For those of you who have been following the site, you probably are aware that gCaptain.com has a sister site (actually more of a brother site) called UnofficialSquaw.com that is run by John’s brother, Tim Konrad.  Based out of the infamous Squaw Valley USA ski resort in Tahoe, California, the site offers an inside look into the lives of avid skiers and snowboarders and follows a team of skiers as they compete (and dominate) in various freeride competitions throughout the world.

Just recently, the team embarked on an adventure for the ages that I think is worthy of a cross post here on gCaptain.com.  So where did they go? Skiing in Antarctica! [Continue Reading →]

Well I can’t say I feel bad for this guy.  Check out this interesting story from CNN explaining why this multi-millionaire is living in a tent on his sailboat off Key West.

Wired Magazine has released a fun online game based on a recent article titled “Cutthroat Capitalism” which explores piracy off the coast of Somalia from a business standpoint.  You can read Cutthroat Capitalism HERE

In the game, you are a pirate commander tasked with bringing home the greatest profit to your shoreside investors.  In order to do so, you must head out and target a ship for attack,  successfully hijack the vessel and then negotiate a ransom with the shipowner.  Of course, the amount of ransom paid depends on the type of ship, number of crew members and negotiating tactic.  Just make sure your sure your skills are strong, as you do not want to blow through all your stake money and be drummed out of the pirate league.  I guess it’s best explained by checking out the game for yourself HERE.

Regardless of your opinions on the article or whether Somali pirates could ever (even jokingly) be classed as “businessmen”, you have to admit that the game is at least entertaining.  My highest earning was $2M.

This is pretty gross.  In the Chukchi Sea between Wainwright and Barrow in Norther Alaska, a mysterious “goo” has been spotted drifting in a strand of 12 to 15 miles long, leaving everyone scratching their heads as to it’s origins.

Nobody knows for sure what the gunk is, but Petty Officer 1st Class Terry Hasenauer says the Coast Guard is sure what it is not.

“It’s certainly biological,” Hasenauer said. “It’s definitely not an oil product of any kind. It has no characteristics of an oil, or a hazardous substance, for that matter.

“It’s definitely, by the smell and the makeup of it, it’s some sort of naturally occurring organic or otherwise marine organism.” [Continue Reading →]

The Seasteading Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating permanent cities at sea as a way to experiment with building new societies without government intereference (as I understand it anyway), has just released the winners from their first 3-D Design Competition.  The winner was 27 year architectural graphic designer from Eger, Hungary named András Gyõrfi for his design called “The Swimming City”, geared toward “wellness,” sports, entertainment, and “whatever you can imagine,” according to a statement by its creator.

In a press release from The Seasteading Institute, they tell us;

We had a great level of participation, with 41 entries being submitted.  More importantly, the quality of the entries was generally very impressive and the competition was very close, as several of the winners won by the smallest margin possible. Participants succeeded indeed in capturing the pioneering spirit of seasteading and expressing a vibrant, lively feeling through beautiful architecture!

Check out this LINK for a full list of winners, including high-res images of the entrants, or take a look at the Seasteading Institutes website HERE for more information surrounding these communities at sea.

LG, the global manufacturer of electronic products and home appliances, has converted a 70-meter long push barge into a large, floating advertisement for the launch of their new eco-friendly refrigerator.  The football field sized vessel/refrigerator sailed up the Seine from Le Havre to Paris between June 22 and June 25.

The new refrigerator uses LG’s “Linear Compressor” technology requiring 20 percent less energy than conventional refrigerators.  While I have no idea exaclty what the new model is that LG is promoting with this unique marketing gimmick, here is a link to the LG’s refrigerator page just for their efforts and creativity. LINK

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Every so often a discussion is started on the forum that can truly stand the test of time.  This one in particular has lasted nearly as long as gCaptain itself and has been lost in the archives on multiple occasions only to be brought back to life on the homepage by the most dedicated site searcher.  Without further ado, here is a list of the Best Captain Quotes contributed by gCaptain Forum members. [Continue Reading →]

From The Boston Globe:

French oarsman Charlie Girard failed for a third time yesterday in his quixotic quest to row to France from Cape Cod. And US taxpayers are $80,000 poorer.

That’s the cost of dispatching a Coast Guard jet and helicopter to a 21-foot, custom-designed rowboat bobbing 150 miles off Cape Cod, where Girard called it quits 10 days into his latest aborted adventure.

Fearful and cold in a menacing fog, Girard used a satellite phone to place an 8:25 a.m. distress call to the Coast Guard in Boston.

“I can’t do anything,” Girard, 28, said in a weak, breaking voice. “I’m cold, and I don’t know what to do.”

It seems like exhaustion just 10 days into a 60 day trip is a poor excuse for failure.  Isn’t that the only factor you can train for?

His first attempt to row the Atlantic came in 2007 but was cut short just hours into his journney when water begain pouring into his boat.  He made another attempt days later, only to make it 50 miles into his journey. Now here’s some video [Continue Reading →]

Keetwonen, 1000 shipping containers from China modified into student housing in Amsterdam, is the largest shipping container housing development in the world.  It has been praised for its innovation, cost effectiveness and design.

For students, living in modified shipping containers is actually better than it sounds on paper.  Each unit addresses many of the common concerns for students living in student housing such as privacy and cleanliness, while retaining the social aspects of living in dorms.  Each unit includes amenities such as private bathroom, kitchen, separate sleeping and study room areas, ventilation, heat, hot water heater, large windows and even private balcony.

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Today’s article from the San Francisco Chronicle, “Obamas could inspire a wave of water dogs” gives a clear description why history’s most famous maritime dogs are getting lots of attention these days. They write: [Continue Reading →]