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Mario Vittone

Mario Vittone has twenty-two years of combined military service in the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. His writing on maritime safety has appeared in Yachting, On-Scene, and Reader's Digest magazine. He has lectured extensively on topics ranging from leadership to sea survival, immersion hypothermia, and survival at sea. He is a former U.S. Coast Guard helicopter rescue swimmer and maritime accident investigator.


Friday, August 12, 2022
‘El Faro Salute’ Memorial Dedication and Fundraiser
Shipping

‘El Faro Salute’ Memorial Dedication and Fundraiser

Jay Sawyer is an artist from Rockland, Maine. Before the art he attended Maine Maritime Academy  and worked for nine years on the water before returning

August 12, 2022
Total Views: 3037

Monday, June 21, 2021
Drowning
Interesting

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

Drowning is not the violent, splashing, call for help that most people expect. In this article, Mario explains what drowning really looks like and how to

June 21, 2021
Total Views: 8051

Thursday, October 8, 2015
We Won’t Learn Anything: What Sank El Faro and What Didn’t
Blog

We Won’t Learn Anything: What Sank El Faro and What Didn’t

On Wednesday night, the final rescue crews on the El Faro mission called in, “We are returning to base – negative results,”

October 8, 2015
Total Views: 621

Monday, October 5, 2015
The 32 Others and Those Looking for Them: Harsh Realities on El Faro Search
Blog

The 32 Others and Those Looking for Them: Harsh Realities on El Faro Search

When the U.S. Coast Guard found, and then left, a body believed to be from the the lost SS El Faro, many may have been confused. Leaving the body means

October 5, 2015
Total Views: 125

Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Monster Cables: Connecting the Subsea Factory
Interesting

Monster Cables: Connecting the Subsea Factory

If the oil and gas industry’s dream of a subsea factory is to become reality, then R&D that advances current technology is imperative. Companies like

May 13, 2015
Total Views: 579

Thursday, April 23, 2015
The Upside to a Down Market: Innovation and Standardization in Norway
Offshore

The Upside to a Down Market: Innovation and Standardization in Norway

As a daily consumer of energy, I’ve been selfishly happy about the lower fuel prices of late. Low gas prices are good – at least that’s what

April 23, 2015
Total Views: 36

Thursday, April 2, 2015
Playing Pirate Does Not a Sailor Make
Incidents

Playing Pirate Does Not a Sailor Make

When I first read of the rescue of the tall ship Liana’s Ransom, I contacted friends in the tall ship community to express my sadness at the loss of

April 2, 2015
Total Views: 184

Friday, January 3, 2014
Fishing vessel offshore
Incidents

Trying Very Hard To Die: The Preventable Disease in Commercial Fishing

Yesterday, the New York Times published an outstanding piece of journalism – A Speck in the Sea by Paul Tough. In it, Tough tells the story of John

January 3, 2014
Total Views: 429

Thursday, December 12, 2013
Eight Survive Helicopter Ditching
Incidents

Eight Survive Helicopter Ditching

This morning at around 7:42 local time, a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter carrying six oil and gas workers ditched some 150+ kilometers off Bintulu, Malaysia. The

December 12, 2013
Total Views: 130

Monday, July 22, 2013
Into the Storm – The Final Days and Decisions on Bounty
Blog

Into the Storm – The Final Days and Decisions on Bounty

Drivers always slow down and rubberneck at car accidents, don’t they?  Like me, you may have caught yourself complaining about the practice and

July 22, 2013
Total Views: 238

Thursday, May 23, 2013
Bulk Trade-Off: Blood for Money in Indonesia
Blog

Bulk Trade-Off: Blood for Money in Indonesia

On February 17th of this year, the Harita Bauxite sank off Cape Balinao in the South China Sea. Of the twenty-four men aboard, only nine survived. The sea can

May 23, 2013
Total Views: 286

Thursday, May 16, 2013
Unmanned X-47B Completes First Carrier-Based Launch [PHOTOS]
Blog

Unmanned X-47B Completes First Carrier-Based Launch [PHOTOS]

While not many of us were noticing, the U.S. Navy was off the coast of Virginia on Tuesday, changing the game of naval aviation forever.

May 16, 2013
Total Views: 28

Sunday, May 12, 2013
Hansen and HMS Bounty Organization Sued for $90 Million
Blog

Hansen and HMS Bounty Organization Sued for $90 Million

The official USCG and NTSB reports on the sinking of Bounty aren’t out yet. Even so, the lawyers for Claudene Christian’s mother (also named

May 12, 2013
Total Views: 469

Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Bowden
Blog

Update: Trevor Wilson Rescued Again (Video of Rescue)

In 2000, Trevor Wilson made an attempt at a lifelong dream. This morning, the 72 year old sailor and author of the book "Sailing Alone Across The Atlantic"

May 8, 2013
Total Views: 133

Monday, April 29, 2013
47 foot MLB
Blog

Hard Core Training for Hard Work

When Coast Guard boat crews go out to train, they like to make things as real as possible.  That means that when rough weather rolls in, it’s time to

April 29, 2013
Total Views: 82

Tuesday, April 16, 2013
The Cost of Rescue: Why Carnival Shouldn’t Pay and the U.S. Shouldn’t Accept
Blog

The Cost of Rescue: Why Carnival Shouldn’t Pay and the U.S. Shouldn’t Accept

Should people pay for rescue when it's their fault?

April 16, 2013
Total Views: 880

Friday, April 12, 2013
The Truth About Cold Water
Blog

The Truth About Cold Water

Note: With the spring boating season upon us, the U.S. Coast Guard warned today that although the air temperatures are warmer, the water is still cold and

April 12, 2013
Total Views: 4529

Friday, April 5, 2013
USCG Vessel Traffic Service Houston
Blog

Security Zone Violation Disrupts Houston Ship Channel

It seems like the VTS in Houston is working as advertised. You can’t just drive wherever you want down there without getting a visit from the local

April 5, 2013
Total Views: 69

Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Contractors to the Rescue
Defense

Contractors to the Rescue

The U.S. Bristow Group announced today that the United Kingdom has awarded its British affiliate a new contract to provide civilian Search and Rescue services

March 26, 2013
Total Views: 47

Friday, March 8, 2013
Helicopter Medevac: No Easy Day
Blog

Helicopter Medevac: No Easy Day

If you think that a helicopter medical evacuation from a ship is just as easy as an ambulance ride to the hospital, this video from yesterday’s medical

March 8, 2013
Total Views: 224
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