is evaluating WhaleSpotter whale-detection technology aboard its new Viking 70 Convertible demonstration boat. The system, which uses thermal cameras and artificial intelligence to detect whales ahead of moving vessels, can be used to alert captains in good time.

      Atlantic Marine Electronics, a Viking subsidiary, installed the system on the test yacht’s tuna tower using a removable mount. The camera and processing computer sit within a single unit, while a tablet at the helm shows thermal images alongside the estimated distance and bearing of detected whales. An audible alert notifies the captain when a whale is spotted.

      Share

      WhaleSpotter reports reliable detection at distances of two to three nautical miles, day or night, depending on camera height and whale size, and claims its software distinguishes whales from waves, spray and other activity on the water.

        WhaleSpotter combines a thermal camera and processing computer in a single unit  
      WhaleSpotter combines a thermal camera and processing computer in a single unit

      Time To React

      “Seeing a whale two or three miles ahead gives a captain time to make a small course correction to avoid it,” says Shawn Henry, CEO of WhaleSpotter, which specialises in sportfishing vessels. “That’s the value of long-range detection. Captains can identify a potential risk and respond well before the vessel gets close to the whale.”

      The system collected data during the yacht’s recent trip from New Jersey to Florida, although no whales were detected. It will stay aboard during regular operations. Viking will also demonstrate it at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this week. According to WhaleSpotter, this is its first demonstration on a sportfishing yacht.

      Since 2022, Viking has worked with technology partners, including Viam, to evaluate systems intended to reduce vessel strikes.

      “We’re seeing tremendous progress in whale-detection technology, and these systems are becoming more practical and accessible for recreational boats,” says John DePersenaire, Viking’s director of government affairs and sustainability. “The WhaleSpotter demonstration is another example of technology that’s available today and can help captains avoid whales. We want to demonstrate these capabilities in real-world boating conditions.”

      Partnerships and Testing

      Viking and industry partners formed the Whale and Vessel Safety (WAVS) Taskforce in late 2022, focusing particularly on the endangered North Atlantic right whale. Its 24-foot Contender research boat carries thermal imaging, radar and AI detection equipment.

      The boat is finishing a season in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Visitors included National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) personnel, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation board members and marine electronics companies. The team conducted manoeuvres and examined National Marine Electronics Association vessel data to assess how responses to detections can be tracked. Plans are being developed for winter operations in the South Atlantic.

      NOAA is considering changes to the 2008 vessel speed rule, which requires most vessels of 65ft or longer to travel at 10 knots or less in designated East Coast Seasonal Management Areas at certain times of year. President Donald Trump’s September 17executive order directed NOAA to use advances in avoidance technology and coordinate with the private sector.

      Viking is now urging the agency to propose a rule incorporating technology-based measures.

      “The technology has advanced significantly since the 2008 rule was adopted,” DePersenaire says. “Through WAVS, we’ve been working to demonstrate that these systems can detect whales and give captains the information they need to avoid them. WhaleSpotter illustrates the rapid pace at which whale-detection technologies are being commercialised and put into use.”

      Research, AI

      WhaleSpotter grew out of more than a decade of research at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Co-founder Dr Daniel Zitterbart helped develop the technology, which uses AI trained on whale and ocean imagery. The company reports more than 70 systems deployed worldwide, including commercial vessel installations and shore-based monitoring sites.

      “Our research covers different whale species under a wide range of conditions,” Henry says. “We can often identify a North Atlantic right whale by the distinctive V shape of its blow. That allows us to distinguish it from a humpback whale, for example, and gives captains more information about what they’re seeing.”

      LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.

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    • November Coastal Updates – SCDNR


       
       
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      Manatee in water

      A manatee surfacing for air / Photo by: Erin Weeks/SCDNR

      Welcome to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Coastal Updates newsletter! You are receiving this email because you attended one of our public programs or signed up for updates from our agency. In this monthly newsletter, you’ll find the latest outdoors news, volunteer opportunities, useful career information and more. We hope it will help you enjoy and protect our state’s beautiful coastline.

      What’s happening outdoors along the coast in November?

      • The Atlantic red snapper season may be over, but the work is far from done. We ask that anglers continue to declare their bottom-fishing trips and report the red snapper they release via the VESL reporting platform throughout the remainder of October and November. Both in-season and out-of-season data is critical to gaining a complete understanding of the red snapper fishery as a whole, and we need your support in working toward the goal of more state-based management. Help us spread the word to fellow anglers to keep reporting their data! Plus, each week in November, we’ll be providing a few lucky winners with offshore fishing fear from Shimano and Crowder Rods; any angler who logs a bottom-fishing trip and reports their catch in VESL will be eligible to win. Follow us on Instagram for updates!
      • November is Manatee Awareness Month! With temperatures dropping in the Lowcountry, manatees have begun their migration south. This time is crucial to document any manatee sightings in South Carolina waters; if you see any lingering visitors, share your findings here!
      • Oyster season in the Lowcountry is well underway, and we want to help YOU enjoy the season sustainably. If you’re hosting an oyster roast this season, let us know a week in advance by calling (843) 396-0965; we’ll help you to roast responsibly and show you how to recycle your shells and support our resilient coastline. Find the closest oyster recycling drop off near you here!

      News Updates HeaderSCDNR Seeks Input on 5 year ACE Basin Management Plan | News 2  

      SCDNR Honors Foster McKissick With the Carroll A. Campbell Award | The Fishing Wire

      Events Volunteer HeaderTrash Picking with Charleston Waterkeeper (Charleston, SC) Tuesdays, November 3, 10, 17 and 24, 1–3 p.m. | Volunteer with our SCORE team alongside Charleston Waterkeeper to pick trash out of recycled oysters every Tuesday of the month! Roll up your sleeves and help ready this shell to be replanted in various state shellfish grounds and restoration projects. Register here.

      Veterans Day Fishing Clinic (Yemassee, SC) | Wednesday, November 11, 9 a.m.–noon | Join SCDNR biologists and certified fishing instructors for a fun day of fishing at Nemours Plantation! In celebration of Veterans Day, SCDNR — in partnership with Nemours Plantation and the Nemours Wildlife Foundation — is offering a free clinic for veterans and active-duty military members. Please note: One military member or veteran is required; you can show your DD 214, Veteran’s ID, Active Duty Military ID or discharge papers. Register here.

      SCDNR Saltwater Fishing Clinic (Yemassee, SC) Wednesday, November 11, 1–4 p.m. | In partnership with Nemours Plantation and the Nemours Wildlife Foundation, we’re offering a saltwater fishing clinic for anyone interested in learning how to fish! You’ll learn how to tie knots, rig your rod, how to cast, what bait to use and what fish you can catch. Register here.

      Kayak Fishing 101 (Myrtle Beach, SC) Wednesday, November 11, 6–8 p.m. | Join us for Kayak Fishing 101, taught by our fishing instructors! This program builds on the introductory class to kayak fishing, and will teach you more about the different types of kayaks, freshwater versus saltwater, safety and more! Kids ages 6 to adults are welcome to attend. Register here.

      MWR Fabrication with Charleston Waterkeeper (Charleston, SC) Thursday, November 12, 12:30–3:30 p.m. | Volunteer with our SCORE team alongside Charleston Waterkeeper to construct manufactured wire reefs (MWRs)! These MWRs will be used as a substrate for oyster larvae to land and grow on. You’ll cut, bend and fasten galvanized wire to form a reef structure, then add recycled oyster shell to complete the process. Register here.

      ACE Basin Property Tour (Edisto Island, SC) | Friday, November 20, 9 a.m.–noon | Join SCDNR staff on a tour of the ACE Basin where we’ll explore the cultural and natural resources found throughout Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area! Register here.

      Saltwater Fishing Clinic (Georgetown, SC) | Tuesday, November 24, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Join SCDNR, North Inlet NERR staff and certified instructors to learn the basics of saltwater fishing! You’ll learn how to tie fishing knots, rig a rod and reel, cast and fish! Kids ages 4 to adults are welcome to attend. Register here.

      Women’s Inshore Saltwater Fishing Clinic (Georgetown, SC) | Tuesday, December 15, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Join SCDNR, North Inlet NERR staff and certified instructors to learn the basics of saltwater fishing! You’ll learn how to tie fishing knots, rig a rod and reel, cast and fish. Women ages 12 to adults are welcome to attend. Register here.

      SCDNR Natural Resource Fest (West Columbia, SC) | Friday, January 29, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. | Join the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for a free, agency-wide career fair designed for middle school students. As students begin exploring their interests and planning for their futures through their personal pathway to success, Natural Resource Fest gives them a firsthand look at the many careers that support and protect South Carolina’s natural resources. Register here by Jan. 1, 2027.

      Jobs and Career

      We’re hiring!

      Administrative Specialist II | Charleston County, SC | This employee will assist the Boat Titling and Licensing Section with the processing of watercraft and outboard motor transactions and the sale of hunting and fishing licenses.

      Vehicle/Equipment Repair Technician II | Charleston County, SC | This employee will work within SCDNR’s Vessel Operations Section at the Marine Resources Division.  

      Wildlife Biologist II | Hampton County, SC | This employee is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day tasks, training and follow up of staff in completion of management activities and administrative duties in Unit 4-D.

      View all open SCDNR jobs here.

       

      All Hands on Deck in the ACE Basin

      Margaret Davidson Fellow  NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management opened applications for the 2027–2029 Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship, and we have an opening for one at the ACE Basin NERR! This two-year program invites graduate students to conduct a collaborative research project on a key reserve management need. Learn more about the fellowship and apply here!
      SCDNR is seeking public input on the proposed ACE Basin NERR Management Plan for 2026–2031. Created in partnership between SCDNR and NOAA, this plan serves as a framework to guide authorizations, approvals, fund and other actions for the ACE Basin NERR over the course of its cycle. Find the survey for public comment, as well as the drafted management plan, here!   Aerial view of the ACE Basin

      SCORE Spotlight

      Buffet food  Calling all coastal cooks! As a part of the SCORE/SC Sea Grant Consortium’s Title I schools grant, we will be developing a coastal cookbook highlighting South Carolina’s coastal cuisine. Please be as detailed as possible and include a picture, ingredients, cookware, step-by-step instructions, a fun recipe name and a personal or historic anecdote about your dish. If chosen for inclusion, we’ll share a copy of the cookbook with you! Please send your submissions to score@dnr.sc.gov.

       

      Michael Hodges, SCDNR SCORE’s fearless leader, will be retiring from the program after 24 and a half years of service! Michael’s commitment to grassroots oyster restoration has always centered on fostering a sense of ownership for our natural resources. Under his tenure, SCORE has educated more than 26,500 people about the importance of oysters and salt marsh resiliency and has grown to be the largest state oyster shell recycling and restoration program in the country. Many other agencies, nonprofits and groups have applied what SCORE and Michael have created in South Carolina to their home fisheries. 

       

        Michael Hodges
       
       
       

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    • NY Times: Life on the Most Remote Island on Earth – Loose Cannon

      Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with saltwater in their veins will subscribe. $7 per month or $56 for the year; you may cancel at any time.

       
         
       
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      When all else fails, try journalism.


      NY Times: Life on the Most Remote Island on Earth

      Moving to Tristan da Cunha To Start a Family

       
       
       
       
       

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      Far, far away: Edinburgh of the Seven Seas is home to just 220 people.

      Here’s another from the New York Times. We have started sharing stories designated as “gifts” from our Times account. This one was first published earlier today. Use the link below.


      By NICK SCHONFELD

      To reach Tristan, roughly halfway between Africa and South America, Kelly Green crossed 1,738 miles of the South Atlantic from Cape Town aboard the M/V Edinburgh, a 205-foot lobster boat. She had never been to sea before, and she worried about seasickness, but it never came.

      After a week at sea, the ship dropped anchor off Calshot Harbour, in front of Tristan da Cunha’s only settlement—Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. Its two small piers, jutting into the water, looked to Kelly like arms reaching out to welcome her.

      Kelly could see most of the island’s residents (then 264 people) waving, including her mother and father, Marina and Sean Burns. Her father had been sent to the island, a British Overseas Territory, to serve as its administrator. He persuaded his reluctant 22-year-old daughter to visit, though Kelly, living in Britain, was more interested in clubs than remote islands. Kelly remembers him saying: “You have to come out, because you’ll never get the chance again.”

         

      Among the men who helped carry her bags off the boat was Shane Green, 21. They met again that night at the island’s only pub. They danced.

      Kelly went home after six weeks. The first night back in Cape Town, South Africa, where most ships leaving Tristan travel to, her hotel phone rang. It was Shane. They talked every night for months.

      That was in 2012. Two years and several visits later, Kelly made the decision that would change her life: She moved to Tristan and became the first woman in over a century to settle there for good. The last had been three Irish sisters, in 1908.

      Living on an isolated island requires residents to be rather social—to pitch in for the common good, wear multiple hats, work long days and make their own fun.

      Tristan was first sighted in 1506 by Tristão da Cunha, a Portuguese naval commander. Britain annexed the island in 1816 and set up a garrison for a year. A Scottish corporal stayed behind with his wife, their two children and two English stonemasons. That was the beginning of the community that lives there today.

      Only 220 people now call it home, down from a peak of 300 in 1993. In the past three years, there have been 21 deaths and only six births. A few islanders have emigrated over the years.

      READ THE REST OF THE STORY FOR FREE

       

      LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.

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