Editor's Note: This article originally appeared on gCaptain in June 2010 and is reposted every Memorial Day Weekend by popular demand. Many thanks to the parents who have over the years shared this important information. Please Click HERE to share this article with your facebook friends. By Mario Vittone The new captain jumped from the cockpit, fully dressed, and … [Read more...]
Ship of The Week – Space Ships – NASA’s (former) Space Rocket Booster Recovery Ship M/V Liberty Star
Photo courtesy NASA Note: This week's interesting ships are reposted and updated from gCaptain's archives. When one thinks of a NASA ship, it's generally not the seagoing type that pops into ones head. However, NASA does in fact have two vessels made for the high seas - MV Liberty Star and the MV Freedom Star - that assist with a shuttle launch. Both vessels are tasked … [Read more...]
Emma Maersk’s Wärtsilä-Sulzer Super Ship Engine – Part 2
Back... Click HERE to read Part 1 of our Mega Engine Series The Emma Maersk's Wartsila-Sulzer RTA96-C turbocharged two-stroke diesel ship engine is the most powerful and most efficient prime-mover of super ships in the world today. The RTA96-C is the largest engine in the world and is available in 6 through 14 cylinder versions, all are inline engines. These … [Read more...]
Historic Sea Forts of England
Historic Sea Forts An armada of sea forts were built during World War II specifically designed to repel smaller aircraft flying in to attack Great Britain. Each fort consisted of a cluster of smaller units arrayed in a group. Each group had one spotlight tower and the rest of the units had guns mounted all around to give maximum coverage. Each fort was connected by bridges to … [Read more...]
BNWAS – Can The Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System Prevent Fatigue?
On April 3rdh, 2011, bulkcarrier "Shen Neng 1" hit a coral reef off the Australian west coast. In its final report on the grounding the Australian Transport Safety Bureau put forward that the chief mate was fatigued, affecting his performance as Officer of the Watch (OOW). "Fatigue is one of the key safety risks facing seafarers, and watchkeepers in particular." The ATSB … [Read more...]
Magnetic iPad Mount – Perfect For Ship Bulkheads
gCaptain knows there are tons of die-hard iPad users on ships, however up until now you have had really only two options to mount your iPad to the wheelhouse, either 1) drill into the bulkhead, or 2) perch it precariously on a console (the ECDIS display seems to be a favorite). Well... we have found a better solution: PadGrip. Here's what it does: The Pad Grip™ is … [Read more...]
Man Overboard – Are AIS SARTS the Best MOB Devices?
Fire, sinking, and even collisions can turn an ordinary day at sea into a flutter of activity and worry, but nothing provokes the immediate and raw emotions as the two simple words, "Man Overboard." No matter how remote the chances of it occurring aboard your ship, no sailor has ever set to sea without the thought of drifting alone at sea after falling … [Read more...]