Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with salt water in their veins will subscribe. $7 a month or $56 for the year, and you may cancel at any time.
Bahamian legislators have amended proposed cruising fee increases to go easier on the average visiting sailboat and trawler. Instead of $1,650, a cruiser who fishes and anchors would pay $1,150.
Lawmakers have done this by adjusting the catagories. Previously there were three catagories: up to 34 feet, 35 to 100 feet and over 100 feet. Now the catagories are up to 50 feet, over 50 to 100 feet and over 100 feet.
So instead of paying $1,000 for entry on your average 44-foot sailboat, the cruising permit will cost $500 feet. The proposed anchoring fee remains at $200 or $350, depending on whether up to or over 34 feet. The proposed fishing permit also remains at $200 or $350 depending of whether up to or over 34 feet. The fishing permit is valid for two entries within 30 days.
The anchoring fees for vessels over 100 feet is $1,500.
Facebook has been ablaze with indignation ever since the foreign cruising community learned about the bill. The center-console crowd was also angered, but they too got some relief in the latest version.
The frequent digital cruising card (FDCC), which caters to the long-weekend visitors boating over from South Florida, now costs $1,500 for vessels up to 50 feet and is good for two years of unlimited travel. Boats over 50 and up to 100 feet will cost $2,500 and those over 100 will cost $8,000.
Echoing the Bahamas Prime Minister’s own anti-American boater rhetoric, much of the Bahamian response on social media was a collective “good ridance, you cheapskates,” accusing foreigners of taking their fish, polluting their waters with sewage and messing up the seabed with our anchors.
But those sentiments were not shared by people in the marine industry such as Stephen Kappeler of the Bimini Big Game Club Resort and Marina, who told a reporter from the Tribune newspaper of Nassau that he had fielded 12 cancelations that day and expected the trend to continue. Kappeler said:
Remember, when we cancel a booking, this is money that somebody’s already paid, a deposit they’ve already paid. When you book a room and you book a slip with us, that’s somewhere in the area of $500 in business just the first night deposit. And guests are coming in for two, three, four nights.
So you could multiply and extend that out to understand what the value of a cancellation is. And they’re looking for the refund of their money. I can tell you, there were a dozen alone today. We’re a 50-room resort. So if this continues at a pace of a dozen a day… I’m sure not everybody’s got the news or got the message. So this thing is going to be exponential.
That was yesterday. The Tribune tends to be less friendly to the ruling party than the Bahamas other major newspaper, and today it published another story on the issue that began with this:
The Bahamian tourism industry and its three main promotion boards have untied to urge the Prime Minister to “pause” new and increased boating fees that “could not have come at a worse time.”
In their joint letter to the PM, The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association, the Bahamas Out Islands Promotions Board, the Nassau/Paradise Island Promotions Board and the Grand Bahama Island Promotion Board described a “high spending, buoyant, seafaring visitor market. who contribute significantly to a vast number of tourism business owners…throughout the archipelago.”
The promotion boards cited reports of numerous marina cancellations. They noted that the nation’s tourism industry was facing uncertain times and that while the cruise-ship sector appeared to have a solid footing, the rest of the industry “faces far less predictable, precarious headwinds.”
There has been no pause—at least not yet—but Attorney General Ryan Pinder spoke to the Bahamas Senate Tuesday, arguing that the new version of the bill strikes “an appropriate balance” that raises fees but also extends the duration of a cruising permit from three months to a year.
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.
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.
Exploring the Albemarle Queen: A Journey Through Time and Water
Nestled in the scenic coastal region of North Carolina, the Albemarle Queen Paddlewheel offers an enchanting escape for locals and visitors alike. As you glide along the tranquil waters of the Albemarle Sound, you’re not just enjoying a boat ride—you’re embarking on a remarkable journey steeped in history, culture, and natural beauty.
A Glimpse into History
The Albemarle Queen is more than just a boat; it’s a floating piece of history. Originally designed to evoke the classic paddlewheel boats of the 19th century, she has captured the charm and elegance of a bygone era. The vessel serves as a tribute to the rich maritime heritage that has shaped the region.
When you step aboard, you’re greeted by the breathtaking craftsmanship of the boat—its polished wood finishes, ornate columns, and intricate details call to mind a time when river travel was considered the height of luxury. The humming of the paddlewheel and the gentle ripple of water beneath the boat create an atmosphere that is both nostalgic and serene.
The Scenic Journey
As the Albemarle Queen sets sail from her dock, passengers are immediately immersed in the stunning scenery surrounding them. Towering cypress trees, lush marshlands, and the shimmering waters of the sound create a picturesque backdrop that changes with the sun’s descent. The deck offers panoramic views that invite photographers and nature lovers to capture the moment.
Cruising along the waterways, you might catch sight of local wildlife—from playful dolphins to graceful herons—as they thrive in their natural habitat. The soothing sounds of nature intermingle with the soft swell of the paddlewheel, transporting guests to a peaceful state of mind, far removed from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
The Heartbeat of the Sound
Every journey on the Albemarle Queen is infused with the stories of the region. From local legends to historical anecdotes shared by the knowledgeable crew, guests dive deeper into the intricate tapestry of the Albemarle region. The onboard guides share tales of early explorers, native tribes, and the evolution of trade routes that traversed these waters long ago.
In a time when urban life often overshadows the beauty of nature, the Albemarle Queen reminds us of the invaluable connection between people and the environment. The paddlewheel travails echo the experiences of countless souls who relied on these waters for sustenance and adventure.
Events and Entertainment
The Albemarle Queen is not just a transportation vessel; it’s a venue for unforgettable experiences. With themed cruises, dinner outings, and special events throughout the summer, there’s always something happening on board. Whether it’s a romantic dinner cruise featuring local seafood delicacies or a lively music evening with regional bands, the boat offers a diverse array of activities to suit all tastes.
Families can also enjoy special cruises designed for children, complete with engaging educational activities that bring the stories of the sound to life. From pirate-themed adventures to nature workshops, the Albemarle Queen fosters a love for the water in the hearts of younger generations.
Whether you’re a local resident looking for a unique experience or a visitor seeking to uncover the charm of North Carolina’s coast, a trip on the Albemarle Queen Paddlewheel is an experience you won’t forget. With its rich history, breathtaking scenery, and entertaining events, this floating treasure offers an escape into the heart of the Albemarle region.
As the sun sets over the horizon, casting a golden glow on the water, you’ll find yourself grateful for the memories made aboard the Albemarle Queen—an unforgettable blend of past and present, nature and culture, adventure and tranquility. So grab your hat, your friends, and be ready to set sail into a world where history comes alive and every ripple tells a story.
Book your trip on the Albemarle Queen – Learn More
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with salt water in their veins will subscribe. $7 a month or $56 for the year, and you may cancel at any time.
Panamanian troops clear a roadblock on a coastal highway.
Did you know there is rioting in Panama? Neither did I. Because it hasn’t been reported outside the country. I learned of the unrest and violence only because Noonsite—an online information source for international cruisers—recently broke the story.
It’s always been a good idea to hire an agent to transit the Panama Canal. Erick Galvez of Centenairio & Company is an agent who specializes in recreational vessels, as opposed to commercial shipping. Galvez was the source for Noonsite’s warning about Panama, published a couple weeks ago:
For the moment, yachts should avoid stopping in San Blas to check or check out. There are no authorities and they are saying their are breaking relationships with the central government. San Blas is an Indian eservationarea. Another Indian reservation in Bocas del Toro has vandalized the Port Authority office in Almirante, Bocas del Toro, and roads are being blocked to Bocas. I would say avoid visiting San Blas until the situation is back to normal, and avoid mainland travel in Bocas del Toro.
Two of the affected regions happen to be cruising destinations.
Galvez said the warning still applies, although the Panamanian goverment is engaged in talks with the strikers.
The indigenous peoples of Panama and the rural poor in general are angry at a new law passed by the legislature in March. The law changes the Panama social security system from one which uses contributions from working people to subsidize pensions of retirees to an individual account scheme. Protesters say this is a form of privatization that will lead to “starvation pensions.”
Bocas del Toro is an archipelago that has attracted it’s own expat cruising community. The region which includes the islands has been particularly active against the government. On the mainland, the resistance has blocked roads, attacked goverment offices and even kidnapped a tourist.
Islanders Under Pressure
The San Blas Islands with its self-sustaining indigenous islanders is considered one of the finest Caribbean destinations. The San Blas archipelago—which calls itself Guna Yala—recently issued a defiant proclamation reminding the central government that its people had once engaged in an armed rebellion back in 1925, and they just might do it again.
This is how the Guna leadership began it’s June 3 declaration:
Our country is currently under threat under a dictatorship. Our leaders are currently being persecuted, criminalized, and threatened. Our communities are being indiscriminately harassed, overpowered, and massacred by the police force under the orders of President José Raúl Mulino. Therefore, the Gunadule people of the Gunayala region repudiate and denounce before the country and the world the vile and cowardly abuse of the indigenous population of Panama, violating all national and international law and the norms that protect the rights of indigenous peoples.
The Guna have shut down Panamanian goverment offices, so even if cruising vessels were to arrive on its main island, they could not clear in.
The Guna people are known for their colorful needlework, which is a mainstay of their subsistence economy.
There are more than 360 islands in the San Blas archipelago, 49 of which are populated. In its account of the crisis, Noonsite has reminded readers that the Guna people have been under stress because a rising sea is reducing the number of their islands one by one. In 2024, about 300 Guna families from the island of Garid Sugdub had to be relocated to the mainland.
“Every time I do a survey…I have to take islands off the maps that are now nothing but shoals,” wrote Eric Bauhaus, author of The Panama Cruising Guide.
Bocas a ‘Cruiser Haven’
Bocas de Toros has coagulated into more of an expat community along the lines of Grenada and Luperon in the Dominican Republic, or what author Ray Jason calls “cruiser havens.” Here’s what Jason wrote in 2013:
Located on the Caribbean coast of Panama near the Costa Rican border, this unspoiled archipelago of nine big islands and many smaller ones creates an inland sea where the breezes are so tranquil the waves rarely exceed knee height. And because Panama is south of the hurricane zone, there is no “season.” You can safely cruise here all year round…
There are over 100 anchorages here: most completely empty, none completely full and absolutely zero with pay-to-stay moorings. From the water, layers of breathtaking hills, mountains and volcanoes are visible in the background. In the foreground, exotic toucans, sloths and parrots live amidst the bananas, cacao and bamboo. Truly, it is other-worldly.
The locals are a friendly mix of Latin, Indio and Caribbean that blend seamlessly with visiting sailors, backpackers and surfers, none of whom you’d find at your local mall. There is also a sizable group of ex-cruisers who were so dazzled by this unspoiled water world when they first arrived that they now live in homes along the shore.
The Bocas Marina is on the island of Bocas del Toro.
Now, the dockmaster recommends that people with boats at the Bocas Marina stay stay put and avoid the chaos of blocked roads on the mainland. Fabiano Pereira quoted the Bocas Breeze, a local news outlet:
After four days of Operation Omega, 22 roadblocks have been opened and another 22 points remain closed, with one partially open, according to last evening’s press conference with Vice Minister of Public Security, Luis Felipe Icaza…
So far there have been 48 people apprehended and one fatality. Yesterday a protester was found lying on the road in Rambala (Chiriqui Grande). He was given first aid and then taken to a hospital, where his death was confirmed. Local residents say he was hit by a bullet.
The Breeze then quoted a foreign woman who made it from the islands to the Costa Rican border by a somewhat circuitous route:
I made it to the mainland today. It is safe to go. I went with Torres water taxi. The fares however are not cheap. And they go through the Changuinola river. They stop at Finca 44, avoiding Changuinola center and Almirante’s protests. Upon arrival, there are mini buses waiting there for visitors to go to the border. No roads blocked as for today. Who knows tomorrow.
A Final Word
The final word on security comes from Erick Galvez, who says:
As mentioned in Galvez’ audio, Guna people have their own set of rules for foreigners.
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.
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with salt water in their veins will subscribe. $7 a month or $56 for the year, and you may cancel at any time.
“Speed is useless without control. Better to build a slower boat with more usable speed.” —Valentine Jenkins, leading figure from “Thunderboat Row.”
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.
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.
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 stands 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.
Peter’s 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.
What’s Happening In Your Parks – Charleston County Parks
Yoga Fest
Calling all yogis! On June 18, bring your yoga mat to James Island County Park for an evening celebrating the summer solstice. Yoga Fest promises something for everyone including live music as well as yoga classes for adults and kids! Register today to save $5 on admission.
Schedule your next date night, girls’ night, or family night at Dancing on the Cooper on June 13. Enjoy warm river breezes, beautiful twilight skies, and the sounds of your favorite oldies and beach tunes, played live for you as evening falls over the Mount Pleasant Pier. Get your tickets today!
Walk Through History
Curious how something as small as a grain of rice could be so important to Lowcountry history? On June 14, learn more about who grew rice, where it came from, and how the cultivation changed the landscape we know today as Caw Caw Interpretive Center.
Gone Fishin’
On June 14, scrap that Saturday morning to-do list and hit the pier for our Cast Off Fishing Tournament. Anglers of (almost) all ages are welcome to drop a line and compete for prizes and bragging rights!
Holiday Staycation
Your holiday getaway could be right around the corner! We’re raffling off a stay in one of our cottages at James Island County Park during the Holiday Festival of Lights. The best part? All proceeds are going to the Charleston County Parks Foundation. Donate for your chance to be the lucky winner.
Make Way at Isle of Palms County Park!
Thanks to the generosity of Waymaker Offroad Wheelchairs, Isle of Palms County Park now has an off-road wheelchair available for reservation! Together, we are dedicated to helping people with mobility impairments enjoy our parks with independence. Reserve today!
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
Weekly news & updates
June 9, 2025 | City of Gulfport, FL – Gateway to the Gulf Newsletter
The City of Gulfport Hurricane Seminar offers essential guidance on protecting yourself, your family, and your property in the event of a hurricane. To access the 2025 seminar directly, please visit the City of Gulfport Hurricane Center.
Your city government is here to keep you informed, prepared, and engaged. Below are several important resources to help you stay up-to-date on Gulfport news, events, and emergency information:
Let’s stay informed, stay safe, and stay engaged—because Gulfport is better when we’re all connected.
Sincerely,
Mayor Karen Love
City Manager’s Gulfport Community Update
Gulfport Community Update: June 1 – 7, 2025
Gulfport City Hall and facilities will be closed on Thursday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth. The Sanitation schedule will not be affected.
Pride Month was off to a beautiful start in Gulfport on June 1 with a Pride Flag Raising Ceremony at the Gulfport Public Library (photos below). The event was filled with joy, color, and a strong sense of community as we came together to celebrate love, inclusion and diversity.
June 4, 2025 – Planning and Zoning Board/Local Planning Agency – 6:00pm
June 10, 2025 – Senior Advisory Committee – 8:00am – Senior Center – 5501 27th Avenue South (AGENDA)
June 11, 2025 – Charter Review Committee – 4:30pm
June 11, 2025 – Board of Adjustment – 6:00pm (AGENDA)
June 17, 2025 – Council Meeting – 6:00pm
June 19, 2025 – City Hall Closed – Juneteenth Holiday
All meetings are open to the public and are held in the City Hall, City Council Chambers, 2401 53rd Street South, In Person, unless otherwise noted. Meetings may occasionally be added, cancelled or rescheduled after this list is published. Please check the city’s website https://mygulfport.us for updated information.
The Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market is a year-round open-air market held in Gulfport’s Waterfront District on Beach Blvd. below 28th Ave. S., 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., October – May & 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., June – September. 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.
This summer the Arts Center will host Kids Craft Days every Tuesday, 6/3 – 7/22. Children can paint, draw, collage, and craft freely with other kids, all materials provided. This is not a project-based program, so bring your imagination! Drop-in anytime, no registration required!
Join their child advocacy team! The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office represents abused, abandoned and neglected children in the courtroom and community. A representative provides information and answers questions for individuals interested in volunteering. FMI, contact Anita Myers, email Anita.Myers@gal.fl.gov or visit www.guardianadlitem.org.
Join us for stories, rhymes, and music! If you arrive and the 10:15 a.m. session is looking a little full for you or your child, stay for the 11:00 a.m. session. For additional information call 727-893-1074.
Join us on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. for a variety of fun activities and special guests for Grades K-5! We will have puppet shows, reptiles, musical performances, crafts, and more! This summer remember to log the books you read and the programs you attend at the library on our Beanstack app to win prizes at our end of summer party on July 30th! Program sponsored by the Gulfport Library Circle of Friends.
This Summer, we’re offering WEEKLY kids art classes where we’ll explore a number of methods including painting, printmaking, 3D art, and more! Registration is REQUIRED in order for your child to participate in art camp – spots are limited! Max number of children that may be signed up per guardian is two. Register your child(ren) by emailing us at: ArtsCenter@mygulfport.us.
Celebrate patriotism and community at the City of Gulfport’s Flag Day Ceremony. This inspiring event features a special performance of the National Anthem by former New York City Opera Soprano Catherine Bassett. Bring your friends, family, and American pride for a moving tribute to our nation’s flag—free and open to the public!
Free Resident Blue Sky Sandbag Distribution
Saturday, June 14th | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
49th Street Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S.
The City of Gulfport is encouraging residents to prepare for hurricane season early by offering free sandbags while the weather is calm and stress levels are low. A staffed sandbag distribution event will be held on Saturday, June 14, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 49th Street Neighborhood Center, located at 1617 49th St. S. Each household may collect up to 10 sandbags, and proof of residence (such as a driver’s license) is required. City staff will be on hand to assist seniors and those needing help filling or loading bags. Please note that while sandbags can help protect against limited flooding, they are not effective against storm surges or flooding over 15 inches.
USCG Auxiliary Recreational Boating Course
Saturday, June 14th | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
49th Street Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S.
The US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 7-16 in Gulfport will hold a Recreational Boating Course on the second Saturday of every month at the CGA Training Building 3120 Miriam St. South in Gulfport. The 8 hour course includes subjects as Boat Nomenclature, Before you get underway, Navigating the Waterway, updated Legal Requires, Boating equipment and emergencies are a few of the subjects, and qualifies for the Florida Boating ID Card as well. Cost is $40 per person. Contact Marty Richardson to reserve a seat at 630-674-5352 or merichardsonjr@att.net.
Membership Mixer
Saturday, June 14th | 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
GMC Welcome Center, 5317 Gulfport Blvd. S.
The Gulfport Merchants Chamber (GMC) is excited to invite community members, local business owners, artists, and neighbors to a festive Membership Mixer.
This special event celebrates the Chamber’s new chapter with the unveiling of a bold new brand, a refreshed mission, and the introduction of a dynamic new Board of Directors committed to supporting and growing Gulfport’s vibrant business and creative community.
All are welcome to attend and enjoy:
Live music
Small bites and beverages
Meet-and-greet with the new Board
Exciting door prizes
Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to the area, come experience the renewed spirit of the GMC and discover how we can all thrive together.
No RSVP required, just bring your community spirit!
Ask a City Councilor at the Third Tuesday Fresh Market
Tuesday, June 17th | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
SumitrA Espresso Lounge, 2838 Beach Blvd. S.
Gulfport City Council will be hosting an opportunity, every third Tuesday of the month, for residents to get to know their Councilmember, ask questions, and provide comment.
For more information, please call City of Gulfport Vice Mayor, Ward 1 Representative, April Thanos at (727) 826-7138.
Celebrate Juneteenth
Thursday, June 19th | 5 – 9 p.m.
Gulfport Beach – Pavilion 6, 5598 Shore Blvd. S.
Join us for an evening of unity, history, and joy. This free community event, hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Gulfport, honors Juneteenth, a powerful celebration of freedom and African American culture. It’s a time to reflect on the past, embrace progress, and come together as a community.
Enjoy the tradition of red velvet cake and red soda, symbolizing perseverance and joy, while connecting with neighbors in a festive and welcoming atmosphere. All are welcome—bring your friends and family!
Albert Castiglia Live with Special Guest “The Alex Lopez Xpress”
Friday, June 20th | 7 p.m.
Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S.
Coming to Gulfport, FL – a blues/rock concert event you won’t want to miss! International Blues Association’s Blues Rock Artist of the Year, Albert Castiglia, takes the stage LIVE at The Catherine A. Hickman Theater on Friday, June 20th at 7PM, with special guest The Alex Lopez Xpress. Two award-winning, chart-topping blues/rock artists and singer-songwriters on one stage for one unforgettable night of powerful music! Tickets start at just $20 in advance ($25 at the door), with limited VIP seating available.
City of Gulfport: Free Tree Giveaway
Saturday, June 21st | 9 – 11 a.m.
49th Street Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S.
The role of trees and green spaces within the City of Gulfport’s built and natural environment is of great significance. These natural entities serve as an important promoter of social, economic, and environmental health. Help the City of Gulfport by doing your part by planting a tree in your very own yard!
Club races (weather permitting) on the First and Third Saturday of the month on Boca Ciega Bay. Any DP-N rated boat up to 25 feet is welcome and we have a strong beach multihull presence (A-cat, Formula 18, Formula 16, Hobie 16, Weta etc.).
Registration: Simply show up on a race day and sign in. Guests wishing to race their boats will pay $10.00 per boat and must have proof of liability insurance. After racing we hang out enjoying conversations and food at our club house.
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.
Town Hall Meeting: What has the State Legislature Done Now?
Wednesday, June 25th | 6 p.m.
49th Street Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S.
Join Vice-Mayor April Thanos on Wednesday, June 25 at 6 PM at the 49th Street Neighborhood Center for an engaging presentation by Jeff Branch, Senior Legislative Advocate with the Florida League of Cities. He’ll break down the highlights of the recent legislative session—what passed, what didn’t, and what advocates hoped would (or wouldn’t). Learn how new laws could impact the City of Gulfport and gain insights into broader legislative issues of public interest. Bring your questions and discover how you can help shape future legislation.
City of Gulfport’s 4th of July Community Parade and Picnic
Friday, July 4th | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tomlinson Park Complex, 1820 55th St. S.
Due to the extensive damage sustained in the downtown area, the City of Gulfport regretfully announces the cancellation of the annual 4th of July Fireworks Show.
In light of these unforeseen circumstances, the City will instead host a 4th of July Community Parade and Picnic at Tomlinson Park (1820 55th Street South) on Friday, July 4th, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
While this year’s event will be more modest in scale, it is designed to honor the spirit of Independence Day and bring residents together in a safe and meaningful way.
Schedule of Events at Tomlinson Park:
Community Parade – 10AM
Live Music – 11AM
Community Picnic (provided by CERT) – 11 AM to 1PM
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.
Fusion 49th District General Meeting
Monday, July 7th | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
49th Street Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S.
You are invited to the next Fusion 49th General Meeting. This meeting will include updates from the Government, Organization, Design, Economic Vitality, and Promotions Committees, with the full agenda to follow. If you’d like to get involved, you can sign up to help with the Organization, Design, Economic Vitality, or Promotions Committees. For qualifications and more information, please contact Nancy Dunham (“Fancy Nancy”) of Professional Services at 727-710-6676. Thank you for staying engaged with our forming district!
Call for Nominations: Who Will Be Gulfport’s Next Gecko Queen?
Do you have what it takes to wear the crown and represent Gulfport with pride, flair, and heart? The Gulfport Merchants Chamber is now accepting submissions for the 2025 Gecko Queen, to be crowned at the Gecko Ball on Saturday, August 23, 2025!
We’re looking for vibrant, community-minded individuals who embody the true spirit of Gulfport—positivity, charisma, high energy, kindness, and compassion. The Gecko Queen serves as a spirited ambassador throughout the year, making appearances at major Gulfport events and spreading joy wherever they go.
Who can apply? Gulfport residents 21 years and older of any gender who enjoy being in the spotlight and have a message of positivity to share with the community.
How to apply: Send a creative letter of submission to Events@visitgulfportflorida.com by July 15th, 2025. Tell us why you want to be Gecko Queen, what Gulfport means to you, and why you deserve to don the crown! Humor, flair, storytelling, and passion are highly encouraged—this is your chance to shine.
What’s next?
Public voting will begin on July 22nd.
The winner will be crowned at the Gecko Ball on August 23rd in true Gulfport style!
Let your love for Gulfport sparkle—Gulfport is Open and Shining: Just Waiting for You to step up and lead the Gecko Royal Court!
Fertilizing lawns is illegal in Pinellas County during the rainy season (now–Sept. 30). This helps prevent harmful nutrients from washing into waterways, which can cause algae blooms and fish kills.
What to Know:
No nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizers allowed during the ban.
Use slow-release products the rest of the year.
Only fertilize when needed—never before rain.
Use less, and follow package directions.
Look for “slow-release” or “water insoluble nitrogen” on the label.
When faced with a powerful hurricane or tropical storm, safety must come first. The Gulfport Pledge to Evacuate encourages individuals and families to take proactive steps by committing to a clear, well-prepared evacuation plan.
By taking the Pledge to Evacuate, you’re not only making a commitment to protect yourself and your loved ones, but you’re also helping strengthen the resilience of the Gulfport community. Your preparedness contributes to a safer, more informed city by ensuring you’re ready well before hurricane season arrives.
Pledging to evacuate in advance demonstrates that you understand the importance of planning for your home, property, and family. It’s a powerful step toward community-wide readiness.
The Gulfport Pledge to Evacuate shifts hurricane preparedness from a last minute reaction to a proactive commitment. It empowers residents and businesses to take ownership of their safety while supporting the well-being of the entire city.
Once you complete your pledge, you’ll receive a confirmation email from City staff. Together, Gulfport can weather any storm—and come back stronger.
City of Gulfport Flood Zone Permitting Packet and Appeal Process
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is encouraging disaster loan recipients in Florida to apply for additional funds to protect their homes and businesses from future storms.
To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $1.4 billion in federal disaster loans to support Florida businesses, nonprofits, homeowners, and renters affected by Hurricane Helene occurring on Sept. 23 through Oct. 7 and Milton occurring on Oct. 5 through Nov. 2, 2024. As of April 17, 2025, the SBA has provided over $460 million to businesses/EIDL and over $1 billion to residents in the wake of this disaster.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has reopened and extended the physical damage loan applications. Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is still available to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations for working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDLs are available regardless of whether the organization suffered any physical property damage and may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.
The Hurricane Home Repair Program helps income eligible homeowners impacted by Hurricane Helene or Milton pay for storm repairs not covered by insurance or FEMA. Eligible residents may receive up to $30,000 in grant funding as reimbursement or direct payment for eligible home repairs. Funding is provided by Florida’s State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) and Pinellas County. These statewide SHIP funds are designated to help local governments provide affordable housing opportunities and have specific limits on homeowner income and total property value.
Rebuild Florida is Florida’s long-term disaster recovery effort, committed to rebuilding impacted communities stronger so they are more resilient to future storms.
The Hurricane Ian Rebuild Florida Housing Repair and Replacement Program is a state program launched with federal funding to repair, rebuild, or replace eligible homes with remaining damage from Hurricane Ian.
If you were impacted by Hurricanes Helene or Milton, you may still be eligible for assistance under the Hurricane Ian Housing Repair and Replacement Program.
Rebuild Florida is currently accepting applications. Priority will be given to homeowners with a low income and households that include children under 18, seniors aged 62 and older, or individuals with disabilities.
Improving Lives Through the Power of Information & Hope
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.
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.
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.
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 ArtWalks from 5 to 9 p.m. throughout the year.
For more information and to view all of the Loopers convenient pickup spots, please visit https://mygulfport.us/trolley/.
The Gulfport Public Works Department located at the 49th Street Neighborhood Center (1617 49th St. S.) is an official collection site for rechargeable batteries!
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.
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.
GEMS door-to-door transportation has provided independence & freedom to elderly and disabled residents of Gulfport for over 40 years.
Any Gulfport residents 55 & 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.
Resources for Renters
Know your rights and where to get help when making rental decisions. This page is designed to help people who are struggling with the rising cost of housing find available help and learn about their rights as a renter. You can also find information on assistance with homeownership.
The Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center actively seeks to support the independence and increased quality of life of its participants by encouraging involvement in programs and activities that promote health, welfare, safety and dignity.
The Gulfport Senior Center is Gulfport’s trusted leader in providing senior services that empower older adults to live life to the fullest. The Senior Center is a hub and gathering place for seniors to be socially engaged, physically challenged, and cognitively stimulated. It also serves as a clearinghouse for older adults to receive community resources and social services that help them maintain their independence and quality of life.
Required Registration is easy and available for all individuals 50 years of age or older. Free for Gulfport Residents and only $50 per year for non-Residents. Don’t wait, be a part of the club today!
The City’s Utility Customer Service Department is located at the City Hall Complex. You can drop your utility payment off during normal business hours at the Customer Service window, and after hours you may drop payments at the drop box located by the front door of the City Hall Complex. When paying your utility bill in person or dropping off the payment, please bring or enclose your utility stub to ensure accurate payment processing.
City of Gulfport – Parks Department
The City of Gulfport takes tremendous pride in its park system. The Parks Division improves and maintains the quality of life within the community in environmental landscaping and turf maintenance. The division continues to create safe and aesthetically pleasing recreational facilities for all to enjoy. Please visit https://mygulfport.us/recreation/parks/ for more information.
Summer is officially in the air—and so are exciting new offerings from Makers Air! Whether you’re planning a sun-soaked escape to the Out Islands or a spontaneous weekend getaway, we’re here to elevate your travel experience.
From our family-run team to your vacation-ready crew—thank you for flying with us this summer. Wherever you’re heading, let’s make the journey just as unforgettable as the destination.
Here’s what’s fresh this season:
Additional Airlift to Stella Maris, Long Island, Bahamas
You spoke, and we listened! Beginning on November 2, 2025 Makers Air will offer three flights weekly to Stella Maris, Long Island, Bahamas from FXE–Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Stay tuned for the announcement of Travel Packs for our Long Island frequent flyers as well!
Daily Flights to Cat Island, Bahamas direct from FXE
Beginning November 1, 2025 Makers Air will be flying direct to Cat Island, Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport daily. This significant increase will not only allow for more passenger flights but increased freight forwarding as well. Book today and fly away to Cat Island!
Reach the Makers Air Freight Team via WhatsApp: Next Level Customer Service
We are making communication easier and faster for YOU! Our Freight Forwarding Team is now available to you on WhatsApp Business for direct updates, quick responses, and smooth service! 954-319-9963 for assistance today!
Summer is here and so is peak travel season. Want to make sure your cargo/luggage flies on time? Ask about Guaranteed Cargo Blocks that are now available in new increments to guarantee small and large overages!
A personalized touch is increasingly rare in our digital world. We pride ourselves on working one on one with clients to create a seamless and elevated experience. Contact Bahamas Island Travel for your Bahamas Out Island Vacation Planning and Day Tour needs!
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Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary protects Georgia’s special live-bottom wildlife habitat in the Atlantic Ocean and along the southeastern U.S. coast, an area teeming with diversity and an abundance of marine life.
Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary May Recap
Gray’s Reef Hosts the 2025 MATE ROV Southeast Regional Competition
On May 10th, Gray’s Reef hosted the Southeast Regional MATE ROV Competition at the Chatham County Aquatics Center in Savannah, Georgia! The MATE ROV Southeast Regional Competition uses underwater robotics (aka remotely operated vehicles or ROVs) to inspire and challenge students to learn and creatively apply scientific, engineering, and technical skills to solving real-world problems. This year’s competition challenged students from all over the Southeast U.S. to tackle missions based on scenarios from the workplace, encouraging students to work together, network, and learn from technical professionals and each other.
The first place RANGER level team, WhaleTech from North Paulding High School, will move on to compete at the Worlds Competition in June. Competing in the 2025 regional competition, we had fourteen teams with over one hundred individuals registered as team members, coaches, or volunteers. This number was increased with family members and guests as this event is entirely open to the public. The Gray’s Reef team is looking forward to planning next year’s event! For more information about the MATE ROV Southeast Regional Competition, please contact Danielle Oxman at danielle.oxman@noaa.gov.
RANGER level competitors weighing their ROV before their pool product demonstrations. Photo by Hunter Coughlin/NOAA
2025 MATE ROV pool product demonstration in action! Photo by Hunter Coughlin/NOAA
Building Bridges Academy Join as a New Ocean Guardian School
On May 14th, Building Bridges Academy attended their first formal class as an Ocean Guardian School. Ocean Guardian Schools make commitments to protect and conserve their local watersheds, the world’s ocean, and special ocean areas, like national marine sanctuaries. The school makes this commitment by proposing and then implementing a school- or community-based conservation project.
Building Bridges Academy will be taking on composting to limit food waste in their school for their Ocean Guardian project. During their lesson, students learned about the Ocean Guardian program, Gray’s Reef, the importance of wetland habitats to a healthy ocean, and their connection to watershed areas. Students then got to put their new found knowledge to the test and build their own wetlands that would prevent pollution from draining to the ocean and protect the city from incoming storm surges! For more information about Ocean Guardian Schools, please contact Mary Quinn at mary.quinn@noaa.gov.
Education and Outreach Specialist, Mary, educating students on Ocean Guardian Schools. Photo by Danielle Oxman/NOAA
Ocean Guardian student making their wetland in a pan. Photo by Danielle Oxman/NOAA
Crew Training and Operational Readiness
On May 29, R/V Gannet transited offshore to Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary for a crew training and systems review day. The team participated in docking and undocking procedures, reviewed onboard emergency systems and navigation protocols, and assisted with drills and equipment handling. They conducted two man-overboard drills while opportunistically retrieving marine debris—two helium balloons found floating offshore. They also practiced deploying and retrieving a drop marker, which helped to better calibrate GPS accuracy and improve R/V Gannet’s systems. Additionally, they evaluated an alternate return transit route through Ossabaw Sound. Although this route took longer due to the no-wake zones, it was a smoother ride and more protected—valuable information for future planning in the event of unexpected weather deterioration. For more information, please contact the Gray’s Reef Vessel Operations Coordinator voc.grnms@noaa.gov.
Lieutenant Ring preparing to drop a diving drop marker on Captain Jason’s command. Photo by Alison Soss/NOAA
Alison Soss being very excited to go offshore and showing off our crew uniform. Photo by Alison Soss/NOAA
Captain Ward at the helm transitioning back from Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Photo by Alison Soss/NOAA
Upcoming Events with Gray’s Reef
2025 Super Sanctuary Summer: June 10th – August 15th
In honor of World Oceans Week, we’re kicking off our Super Sanctuary Summer and extending our Discovery Center hours! Starting on June 10th, we’ll be opening our doors Tuesdays – Fridays from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. to host FREE daily activities and events. Each week will feature a new theme with talks, workshops, craft sessions, and more! The Gray’s Reef Ocean Discovery Center is located at 340 MLK Jr Blvd. Savannah, GA. For a detailed schedule of these events, check out our website below.
Ocean Depths Artistic Heights: Deep Dive Exhibit: Now – August 4th
The Gray’s Reef Ocean Discovery Center welcomes local artists to be a part of our new rotating art exhibit, Ocean Depths Artistic Heights. Check out local artist Cat Ward’s exhibit, Deep Dive, which highlights her ocean inspired acrylic and sculpture series.
Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting: July 10th
National marine sanctuary advisory councils are community-based advisory groups that provide advice and recommendations to the superintendents of the sanctuary sites on issues like management, science, community engagement, and stewardship. Members of the advisory council represent a broad cross-section of communities, industries, and stakeholders interested in and affected by the marine sanctuary. The Gray’s Reef Sanctuary Advisory Council will be meeting on July 10th at the Ocean Discovery Center. More information about hours and agenda will be posted on our website soon!
Southeast Regional Ecosystem Assessment: July 21st – August 3rd
The Gray’s Reef team will be embarking on the NOAA Ship Nancy Foster mission in July! This multidisciplinary mission will include underwater mapping, scientific dive surveys, and public outreach. The Nancy Foster will be docked on River Street, Savannah, GA on August 3rd, and opening its doors to the public! Join us to see this incredible vessel and learn about the important research that was conducted for this mission.
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.
Puerto Jackson as it appears today. That smudge just below the horizon at middle left is the sunken island of Jackson Cay.
“I saw an opening between large mountains that made a good and expansive port and with a good entrance, which I called Puerto Santo.”—from History of the Indies by Friar Bartolomé de las Casas, quoting Christopher Columbus
An island sank in 1946 as a result of a terrible earthquake. It wasn’t a big island, only 52 acres, but it formed the principal barrier to ocean swells protecting an old coconut port on the Samana Peninsula of the Dominican Republic. The port was first identified by Columbus in 1493 and was considered significant because it could shelter ships on an otherwise inhospitable coast.
The reason old Port Jackson still matters is that Jackson Cay only sank a few feet underwater and thus continues to attenuate waves that would otherwise roil the hundred-plus acre basin, which happens to have good holding. Consider atolls of the South Pacific, whose coral reefs protect an anchorage within.
Port Jackson is no hurricane hole, but its sunken island and fringing reefs do provide a modicum of all-weather protection, most critically from northern swell. And it lies along the “thorny path to windward” that small craft mariners must transit en route from Florida to the lower caribbean.
Too bad generations of cruisers have never known about it. And the reason for that is simple: The chartmakers of the world never took note of Jackson Cay’s demise. Even though it sunk in 1946, Jackson continues to appear on charts today, 79 years later.
This 1853 map shows Jackson Cay (Cayo Yaqueson) and Port Jackson, which was originally named Puerto Sacro or Santo by Columbus en route back to Spain in 1493. The thin line paralleling the coast represents the only land access to the Samana Region at the time. The mapmaker called the shelter of the harbor fuerte, Spanish for strong.
If the principal landmark for finding the entrance to a harbor is an island almost the size of the U.S. Capitol grounds—and that island does not present itself—a passing mariner is not likely to trust the safety of vessel and crew to investigate, particularly in an area of numerous breaking reefs.
A quirky gringo author named Bruce Van Sant wrote “A Gentleman’s Guide to Passages South: The Thorny Path to Windward,” which discussed in detail the gnarly nature of Dominican waters. Van Sant told Loose Cannon about the time he put-putted around looking for Port Jackson. Charts and U.S. Navy Sailing Directions placed Port Jackson behind a protective island, but Van Sant didn’t find it nor could anyone else because they needed to identify the island first.
Local fishermen and tourist excursion captains, who do not use charts to navigate, have no problem accessing the basin and picture-poscard beach because the entrance is actually pretty straightforward, as described in the story linked below.
Once upon a time, charts for the Caribbean were the purview of the U.S. Navy Hydrological Office, which in 1972 was merged with other government mapmakers into the Defense Mapping Agency, which in 1996 became the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, which in 2003 became the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Given enough time, acronyms thus generated may well comprise the entire alphabet.
Loose Cannon was dealing with the NGA, which calls itself the U.S. intelligence community’s go-to agency for processing and analyzing satellite imagery. It is referred to as one of the “Big Five” U.S. intelligence agencies
On Aug. 4, 1946 an earthquake and Tsunami struck at the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, killing 2,550 people. Jackson Cay, the landmass at center right, sunk to about three feet under water.
First I laid out the scenario to NGA spokesman Nancy M. Rapavi and explained why clarity regarding Port Jackson was in the public interest, along with the above image from Google Earth (which may well be NGA product). In this context I sought a general explanation about how NGA updates its charts. Her answer was unhelpful:
The factors that go into determining the need for a new edition of a chart are the following: The accumulation of Notice to Mariner corrections, the nature of the corrections and the age of the chart. The availability and releasability of new sources are also taken into consideration when determining the need for a new edition and include the following: charts with new data, hydrographic surveys and aerial or commercial imagery.
My response was as follows:
I guess what I really need to know is this: How can a significant feature such as Cayo Jackson still be on our charts 70 years after it disappeared under the water? Especially nowadays, when you can use Google Earth, and clearly see by the satellite imagery that it is not there.
I am not picking on NGA in this. British Admiralty Charts also show Cayo Jackson as still existing.
This issue is further complicated by the fact that NGA Publication 147 (En Route) Caribbean Sea Volume 1 of 218 actually makes reference to “Port Jackson” on page 129. Port Jackson is of course the sheltered basin that was once defined by Cayo Jackson (or in English, Jackson Cay.)
There is no Jackson Cay. There has not been a viable port there since 1946. All this is easily checkable. Will NGA now correct its charts and sailing directions?
Crickets…Ghosted by Nancy.
The question of whether NGA, thus informed, will correct the chart has some relevance, not because a few cruisers might benefit, but because the U.S. Navy uses NGA charts, and therefore the Navy must also believe that Jackson Cay is still an island.
According to an former civilian cartography executive that I interviewed, charts are generally updated more frequently for high-traffic or strategic areas. He said Port Jackson’s isolation and decades of disuse before the 1946 earthquake probably best explain the errors.
In the mid-19th Century Port Jackson was considered strategic because a frigate anchored therein could use its guns to cut off land access to all of Samana. At the time, the only way to resupply military forces at strategic Samana Bay on the south side of the Samana peninsula was a path, suitable only for pack animals, that ran behind the length of Jackson Beach.
This screenshot was taken from the plotting station of a U.S. Navy warship. Not only is the island not as depicted but those three rocks at right are not there either.
Draft for a frigate back then was about 20 feet, which the Port Jackson entrance and basin can easily accomodate. Today’s U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ships draw 13 feet and, though unlikely (at least one hopes), there may come a day when Chinese submarines call at Cuban ports, and LCS vessels (some of which are anti-submarine capable) will need a place to chill next to deep water on the route to Havana.
Arguably, the venerable British Admiralty is even more negligent than NGA in its coverage of Samana waters.
British Admiralty charts also show an island where no island exists, and the Admiralty’s piloting guide to the Caribbean Sea at the time of this writing gave highly specific directions on how to enter non-existent Port Jackson using the non-existent island as a landmark.
The most amusing part of these sailing directions is the description of Jackson Cay as “not easily identified.” Yes, it’s difficult to identify features that are underwater from a distance.
Through the good offices of Bluewater Books in Fort Lauderdale, a distributor of Admiralty charts, I sought comment from the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office.
Crickets again…Not even a “cherio, mate.”
Cayo Jackson, as depicted on NV Charts. And those features above the word Jackson don’t exist either.
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.
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.
JUNE 2025 Gulfport History Museum & Gulfport Arts Center Newsletter
June Porch Party: 6/20
Movie Night: Beneath the 12-Mile Reef Friday, June 20 at 7:30pm at the Gulfport History Museum
Summer is here! So it’s time to join Gulfport Arts & Heritage for an outdoor movie night. Bring your blankets, chairs, and favorite movie snacks and settle in on the lawn of the Gulfport History Museum for a great Florida-themed classic under the stars!
Beneath the 12-Mile Reef follows a family of Greek sponge divers as they eke out a living on the Gulf shores of Florida. After their haul is robbed, they must venture into the dangerous waters of the 12-mile reef, where they find wild sea creatures, fierce human rivals, and an unexpected romance.
This 1953 film, directed by Robert D. Webb, wowed audiences with its extraordinary underwater footage, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography.
Free outdoor event. Popcorn and drinks will be available for purchase. Film begins at 7:30pm. Running time is 1 hour 42 minutes.
Original Gulfport Walking Tour: 6/26
The next historic walking tour will take place on Thursday, June 26 at 5:30pm. The Museum will be open from 5-5:30pm for tour check-ins.
Join Gulfport Arts & Heritage on a stroll through history in the heart of Gulfport. This reworked tour is led by David Anderson of Discover Florida Tours and lasts for approximately 1.5 hours.
$15 for non-members, free for GAH members. Registration is required. Click here to register!
Online Catalog
Did you know that you can browse and search hundreds of photographs, postcards, and objects from the museum’s collection online? The catalog is updated regularly and is available to view 24/7. Click here to access via CatalogIt HUB.
See someone or something you know? Have a story? Share your knowledge with us and the community by emailing HistoryMuseum@mygulfport.us. Email links are also available at the bottom of each entry in the catalog.
This Summer, we’re offering free WEEKLY art classes for ages 6-12 every THURSDAY @3pm-4:30pm from June 5th-July 24th. We’ll explore painting, 3D art, and many other fun methods of artmaking!
Registration is REQUIRED in order for your child to participate, but you may register for camp at any time. Spots may be limited. Max number of children that may be signed up per guardian is two.
JUNE KIDS ART CAMP SCHEDULE JUNE 5th – Kandinsky Inspired Fold-out Booklets Make a colorful accordion-style booklet inspired by the abstract painter Wassily Kandinsky.
JUNE 12th – Tie-Dying with Food Coloring Tie-dye strips of cloth, lace, and linen using food coloring and a few simple ingredients.
JUNE 19th – NO CAMP Closed for Juneteenth
JUNE 26th – Hanging Wall Tapestries Use the materials we dyed to make a personalized hanging wall tapestry.
KIDS FREE CRAFT DAYS
In addition to art camp, we are also hosting free, open craft days for kids of ALL AGES under 13 EVERY TUESDAY @12pm-2pm from June 3rd-July 22nd! Children can paint, draw, collage, and craft freely with other kids, all materials provided. Feel free to drop-in anytime, NO registration required!
OPEN COLLAGE GROUP MEETUP
BIMONTHLY, EVERY 1st & 3rd SATURDAY @3pm-5pm
THIS MONTH – June 7th & June 21st
Starting June 7th, we are expanding our monthly collage group to BIMONTHLY meets every 1st and 3rd Saturday 3pm-5pm! Join us for an afternoon of collage-making with all materials provided, completely FREE! Bring your own ephemera to share or swap with others and get to know like-minded creatives in a laid-back atmosphere.
Email us at ArtsCenter@mygulfport.us to be added to our optional RSVP list and receive bimonthly reminders.
NEW SUMMER OPEN STUDIO HOURS
TUESDAY 3PM-7PM
WEDNESDAY 1PM-7PM
1st & 3rd SATURDAY 10AM-2PM
We are excited to announce that starting June 3rd, we will be extending open studio hours on Wednesdays this Summer! Anyone 13+ can use our studio space to work on their own personal art projects during open hours. Studio space is provided on a first-come-first-serve-basis, reservations are prohibited. Artists must bring their own supplies.
Folks are also welcome to come by during open studio hours to view our current group art show, “Cut & Paste”, a showcase celebrating the art of collage, featuring a diverse range of artistic perspectives and techniques! This exhibition is on display now until July 16th.
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.
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.
OUr Hometown, Hertford, Featured in ‘Our State’ Magazine
In this charming story by Molly Harrison from Our State Magazine, Albemarle Plantation’s hometown of Hertford is celebrated as a hidden gem among the state’s coastal communities. The article serves as a walking guide, inviting readers to explore the rich history and natural beauty of our quaint harbor town. From its historic waterfront and lush landscapes to vibrant local eateries and charming shops, Hertford offers a unique blend of Southern hospitality and cultural heritage. Readers are encouraged to lace up their walking shoes and immerse themselves in the captivating sights and stories that make Hertford a must-visit destination. Read the full article from Our State Magazine!
PLAN YOUR DISCOVERY TOUR.
Enjoy a 3-day/2-night stay at the Inner Banks Inn in Edenton’s historic district. Live like a local and sample Albemarle Plantation’s many amenities, natural beauty and incredible water:
• Round of Golf for 2 • Boat Ride on the Albemarle Sound (subject to availability) • Golf Cart, Bikes, Kayaks/Canoes • Breakfast Each Day and Lunch or Dinner at one of our onsite restaurants • Full Access to Fitness Facility and Classes and Pool Facilities (subject to availability) • Explore Downtown Edenton by Bike and Discover the Charming Waterfront • Plus, Tour Homes, Neighborhoods, and See Our Latest Home Listings from the $400s!
book your visit now for only $249!
Explore 172 Roanoke Drive
4 Bedroom | 3 Bath | 2,500+/- Sq Ft
If you are looking for a new construction home without the build time, this is it! Bright, open living spaces abound in the Columbia. Guests are greeted with a light-filled living, dining, and kitchen area, set with glass doors that open to a lovely, screened porch and an attached deck. The vast owner’s suite is the ideal place to recharge after a day on the water or the golf course! The convenient laundry/mudroom/garage layout means your golf cart, kayak, or workout gear are easily stored and handled. Enjoy the extra flexibility of a bonus room above the garage with its own bath, too!
This Discovery Package is designed to acquaint you with Albemarle Plantation real estate opportunities. If married, both spouses must attend the property tour. Participants must live outside a 75 mile radius from the property. The $249 is paid to the hotel at time of booking. If customer does not cancel or reschedule within 14 days of arrival, the customer forfeits the $249 as a cancellation fee. Customer is responsible for any incidentals at the hotel. A valid credit card is required to reserve an Albemarle Plantation Discovery Visit. A limited number of packages are available. Subject to availability. Some blackout dates.
What’s Happening In Your Parks – Charleston County Parks
Pass It On
This summer, save on every splash and stroke with a Splash Pass or Aquatic Center Pass! If you’re planning regular visits to our waterparks or the West Ashley Aquatic Center, these value passes let you play more while paying less. Get yours today!
Boogie on the Pier
Moonlight Mixers continue at the hottest dance spot in town: the Folly Beach Pier! Lace up those dancing shoes and join us on June 6 for cold drinks, unbeatable ocean views, and the beach music you know and love. Get your tickets to the dance floor today!
Just for Kids
Calling all curious kids! Our annual Summer Entertainment Series kicks off this week with pirate lessons from Drama Kids Charleston South. And you and your grown-ups can join us every Thursday this summer at Wannamaker County Park for more awesomely fun programs.
Everyone In!
On June 8, Inclusive Swim Night returns to Splash Island Waterpark. People with disabilities and their families and caregivers will have the waterpark to themselves for a fun-filled, sensory-friendly evening. Get your tickets today!
Swim, Bike, Run
Ready to try a tri? There’s still time to sign up for the first race in this summer’s Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series on June 15. If you’re not up for racing but want to support the athletes, check out our volunteer opportunities!
Holiday Staycation
Your holiday getaway could be right around the corner! We’re raffling off a stay in one of our cottages at James Island County Park during the Holiday Festival of Lights. The best part? All proceeds are going to the Charleston County Parks Foundation. Donate for your chance to be the lucky winner.
Call for Applications: Public Accessibility Advisory Committee
Do you want to help shape a more accessible future for Charleston County Parks? We are seeking passionate individuals to join our Public Accessibility Advisory Committee. We’re looking for advocates to bridge the gap between CCPRC and the local disability community so that we can provide programs and services that can better serve individuals with disabilities. We invite you to apply today!
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.
Roam lies on mooring #3 in Alofi Bay, Niue. We have the bay to ourselves.
Thirteen-hundred miles of open ocean lie between French Polynesia and the Kingdom of Tonga. There are very few places to stop. The single-island nation of Niue (New-Way) is one. It’s not only a great rest stop; it’s a worthy destination unto itself.
The Savage Rock
Captain James Cook, who, after three attempts to land, famously dubbed it “Savage Island” due to what he perceived as a hostile reception (it was, in fact, locals painted with red fe’i banana). Today, it’s called the “Rock of Polynesia” as it pops up out of nowhere in the middle of the Pacific. I’d suggest calling it “Friendly Rock” because of the friendly, enthusiastic islanders who genuinely love having “yacthies” visit their island.
Niue lies along the long route between French Polynesia and Tonga.
There is no protected harbor on Niue. It’s a deep, open roadstead. You can’t anchor. The local yacht club installs 15 moorings every season. These are in excellent condition and well maintained. They remove them during the off-season to refresh all of the components. You have to reserve one and pay for it in advance.
Running from the WARC
We were fortunate to get a reservation. We are running in front of a large group of boats participating in the World ARC—a rally of 26 boats who sail around the world together over the course of 15 months. They had reserved all of the moorings and were behind us in Bora Bora, hot on our heels. The Niue Yacht Club gave us three nights. We’d then have to leave to make room for the WARC boats. For now, we have the bay to ourselves.
Diving Niue
I’d heard great things about scuba diving in Niue. I wasn’t prepared for what I experienced. Caves and sea snakes. And crystal clear water. And big coralscapes.
The Niue Blue dive operation is based in New Zealand. The Kiwi crew and guides rotate through every few months. It’s a well-run operation. Guides Jackson and Ant picked me up from our boat one morning. They had one other long-time client with them. Only four of us. One guide remained in the boat while three of us dived.
Jackson: “Hey Jim, how do you feel about caves?”
Ant: “Hey Jim, how do you feel about snakes?”
I think I mumbled something about my life being in their hands. With that, we blasted off across the bay to their first favorite spot—Bubble Cave.
Katuali: Niue’s venomous, flat-tailed sea snake
We saw hundreds, if not thousands, of Niue’s famous Katuali venomous3 sea snakes. Outside the caves, they swim freely. In the caves, they are wrapped up in tight mating balls—some several feet in diameter. Above the surface, they lounged on the stalagmites and rocks inside the caves.
This is the kind of place where I could see spending a week, diving every morning and never getting tired of it.
Driving Around Niue
Pam rented a car to tour the island while I was diving. Unlike pretty much everywhere else in the world, Niue insists you get a local driver’s license. I’m not sure why they have this rule, but they are serious about it. Tourists apparently like it because it’s a cool souvenir to take home.
Helping the police chief get her printer back online.
Pam tried to get one, but the police station ID card printer was broken. They let her drive around without it while various people came and went from the police station trying to fix the printer. So much for the serious rule about having a local Niue driver’s license.
She is legal to drive in Niue!
That afternoon, we went back by the police station to see how the printer was doing. Despite my objections, Pam often volunteers me to help people with their computer problems5. The police chief was eager for help. Instead of intervening directly, I introduced her to Google Gemini and let them work things out together, which they quickly did. The printer was again spitting out ID cards. Pam got her license. We were legal. And, Niue has a resident AI expert now.
The loss of the Anastacia
A week earlier, we sat out some bad weather in Aitutaki, Cook Islands. That same disturbance passed over Niue. It caused the wind and seas to swing around and come from the west, making Alofi Bay a dangerous lee shore.6
There were several boats on moorings. Two left the mooring field and took shelter in the lee of the island on the other side, sailing back and forth on the east side for 48 hours. Two boats decided to ride it out on their moorings (despite warnings against it). One survived; one did not.
The Swedish-flagged, Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i, Anastacia, was lost when it broke free of its mooring and foundered on the reef in front of the town. It didn’t take long for the waves and the rocks to reduce it to small bits.
I won’t speculate on the skipper’s decision-making. These are always complex situations. It’s impossible to fully appreciate what they were facing. She wrote about it on the ship’s blog.
What we did see was the aftermath. The day after we arrived, the town citizens met with the island’s Prime Minister to confront the issue. The theme was a proposal to remove all moorings from Alofi Bay so that something like this would never happen again.
Locals salvage the wreck of Anastacia as she founders on the reef in front of the town of Alofi. Photo: Broadcasting Corporation of Niue
The wreckage left behind an environmental calamity. The fiberglass hull had been reduced to a kind of fiberglass fuzz that was all over the reef surface. Locals were engaged in a daily surface clean-up operation. The dive shop was running afternoon clean-up dives in an effort to get the debris off the bottom. It was a mess. People were angry.
Decisions that seem clear-cut after the fact are not so clear-cut in the moment. I think about our own experiences. Like a few days earlier in Aitutaki, where we had wind gusts to 44 knots. A slightly different weather trajectory, and we might be telling a different story. Often, we are more lucky than good.
The forecast models showed another disturbance forming near Tonga a few days out. It was forecast to track toward Niue. Some of the WARC boats seeing this, diverted north to Samoa. This freed up some of the moorings in Niue. The yacht club let us know we were free to spend another day or two should we so desire.
We could have made it work. But Anastacia’s fate was on our minds. The sea state was forecast to be smooth for the next day—less than two meters. The wind was blowing in the right direction. It would be a good chance to make the run to Tonga with good weather margins. Our weather router, MetBob agreed with the plan.
We woke to our alarms at midnight, slipped our mooring lines, and sailed west out of the bay and into the black night toward Tonga.
Customs Departure Tax: $150NZD per person (yes, that’s a lot)
Clearance Fee: $50NZD
Clearance was handled ashore on the wharf and in the customs office. Nobody came to the boat.
Gallery
Breakfast underway, offshore. Pam froze a bunch of croissants we got in French Polynesia. They are true luxury out on the ocean.
Some of our passages are “dead downwind.” We’re sailing with the wind directly behind us. We’ll often dispense with the mainsail and fly our reaching sails “wing-and-wing.” Here, “Jack,” the Code65 to port, and “Jill,” the Code Zero to starboard. In theory this is a safer setup than flying a spinnaker because both sails can be furled without leaving the cockpit. In practice, it can be a bit fidgety to set and douse. I’m not convinced I love this arrangement.
Arriving at Mooring #3 in Alofi Bay, Niue. We time our passages so that we arrive during daylight. We cut it close here, arriving at sunset. But this is a wide-open bay, and the navigation is straightforward. The Niue Yacht Club puts reflective tape and reflective numbers on the mooring balls. We found them easily with a spotlight.
Our downwind, reaching sails are flown from the “longeron” (fancy French term for bow sprit). Rigging them sometimes requires a balance beam performance on my part. And yes, I have fallen off (but not with my phone—yet). Simone Biles I am not.
Dinghy lift: Alofi Bay is an open roadstead. There is always a surge against the wharf. They make it easy to hoist your dinghy out of the water and set it on the wharf. There is usually a local around to help.
Like the Cook Islands, Niue is well supplied by New Zealand. Matson Shipping’s “Olomana” moored here for two days while the crew shuttled containers ashore.
The scuba diving in Niue was some of the most unique and memorable ever for me. Niue Blue is a first-class dive operation. Kiwi dive guides, Ant and Jackson took good care of me. Photo: Jackson, Niue Blue
Surfacing inside “Bubble Cave.” Lit with our dive lights. The cave is sealed and it pressurizes with the surge. You have to equalize your ears much like you would in a plane. The surge also vaporizes the surface into a mist. The Katuali sea snakes hang out in here.
Niue is known for Katuali—a highly venomous, flat-tailed sea snake. You see them on the surface frequently. When you dive the caves you find them in abundance. Sometimes in a mating ball one meter in diameter. They have tiny mouths. You’d have to try hard to get bitten. It would be bad if you did. Like most marine life, they are timid.
Our ongoing quest for decent pizza in faraway places. Kaiika, Alofi. Like Aitutaki, Niue has great eateries. A welcome change from the culinary food dessert of French Polynesia. New Yorkers might take issue with the pizza “style” here.
Roam in Alofi Bay, Niue.
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.
Cruisers Net is proud to be a member of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association, whose lobbying work is crucial to keeping the Waterway navigable and safe. Your membership dollars directly support their vital work. Please join and encourage your boating neighbors to do the same, regardless of their home port.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Releases FY26 Civil Works Budget Outlining the Administration’s Proposed Projects and Programs
May was an important month for waterway federal funding news. In addition to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) release of their work plan for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) funding on May 15th, we received more good news when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released their FY2026 Civil Works Budget on May 30th providing the detailed information on the President’s priorities for project and program funding for FY26.
Building on the $33 million allocated for FY25, the administration is proposing over $38 million dollars for waterway projects to be conducted in all five states in FY26. Below is a summary of the FY26 President’s budget request for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
Summary of appropriations in the FY26 President’s budget VA – $5.413M NC – $12.490M SC – $9.213M GA – $6.265M FL – $4.83M Total- $38.211 million Our New Jersey partners are also included in the President’s budget for $1.715 million
This funding level is the highest amount we have ever received in the President’s budget. This great start is a testament to our collective voice of waterway stakeholders and partnering with the Corps in building a national program for the last decade.
Looking forward
With the release of the Administration’s funding priorities, our focus turns to the FY26 appropriations process in Congress. The next step will be for the House of Representatives and Senate to develop their appropriation bills as the current FY25 funding ends on September 30, 2025. We are hopeful that we will be able to secure additional funding above the President’s request through Community Project Funding. In previous years, Rep. Greg Murphy (NC) and Rep. Brian Mast (FL) requested project funding for the waterway. We are also continuing to request Congress to add in funding pots for Additional Dredging needs for Inland Waterways; Small, Remote or Subsistence Navigation; and General Navigation into the Corps’ Operations & Maintenance Account, which could lead to more funding for the waterway.
Below is a table outlining our recent success and the current state of waterway funding. It is possible that we could surpass the $220 million in waterway funding over the past five years with another successful funding cycle in 2026.
BoatUS Has All the Hurricane Preparation Info Boaters Need
An article from our partners at BoatUS
Recreational boaters whose vessels have been impacted by a hurricane and came out relatively unscathed know it all starts with a plan. With the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season starting June 1, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is offering free hurricane boat preparation information at BoatUS.com/Hurricanes.
Online help is available to every boat owner (no BoatUS membership required), whether their vessel will have to weather the storm in the slip, stored ashore, on a boat lift, in canals, at marinas, boat clubs or hurricane holes.
The storm-planning help includes downloadable guides, videos and in-depth articles from BoatUS, the nation’s largest boating advocacy, services and safety group with more than 725,000 members and with more than 40 years of experience in hurricane preparedness for recreational vessels and post-storm recovery.
The simplest way to begin a customized boat hurricane damage avoidance plan is to download the one-page Hurricane Planning worksheet, which will help you determine a boat’s storage and protection options and needs, including any special equipment such as chafe protection, shackles or extra line.
Also offered is the “BoatUS Magazine Hurricane Preparations Guide,” which offers proven tips and techniques, and the “Guide for Preparing Boats and Marinas for Hurricanes” – a helpful resource for marina and boat club staff, community resiliency managers and local government organizations that focus on protecting boating facilities.
A video playlist includes nine hurricane preparation videos on a range of topics, making it easy to understand the steps to take, such as how to tie up your boat, how to set fenders, and what to do after a hurricane has come through.
If a named storm approaches, BoatUS.com/Hurricanes offers great up-to-the-minute storm tracking tools with live satellite images.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially ends November 30. For more, go to BoatUS.com/Hurricanes.
Savannah, Georgia SAVE THE DATE | AIWA Annual Meeting November 18-20, 2025
The AIWA is a national non-profit organization with the mission of securing funding and support for the maintenance of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. We are the only organization dedicated to ensuring the future of the AIWW and proudly represent all stakeholders of the waterway.
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.
Richard Sydney-Smith’s Christina before she was broken up for scrap.
Spouted, Touted, Pleaded Guilty
He spouted conspiracy theories and touted anti-vaccination positions while anchored in the Dominican Republic. Now, Australian Richard Sydney-Smith is waiting to be sentenced for drug smuggling and hoping for less than 10 years in prison.
Sydney-Smith arrived at the country’s hurricane-hole harbor—Luperon Bay—sometime in 2020 in what had been a beautiful steel ketch named Christina. She met her end as scrap in late 2023 after demonstrating a tendency to take on water at anchor.
Next thing we know, according to court documents, a Dominican drug figure named Orlando had hooked Sydney-Smith up with associate Onasis Lisandro Garcia, and the two of them were piloting Easy Times, a 44-foot sportfisherman, en route from the Bahamas to Fort Lauderdale. She was packed with 157 kilograms of cocaine.
Easy Times was intercepted on the evening of October 27, 2024 about two nautical miles east of the entrance to Fort Lauderdale.
With the jig being up, Sydney-Smith and Garcia quickly went into cooperation mode. Authorities switched out the cocaine with fake stuff and allowed the two men to arrange a rendezvous with their shoreside connections, bringing the total number of arrestees to five.
What some readers may find amazing is how cheap Sydney-Smith and Garcia were willing to work, given that the sentence for smuggling ranges from ten years to life. They told investigators they were paid $3,000 up front with a promise of “$5,000 to $10,000” upon delivery.
They are pleading guilty in hope that the court will grant them mercy, something along the lines of a five-year sentence.
Christina in better times.
Swaggering Keys Grifter Self-Deports
Jan Kanafoski is a Polish national whose criminal career began in Georgia, where he did time for theft. After that he engaged in a series of escapades—and had another criminal conviction—involving boats that burned, disappeared, were repossessed or given to him as gifts by older men who (one assumes) admired Kanafoski’s swaggering streetwise demeanor.
Kanafoski, 45, became a fixture along the Key West waterfront and, for a while, at Isla Mujeres in Mexico.
Kanafoski’s latest ride is Baba Yaga, a 66-foot catamaran, which was provided to him by an “investor” who was told the boat could make money in charter, according to Kanafoski’s son. Baba Yaga is a famous witch from Slavic folklore.
According to Baba Yaga’s most recent AIS coordinates, she was crossing the Atlantic after a stay in Bermuda. Her last available position was 40 days ago, just west of the Azores.
Baba Yaga, according to Kanafoski.
While at Bermuda, Kanafoski took the time to explain his plight in a Facebook post.
His “kid” denies informing on dad. Kid said he believes that the ICE story is made-up. Kid believes dad actually has self-deported, heading back to the mother country because he has cancer and wants to take advantage of Poland’s national health care.
The Coast Guard plan to discontinue 350 navigational bouys in the Northeast has been met with widespread chagrin in the maritime community, and the deadline for comments is fast approaching.
The latest criticism comes from the Maine Legislature, which last week passed a unanimous resolution opposing the whole idea, arguing that it represented false savings at the expense of public safety.
But since the Coast Guard comment structure appears built around the question of whether to remove each bouy individually, it is not clear that opposition to the entire concept will carry much weight.
Ted Arisaka is a cruiser and Loose Cannon correspondent who actually took the time to break down the buoys in question by type. His analysis showed 48 sea bouys had been targeted for removal, and further broke them down…
By State and Light Type (0=No Light)
By State and Sound Type (0=No Sound)
Caught in the act: Members of different termite species mate.
Termite Love Child Going to Sea?
Loose Cannon recently published a story quoting scientist Thomas Chouvenc, who believes boats are exporting Florida termites to who knows where. Now, he’s learned that it’s actually worse. He’s discovered a hybrid termite and expects this new super species will also be stowing away.
“Having the two of the most destructive termite species in the world hybridizing here in Florida is a real concern and it is unknown if in the long term it will be a major economic problem that would be compounded to the one already caused by both species,” Chouvenc said.
In his just-published essay in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society, Chouvenc wrote that invasive Formosan subterranean termites and Asian subterranean termites have gone from coexistence to cross-breeding. Chovenc is associate professor of urban entomology at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, a branch of the University of Florida.
The university’s news release on Chovenc’s study concluded:
With the presence of established hybrid colonies now confirmed, scientists warn that the consequences could extend far beyond Florida. Fort Lauderdale, dubbed the “yacht capital of the world,” is a known hotspot for the introduction and spread of invasive termites via recreational boats. Chouvenc’s previous research has shown that private vessels are a major pathway for spreading these species internationally.
“This may be a Florida story now, but it likely won’t stay just in Florida. Give it time,” he warned.
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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