John Konrad

Captain John Konrad is the founder and CEO of gCaptain, one of the world’s most-read maritime news websites, and a member of the Pentagon Press Corps. He holds a USCG Master Unlimited license. John studied naval architecture at the U.S. Naval Academy before graduating from SUNY Maritime College with a degree in Marine Transportation. He is also a Y Combinator Startup School alumnus. His decade at sea included service aboard Military Sealift Command-operated ships, crude-oil supertankers running to Valdez, and dynamically positioned drillships supporting deepwater projects. In industry leadership roles, he participated in major offshore exploration and drilling campaigns, including the KG-D6 discovery with Reliance Industries and world record-setting deepwater work with Chevron. On April 20, 2010, John had finished overseeing the $750 million Deep Ocean Ascension newbuild project for BP when the Deepwater Horizon exploded. His seven years at Transocean and personal ties to members of the Horizon crew drove him to investigate the disaster, resulting in Fire on the Horizon (HarperCollins, 2011). In 2025, he co-authored Returning from Ebb Tide: Renewing the United States Commercial Maritime Enterprise for Marine Corps University Press. John has contributed to publications including Forbes, CIMSEC, Lloyd’s List, and the U.S. Coast Guard Compass, and has appeared on outlets including NPR and the BBC. He has also consulted for major newsrooms and public institutions on maritime reporting and offshore industry topics. His reporting draws on primary documents, official maritime records, and on-the-record sources cultivated over two decades in the industry. He is an Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute and a member of the Council of American Master Mariners and the Navy League of the United States. His work has been recognized with the U.S. Navy Combined Maritime Forces Naval Support Award and SUNY Maritime’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year award.


Friday, November 23, 2018
Wood Charts – gCaptain’s Favorite High End Holiday Gift
Blog

Wood Charts – gCaptain’s Favorite High End Holiday Gift

Over the years we’ve shared dozens of amazing products – from gifts for the working sailor to small stocking stuffers – in our Holiday

November 23, 2018
Total Views: 117

Thursday, November 22, 2018
Black Friday Starts Now
gCaptain

Black Friday Starts Now

Black Friday Starts Now 25% OFF Every Item In The gCaptain Store  with coupon code “BlackFriday18” Including All gCaptain Bestsellers gCaptain’s

November 22, 2018
Total Views: 54

Monday, October 29, 2018
Ally Cedeno, Founder of WOMEN OFFSHORE
Blog

A Candid Interview With Ally Cedeno Of Women Offshore

We recently had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Chief Mate Ally Cedeno, founder of the influential and inspiring organization Women Offshore. In

October 29, 2018
Total Views: 324

Wednesday, October 24, 2018
ship watch-officer-bridge-wing
Blog

The Most Dangerous Hour In Shipping Is NOT 23:00 To Midnight

Most professional mariners agree that the most dangerous hour of shipping is the hour between 23:00 and 24:00 – this is because it’s the one hour when

October 24, 2018
Total Views: 94

Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Seasickness. What Is It? What Causes It? Is There Any Hope?
Blog

Seasickness. What Is It? What Causes It? Is There Any Hope?

In today’s episode of The REAL gCaptain Podcast we tell you everything you need to know about the horrible, nasty and disgusting condition known as

October 2, 2018
Total Views: 155

Friday, September 28, 2018
METOO
Blog

Is Sexual Harassment A Legitimate Maritime Issue In 2018?

In the recent decades the shipping and offshore industries have spent millions of dollars on Human Resource departments and initiatives to prevent sexual

September 28, 2018
Total Views: 37

Short Sea Shipping In Germany
Blog

After Decades Of Failure I Am Confident Short Sea Shipping Will Return To The USA. Here’s Why.

  Today’s episode of The REAL gCaptain Podcast was recorded in the wake of the Blue Highway Conference hosted by SUNY Maritime College.  We

September 28, 2018
Total Views: 103

Wednesday, September 26, 2018
The Captain’s Secret Revealed
Blog

The Captain’s Secret Revealed

In today’s episode of The REAL gCaptain Podcast we reveal the secret every good ship captain knows but few ever reveal. A secret that boosts confidence,

September 26, 2018
Total Views: 31

Tuesday, September 25, 2018
EPIRB SIGN Aboard Ship
Blog

Too Many gCaptain Readers Are Being Idiots At Sea

Please drop everything now and go buy a PLB, EPIRB or AIS SART! Yes, they really are that important… in today’s episode of The REAL gCaptain

September 25, 2018
Total Views: 44

Monday, September 24, 2018
Monkey Fist on ship
Blog

How To Learn To Tie ANY Knot

  In today’s episode of The REAL gCAptain Podcast we teach you how to master any knot and remember it for life! Material Needed: A great knot book

September 24, 2018
Total Views: 63

Saturday, September 22, 2018
modern shipwreck
Blog

A Simple Way To Prevent Fatalities At Sea

The saying goes that today’s marine safety regulations where written in the blood of mariners who sailed before us… but is that statement true? Or

September 22, 2018
Total Views: 130

Thursday, September 20, 2018
Tired Watch Officer taking a nap
Blog

Top 10 Reasons Why Ship Officers Fall Asleep On Watch

Have you ever fallen asleep while on watch at sea? In today’s episode of The REAL gCaptain Podcast we offer advice on getting more sleep and better

September 20, 2018
Total Views: 173

Wednesday, September 19, 2018
USMMA Kings Point Graduation
Defense

Should MARAD Close The US Merchant Marine Academy At Kings Point?

In today’s episode of The REAL gCaptain Podcast we take a harsh look at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), a federal college that

September 19, 2018
Total Views: 260

Should iPhones Be Allowed On The Bridge Of A Ship?
Blog

Should iPhones Be Allowed On The Bridge Of A Ship?

Most of today’s Captains are reluctant to allow mobile phones on the bridge of their ships because they tend to pull the eyes of watchstanders away from

September 19, 2018
Total Views: 87

Monday, September 17, 2018
gCaptain is Hiring!
Blog

gCaptain is Hiring!

Are writing, shared experiences, and working at sea in your blood? Are you hoping to combine a maritime or offshore career with creative writing? If so,

September 17, 2018
Total Views: 99

Thursday, September 13, 2018
WATCH Kings Point’s New U.S. Merchant Marine Ad Campaign
Blog

WATCH Kings Point’s New U.S. Merchant Marine Ad Campaign

This month U.S. Merchant Marine Academy alumni are celebrating the 75th birthday of Kings Point with a new website and ad campaign geared toward informing

September 13, 2018
Total Views: 121

Thursday, August 30, 2018
UK To Spend $100+ Million to Explore GPS/Galileo Alternative
News

UK To Spend $100+ Million to Explore GPS/Galileo Alternative

Britain may be denied full access to the EU’s Galileo satellite navigation system on security grounds after Brexit and this may cost UK firms billions of

August 30, 2018
Total Views: 28

How To Build A Massive LEGO Ship
Blog

How To Build A Massive LEGO Ship

Lego makes ridiculously cool MAERSK Lego ship kits but if you really want to impress your friends you’ll need to purchase haze grey blocks in bulk

August 30, 2018
Total Views: 3252

ship watch-officer-bridge-wing
Blog

Advice For A Young Watch Officer

By John Konrad (gCaptain) A new ship can be an intimidating place for a deck officer so here are a few tips to get you started and to remind

August 30, 2018
Total Views: 1652

Wednesday, August 29, 2018
sailors-knife-custom-rigging
Blog

How To Forge Your Own Traditional Sailor’s Knife

An alarming number of shipping companies today are banning knives and even many of the ones who still permit them only allow sailors to carry folding knives.

August 29, 2018
Total Views: 1162