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Navagear points us to “Rite in the Rain”:

The folks from “Rite in the Rain” were at the Pacific Marine Expo, and I picked up a brochure, an all-weather pen, and another pocket-sized spiral notebook…thanks guys!

See, I use these products every day. Into my pockets each morning go my keys, wallet, coin purse, cell phone, and my little Weems & Plath-branded Rite in the Rain 3″ x 5″ all-weather spiral notebook.

I have been using these products for many years in fairly harsh environments aboard ship and highly recommend them for use on deck.

“Rite in the Rain” Product Links;

• All Weather Pen
• Adventure Travel Journal All Weather Writing
• All-Weather Pocket Journal
• All Rite in the Rain Products

Also be sure to check out another gCaptain favorite;

• Fisher Bullet Space Pen

Google, the search engine and advertising powerhouse that is just about set to take over the world, is catching some real grief over their original Veterans Day logo (shown above).

In celebration of a special event or holiday, Google often creates special designs (they call it a “doodle”) of the Google logo.  Yesterday, they followed suit with a Veterans Day doodle depicting the Google logo with four military style hats draped over some of the letters.  However due to complaints, Google changed the logo to add a fifth hat.

What did they leave out?  The Coast Guard!  Google’s blog explains:

Today is Veterans Day in the U.S., a day to honor all veterans of military service. As we often do, we created a special design of the Google logo (which we call a “doodle”) in honor of the event. The design for the doodle featured a few military-style hats. We weren’t trying to represent all of the branches or all of the symbols of military service and, as a result of space and design limitations, we inadvertently left the U.S. Coast Guard out of our depiction.

Understandably, we have heard from many veterans and Coast Guard members, and have now posted an updated version of our Veterans Day doodle, including all five branches of the military. [Continue Reading →]

I carry three things with me every time I go on deck. A Pelican Flashlight, Channel Locks and my knife. I have tried many and my absolute favorite knife is the Spyderco Assist!
What makes this the best knife?

• Thanks to the sheepsfoot blade I know I’m not going to acciently stab myself in bad weather
• It has a built in (really loud) whistle in case I go overboard.
• It’s designed to open with one hand
• Sypderco are simply the best quality knifes.
• The combotip allows you to have the benefits of both a straight and serrated edge.
• See the ridges on the back of the blade and again on the front of the handle? If you open the blade just enough to get a line in then squeeze the blade against the handle you’ll very safely cut the line.

How sharp does the knife have to be for the last “trick”? Very sharp but spyderco has Free Sharpening for life and a broken blade will never cost you more than $25 to replace. If you are looking for a simpler/thinner knife be sure to check out the Leatherman Rescue.

If I don’t have my spyderco on me it means I’m carrying my second favorite knife; the Leatherman Wave. A great multipurpose knife since leatherman has an excellent warranty, each knife has both a straight edge and serrated blade. These blades are located on the outside of the knife so they are easily accessible with one hand.

With the Spyderco Assist being sold at Amazon for $59 and the Leatherman Wave on sale for $65 you can probably afford both and thank us the next time a storm rolls through during lines.

[Continue Reading →]

WebUrbanist brings us their Top 6 picks for luxury subsea accommodation. The above picture is of The Posiedon Myster Island:

The Poseidon Mystery Island is competing for the title of the world’s first luxury underwater resort. The complex will be designed by Bruce Jones, famous for designing a series of $80-million luxury submarines with their own private state rooms and plush carpets, designed for voyages of up to three weeks in length. The project will cost $105 million and will be submerged next to a private island at a depth of 40 feet with an amazing view of the ocean floor.

You can find the next five hotels HERE.

Today marks the 75th annual National Maritime Day. In 1933 the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America officially declared May 22 as National Maritime Day. May 22 was chosen in tribute to one of Americas many great feats. The first transoceanic voyage by a steam-powered vessel. The ship was The Savannah. She departed from Savannah, Georgia on May 22, 1819 and in less then a month she arrived in Liverpool, England. This voyage marked the beginning of a new age in shipping as well as the start of the great migration of immigrants to The United States.

In celebration of this historic and important holiday we are asked as American citizens to display the United States flag in our community’s. It is also request that all ships sailing under the American flag dress ship on that day in honor of all Mariners.

• National Maritime Day: Substance or Symbolism Only?
• History of The Savannah
• New London Celebrates National Maritime Day
• National Maritime Day and Other Resolutions, Proclamations, Speeches and Commemorations

National Maritime Day, 2008