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.
While visiting Colombia late last week, U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis announced he was sending the hospital ship Comfort at the request of
This morning at 05:48 local time the cruise ship Carnival Horizon allided with the Manhattan Cruise Terminal pier at West 54th Street in New York City.
Roads around the New York metro area, and up and down many parts of the East Coast, are increasingly congested. The congestion increases air pollution, leads
In an our editorial last month titled Top 10 Reasons Why The US Merchant Marine Is Failing, I asserted that the US Maritime Administration ignores the
by Captain John Konrad (gCaptain) Early this month the House Committee on Intelligence held a panel to investigate China’s global plans for military
by Capt. John Konrad (gCaptain) A disturbing and dangerous trend is growing offshore. Despite overwhelming evidence that knives are essential to the safety of
Last month gCaptain was invited by John Mangano, Key Account Manager – Coastal & Navy for International Paint, to Newport, Rhode Island to board
by John Konrad (gCaptain) Today the US Maritime Administration (MARAD) has posted the position of USMMA Superintendent to USAjobs, the first step in
by Capt. John Konrad (gCaptain) In 2018 politicians, presidents and corporate leaders spend a considerable amount of time in front of cameras and talking with
Today is Memorial Day in the United States and gCaptain will donate a portion of all patriotic shirts to the American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV).
by John Konrad (gCaptain) Rachel Slade is a journalist and author of the bestselling book about the El Faro incident. Her book Into the Raging Sea has
As founder of gCaptain, I first want to thank all Veterans of the US Merchant Marine. Our definition of veteran includes all who have served in any
![This Might Be The Best Maritime Commercial Ever [VIDEO]](https://gcaptain.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Screenshot-2015-05-21-22.28.20.png)
This VLinc video, produced by gCaptain’s own Mario Vittone, might be the best maritime commercial ever but it’s certainly the most true. We also
A new book brings passion to cooking aboard ships. From our first post published over a decade ago gCaptain has been dedicated to bring news and information to
By John Konrad (gCaptain) The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers
gCaptain now ships free to all 50 states with a minimum purchase of $50 and internationally to 156 countries with a minimum purchase of $100. Visit our
Click HERE to gear up for summer with all new exclusive gCaptain
Mother’s Day is fast approaching. Click HERE to view our collection of Women’s clothing or Here for nautical jewelry and be sure to order
by John Konrad (gCaptain) The United Kingdom opened a permanent naval base in Bahrain on Thursday. The ceremony formally opening the UK Naval Support Facility
A search for leadership books on Amazon yields over 100,000 results and there is no shortage of Naval Leadership books (including a few excellent ones)
Essential maritime and offshore news, insights, and updates delivered daily straight to your inbox
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
