Bahamas Boating News and Bimini Big Game Club Update and Special Offers – Association of Bahamas Marinas
While in the Bahamas be sure to visit our sponsors: Staniel Cay Yacht Club and Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club.
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Yacht Gossip in the Bahamas: 1943 Version Is Pretty Juicy – Peter Swanson
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes mariners with salt water in their veins will subscribe.. $7 a month or $56 for the year and you may cancel at anytime.
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Yacht Gossip in the Bahamas: 1943 Version Is Pretty Juicy
British Royals, Submarine Warfare and an Unsolved Murder
Southern Cross underway in the Bahamas. CAMERA 1, OPENER: Three well dressed men converse in the sumptuous saloon of a 320-foot yacht moored in the Bahamas. Their names are George Soros, Elon Musk and Prince Andrew. England and the United States are allies in a war. It’s a Netflix remake, and China is the enemy du jour.
Soros is suspected of working for Beijing, the Prince is a Chinese sympathiser and likely traitor, and Musk is, of course, the richest guy on the boat.
The climactic scene happens at the end of Episode 7, when Musk is assassinated in brutal fashion, a crime that is investigated in subsequent episodes but never solved. Critics are unkind. “Lurid, cartoonish, farfetched. Why is Soros always the bad guy?” they write.
Yet this very scenario—the black-and-white version, you might say—was playing out in the Bahamas in 1942-43.
As war broke out in Europe, Swedish industrialist Axel Wenner-Gren sailed to Bahamian waters aboard Southern Cross, the fifth or sixth largest private motoryacht in the world. Wenner-Gren’s tenure in the Bahamas mixed business and pleasure; among his offshore properties was Paradise Island in Nassau, the site of today’s Atlantis mega-resort and marina.
And while you might think that the Bahamas were the farthest place in the world from the mayhem of war, during 1942 and 1943 a critical phase of the Battle of the Atlantic was raging all around the islands.
Predatory U-boats were lying in wait for the oil tankers from Venezuela and American refineries along the Gulf of Mexico as they tried to make their way north along the Gulf Stream. German successes were staggering.
In June-July 1942 alone, 30 ships were sunk along the southern edge of Bahamian waters. By November U-boats had sunk 263 ships in the Caribbean Sea. Britain’s wartime leader Winston Churchill was apoplectic; he wrote President Roosevelt begging for more aggressive action by the U.S. Navy, which had been uncharacteristically lethargic.
England needed oil and other strategic goods to survive. She needed food. German U-Boat successes were dangerously close to forcing London to capitulate.
Allied intelligence agencies mistrusted Axel Wenner-Gren intensely. The Swede made his fortune as founder of the Electrolux vacuum cleaner company, but he was also a major owner of Bofors, the Swedish armaments manufacturer that had covertly assisted in Germany’s re-armament under the Nazi regime.
Wenner-Gren openly boasted about his friendly connections to Hitler’s inner circle, and his crew was formerly of the Swedish Navy, a pro-Nazi institution within neutral Sweden. Southern Cross itself had immense fuel capacity and bristled with antennas connected to its state-of-the-art radio room.
(Wenner-Gren had purchased Southern Cross from American tycoon Howard Hughes for $1 million. “The Aviator” had been courting Hollywood in the 1930s and used the palatial vessel as his personal offshore drilling platform, you might say.)
Events of September 1939 fueled Allied suspicions toward the Swede. They happened while Southern Cross was on a pleasure cruise in the North Atlantic. In the first sinking of the submarine war, U-30 torpedoed the liner Athenia with 1,450 Canadian and American passengers on board.
Southern Cross happened to be nearby. She rescued 200 survivors and delivered them to Ireland. Allied intelligence considered her proximity highly suspicious and saw causality in what was proffered as coincidence. Allied intelligence suspected that even if Wenner-Gren hadn’t come to the Bahamas in 1942 on a secret mission to refuel German submarines, Southern Cross may have been serving as a scout ship, helping U-boats find targets such as Athenia.
Despite official paranoia, Wenner-Gren was able to take up residence in the Bahamas. He became friendly with the Duke of Windsor, who had come to Nassau to serve as wartime governor of the Bahamas, then a British possession. The Duke was formerly known as Edward VIII, King of England.
In a spectacular 1936 news event, he had abdicated the throne of England to marry the “woman I love,” an American divorcee named Wallis Simpson. The abdication twosome were frequent guests aboard Southern Cross, and Wenner-Gren once loaned the use of his yacht to run Wallis over to Florida to have a tooth pulled.
Before the war, the Duke and his wife had met Hitler and expressed their admiration for the Nazi regime. It is widely suspected that the Duke later engaged in treasonous wartime communications with the Nazis, any evidence of which will remain under the seal of British government secrecy until 2046. He was believed to be Hitler’s first choice as puppet ruler of Britain after the planned German invasion. Churchill, in effect, had exiled the Duke to Nassau to get this troublesome royal out of the way.
The Allied spy services trusted none of the three amigos: Axel Wenner-Gren, Harry Oakes and the Duke of Winsor. Another friend of Wenner-Gren was Sir Harry Oakes, slain in one of the 20th century’s great unsolved mysteries. Harry Oakes could be compared to the Elon Musk of his day; certainly he was one of wealthiest men in the British empire. A native of Maine’s Downeast region, Oakes amassed an enormous fortune by discovering gold in Canada, became a Canadian citizen and eventually landed in Nassau, a tax haven, where he was knighted for his good works in the community.
While on a cruise to Mexico, the allies blacklisted Wenner-Gren, forcing the Swede to remain there with his famous yacht. Now communicating at longer range, the Duke and Oakes are suspected of having made a series of investments brokered by their buddy Wenner-Gren—illegally. These deals would have been in contravention of wartime monetary regulations and, given Wenner-Gren’s involvement, possibly designed to expand Nazi influence in Latin America.
When Sir Harry Oakes’ body was found bludgeoned, bloody and burned in July 1943, the Duke of Windsor did something very odd. Instead of summoning Scotland Yard, he forbade anyone but two mediocre, hand-picked Miami police detectives from investigating the case. These detectives arrested Oakes’ son-in-law, a dashing French marquis, on evidence so flimsy as to be nearly invisible.
Why not Scotland Yard? Conventional wisdom is that a competent investigation might have uncovered Oakes’ and the Duke’s illicit dealings with Wenner-Gren, which would have infuriated Winston Churchill.
Alfred de Marigny was quickly acquitted of the gruesome slaying. Despite the favorable verdict, he was ordered to leave the Bahamas, but as consolation he was given the rope they would have used to hang him. It was a special type of rope, you see, imported from Britain.
He and wife Nancy went to stay for a short period at the home of his friend Ernest Hemingway, just outside of Havana, Cuba, at a time when the novelist happened to be working as a freelance agent for U.S. Naval Intelligence at the Havana embassy.
Who killed Harry Oakes? Books have been written on the subject, pointing the finger at the American Mafia, which wanted to develop casinos in Nassau, or Allied intelligence services, or a combination of both. Another scenario blames the scion of a prominent (to this day) Bahamian real estate brokerage.
Secret documents surrounding the relationship between the Duke of Windsor and the Nazis may hold some answers, but secrecy fuels speculation and the Internet spreads it. Some have even speculated that Wenner-Gren himself may have been involved in the killing, though that would seem out-of-character for the affable industrialist.
Wenner-Gren remained in Mexico for the duration of the war, donating Southern Cross to the Mexican Navy for use as a training vessel. One account has the ship being scrapped in 1960. His business dealings in Latin America accrued even more wealth for Wenner-Gren, not the least of which was founding what became Mexico’s telephone monopoly.
After the war, Wenner-Gren returned to the Bahamas and, among other things, bought up property on the island of Andros. Friends and surrogates minimized the Swede’s connection to the Nazis, saying Wenner-Gren himself had exaggerated his relationship with men such as Air Marshall Herman Goering. In that, Wenner-Gren joined the legion of powerful people then trying to distance themselves from the Nazis, who not only were defeated but had been outed as genocidal criminals.
Wenner-Gren died in 1961, and, aside from unproven wartime suspicions, is remembered through the foundations that bear his name. One of the Swedish magnate’s good works, the Wenner-Gren Foundation, continues to be a prominent supporter of worldwide research in “all branches of anthropology.”
His company ALWEG built the original Disney World monorail.
After the Bahamas, the Duke of Windsor was never given another official role. He and Wallis quietly lived out their lives unloved by anyone but each other.
JFK and Wenner-Gren’s Mistress
Just when you thought the story could not get any juicer, comes a precious footnote to the Wenner-Gren story. Wenner-Gren and John Fitzgerald Kennedy shared a girlfriend, and his presidency might be an unintended consequence of the affair.
She was a Danish beauty named Inga Arvard. As young woman, she moved in Nazi circles, attending Goering’s wedding, twice lunching with the Fuhrer, and even accompanying him to the Berlin Olympic Games. Her second husband had been employed by Wenner-Gren, which reportedly led to her to Wenner-Gren’s bed.
“Inga Binga,” as young JFK called her, began sleeping with him around the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, while Kennedy was serving as an ensign in the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington. Soon the affair between the 24-year-old naval officer and the married Nazi sympathizer came to the attention of Kennedy’s superiors and the FBI.
FBI agents followed the couple, bugged their hotel rooms and telephones. The idea that a suspected German Mata Hari was carrying on with an intelligence officer and son of a former U.S. ambassador, no less, did not sit well with FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and Joseph Kennedy himself.
To preserve his political future, randy Jack was forced to end the affair. His dad ensured there were no immediate consequences, but Kennedy was reassigned and eventually sent to the Pacific to command PT-109, not a yacht, but nevertheless one of the most important vessels in the American imagination. Kennedy’s war record helped the senator from Massachusetts carve out a narrow victory over Richard Nixon in the 1960 presidential election.
The JFK-Arvard affair is documented in the 2016 book by Barbara Leaming entitled “Kick Kennedy: The Charmed Life and Tragic Death of the Favorite Kennedy Daughter.” The book was reviewed by People magazine. Supplementary Reading
“Who Killed Sir Harry Oakes?” by James Leasor, House of Stratus, 1983.
“The Secret History of the FBI,” by Ronald Kessler, St. Martins, 2002
“Operation Drumbeat: The Dramatic True Story of Germany’s First U-Boat Attacks Along the American Coast in World War II,” by Michael Gannon, Harper and Row, 1992
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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© 2025 Rio Charters
411 Walnut St. No. 1944, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043Be the first to comment!
Dismal Swamp Canal – Reopening Tomorrow, May 6th
The Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, a Salty Southeast Cruisers Net sponsor, provided this update today regarding the ongoing canal closing.
Happy #CincodeMayo! We’re kicking the week off with some great news from the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers…
The historic Dismal Swamp Canal reopens to traffic & returns to normal operations tomorrow, May 6th!
Check out our Boating/Paddling Page for great boating tips, lock & bridge times, contact info & more.
https://www.dismalswampwelcomecenter.com/boating-paddling
We can’t wait to see our wonderful boating community!
Share your #DismalSwampCanal images with us as you cruise through & don’t forget to stop at #MM28 to grab your very own 2025 Dismal Swamp Canal Boating Sticker!
Wishing everyone safe travels & we look forward to seeing you at the Dismal Swamp,
Sarah
Sarah Hill, TMP
Director, Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center
Chairperson, Camden County Tourism Development Authority
2356 US Hwy 17 North, South Mills, NC 27976252-771-8333 | shill@camdencountync.gov www.DismalSwampWelcomeCenter.com Be the first to comment!
THE PERIPHERY OF LIFE – Janice Anne Wheeler
Thank you for your loyalty; every story you read makes me ever more proud to share them. STEADFAST continues to undergo extensive repair and refit, so stay aboard for sailing tales combined with the challenges, and intricacies of restoring a 90-year-old Sailing Yacht. I’m always open to suggestions as to content….weigh in as we manage and learn from our latest joust!
Her restoration is substantial and we are making progress!Messages reach my inbox directly; please do not hesitate to contact me! ~J
Until they’re not, until those friends lose the ultimate SPAR WITH MOTHER NATURE. Until one day you contact them, and they’re gone. Some were gone before you noticed, before anyone told you, before you remembered that it had been a while and you should reach out but you don’t because you are too busy worrying about a future that may never arrive, and then another week goes by, and then a month. And a year.
They definitely remain in the invaluable category of good people you’ve discovered, but you can’t call them anymore. You can’t tell them that they were important. Or how important they were. You expected to see them again, when the opportunity arose, if you wanted to. But you can’t.
A mentor of mine, who shirked neither praise nor brutal truth, didn’t wake up one winter morning. His random phone calls and consistent contact should have been a better lesson.
My BFF from Cornell, US Marine, father, brother, chef, wrote “This year, I’m coming sailing.” He did not. His big heart didn’t get him past fifty-eight.
There are others I hadn’t said goodbye to because it didn’t seem necessary, shouldn’t have been necessary, yet. A charming confidant died suddenly, camping in the high mountains of Southwestern Colorado. I can’t imagine a better ending, but I didn’t know there had been one.
I’m having trouble describing this feeling; the heavy stomach quiver when you know you could have done something differently. You’re not sure it would have made a difference, but you desperately wish for the opportunity to find out. The opp for a do-over.
Each unique individual, rich or poor, conservative or liberal, well-read or work-hardened, taught, learned, gave, took, hurt, nurtured, and were valuable enough to spend precious time getting to know, understand, and appreciate regardless of differences, idiosyncrasies and ironies. Add those fine folks to the strong main characters of a small family and a transient life, and my periphery is a diverse treasure. In my tiny sliver of the world, they all hold a spot. I’m thrilled to say that there are more than I can even name; I’ve been lucky enough to engage and retain some of the best humans I know.
I can only hope that those I retain feel the same. Most importantly, they made me who I am and we know where we stand.
Another heart gave out with its owner working on his passion in his favorite place. Halfway through the five day, big wind retrieval of a his strong widow, little dog and aging sailing vessel, Mother Nature offered a couple hours of freedom to contemplate this, to consider the people on the periphery. I had seen this woman just a few times in my life, now we are linked. She had always been half of a couple, and while the sadness was palpable, her stories were of lives well lived.
Sophie
“You have no idea what you’ve done for me,” she told us, dropping her stoic demeanor for a split second and holding tightly to her furry best friend. After one plane ride, two taxis, three days and twenty-two hours crossing the Gulf Stream at a rolling gallop, her words made our efforts wholly worthwhile. She thanked us again as we returned to work here on STEADFAST, and I think extensively about the life she will create when she returns home without her partner of forty-four years. **
These deaths, let’s be honest, won’t affect the trajectory of my life; their souls are simply gone. Gone from this world, anyway, as we know it; I want to believe they’re watching us from some other incarnation. We may not like it, but we adjust.
The losses of friends, both close and peripheral, are stacking up, a smack-on-the-head reminder to enjoy what we have, help others along the way, and accept with strong grace our challenges rather than becoming angry at the unfairness of it all. I’m working on it. ~J
The sun sets over the Gulf Stream. 4.25.25
Do you think this is shareable? Please do! It makes a difference.
Share SPARRING WITH MOTHER NATURE
I’m grateful we’re all part of multiple peripheries in a world where connectedness may just be going by the wayside.
**For a little more background on our trip to help a friend, you can read:
THE POWER OF A SINGLE PHONE CALL
·Apr 9Read full story THANK YOU AGAIN for supporting STEADFAST and her caretakers, mates! It’s not an easy task!
© 2025 Janice Anne Wheeler
Living aboard Sailing Yacht STEADFAST again soon!Be the first to comment!
Policy or Piracy: Dominican Bay Clean-Up Turns Into a S**t Show – Peter Swanson
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes mariners with salt water in their veins will subscribe.. $7 a month or $56 for the year and you may cancel at anytime.
Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for moreWhen all else fails, try journalism.
Policy or Piracy: Dominican Bay Clean-Up Turns Into a S**tshow
Viable Foreign Boats Seized Along With Derelicts (Video)
Contractors hired by the Dominican government seize and tow away vessels in Luperon Bay as part of a clean-up. The Dominican Navy this week launched an initiative to clear Luperon Bay of abandoned or derelict boats, and seemed genuinely unconcerned when its representatives were told that some of them were neither abandoned nor derelict.
Contractors in a runabout—at times wearing ski masks like an assassination squad—spray-painted numbers on the hulls of targeted vessels, some of which have been towed to the bulkhead at the local boatyard. Some of those were dragged up a launch ramp with a backhoe to be stripped for parts and lead.
An aide to the President in Santo Domingo said 26 boats were affected. Cliff Lyon, a local expat and officer of Luperon’s cruiser association, estimated that at least six of those were viable craft with absent owners. Except that one guy—a French Canadian sailor—who happened to be ashore in the village when his boat was taken.
Some of the 26 have Dominican owners, who had acquired them as project boats, Lyon said.
As far as the foreign liveaboards in the bay—bafflement. There apparently was no advance notice, no attempt to contact owners and no due process. No one—including local Navy and Port officials—seemed to know who was in charge of the operation. The Port Authority for the bay issued a statement denying any complicity. No one knows what criteria officials are using to decide whether a vessel is abandoned or derelict.
Collaborating with the government contractors is Isaac Alvarez, who has a disputed claim of ownership to Luperon’s only boatyard, Marina Tropicale. Watch how Eddie Ward Rowe, owner of a Nonsuch sailboat, described the boat’s seizure and his dealings with Alvarez.
Ward Rowe’s boat Elph may need cleaning but she was not abandoned. Most of boats that were tagged do resemble the derelict vessels that litter the waters of Florida and other southern U.S. coastal states, but Presidential Aide José Ignacio Paliza implied that the initiative was part of an effort to “restore a beautiful national park.” He was referring to the fact that Luperon Bay has been the scene of dozens of diesel spills over the past two years, as regular Loose Cannon readers are aware.
D.R.’s National ‘Shame’ Continues in Diesel-Soaked Luperon Bay
·September 3, 2024Read full story Whether the Navy has made any effort whatsoever to curb the spills, which were known to come from locally stored fishing vessels, is not public information, but diesel has continued to be spilled as recently as last month. To be sure, many of the targeted vessels were eyesores owned by no one, but to argue they were an immediate threat to the environment while a fleet of commercial craft continues to release petroleum into the mangroves?
Yet, that is what Paliza did in a post on X:
This initiative seeks to mitigate the environmental impact that these structures represent for marine species, the surrounding mangroves and the ecological balance of this Wildlife Reserve, considered an important tourist and environmental attraction.
Paliza briefly posted a government memo which showed that 7.4 million pesos had been budgeted for the clean-up, which is equivalent to more than $125,000—a substantial sum thereabouts. Someone took the post down soon after.
One of the vessels that really was derelict is dragged up the launch ramp at Marina Tropicale. AVENALUP is an association of foreign cruisers and local business people that lobbies for the bay as a cruising destination. The group issued a statement calling the act of spray-painting numbers on private boats “vandalism” and has contacted a maritime lawyer.
The response from owners and caretakers of targeted vessels has varied. Some set about painting over the painted numbers. Others used scrub brushes to apply soapy waters to make boats more presentable.
People in the harbor are now quoting authorities as saying boats might be saved from the scrapyard by having past harbor fees paid, thus confirming active ownership, even though the customary practice is to wait until departure to pay any fee balance. Some have called for a boycott of Marina Tropicale because of its role in the affair.
Whatever the outcome, Luperon’s efforts to build an economy around “nautical tourism” took another hit last week.
Dirty but Serviceable
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.
© 2025 Rio Charters
411 Walnut St. No. 1944, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
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Charleston County Waterparks to open for weekends starting May 17
Salty Southeast Cruisers Net Sponsor Charleston County Cooper River Marina has provided this helpful information for your visit to Charleston County’s Beach Parks this Spring and Summer.
NEWS RELEASE
Public Contact: 843-795-4386 / www.charlestoncountyparks.com
Media Contact: Sarah Reynolds / (843) 762-8089 / sarah.reynolds@ccprc.com
Read this online: www.ccprc.com/newsreleases
Photos and video available
Charleston County Waterparks to open for weekends starting May 17(CHARLESTON COUNTY) – The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) will open its three waterparks – Splash Island in Mount Pleasant, Splash Zone on James Island, and Whirlin’ Waters in North Charleston – as well as the pool at the West County Aquatic Center in Hollywood, for weekends only starting May 17. Daily operations will begin on May 30. The parks’ hours will vary this year; see schedule below for details.
A schedule for each park’s operations is as follows*:
– Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark:
Open weekends only starting May 17; Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Open daily from May 30 – Aug. 10; weekends from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and weekdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Monday – Friday)
Open weekends only starting Aug. 11 and closing after Labor Day, Sept. 1
– Splash Island Waterpark and Splash Zone Waterpark:
Open weekends only starting May 17; Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 – 6 p.m.
Open daily from May 30 – Aug. 3; Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sundays from 1 – 6 p.m.; weekdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Close for the season after Aug. 3
– West County Aquatic Center:
Open weekends only starting May 17; Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 – 6 p.m.
Open daily from May 30 – Aug. 10; Saturdays and weekdays from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Sundays 1 – 6 p.m.
Open weekends only starting Aug. 11 and closing after Labor Day, Sept. 1
*Parks are open on Memorial Day and some holidays have different hours; please visit CharlestonCountyParks.com (direct link) for a full daily schedule and hours of operation for each park before planning your visit. Schedules are subject to change.
Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark at North Charleston Wannamaker County Park is the largest of CCPRC’s three waterparks. Whirlin’ Waters features unique activities for all ages with attractions including a 60-foot-tall multi-person slide The Washout, plus the Big Splash Tree House, Rollin’ River lazy river, Big Kahuna wave pool, Tubular Twister slides, Rip Tide Run mat racer slide and Otter Bay kiddie area.
Splash Zone Waterpark is located within James Island County Park. It offers two 200-foot-long slides, a large leisure pool, a 500-foot-long lazy river with sprays and waterfalls, and a family play complex called The Rainforest that features slides, buckets and sprays.
Splash Island Waterpark, located within Mount Pleasant Palmetto Islands County Park, provides hours of fun for toddlers to pre-teenage children. Attractions include a 200-foot-long body flume, activity pool, a 16-foot-long otter slide, sprays, geysers, raindrop waterfalls and more.
The waterparks also offer a full range of amenities including concessions, lockers, lounge chairs, showers and restrooms. Each waterpark is staffed with certified lifeguards. Birthday party packages are also available. Admission fees vary, and Splash Passes for all-season waterpark access are available for sale now at CharlestonCountyParks.com.
The West County Aquatic Center offers a 6,000-square-foot seasonal outdoor pool for beginner and seasoned swimmers. It also offers programming including swimming lessons, fitness programs and a competitive swim team.
For more information on the waterparks or West County Aquatic Center, and a full daily schedule of operations for each park, visit CharlestonCountyParks.com or call 843-795-4386.
Some openings are still available for seasonal lifeguard and other park positions. Charleston County Parks’ jobs offer competitive pay and great benefits. For a list of open positions and to apply, visit ccprc.com/jobs.
Splash Zone Waterpark, Splash Island Waterpark, Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark and the West County Aquatic Center are all owned and operated by CCPRC. The mission of CCPRC is to improve the quality of life in Charleston County by offering a diverse system of park facilities, programs and services. The large park system features over 11,000 acres of property and includes six regional parks, three beach parks, three dog parks, a skate park, two landmark fishing piers, three waterparks, 19 boat landings, a climbing wall, a challenge course, an interpretive center, a historic plantation site, an equestrian center, cottages, a campground, a marina, as well as wedding, meeting and event facilities. CCPRC also offers a wide variety of recreational services – festivals, camps, classes, programs, volunteer opportunities, and more. For more information, call 843-795-4386 or visit www.charlestoncountyparks.com.
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Marker 12 Events & Updates, Tues/Fri in May, AICW MM 12, Chesapeake, VA
Located at mile marker 12 on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the Marker 12 Pop-Up Bar is open exclusively to waterway guests of Atlantic Yacht Basin, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, located just south of the Great Bridge lock and bridge in Great Bridge, VA.
Marker 12 Events & Updates
Chesapeake, Virginia
Spring Events - Marker 12 Boater Hospitality Events
Tuesdays and Fridays in May | 4:30 – 7:00 PM
@ Atlantic Yacht Basin 2615 Basin Rd | Chesapeake, VA 23322
AICW Marker 12
Weather Permitting
This is a free event.
See photos
- It’s Strawberry Season!
Enjoy picking your own fresh strawberries from one of our many local farms.
- Mother’s Day Market @ Big Ugly Brewing
Sunday, May 11th | 12 – 4 PM
845 South Battlefield Blvd | Chesapeake, VA 23322
Free admission
- Chesapeake Jubilee
May 16th – 18th
Chesapeake City Park
900 City Park Dr | Chesapeake, VA 23320
Music & Entertainment | Amusement Rides & Games | Fireworks
Tickets required
- Memorial Day Ceremony
Monday, May 26th | 11 AM – 1 PM
Chesapeake City Hall
306 Cedar Rd | Chesapeake, VA 23322
Free admission
- 250th Historians Panel @ The Great Bridge Battlefield Museum
Join us in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the Independence of the United States in the Commonwealth of Virginia. An engaging and informative panel of historians will discuss the events of 1775 and how Virginians reacted as events unfolded.
May 31st | 7 – 8 PM
1775 Historic Way | Chesapeake, VA 23320
Tickets required: $35 / person
- Live Music and Special Events @ Big Ugly Brewing
Weekly, Closed Mondays
Click here to discover more about Chesapeake: events, things to do, restaurants, trip planner and more!
Everything you need is within steps of the waterway!
Click here to download a walking map of the Great Bridge Village. Click here to download our Visitor Passport for our Waterway Guests.
Stock up on provisions at the Kroger grocery store. Enjoy a meal at one of our partner restaurants: Lockside Bar & Grill (casual waterfront dining), Woody’s Raw Bar & Grill (casual waterfront dining) or Vino Italian Bistro (upscale Italian). Or, shop in our locally owned shops, chic boutiques and funky retail shops, antique dealers, national retailers and premium outlets.
Feel free to contact us for personal assistance. No request is too small or impossible.
Hello@GoChesapeake.net
757.296.3404
GoChesapeake.net
Marker 12 Boater Hospitality Events
The popular Pop-Up Happy Hour hosted by GoChesapeake is held on Tuesdays and Fridays in May and October. Learn more »
Visitor Passport
The Visitor Passport is your guide to dining, shopping, events and experiences. Pick up your copy at the dockmaster’s office or download a digital copy from the GoChesapeake website.
Download a copy »
GoChesapeake Waterway Concierge Services
Let us help you make your visit memorable and uniquely yours. No request is too small or impossible. Contact us today with your request! Hello@GoChesapeake.net or 757.296.3404 – Option 1
Kroger Supermarket in Great Bridge
A Kroger Supermarket is located in the Great Bridge Shopping Center providing our waterway guests convenient, one-stop shopping within steps of the waterway. Learn more and get hours >>
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Click Here To View the VA to NC Cruisers Net Marina Directory Listing For Atlantic Yacht Basin
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- Marker 12 Boater Hospitality Events
We Welcome You to Edenton This May! [Albemarle Sound, NC]
A longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, historic Edenton always has an exciting calendar of events and places to visit! Edenton is at the mouth of the Chowan River on the northwest shore of Albemarle Sound.
Hello, May brings warm weather and plenty of outdoor activities to do in Edenton! Whether you want to spend some time relaxing in nature or take in an exciting game at the ballpark, you’ll find that May is the perfect month to plan a trip to Edenton.
If you are thinking about spending some time in Edenton, our comfortable and convenient Bed & Breakfasts are ready to welcome you. Book a room and experience the Southern hospitality and comfort that define a trip to Edenton. You can even book a pet-friendly room!
This month, I’d like to highlight three items.
May 6th – Cupola House Speakers Series
Edenton is well-known for its historic contributions to American history. While you’re visiting Edenton, you’ll enjoy exploring many historic sites. On May 6th, the Cupola House will host another installment of the 2025 Spring Speakers Series, where you can learn more about the unique history of the Cupola House and Gardens. This free event will be held at the Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library, next door to the Cupola House, and all are welcome to attend! Reserve your seat today.
May 29th – Edenton Steamers Home Game
Edenton’s iconic collegiate-level summer baseball team will kick-off their 2025 season with a home game on May 29th. Join the fun at Historic Hicks Field as the Edenton Steamers face the Greenbrier Knights at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the gate, and there will be plenty of refreshments to purchase while watching the game. Come enjoy a night at the ballfield!
May 31 – Paddle, Pedal, Plod Triathlon
The Chowan-Edenton Optimist Club will host the annual Paddle, Pedal, Plod Triathlon on May 31st to raise money for the Devine Intervention Cancer Fund. This triathlon is designed for competitors at all levels and will include a 2-mile kayak through the waters of Edenton Bay, 15-mile bike ride, and 5K run through the country roads of Chowan County. Pre-register if you’d like to participate in this event or join the crowd of spectators at Queen Ann Park to cheer on the participants!
In addition to these events, you can enjoy shopping, historic tours, and tasty cuisine in downtown Edenton during your visit. Also, check out our Calendar of Events to see more of what’s happening this next month. We hope you’ll take advantage of the beautiful spring weather to plan your trip to Edenton in May!
We can’t wait to see you soon,
Thanks for reading! If you loved it, tell your friends to subscribe.
101 W King St, Edenton, North Carolina 27932
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Edenton Harbor City Docks
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Atlantic Yacht Basin and McMillen Yachts Begin a New Chapter, reprinted from Waterway Guide
Our thanks to Waterway Editor, Ed Tillett, for permitting Cruisers Net to publish this article from Waterway Guide’s weekly newsletter.
Atlantic Yacht Basin and McMillen Yachts Begin a New Chapter
For transiting vessels along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Atlantic Yacht Basin (AYB) in Great Bridge, VA has provided sanctuary and services for 90 years. Anchoring the southern shoreline, AYB’s bulkheads, service facilities, and covered sheds are landmarks of excellence. Now a new chapter is being written for the future of AYB. McMillen Yachts of Portsmouth, RI, has acquired AYB.
Earl McMillen is recognized for his commitment to exceptional classic yacht maintenance and management. The list of accomplishments from the inception of the company in 1992 is extensive, including multiple restorations of vintage yachts from America’s great designers and builders.
In a recent interview, McMillen expressed his pleasure at expanding into the mid-Atlantic region with his business partner David Howe. “For the core business of storage and service, we will continue the AYB brand and build on it. Our investment in the infrastructure and buildings, along with the 34 acres, is going to be the next phase of success for AYB,” said McMillen.
AYB is one of the most desirable locations along the east coast of the U.S for storage, protection and service. Along the Albemarle and Chesapeake canal at Mile 12.2 of the ICW, AYB is regarded as a premiere location for extended stays due to the fresh water environment, inland protection, and covered slips and boat sheds.
“I’m looking forward to maintaining the charm and character of AYB while extending the transient docks east and west along the shoreline, adding a new destination restaurant on the property, and inviting yacht owners to take advantage of our facilities. This is an outstanding location,” said McMillen.
The experience and craftsmanship of AYB’s and McMillen Yachts’ staffs positions the company to fulfill its mission of extraordinary customer service with focus on excellence for refit, repair, and restoration. Numerous industry awards and accolades for McMillen Yachts and AYB confirm that the knowledge and longstanding skills acquired from working on both classic and contemporary boats is a rare blend of talent and success.
McMillen concludes that, “Having a central Atlantic location for storage and repair along the ICW, with ample sheds and support facilities, makes AYB one of the most desirable destinations for yacht owners who value their investments. Our plans are to build on what we have in place, and we are looking forward to continuing the traditions of AYB.”
For information about storage in the ample covered sheds of AYB for your boat use this link or call the number listed in the form.
https://atlanticyachtbasin.
com/storage/storage- reservations/ Capacity is good year-round, and most vessels can be accommodated.
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Endless Summer at SCYC: Save up to $750!@
Staniel Cay Yacht Club, a longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR and a favorite destination for cruisers in the Exumas, is providing a Rare Summer Offer You Don’t Want to Miss!.
A Rare Summer Offer You Don’t Want to Miss!
Dreaming of crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches, and a tropical escape unlike any other? This is your chance to experience the magic of Staniel Cay Yacht Club — with a limited-time offer that brings you even closer to paradise!
For a short time only, you can save up to $750 in resort and air credits when you book your late summer getaway now.
Here’s how it works:
Travel between August 7 – October 31, 2025, and book by May 19, 2025, to unlock:
Book 3 nights: Receive a $200 Resort Credit
Book 4 nights: Receive a $300 Resort Credit + $250 Air Credit
Book 5+ nights: Receive a $500 Resort Credit + $250 Air CreditUse Promo Code: SAVEMORE25 at the time of booking.
Availability is limited, and this offer won’t last — so don’t wait to secure your bungalow in paradise. The SCYC Endless Summer is calling!
*Promotional Details:
• Booking Window: April 21 – May 19, 2025.
• Travel Window: August 7 – October 31, 2025.
• Must enter promo code “SAVEMORE25” at time of booking in order to receive your credit. Credit will e placed on account during check-in and applied to incidentals at check-out Credits do not have any cash value. Any unused portion will be forfeited.
• Flights must be booked DURING the stated booking window in order to receive the air credit (minimum of 4 nights to qualify). Contact info@stanielcay.com to book your flights.
• Applies to new bookings only. Cancellations void all offers.
• Blackout dates apply.
• Only one resort credit and one qualified air credit per bungalow will be applied.
Happy Holidays, from our family to yours!
Thank you for being part of the Makers Air and SCYC family and placing your trust in us year after year.
We wish you health, happiness, and many more Out Island adventures in 2025!
2331 NW 55th Ct Hangar 19 | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 US
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St. Simons Island Overnight & Transient Dockage
Morningstar Marina at Golden Isles, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, lies along the southern reaches of the Frederica River, between Lanier and St. Simons Islands, south of the charted 9 foot bridge.
St. Simons Island Overnight & Transient Dockage
Located on St. Simons Island, GA Morningstar Marina Golden Isles is right off the ICW Marker 675 with easy access to the ocean. The Frederica River provides no vertical obstructions, and we are a deep craft marina, making us a welcome stop for yachts and sailboats for overnight & transient dockage. Our Golden Isles location is home to highly trained dock masters who pair their extensive training and knowledge with superior service, delivering exceptional experiences that go beyond the norm. The overnight & transient dockage facilities for boats at Golden Isles have been designed to serve the specialized needs of today’s boaters offering 1,100 linear feet of transient dock with high-speed fuel pumps, in-slip pump out, free On Spot Wi-Fi, and 30/50/100-amp shore power service. Additional amenities include secure bathroom and shower facilities, laundry facilities, a fully stocked marina ship store, courtesy bicycles and vehicle, a swimming pool, with an onsite restaurant and coffee shop. Beyond the marina facilities, we are two miles away from St. Simons Island and the Golden Isles where you can enjoy the beaches, historic sites, golf, tennis, shopping, and amazing dining. Please submit a request by filling out the form below.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Golden Isles Marina
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Albemarle Plantation – The Adventure Begins With One Visit! Coastal North Carolina, Albemarle Sound, NC
An on-the-water retirement home or vacation home for those who love the rich cultural ports-of-call cruising waters of North Carolina, Albemarle Plantation Marina, a port on the Albemarle Loop and a CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is located just off the AICW on the northern shores of Albemarle Sound on Yeopim River/Creek.
the adventure of a lifetime
begins with one visit.Breathtaking. One-of-a-kind. Life changing. We invite you to visit and discover
ALBEMARLE PLANTATION and see why it is loved by so many families and friends.This 3 Day / 2 Night Special Discovery Visit could change your life.
Explore trails and natureDine at one of our onsite restaurants Play spectacular golf Soak in the happy, healthy vibe Explore the gorgeous Albemarle Sound See a wide variety of propertiesPlus– Enjoy bespoke
accommodations in Edenton’s
historic district at the luxurious
Inner Banks Inn.
Discover Albemarle Plantation | Plan A Visit | Contact us 
128 Lakeside Drive, Hertford, NC 27944 • (800) 523-5958 • (252) 426-4653 The information contained herein is for information purposes only and may change at any time without notice. AP Realty Company, LLC/Broker 
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SPARRING WITH MOTHER NATURE – Janice Anne Wheeler
Subscribe here for moreThank you for your loyalty; every story you read makes me ever more proud to share them. STEADFAST continues to undergo extensive repair and refit, so stay aboard for sailing tales combined with the challenges, and intricacies of restoring a 90-year-old Sailing Yacht. I’m always open to suggestions as to content….weigh in as we manage and learn from our latest joust!
Her restoration is substantial and we are making progress!Messages reach my inbox directly; please do not hesitate to contact me! ~J
INVERTED & SOOTY
Yes. I was. Saving our piece of history comes with complicated positions in small spaces.
Apr 27
I went cross-country to Arizona State University and joined an Air Force that promised to train me as a pilot and was not remotely suited to my independent spirit. I forfeited the scholarship, returned east and did a 180, career-wise, cashing in as a bartender, working a winery, choosing a life of hospitality. At twenty-one I got into my Mazda RX-7 and drove to Montana, solo, for a Glacier National Park restaurant management job that I was flattered to have and unqualified to fill. I filled it anyway, a drink-slinger in charge of fifty-two peers serving 600 meals a day. I pay to swim with sharks, jumped out of a perfectly good airplane, rafted the Grand Canyon, flew half way round the world unaccompanied, untracked.
I am one of those people who doesn’t really fear the unknown. I’m not being boastful; that trait can be construed as highly impractical and dangerous as well as eccentric (discussed last week). I went places and took chances I didn’t consider or calculate. It’s ironic that the engine space of my wooden, floating home was a far more intimidating thing. More foreign, somehow, than any foreign land.
Too many interconnected moving parts.
Too much lubricant required.
Sailing seems simple and the concept certainly is, but the reality of our motorsailer and the components thereof is anything but. Five feet below the pilothouse lies a rock-solid 1980 Detroit Diesel 4-71 and an impressive 8k generator along with four 150-gallon fuel tanks, a watermaker, half a ton of batteries and the most astonishing array of hoses, pumps, filters, valves and wires I have ever seen anywhere. These type of cruising vessels are self-sufficient and complicated! Atop the fuel tanks are boxes, crates and bins of spare/replacement parts for the items listed above, gallons of oil, cleaners, corrosion blockers and tools; everywhere there are tools. An oil change takes five gallons. That’s a whole lotta lube.
Before…
It’s hard to capture the intricacies and the scale. She’s prettier on the outside…Three feet below the engine room floor in the potentially claustrophobic space, (I don’t have that affliction, but if you did, there would be trouble) is a tray designed to catch any water ingress through the drive shaft system. It comes complete with a small pump and a really big pump, as it should. Water ingress, even when controlled, understood, and utilized for the good of all (usually cooling the exhaust system) is a nerve-wracking thing. There are indicator lights at the helm for when those pumps kick on, so we know if they run unusually long.
QUESTIONS YOU DON’T WANT TO HEAR
·Apr 13Read full story “Do you want me to take that tray out so you can get underneath it?” Hmmm. The trick questions just keep coming during this project. I couldn’t quite imagine the next layer down. Little comic strip words in a bubble pop up around my head with alternative answers to this inquiry. They include, but are not limited to:
No. Not really.
I guess so?
Ummm. If that’s the only way.
Is that the only way?
How am I going to reach that, exactly?
I’m hanging off of what?!
I really don’t have anywhere to put my feet. That one I said out loud.
I was left to tackle my task. I like to do things well, but I don’t like to do all things; you know what I mean. The wet vac is awkward, top-heavy and short-corded, with a mind of its own. I gathered that along with myself and headed down the ladder. You volunteered for this one, the final cartoon bubble said, bursting in a fit of giggles. I thought it best not to respond to me and pondered where I had stashed those weirdly-lined and now-crucial long yellow dish gloves. I dug them up, saviors.
Before and After. Conquered.That first fine afternoon a thirty-pound board was delivered to span the cramped yet cavernous space. While cumbersome at first, it did make the upside-downness a little easier. No paid-for yoga class inversions were required during those two weeks; my blood flow was primo as I tackled different kinds of strength and balance without the grace, peace or intention.
Removeable floorboards; what a gift to stand up straight.I’m more comfortable in there now, and that crucial space is degreased, scraped, sanded, and protected with two coats of primer and two coats of a tough-as-nails enamel called Bilge Coat. Eleven floorboards were removed, and all have shiny white paint on every surface. The pants I wore deserved a ceremonial burning but there are rules against that here in the boatyard. I’m sure I’ll break them someday. ~J
As I write this we are en route to Hope Town, Bahamas to reunite with our friend (and Sophie the little dog) on S/V ANTARES who lost the man in their life. After five days of SPARRING WITH MOTHER NATURE, and by the time you read this, we should be moored snuggly in Vero Beach, Florida, ready for other volunteers to crew her north up the Intracoastal Waterway. RIP Will Heyer. We got your girls.
Thank you, as always, for being part of the SPARRING community. I relish your comments and deeply appreciate all the new folks that are aboard. My work is free to peruse, critique and consider. Think it’s shareable? Do it!
Share SPARRING WITH MOTHER NATURE
I don’t have a ‘buy me a coffee’ button because I’d probably spend it on wine and I always try to be honest. 😉
Here’s a spring shot in lieu of sunrise…these Wisteria are stunning & inverted, the opposite of sooty.
THANK YOU AGAIN for supporting STEADFAST and her caretakers, mates! It’s not an easy task!
© 2025 Janice Anne Wheeler
Living aboard Sailing Yacht STEADFAST again soon!
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Enjoy Stress-Free Travel with Makers Air
Makers Air and Staniel Cay Yacht Club, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, offer convenient flights to the Bahamas.
We know how stressful it can be to travel with extra luggage—especially during peak season when flights are full and cargo space is tight. That’s why we’re excited to offer a simple solution: Guaranteed Cargo Blocks.
Travel smart with these benefits:
Guaranteed Space: Unlike regular excess baggage, which is only accepted if there’s room, a Guaranteed Cargo Block reserves weight capacity just for you.
Your Baggage, Prioritized: Choose from 25lb, 50lb, or 100lb blocks and reserve in advance. With a Guaranteed Cargo Block, your excess items will fly on your scheduled flight—even if other cargo gets bumped.
Peace of Mind : Skip the stress and uncertainty on your day of travel. With a Guaranteed Cargo Block, your excess baggage is confirmed before check-in.
Cost Savings: Book early and lock in the lowest rates for guaranteed space for your extra luggage.Especially during our busy season, securing a Guaranteed Cargo Block ensures your belongings travel when you do.
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Historian David Cecelski: Carolina coast still worth the fight
From Coastal Review – Historian David Cecelski: Carolina coast still worth the fight.
Support CoastalReview.org
Put your business in the Sponsor Spotlight.Historian David Cecelski: Carolina coast still worth the fight
The recent shackling of the Environmental Protection Agency “foreshadows the breathtaking descent back into the worst days of our coastal past, when our estuaries, our beaches, our fisheries and the sources of our drinking water were a free-for-all, open to plunder, pillaging and poisoning.”More News of the Coast
New Brunswick County bridge opens Thursday to traffic
Visit CoastalReview.org 
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Beachfront Grand Prix Festival to make Fort Lauderdale pit stop – South Flordia Sun Sentinel
From our friends at South Florida Sun Sentinel, if you are near Fort Lauderdale this weekend consider spending time at the Beachfront Grand Prix Festival.
Don’t Miss
It’s an auto racing weekend! The Beachfront Grand Prix Festival to make a pit stop in Fort Lauderdale
Who says Formula 1 and sand don’t mix? The Beachfront Grand Prix Festival is coming to Las Olas Oceanside Park (aka The LOOP) this weekend. Plus, check out other car-related events happening throughout South Florida.
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Rise of the Robo-Boat – Peter Swanson
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes mariners with salt water in their veins will subscribe. $7 a month or $56 for the year and you may cancel at anytime.
Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for moreWhen all else fails, try journalism.
Rise of the Robo-Boat
Each Generation of Sailors and the Breakthroughs That Changed Cruising Forever
∙Guest post
Today: Power in the palm of a hand. The author and his wife are cruising the South Pacific on an Amel 53 named Cream Puff. This story was originally published on their an award-winning blog Cream Puff-Life’s Sweet Treat. It is reprinted here with permission.
Let’s face it: sailors are a rare breed. Adventurous, resourceful, and often stubborn as a jammed halyard. But every generation of full-time cruisers has had its own “game changer”—a breakthrough that redefined life afloat. So hop aboard as we sail through time, tech, and tangled cables.
1970s and Prior: Dead Reckoning and Guts
Back in my younger, wide-eyed days, sailors set out on small boats with little more than a stack of paper charts, a sextant, and a healthy dose of optimism. Navigation into reef-strewn waters often relied more on luck than precision. You might catch a weather update from a passing ship—if you were lucky enough to see one.
Old-school movies like The Dove and Tania Aebi’s memoir Maiden Voyage inspired a generation. Take another look sometime—you’ll notice a glaring lack of GPS. Loran-C was around but only near shore, and you were on your own if you were aiming for that lonely dot in the middle of the Pacific.
Electronics? Minimal. Most boats had a VHF, maybe an SSB radio. Systems were mechanical. Days ran by the sun. There were no solar panels, no lithium batteries, and no LED lights. And honestly, no complaints.
At the time, this was space-age stuff. A solid-state computer with a satellite phone modem Sailors took the weather in stride. Most had no idea what lay ahead and dealt with storms as needed. Keeping a close eye on the barometer was a necessity on any ocean passage.
1980s: GPS Enters the Chat
Suddenly, a sailor could get a reliable position with GPS. You still had to plot it on a paper chart, but dead reckoning started to… well, die. Sextants didn’t disappear—they stuck around like old friends who still had your back in case of electronic failure.
Then came EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons). These magical little boxes broadcast your location until help showed up. Cruising got safer. Not easier—just safer.
Boats became more complicated. Electronics became essential. Troubleshooting moved beyond duct tape and crossed fingers.
1990s: The Digital Awakening
By now, GPS was in everyone’s cockpit. Chartplotters arrived, blending GPS with electronic charts. No more paper plots (unless you were nostalgic or cautious). The onboard tech stack started to rise.
SSB radios got upgrades with modems. You could now send emails from mid-ocean. Weatherfax gave you weather maps—even if it took an hour to print one. Autopilots, electric windlasses, refrigeration—all powered by early solar panels and wind generators. Boats weren’t just boats anymore—they were systems.
2000s: Integration Nation
The tech floodgates burst open. Integrated systems let you overlay radar onto charts, track vessels with AIS, and trust autopilots to follow a route. Satellite phones gave you a line home from the most remote anchorage.
Chartplotters? Check. Weather downloads? Check. Blog updates from your lagoon in Bora Bora? Of course.
And comfort? LED lights, solar arrays, smarter batteries. Cruisers were cutting the cord from shore power, and nobody missed the extension cord.
2010s: Always Online, Never Alone
Enter the “connected boat.” Tablets and smartphones started replacing dedicated nav systems. Apps rivaled chartplotters. Connectivity became the new currency—Starlink was on the horizon.
Cruising culture shifted. Word-of-mouth gave way to Facebook groups, YouTube vloggers, and real-time updates from paradise. Boats got sleeker, smarter, and more apartment-like.
Watermakers, lithium batteries, electric winches, induction cooktops—today’s boats were floating condos with better views and no annoying neighbors (except that one guy on the catamaran who always anchors too close).
2020s and Beyond: AI, Starlink, and the Rise of the Robo-Boat
Today, cruisers are part sailor, part systems manager, and part IT specialist. Starlink made remote internet reliable. Cruising couples now Zoom into meetings from mid-ocean and stream Netflix while swinging on anchor.
Autonomy is the new watchword. Smart systems let you monitor and control everything—battery levels, bilge pumps, weather forecasts—from your phone. AI is sneaking aboard too, powering smarter autopilots and adaptive routing software.
Let’s talk AI for a minute.
Our Upgrade Saga: AI rescues Cream Puff
Harvesting organs soon after death–computer surgery When we bought Cream Puff, she was ahead of the curve thanks to her original owner—a tech-savvy guy who’d wired her like a small submarine. Every system ran through a NMEA-0183 network into a navigation computer powered by TimeZero software. We had GPS, AIS, radar, weather overlays—all on a large screen at the nav station. It was glorious and way ahead of instrument suites offered by major manufacturers.
Soon after we purchased the Puffster, we updated the original computer to a custom-built PC that was, for its time, very state of the art. It had no moving parts, a SSD hard drive, low power consumption at 24VDC and didn’t mind the tropical heat. We also upgraded the TimeZero software to a new version. I wrote about the installation here.
That system ran flawlessly for 13 years (that’s like 110 human years). Then—cue the sad music—it died. The motherboard gave up. The data survived. I salvaged the SSD, tossed the chassis, and poured one out for the fallen.
Cue my entrance as the “old guy who doesn’t get the new stuff.” Remember folks who couldn’t stop their VCR from flashing 12:00? That’s me now with computers. I haven’t kept up with trends. I didn’t need to. Now, I have to rebuild the heart of our network.
Rebuilding from the Bilge Up
USB hubs replace older DB9 com-ports and serial cables – This means the NMEA network device now needs to end in a USB plug Ports changed. Com-ports and DB9 plugs? Gone. Now it’s USB or nothing. My old Windows 7 install disks? Useless. Enter ChatGPT.
AI walked me through the upgrade process like a virtual IT support line with patience and zero judgment. It helped me source parts, debug connections, and—get this—even explain why my Furuno compass was acting like it had a grudge.
Cindy managed to decode Furuno’s cryptic manuals (think IRS forms written in Klingon), and together we got the heading sensor talking to TimeZero again. Success!
Windows 11 is a learning curve. I already hate it. While some things are a little easier like getting into port configurations, Microsoft operates under the assumption that all computers are connected to the internet at all times and data is free. It took hours to figure out how to get control of updates and stop the constant barrage of ads (this can eat up our expensive data while at sea). AI kept me on the straight and narrow, solving connection problems and port configurations.
This was my first deep dive using AI for technical support, and I’m sold. It’s like having an engineering intern aboard who never sleeps, never eats your snacks or steals beer, and doesn’t mind dumb questions.
All done and state of the art, once again. The Timelessness of It All
Yet, despite all the tech, the sea remains unchanged. The stars still shine. The winds still blow. And there’s something eternal in plotting a course, raising the sails, and letting the boat carry you into the unknown.
I don’t think sailors of the 1970s and prior could ever imagine the boats of today and the complexity of the systems aboard. And vice versa, most of today’s sailors don’t know how to plot with a sextant and can’t imagine being disconnected.
Conclusion: The Sea Doesn’t Care About Your Wi-Fi
Each generation of sailors faces its own tools, its own frustrations, and its own marvels. Whether you’re navigating with a sextant or a satellite-linked AI, one truth remains:
The ocean doesn’t care how fancy your gear is—it only cares that you respect it.
Fair winds, and may your firmware always update correctly and may your cables always be compatible.
Note: We do carry complete mirror backup systems should the computer ever fail during a voyage – we can switch over in a jiffy.
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April 28, 2025 Weekly Email Newsletter, City of Gulfport, Boca Ciega Bay, FL
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.
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April OBX Park News: Celebrating Our OBX National Parks!
Your April e-news preview: 
Hello, friends! I’m thrilled and honored to join Outer Banks Forever as its next Director! This organization has been doing great work in our community since 2019, and I’m excited to join with Outer Banks national park supporters like you as we work together to protect and enhance these special places – Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial – now and forever.
My career as an executive spans more than 30 years. My nonprofit experience includes serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Chestnut Foundation in North Carolina and serving on the executive staff for the National Wild Turkey Federation in South Carolina. I’ve also had diverse experience working for state fish and wildlife agencies in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Florida, and as a wildlife instructor and research assistant for The Pennsylvania State University. I hold an Associate Degree in Wildlife Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Science from The Pennsylvania State University, and a Master of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from Frostburg State University. While we await 2024 data for our Outer Banks national parks, did you know that in 2023, our national parks served nearly 3.5 million visitors and generated approximately $926 million in economic output in the gateway economies surrounding our parks? It’s a privilege to partner with people like you who understand the value (which extends far beyond economic value!) our Outer Banks national parks add to our community and, more broadly, to our nation and our world. I look forward to getting to know many of you and spending time in our national parks in the days ahead! Please feel free to reach out to me via email at bryanburhans@obxforever.org or by phone at 717-585-9643 (cell) or 252-423-4545 (office) if you’d like to say hello or set up a time to chat. Gratefully, 
Bryan Burhans
Director
Outer Banks ForeverSupport Our Parks 
We’re thrilled to introduce you to Bryan Burhans, our new Director! Bryan comes to us from Pennsylvania with a background in wildlife and fisheries science and biology, extensive experience working with both nonprofit and state agencies, and a passion for philanthropy. And he’s passionate about our Outer Banks national parks!
In his free time, Bryan enjoys turkey hunting, saltwater and fly fishing, hiking, backpacking, flying, and public speaking.
Meet Bryan 
This content is brought to you to by our National Park Service partners.Did you know that Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is located within a dense evergreen maritime forest on the north end of Roanoke Island?These forests are so named because they are located near the coast and are dominated by tree species that stay green all year.
To learn more about the trees and many other plants that make up Fort Raleigh’s evergreen forests, read on! Learn More We’re celebrating Spring in our Outer Banks national parks! National Park Week kicks off this Saturday, April 19, and runs through Sunday, April 27. Wright Brothers National Memorial will offer a fee-free day on Saturday – yes, you can visit our park for FREE! As a reminder, Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site are always free to enter.
We encourage you to get out and explore our parks (and parks closest to your home!) this weekend and throughout next week. Please remember to recreate responsibly and thank our park staff and volunteers!
An since Spring has sprung, that means Bodie Island Lighthouse climbing and ranger programs are starting up again! Make sure to check out these exciting opportunities and mark your calendars for these upcoming ranger programs: Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Bodie IslandBodie Island Lighthouse Climbing (beginning April 18): Climbing tickets are required. Ticket sales are begin online at 7 a.m. starting the day of the climb, with climbs available every 20 minutes from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Bodie Island Lighthouse: Lighting the Way for Over 150 Years (beginning May 5): Join a ranger to discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel!
Life on a Barrier Island: Bodie Island (beginning May 5): Wars, hurricanes, winds, and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join a ranger to learn about the forces of change and the captivating world of life on an island.
Hatteras IslandThe Cape Hatteras Lighthouse: Reflect on the Past, Preserve for the Future (beginning May 5): Join a ranger to discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel and learn about current restoration efforts. (Picture at right pre-restoration)
Life on a Barrier Island: Hatteras Island (beginning May 5): Wars, hurricanes, winds, and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join a ranger to learn about the forces of change and the captivating world of life on an island.
Ocracoke IslandThe Ocracoke Lighthouse: Celebrating Over 200 Years of Service (beginning May 5): Join a ranger to discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel and the keepers that kept the light burning.
Life on a Barrier Island: Ocracoke (beginning May 5): Wars, hurricanes, winds, and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join us to learn about the forces of change and the captivating world of life on an island.
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Civil War Touch Table (available through April 27): Join volunteer Duane in the Visitor Center at his touch table of Civil War history items. With items ranging from uniforms to silverware to family photos, he will talk about the day-to-day life of a Civil War soldier and the the Battle of Roanoke Island in 1862. Ranger Program (through May 3): The programs will vary between a Lost Colony Walking tour and a Civil War/Freedmen’s Colony Talk each day based on staff availability. Call the park Visitor Center at 252-475-9001 in the morning to learn the program topic each day.
The “Lost” Colony – Walking Tour (beginning May 4): Delve into the history and mystery surrounding England’s first attempt to establish a colony in the new world. This easy walk follows paved sidewalks and is .25 miles in length. The “Forgotten” Colony – The Civil War on Roanoke (beginning May 4): During the American Civil War, Roanoke Island became a haven for formerly enslaved people. Discover the successes and challenges of the Freedmen’s Colony and the Civil War battle that shaped it. This is a 25-minute program beginning in front of the Visitor Center.
Wright Brothers National Memorial
Wind and Sand (daily): Step back in history during this short walk to the actual site of the Wright brothers’ first heavier-than-air, powered flights! Discover why the Wrights chose Kitty Hawk for their flight experiments and what life was like in the Outer Banks, learn about the events that led to the first flight on that cold December day, and the lasting impact their first flight continues to have on the world today.
Our Outer Banks national parks continue to face challenges like adapting to a changing coastline, preserving the many historic structures they manage, and budget and staffing cuts at a time when they continue to see high levels of visitors. Our parks need your support now more than ever. When you make a gift to our new Parks Forever Fund, you will be supporting important initiatives like: - Education and preservation through the creation of internships that engage the next generation in protecting our parks and the stories they tell, increasing our parks’ capacity to provide amazing experiences for you and your loved ones.
- Restoration and conservation of our unique barrier islands through much-needed invasive plant species removal.
- Enhancing the visitor experience by funding projects that address the needs of visitors of all ages and abilities, so everyone can learn about and enjoy the rich history and beauty of these places.
We’d like to say a huge THANK YOU to these generous donors who have helped us raise more than $13,000 for our new Parks Forever Fund!
Zara Anderson
Sally & Charles Ayers
Susan & Jim Bacon
Betty Beamon
Barbara Benwell
Dr. Deborah Best
Malcolm & Patty Brown
Tony Bruno
Thomas & Debra Cafferty
Sarah Campbell
Martha Caswell
Brenda Cummins
Carolyn Driggs
Robert Elkins
Nicole & Levi Erickson
Richard Ghione
Christie & Mike Graf
Nick Graham
John & Lynn Hasteadt
Mary Hickling
Carol & Nev Jackson
David Johnson
Dennis Jones
Stephen Jones & Rebecca Burcher Jones
Lisa Joyner
Friends of Kitty Hawk Rotary
Ronald Knur
Marianne Krzywicki
Cat & Charlie Lineberry
Stephanie MadalenaPaul & Robin Mann
Jim & Betty Mast
Eddie Masterka
Donna McCaslin
Greg & Sally McDaniel
Jack & Paul Mertens
Shelley & David Olsen
Dr. Paul & Mrs. Amy Orser
Helen Pierce
Rodney Poole
Sandra & Ed Potocki
Michael Reddy-Miller
William Pendleton Sandridge, Jr.
Jean Scott
Cathy & Thomas Shirley
Leslie Skowronek
Rebecca Stiles
Nikki Stevens
Marie Sullivan
Sun Realty
David Tannahill
Joseph Temming
Monica Thibodeau
Peggy & Bruce Wackelin
Anne & John Walker
Shannon Winakur
Kathy Wisiackas
Elaine WoodMake Your Gift Today We send a printed newsletter each spring and fall with more in-depth project updates, behind the scenes stories, and special announcements. If you are not currently receiving our printed newsletter, please sign up via the button below to be added to our list! Sign Up Photo Credits: Bryan Burhans, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Wright Brothers National Memorial.Connect With Us!
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Tropical Atlantic Weather Briefing
The Sunday, April 27, 2025 edition of the Tropical Atlantic Weather Briefing is now available at: https://youtu.be/SZ0gS3sfql4?
si=N5VKC_YUm9RBajKJ Summary of Hazards:
• No Gales or Tropical Cyclones Expected
• No Very Large Swell Expected—
Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch
National Hurricane Center
National Weather Service
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