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With guest hostJane Clayson.

Former NATO top commander Adm. James Stavridis on the geopolitics playing out now on the worlds oceans and on land.

James Stavridis rose through the ranks of the US Navy to commander. Went on to become supreme commander of NATO. All those US military engagements you remember from the news? Gulf War, Haiti, Bosnia, Iraq 2003? He was on the bridge or in the command center. The ocean is still his touchstone as he watches this centurys geopolitics unfold today. This hour On Point: Retired Adm. James Stavridis on a world of challenges, on the ocean and on land.

Adm. James Stavridis, author of "Sea Power: The History and Geopolitics of the World's Oceans." Former allied commander at NATO, where he oversaw operations in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, the Balkans and piracy off the coast of Africa. Dean of the Fletcher School at Tufts University. (@stavridisj)

Listen to some of the highlights from our conversation with Stavridis.

Bloomberg:America Rules the Waves. But for How Long? "China builds fake islands in the South China Sea. Russia fires missiles into Syria from the Mediterranean and Caspian Seas. North Korea launches ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan. The U.S. orders three three! aircraft carrier strike groups to the Western Pacific in response. Houthi rebels shoot rockets at U.S. ships off Yemen. Pacific nations go on a submarine-buying binge. India and China start constructing their first homemade aircraft carriers. Pirates return to the waters off East Africa."

Military.com: Experts: US Must Project Cyber Warfare Capabilities to Deter Attacks "The United States must demonstrate its cyber warfare capabilities to help deter sophisticated attacks from Russia and other adversaries while building strategies on a battlefield still misunderstood by commanders and senior officials, a panel of defense experts told lawmakers Thursday."

TIME:Admiral Stavridis: 5 Reasons Trump Should Send More Troops to Afghanistan "The Administration and the Congress should support a 5,000-troop increase, apportioned equally between US and the rest of NATO forces, hopefully with significant contributions from the UK, France, Germany, Poland, Turkey, Norway and Denmark nations who have considerable experience in Afghanistan. While far less likely, we should also approach Canada and the Netherlands. Indeed, all of the NATO nations have good reason to be very forthcoming to prove to President Trump that NATO is the relevant organization he finally admitted it was a month or so ago. All these commitments must be in place as the nations head into President Trumps first NATO summit."

This program aired on June 8, 2017.

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Geopolitics On The High Seas And In Today's Headlines | On Point - WBUR

As we celebrate World Oceans Day this year, world leaders, businesses, scientists, and NGOs are gathered in New York at the first everUnited Nations Ocean Conference. Threats to the oceanincluding acidification from excessive carbon emissions, pollution, and overexploitationcontinue to mount, but at the Ocean Conference, there is strong evidence that political will is building to reverse the degradation of the ocean.

The health of our oceans and seas requires us to put aside short-term national gain, to avoid long-term global catastrophe, said United Nations Secretary-General Antnio Guterres during the conference opening on Monday.

So far, in connection with the Conference, over 1000 countries, organizations, and stakeholders have made commitments to improve the health of the oceans. In sessions on sustainable fisheries, ocean acidification, and marine pollution, there is a steady and consistent drumbeat from nationsto save the oceans, nations must act together to share resources, intelligence, and build scientific and technological capacity.

One of the best opportunities to save the oceans is to protect the high seas, the area of ocean beyond national jurisdiction that makes up two-thirds of the ocean and nearly half the planet. When nations return to the UN next month to decide how to move forward in high seas protection, they will be making a decision critical for the future for the ocean.

Lauren Kubiak

Today, the high seas lack modern management mechanisms to address critical components of biodiversity conservation,such as the establishment of fully protected marine reserves. To fill those governance gaps, nations have been engaged in discussions at the UN to develop a new treaty to conserve and sustainably use biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction (BBNJ). Discussions continue next month, during which nations will decide whether to convene formal diplomatic negotiations to develop the text of the new treaty.

States agreeing to move forward and convene an intergovernmental conference in 2018 is vital, as this new treaty represents an unparalleled opportunity to conserve two-thirds of the ocean. Finalizing a treaty would be equivalent to a Paris Agreement for the oceana once in a generation opportunity to begin to reverse the degradation of our ocean.

At the Ocean Conference this week, countries including Argentina, Costa Rica, Cyprus, the Dominican Republic, Ireland, Malta, Mexico, Palau, Spain, among others, have called for strong international provisions to protect the high seas. Their leadership is critical and we hope is an indication that next months discussions will be successful.

As world leaders today discuss how best to protect the ocean, I hope they recognize the high seas as our best opportunity to ensure a healthy future for our ocean. All of us depend on it.

Lauren Kubiak

International Oceans Analyst

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World Oceans Day Comes at a Critical Time for High Seas - Natural Resources Defense Council

Credit: Rebecca Mock (Macmillan/Square Fish)

Last summers Compass South was a surprise bestseller among younger readers, landing on the New York Times Best-Sellers list. Now, creators Hope Larson and Rebecca Mock are back with the sequel Knifes Edge, which takes the adventure to another level.

In the 1860s, twins Cleo and Alex have an unexpected family reunion that sets them off on a high adventure across the seas, with pirates, swords, treasure and secrets aplenty.

Newsarama talked to Larson and Mock about the new book, which comes out this month from Macmillans Square Fish imprint.

Newsarama: Hope, Rebecca - how does it feel to have the second book in this series out?

Larson: It feels great!

We've been working on this project since, what, late 2010? 2011? A long, long time.

It's cathartic to finally see it out in the world.

Mock: I'm thrilled it's finally out!

We've been working together on both of these books for a few years, and I'm so proud of how they turned out.

Nrama: For those who haven't read the first book, tell us a bit about the story so far...and the set-up for this new volume.

Larson: It should be easy for folks who haven't readCompass Southto jump intoKnife's Edge.

AsKnife's Edgebegins, twin protagonists Alex and Cleopatra Dodge have been reunited with their father, and they're all preparing to sail off with Captain Tarboro and search for the treasure that is their birthright. It's a classic adventure story.

Nrama: What's your collaborative process on these books like?

Larson: I write an outline and share it with my editor. If it seems like the project is going to move forward, I share that outline with Rebecca, and she starts chewing on it. Then I write the script, and share it with her chapter-by-chapter. We've had a great exchange of sketches and script pages flowing back and forth, which helps both of us to develop the characters and the world in tandem.

Mock: Hope will send me new chapters and drafts as she writes, and I send her weekly updates of my sketches and development. I send the same weekly updates through sketching, inking and coloring too, and we keep the conversation going with new ideas and inspirations for each other through the whole process. Hope will send feedback, she has a great eye for comic layouts, making sure everything fits what she's envisioning and reads easily.

Nrama: In terms of both writing and art, what are some of the bigger challenges in depicting a story not only from the point-of-view of younger kids, but in an alternate past? What sort of research do you have to do?

Larson: We both do a ton of research. I read a lot of period travelogues and diaries, in particular, to get a sense of what ship life was like at that period. Books on the history of piracy, books on different parts of the world... I also spent a lot of time working on the voices of the characters, incorporating slang while also keeping the whole thing easy to read for kids today. Probably the biggest challenge was wrapping my head around how ships work; they're big, complicated machines with a ton of moving parts.

Mock: I was excited about this story from the beginning because I knew Icould connect with these kids, especially Cleo, a girl who disguises herself as a boy. I think period stories offer an escape for people, especially kids, who might feel a bit anachronistic - it's enjoyable for a lot of people to empathize with characters who think or act out of place in a historical setting. But depicting the historical details was a challenge - I did a lot of research on architecture from the early 1800s, on ship design, and of art from that period you can learn a lot about a time period by looking at how people from that time draw and paint it.

Hope comes to me with a lot of research prepared, which is wonderful, I get a huge boost knowing what her inspirations are for the story, even for specific details.

Nrama: How extensively have you thought through this world and this family's history? The book ends with the points resolved, but there's the sense that another major story could be coming our way...

Mock: I don't want to give any details away, but through developing thecharacters and settings, Hope and I have talked a lot about the characters' origins and where they'll go next, so there a lot of story that's still waiting to be told.

Larson: We have lots of ideas for future stories, and I do hope we get to revisit these characters again. I can't answer this question without it being a spoiler, unfortunately!

Nrama: On that note, how long do you see this series running?

Larson: That's out of our hands, but we'd love to do more in the series.

Mock: If we get the chance to, we'd love to continue the series, but it's just two books for now.

Nrama: What's fun about writing Cleo and company?

Larson: Writing is supposed to be fun? [Laughs] My favorite part of writing Cleo was her struggle with the expectations places on her, as a girl in the 1860s, and how she rebels against them. Alex doesn't have as juicy of a role in this book, so if we got to write another one, I think he'd be in a more central role.

Mock: Hope writes some really beautiful character-driven dialogue for bothCleo and Alex, in both books. I love drawing the action sequences, but these conversations are the icing on the cake for me all I want to do is let the words sing, and show the emotions the characters are feeling as they come to their respective insights.

Nrama: And what's fun about seafaring, treasure-hunting adventure stories in general? Admittedly, the question might seem to answer itself.

Mock: For me it might be the ships themselves - I learned to draw these shipsand in doing so, I fell in love with them - ships are wonderful settings for a story. They're complicated and full of odd little details, and depending on what's happening, they can completely transform - sailing unfurling, the deck rocking at odd angles, mysterious rooms and objects discovered buried deep in the cargo hold.

Larson: I grew up reading and loving those stories. They combine my love of travel, adventure, and historical research, and they let me (and readers) visit places and time periods I could never otherwise see.

Nrama: So big picture, what should people know about Knife's Edge.

Mock: This is a high-seas adventure series, with all the drama and action of classic sea-faring treasure-hunt stories, but at its core this is a story about family, trust, and love.

Larson: It's non-stop action disguising a thoughtful exploration of gender roles, and two protagonists means boys and girls are both represented.

Nrama: What are some other books/creators you're currently enjoying?

Mock: I just read Witchlight by Jessi Zarbarsky - gorgeous and sweet! - and Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson - fascinating and lush. I'm on a witches and sorcerers kick lately! I'm also reading some books on the history of the salt and sugar trades for a project, but I can't reveal why... yet.

Larson: I just read a galley of Molly Ostertag'sThe Witch Boy. And I devouredKim Gordon's memoirGirl in a Bandon my last flight. She's brilliant.

Nrama: What's next for you?

Larson: Our next project together has been sold but not announced. It's a stand-alone graphic novel and it should be out in 2020. That's all I can say at the moment!

As for me, I'm still writingBatgirlfor DC Comics. I have a graphic novel,All Summer Long, that's coming out next year. I'm plugging slowly away on my not-for-kids webcomic,Solo. I'm not currently writingGoldie Vance, but the series is rolling on without me. Beyond that, I'm working on projects in other media that are exciting, but I'm not able to discuss them at this time.

Mock: Hope and I are working on our next book! A wonderful new story, more details soon!

I also worked on concepts for an upcoming video game, Tacoma, and I'm working on a couple short comic projects that I'll self-publish, including a new issue of my ongoing comic series The Old Woman.

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HOPE LARSON and REBECCA MOCK Hit the High Seas with KNIFE'S EDGE - Newsarama

New York Times

A U-Boat Strikes and Terror Follows on the High Seas New York Times But until the Mid-Week Pictorial of June 7, 1917, you might have had no idea what the final moments looked like before a torpedoed steamer, sinking by the bow, slipped under the waves; its screw and rudder raised helplessly high above the water, a big ...

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A U-Boat Strikes and Terror Follows on the High Seas - New York Times

US LNG exports have not only provided an important source of incremental demand for the domestic natural gas market, but those exports, along with other sources of growing global LNG supply, have begun to disrupt traditional seaborne flows of gas. As the LNG spot market develops and the share of contracts without fixed destination clauses grows, a fight for market share is likely to ensue. So, how will US LNG fare in an increasingly congested global market?

One market that saw major changes in supply over the last year is Mexico. Over the last five years, Mexico has imported an average of 600 MMcf/d of LNG to meet its demand. However, the sources of these imports have changed dramatically, specifically over the past year. The graphic below shows Mexico's LNG suppliers over time with the US taking a larger portion of total Mexican LNG import market share, virtually displacing all other sources of cargoes.

This change is occurring close to home and leaves us wondering if US LNG will have the same effect in other parts of the world? The US is not the only country bringing on new LNG terminals and adding incremental cargoes into the market. Australia, Malaysia and Russia, among others, have also announced LNG export projects with in-service dates in the next few years. Asia and Europe are often cited as the markets that are likely to soak up this impending incremental supply. Not only are they currently the two largest markets, as the graphic below shows, but they also hold the greatest potential for growth.

Historically, Asia has proven to be the largest source of imports, reaching 31 Bcf/d in winter 2017. European imports have dwindled from an average of 7.9 Bcf/d in 2010 to 4.3 Bcf/d in 2016. However, European declines are not necessarily directly attributable to declines in demand. While, according to the 2016 BP Statistical Review, European gas consumption has been on the decline since peaking in 2008, Europe also received much of its supply from piped-in Russian gas, which might have squeezed out some LNG imports over the past few years. This means that, if made economic, LNG imports could retake market share back from Russian gas.

Assuming that Asia will continue to be a large source of demand for LNG, will US LNG be able to compete into the region? To answer this, we must look at how economic US LNG cargoes would be entering the region (in this case Japan).

To be incentivized to ship to Asia, Japanese LNG prices need to be greater than the variable costs to ship a cargo. Let's assume the cost of the gas (115% of Henry Hub) and shipping costs are variable. That would mean over the past year it would have been economic to send cargoes to Asia. However, if incremental demand in the region is not able to keep up with supply, Japanese LNG prices would have to fall below variable costs to disincentivize imports into the region. While the US gas market is set to enter a time of potential oversupply and depressed Henry Hub prices, transport costs into the region could become prohibitive in a liquid spot market leaving US cargoes heading back to sea in search of a destination closer to home.

Disclosure: I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.

I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it. I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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Hitting The High Seas: US LNG Finds A Home - Seeking Alpha

Published Jun 7, 2017 at 8:00 am (Updated Jun 6, 2017 at 11:07 pm)

Falling away: Artemis Racing lost both races to SoftBank Team Japan (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)

Dean Barker had to draw on his vast experience as he steered SoftBank Team Japan to back-to-back wins over Artemis Racing in rough conditions yesterday.

With both boats being battered by the high winds, it was Barker who rose to the challenge to open up a healthy 3-1 lead in the race to first-to-five points in their semi-final.

Bits were flying off both boats during the first race as Team Japan crossed the finish line moments before Artemis confirmed their retirement from the contest.

We had a bit of a stuff just before the start of that first race and blew out a bunch of the fairings, Nathan Outteridge, the Artemis skipper, said.

We spent a lot of time just trying to bandage up the boat and it just shows how fragile these boats are.

It was a disappointing day but you just have to keep chipping away. It was pretty tough but now the boat is back in the shed and we are doing all the checks, and Im sure it will be good for tomorrow.

There was some hastily reupholstering to both boats before the second race, Barker showing his skill with another strong start to give his team an early advantage.

Artemiss woes were further compounded after incurring two costly penalties, awarded against them for sailing out of the racecourse boundary on leg three after avoiding a collision.

Iain Percy, the Artemis tactician and grinder, was left fuming at Richard Slater, the chief umpire, who issued the sanctions that all but ended the Swedes challenge.

Do your f***ing job, the British double Olympic gold medal-winner roared at Slater, before adding: This is ridiculous; you get ready for when I am back on shore.

Percy already had reason to be upset at Slater after he issued the Swedish team with a penalty that cost them victory against Emirates Team New Zealand in the double round-robin stage. That time, Slater admitted that he had got it wrong.

Outteridge said he feared his boat was at risk of a pitch-pole capsize, much like Team New Zealand did in the next race, had he not veered out of bounds.

I saw Team New Zealands incident and we had plenty of close moments ourselves, Outteridge said. You would have seen in the second race how close we got to Dean when we had a little nose stuff.

We bailed out of that situation, turned up and that eventually put us out of bounds. I was a bit nervous that we were going to do something like Pete [Burling] did and we would have gone right on top of [Team Japan].

Although more measured in his criticism of the umpires than Percy, Outteridge also feels his teams treatment was unjust.

When we re-entered the racecourse, we had to lose two boat lengths from SoftBank Team Japan, he said. From what I understand, the umpires decided it was a deliberate intention going out of bounds.

So they added a second penalty and we had to lose four boat lengths.

Outteridge said that most of the damage to Artemiss boat was surface-related and that he had no real concerns.

I was talking to Dean and he said they had little issues with their boat as well, Outteridge added.

Most of the stuff was cosmetic, but there were one or two other bits and pieces that were holding us back as well.

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Barker and Team Japan ruling the high seas - Royal Gazette

Rear Admiral Sayyari described Iranian Navys mission as protecting and defending the country's maritimeboundaries as well as national resources and interests in territorial waters, adding since 2009 and upon the directive of Irans Leader saying the Navy is a strategic force, our mission zone and presence on high seas and international waters has expanded, in a way that we have so far dispatched 52 flotillas to high seas.

He went on to add that the Iranian Navy has been also conducting patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008 in order to safeguard merchant ships and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran or other countries against piracy.

Sea diplomacy is needed so that the enemy will not assume that Iran is isolated, said Sayyari, adding our presence on high seas neutralizes the Iranophobia campaigns by displaying Iranian culture, science, and identity at various ports in the world.

The Navy commander went on to add, today, we are proud to say that the Iranian Navy receivesall of its required modern equipment, destroyers and vessels from domestic manufacturing.

Sayyari noted that the Navy has so far provided security to 4,000 merchant ships and oil tankers on high seas, adding our presence on high seas is in accordance with the international law. We will not allow an ounce of insecurity in the zone under our patrol and will stand firm against anyone who seeks to cause insecurity.

On Tuesday, Sayyari said up to 25 naval exercises have been planned to be staged by March 2018.

MS/3997863

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Navy dispatched 52 flotillas to high seas in 8 years - Mehr News Agency - English Version

An Energy Shock from the High Seas Wall Street Journal (subscription) Circle January 2020 on your calendar for what could be a major disruption to the energy market and a jolt to the global economy. The origin of the problem isn't some oil cartel's machinations, a looming war or even a technological shiftit is a ... An Energy Shock from the High Seas -- Heard on the StreetFox Business all 2 news articles »

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An Energy Shock from the High Seas - Wall Street Journal (subscription)

Texans are always ones to bet on.

And, with the opening of Jacks or Better Casino in April, there may soon be a whole new generation of gambling Houstonians. That is, if they can stomach the seasickness.

Ive seen fewer sick people in the Ben Taub Hospital emergency room, Ken Hoffman wrote on CultureMapafter his recent trip aboard the risky vessel. Crew members began roaming the boat with trays piled high with sickness bags and crackers. Like waiters serving hors doeuvres at a wedding party. Passengers were stumbling aimlessly, bumping into furniture and slamming into walls, like babies taking their first steps, or town drunk Otis Campbellon The Andy Griffith Show.

Although it is well established that gambling is not for the faint of heart, for those strong enough to fight through the potential motion sickness from rough waves, Jacks could be the perfect way for Houstonians to explore beyond the Bay this summer.

RELATED: If this video from the worlds tallest water coaster doesnt get you pumped for summer, nothing will

Just an hour down I-45, the 150-foot boat offers at least one $15 cruise nearly every day, equipped to handle up to 360 passengers at a time.

Game tables, karaoke and slot machines can be found throughout the three decks, and nothing on the menu is over $8. You also get two free drinks on the way out of Texas-U.S. waters, where gambling is effectively prohibited.

Jacks is even prepared with Dramamine and provides a complimentary $20 chip and a free boarding for the next visit if passengers do get sick.

With a policy to embark in conditions of up to 5 feet, however, its not always smooth sailing, even with the preparations and options to cancel in advance.

According to one Yelp reviewer, her May 20th cruise was easily one of the worst experiences of my life.

Another reflected on his journey with emotion through poetry:

To make matters worse, Jacks had an unfortunate buoy incident in April that left the vessel with a 100-ft gash requiring shipyard repair:

A reported mechanical issue also left the boat out of commission for several days, but, despite the bad rap and luck, Jacks is committed to customer service and providing the best experience conditions will allow.

We care about your comfort and wish to make your ride a pleasant and winning one! their website provides.

And not everyone is disappointed:

Besides the vomiting, which ultimately forced the captain to end the cruise an hour early, Hoffman said his only other complaint was the lack of sports betting options at the moment.

True to their mantra of creating a great time for guests, the sports manager on board said the required machines should be arriving within a few weeks.

RELATED: Once among the wealthiest towns in America, the history of Galvestons Sea Wall is just as rich

For more information or to plan your cruise, check out Jacks summer hours and visit their website here.

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You can gamble on the high seas out of Galveston, but it might not always be smooth sailing - Rare.us

A DARK empty room and the constant sound of bombardment are amongst the most prominent memories Kabir Hussain carries of his six-month stay in Al Hudaydah, Yemen.

The chief officer aboard an ill-fated cargo ship, MV Jouya 8, has finally reached his home in Karachi.

At his home across from the Airport Road, there is no family other than his wife, Kaneez Fatima, and their three teenage children. Kabir, visibly nervous, begins to narrate how he ended up in war-torn Yemen.

On Nov 9 last year, I and seven other crew members set out for a city in the south of Iran called Bushehr [or Bushire]. Iran was the flag-bearer of the cargo and as part of the contract we had to reach Iran and then a port in Egypt. In the middle of the journey, the company communicated to Captain Aneesur Rehman that the cargo agreement had been cancelled, he says. We were asked to return to Iran.

On Dec 4, the crew members of MV Jouya 8 made their way to Yemen since fresh water in the ship was depleting and the engine was heating up. Kabir was asked by the captain to keep the anchor ready.

We were four nautical miles away from the port, he explains. I reached the forward station and began opening the anchor. The captain asked me to wait for further orders as he wanted to go 2.5 nautical miles more before anchoring. At 5.55pm, something hit the ship. It halted and started rocking. This was followed by a missile attack. The ship began to sink soon after.

Kabir adds that one of the crew members, sailor Sohail Ahmed, was the only one I saw. He was bleeding profusely and was slumped down.

Since the ship was sinking, Kabir knew he had barely a minute or two to jump off the vessel. I couldnt see any other crew member apart from Sohail, who earlier didnt let me approach him and who was, by now, slumped even further. I jumped and swam 50 to 60 metres as a whirlpool formed around the sinking ship. When the ship had gone down totally, I grabbed a cargo pallet floating nearby and reached the area where the ship had sunk, to see if anyone survived, he explains. I saw Sohail floating nearby and caught him up, thinking that hed probably survive, he muses. At the time, I was four nautical miles away from the shore.

Kabirs right hand was cut open and he tells me that his head and legs were full of small pellets. I realised I was bleeding so I kept my safety shoes on, even though they are heavy, in order to not attract a shark, he says.

As it began to get dark, Kabir saw a flicker of light that continued to get closer. I cried for help and soon, a boat came past. By then I was finding it difficult to keep Sohail beside me as he kept drifting away, he adds.

The men who rescued Kabir wore camouflage uniform and were armed. On reaching an ambulance and traversing the severely bombarded lanes, Kabir says he was very fearful. The hospital was full of victims of the bombing, he recalls. People kept coming in with severed limbs. I asked the doctors whether Sohail had survived and was told that he might. The truth was that he had died and they didnt tell me as I was in shock.

On Dec 6, Kabir was moved to Hudaydah for further surveillance. I was in a big, dark room with an attached toilet, where I spent six months, he says. By that time, a statement from Saudi Arabia claimed that the attacked cargo ship had been carrying weapons and missiles for Houthi militias with the help of Iran. In a statement on Dec 7, Iran refuted the claim.

In the meantime, a rescue operation conducted by Yemeni authorities ended with the recovery of six crew members of MV Jouya 8, who were taken to a military hospital in Hudaydah.

In February, Kabir was informed that the Red Cross, in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migrants, was looking into his case. Amongst the items recovered from the debris of the ship were some of Kabirs passports in a file. My two old passports had survived, but the current one did not, he says. That information was sent to Riyadh for verification and then to Pakistan. On that basis, I was asked to get to Djibouti via ferry, where I stayed for eight days. From there I was sent to Riyadh, then Jeddah, and then Istanbul. And I finally landed in Karachi on June 3 at 5am, he recounts with a sigh.

His wife, Kaneez Fatima, complains that no one came to speak to us or to ask if we are doing okay. I just received a months salary after he went missing.

Kabir seems to be at peace with himself. I dont want to blame anyone. My only appeal right now is to the government to please get back the bodies of the six crew members who are still at the military hospital in Yemen.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2017

Originally posted here:

Footprints: PERIL ON THE HIGH SEAS - DAWN.com

Its a question that a passenger boarding a cruise ship might fleetingly ask, but then quickly forget: Who is responsible for law and order when were out on the high seas?

The passengers on an average cruise ship amount to a small town of 2,000 to 5,000 people, and there might be situations when one or a few of them misbehave, even break the law.

What then? Who can detain a troublemaker? Is there even a jail cell?

There are actually detention rooms on some ships, says Helge Grammertsdorf, whose job it is to worry about these problems. These usually are ferry vessels, says the expert from Germanys international cruise lines association CLIA.

On a cruise ship this can, if need be, a cabin used for the purpose. Tui Cruises is one such line to use this practice.

The person that lays down the law on a vessel is almost always the ships captain, says Grammertsdorf. Its his decision whether a suspect will be arrested. Additionally, there are also specially trained security personnel on board, he points out.

Theres a small town on board a cruise ship and there might be situations when one or a few of the residents misbehave, even break the law. Photo: dpa/Stefan Sauer

Tui Cruises says it even has a department that acts as a security service on its fleet. The department is headed by a chief security officer who usually has a military or police service background and is versed in the basics of crime investigation.

At Aida Cruises, a spokeswoman says the company likewise employs an experienced and highly trained international team of security personnel on board. The security team is on call to resort, at any given moment, to measures needed to protect guests, the crew and the ship itself.

If the situation actually does require a passenger to be arrested, then as a rule the person is handed over to local authorities or police at the next port of call. Tui Cruises says it has laid down the procedures throughout its entire fleet for such cases. dpa

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Cruise ship crime: Who's in charge of law and order on the high seas? - Star2.com

One of the very first articles I wrote when I started this blog almost eight years ago was about the Death on the High Seas Act. "DOHSA," as it is commonly called, is one of the cruelest and most unfair, if not completely callous, laws imaginable. When an adult child loses a parent on the high seas (defined as outside of U.S. state territorial waters, including the rivers and waters of foreign countries), the law permits, at best, the recovery of only "pecuniary" (financial) losses, such as lost wages (assuming the person is employed). If the person is a retiree, the only damages permitted are the expenses of burying their loved one. Emotional damages such as grief, bereavement, mental anguish, sadness and suffering are prohibited.

The article was titledThe Death on the High Seas Act - Screwing American Passengers for 89 Years. It explains how families are not compensated because DOHSA prohibits non-pecuniary damages when their loved ones die on international waters. The cruise lines love DOSHA. Cruise lines have lobbied heavily over the years to keep the ancient maritime law on the books. DOSHApunishes families when they lose a parent, or child, on the high seas, notwithstanding the negligence of a cruise line.

Today, Jill and Kelly Hammer, the daughters of Larry and Cristy Hammer, were reminded of the cruelty of DOSHA when several newspapers covered the latest development regarding their deceased parents, namely that the operator of the La Estrella Amazonica was reportedly grossly negligent and caused the fire which killed the Hammers while they slept in their cabin on La Estrella Amazonica, a river cruise boat on the Peruvian Amazon. It's a sad story which we wrote about earlier last year -Deadly Amazon River Fire Update: International Expeditions' La Estrella Amazonica(photos and video).

La Estrella Amazonica has now been renamed by International Expeditions as the Amazon Star.

The Wall Street Journal's article today,When People Die at Sea, Cruise Operators Often Get a Pass, is "subscription only" although the title suggests that cruise operators are literally getting away with, if not murder, deadly criminal negligence. Another article, published by the World-Herald Bureau, titled Report on Gretna Couple's Death in Cruise Ship Fire Finds Fault with Ship's Safety Features, Crew's Training, reaches the same conclusion.

You can read these articles and make your own mind up about the reportedly unsafe conditions aboard La Estrella Amazonica, the lack of training and qualifications of its crew, and the shifty conduct of the owner and operator of the river cruise boat, International Expeditions, and its president, Van Perry, whose underwriters demanded that Jill and Kelley agree to a gag order (which they rejected) before the cruise operator would meet with them and talk about the circumstances surrounding their parent's death.

The point to come away with after reading about this terrible ordeal is that this is the exactly the result that the cruise lines want after cruise passengers have been killed. Christina Perez, PR person for the Cruise Line International Association ("CLIA"), was quoted in the Wall Street Journal as saying that if DOHSA was amended to permit fair damages "droves of foreign litigants would "burden an already crowded U.S. judicial system." She also resorted to other scare tactics, saying that "insurance rates for cruise ships would skyrocket, increasing prices and potentially jeopardizing thousands of jobs created by the industry."

This is hardly true. The cruise industry is a rich, billion-dollar business, where it's CEO's regularly collect tens of millions of dollars a year, and which registers its cruise ships in foreign countries like the Bahamas and Panama, in order to avoid the taxes, labor laws and safety regulations of the U.S.

Ms. Perez later contradicted herself by claiming that the U.S. Congress did not amend DOHSA to permit additional damages (like it did in aviation cases) because the "maritime industry has a superior safety record."*

CLIA has poured around $30,000,000 into the pockets of Congress in the last decade, according to the Wall Street Journal, to keep the DOHSA legislation which it loves.

Have a thought? Please leave a comment below or join the discussion on our Facebook page.

Photo credit: Wall Street Journal

*/The cruise industry, in fact, has experienced far more deaths on its ships than the U.S. commercial aviation fleet in the last decade, although commercial airlines transport over 30 times as many passengers a year. Read our article from several years ago: Cruise Ships: The Deadliest Form of Public Transportation?

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Cruise Operators Continue to Hide Behind the Death on the High ... - Cruise Law News

wbur

With guest host Jane Clayson.

The stories of women pirates, legendary and real, who took to the seas for plunder, power, freedom!

As long as there have been ships sailing the seas, there have been pirates. Brazen, fierce, fearless thieves. Captain Hook, Black Beard, Captain Jack Sparrow. But men were not the only swashbucklers. Female pirates plundered alongside them, sometimes even commanded them. The unsung stories of seafaring women is now being told. This hour On Point, the Pirate Queens who terrorized the seven seas.

Laura Sook Duncombe, author and writer. Author of the new book, Pirate Women: The Princesses, Prostitutes and Privateers Who Ruled The Seven Seas. (@LauraDuncombe1)

Ben Little, writer and consultant on maritime and naval issues. Expert on historical and modern piracy. Author of The Golden Age of Piracy, How Historys Greatest Pirates Pillaged, Plundered and Got Away With It and Pirate Hunting, among others. (@BenersonLittle)

Rebellious: 'Pirate Women' is an Empowering Look at Badass Women Throughout History "My desire in writing this book was to put these stories out there in order to stretch the definition of what it means to be a womanto broaden the typical gender roles. I think its important to pay tribute to these women by remembering them as they were: good, bad, warts and all. Women arent angels, and these women exemplify that truth."

VICE:The Pirate Women Who Made Blackbeard Look Like a Joke "While names like Blackbeard, Captain Hook, Henry Morgan, and even the fictional Captain Jack Sparrow have lived on in infamy, notorious buccaneers and marauders like Cheng I Sao, who commanded more than 400 ships and 50,000 men off China in the early 19th century; Grace O'Malley, the Irish pirate who terrorized the British Isles in Elizabethan times; and Sayyida al-Hurra, pirate queen of the notorious Barbary Corsairs, have been largely ignored."

Atlas Obscura:The Chinese Female Pirate Who Commanded 80,000 Outlaws "Ching Shih unified her enormous fleet of pirates using a code of laws. The code was strict, and stated that any pirate giving his own orders or disobeying those of a superior wasto be beheaded on the spot. The code was particularly unusual in its laws regarding female captives. If a pirate raped a female captive, he would be put to death. If the sexbetween the two was consensual, both would beput to death."

This program aired on April 4, 2017.

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Real 'Pirate Women' On The High Seas Of Old | On Point - WBUR - WBUR

The Trekr Racing group made its debut last weekend. (Photo courtesy Trekr)

When the first race kicked off at the 2017 British Virgin Islands Spring Regatta on March 31, there was one sailing team sporting rainbow gear. Trekr Racing made its debut as an all-LGBT racing team in a regatta that featured 150 yachts from around the world in 18 varied classes competing across three course areas.

The racing team is an offshoot of D.C.-based, LGBT-owned Trekr Adventures, which provides sailing adventure trips around the world. The move into racing for Trekr was in part an effort to increase the visibility of the LGBT community within the sport of sailing.

Already partnered with charter yacht company the Moorings, for their adventuring trips, the racing team utilized a Moorings 51.4 monohull for the regatta. After three days of racing, Trekr Racing finished eighth in the CSA Bareboat 1 class.

The regatta marked the first time that the eight-member Trekr Racing crew served on the same yacht. Skipper Dave Sossamon loves sharing the experience of sailing with others and looked forward to working with members of his own community.

This was a fun opportunity to introduce the other crew members to racing, Sossamon says. In my years of racing, I havent met anyone from the LGBT community.

Born in Baltimore, Sossamon took a sailing course on dinghies in the Baltimore Harbor at age 21. He now holds a United States Coast Guard Captains License and has been racing for six years out of Annapolis on his Beneteau 40.7.

I bought my first boat 20 years ago, when I saw one for sale while I was out for a stroll on Maine Avenue in D.C., Sossamon says. It was a 26-footer and a friend convinced me that I was missing part of the experience by not owning my own.

Sossamon put off racing at first because he wasnt sure he would like it. The desire to raise his skill level eventually won out and he continues to learn from racing in regattas.

It turns out that I love racing and it makes me pay attention to things that I didnt pay attention to before, Sossamon says. Its an infinitely long learning curve and it increases when you throw in tactics on how to play off the other crew members.

Another thing that Sossamon was looking forward to in Trekr Racings first regatta was the chance to interact as an out athlete at the international event.

The best way to address bigotry towards a group is to make friends with someone from that group, Sossamon says. Its easy to be publicly out with this crew.

One of the Trekr crew members who raced for the first time in many years is Hilary Howes. She grew up in the San Francisco Bay area and learned how to sail through a Phys Ed requirement at San Francisco State.

The thought of sailing always appealed to me and I was glad for the PE requirement, Howes says. It was mostly Flying Juniors and Lasers and after college I continued to sail with a professor along with some racing.

After moving to the area in 2000 for her work in set and lighting design, Howes joined the West River Sailing Club and is now the proud owner of a Pearson 30. Howes stumbled into the opportunity to race with Trekr through her work with Gender Rights Maryland.

As a new boat owner, I had the chance to learn more in one week than I could have learned in a year, Howes says. There was so much experience around me.

Howes says it was also important have a T to go along with the LGB on the Trekr Racing team. She has been in a 39-year relationship with the same partner she had before she transitioned.

Being able to meet the yachting community and participate in the race culture was both a benefit to me and our community, Howes says. It was big chance to make sailing visible to the LGBT community and to make the sailing community more aware of us.

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Trekr Racing makes its debut on the high seas - Washington Blade - Washington Blade

KOCHI: The Supreme Court judgment banning vehicles that are not compliant with Bharat Stage-IV has brought to the fore the marine pollution caused by fishing vessels using substandard engines.

At present most boats in the fishing sector are using cheap Chinese-made engines. No standards have been prescribed for these engines and most of them aren't even marine engines.

Experts say that the amendments proposed in the Kerala Marine Fisheries Regulation Act, 1980, can address these concerns. "Motor vehicles have the Bharat Stage as standard, in case of marine engines, there are called Tier 1, 2 and 3. This is very strict in case of merchant navy or trading vessels because of the International Maritime Law (IML) and Directorate General of Shipping. Hence those vessels have the standards," said Baiju M V, senior scientist and naval architect, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT).

In 15 years, the number of Chinese-made engines being used in boats have outnumbered known brands which have better quality. Most engines used are of Tier-1 category, which is the lowest and banned in many countries. Experts said that since Indian Ocean does not have carbon control areas, there is no check on the kind of engines, fuel tanks and emissions unlike the Mediterranean waters, where standards are very strict.

Boat owners opted for larger boats with more horse power more than a decade ago after the coastal catches declined and marine catches shot up. The competition was to venture farther into the sea and get back to sell the catch first. The Chinese engines entered the market when there was relaxation in the import policy. For boat owners, the increase in consumption of fuel didn't matter as long as the catch was good.

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No clean boats on the high seas | Kochi News - Times of India - Times of India

Walks of Life is a monthly feature that highlights people in different careers and explains how their career influences their life. In todays Walks of Life feature, meet cruise captain Cliff Atwell.

First Mate Kirby Jake Scarborough shows off some pirate treasure aboard the Buccaneer Pirate Ship in Destin. [DEVON RAVINE|DAILY NEWS}By Savannah Evanoff

Cliff Atwell never pictured himself with long locks, coarse facial hair or a sword at his side.

For his identity as Captain Cannonball aboard Southern Stars Buccaneer Pirate Ship in Destin, these things are practically a requirement. Atwell provides family pirate adventures for up to 22 cruise trips a week in the summer.

I truly believe God put me where he wanted me to be, because never in my life did I want to be on a tour boat dressing like a pirate, acting like a pirate, Atwell said. However, I have found out that on this boat Ive been able to meet some really good people.

February marked Atwells 10th anniversary with Southern Star, and his fifth year as captain of the pirate cruise ship.

Ahoy!

Atwell has known what he wanted to do since he was 15.

He was raised in Destin and he noticed the success of boat captains, Atwell said. The community respected captains, he said.

The day I was old enough to get my captains license, I got it, Atwell said. I became a captain. I started out on private yachts and charter boats here in Destin.

For most of his life, Atwell was a charter boat captain. He would fish and take people to fish in the Gulf of Mexico.

In the late 1990s, Atwell watched the fishing industry shift as it became regulated and knew it was time for his own transition. In 1997, he started work with Southern Star, as a captain for evening dolphin cruises.

In 2011, the Southern Star owners, Steve and Wendy Wilson, approached Atwell about being captain of a new Destin pirate ship endeavor.

I said, I dont want to be captain of a pirate ship; Im not interested, Atwell said. I like it here. Im fine. I dont want to be captain.

After no significant arm-twisting, Atwell and his wife, Nicole, agreed to help promote the giant pirate ship, a fantasy come to life. The two dressed up as pirates for YouTube promotions and parades, he said.

It wasnt long before the Wilsons approached Atwell a second time.

Cliff Atwell reflects on the past five years he has played Captain Cannonball, captain of the Buccaneer Pirate Ship in Destin. [DEVON RAVINE|DAILY NEWS]They were like, Listen, you say you dont want to be a pirate, but youre perfect for it, so you need to do it, Atwell said. I said, OK, Ill try, Ive loved it ever since.

Now Atwells once-short hair hangs to his shoulders in curls, and he wears pirate attire head to toe from a sash across his waist to black, folded-over boots on his feet.

People think he just dresses like a pirate, but its a full interactive cruise, Atwell said. The children who participate are happier when they get off the boat, he said.

They got to experience something you cant experience anywhere else, not even in Disney World, Atwell said. In Disney World, you cant interact with the pirates, you cant get your pictures up there with the pirates, and you cant be one of the pirates. Here, they can do it all.

Atwell has had some memorable times on the Buccaneer pirate cruise, he said.

He fondly remembers a blind boy in a wheelchair who attended the cruise. Atwell asked the boys mother for permission to take the boys hand and let him see him as best he could.

I took my pirate hat off and I ran his hand all over it and I let him feel the hat, the feathers, the pins and everything on it, Atwell said. I let him feel my face and my beard, then across the baldric, where my sword and everything goes. He was in awe.The boy asked the color of Atwells shirt, piecing together a mental picture of the pirate who stood before him.

Thats probably the one that touched me the most, Atwell said.

Little pirates

Captain Cannonball poses with Sonia Muthuveeran, Adela Trevino, Alina Muthuveeran, 3, and Marlon Muthuveeran aboard the Buccaneer Pirate Ship in Destin. [DEVON RAVINE|DAILY NEWS]They say a captain is only as good as his crew.

Atwell knows this well, said Annie Graham, aka the gypsy pirate Anna Marie. Hes trained her and Kirby-Jake Scarborough to be the best possible crew, she said.

Id never been on a boat before in my life until I walked on for this interview, Graham said. Theres not a thing on this ship that I cant do and that I havent done crawling in the bilge, doing engine maintenance, soaking up oil, pumping things out. Hes a great teacher.

People dont realize how dangerous the situation can be on the ship, but Graham never worries, she said.

I know no matter what conditions were going out in that were safe and the children are safe, Graham said. Hes really good about keeping the ship stable and secure.

Atwell turned him into a mate, Scarborough said.

Hes taught me everything I know about boats, Scarborough said. Hes been like a big brother really.

During a cruise, the three actors interact, often fighting over treasure and threatening mutiny, Graham said. There is a power play between Graham and Atwells characters, she said.

Rings festoon the fingers of Captain Cannonball, captain of the Buccaneer Pirate Ship in Destin. [DEVON RAVINE|DAILY NEWS]He plays the role of the authoritative captain, but I am the one essentially running the show on the stage, Graham said. Its a constant, Well, Im the captain so you should do this, and Well, Im down here actually doing it, so you just drive the ship.

The children on the trip become little pirates and join the crew at the end of the trip, Scarborough said.

They become buccaneers themselves, Scarborough said. Its pretty awesome watching them come from nervous kids walking on board, then were able to turn them into little pirates.

Girl pirates are the toughest of all, though, Scarborough said.

Theyll challenge (Atwell) and yell at him Throw him overboard, Scarborough said. He gets this look on his face of total shock. You dont know whats going to come out of a kids mouth, especially when youve got them all hyped up and theyre all excited and were talking about treasure.

Atwell has the hardest job on the boat, Scarborough said.

Hes responsible for up to 149 souls, Scarborough said. Hes responsible for being an actor, being a DJ running the music simultaneously and running the ship. I would be very surprised if you found anyone else who could just step right into that job.

Atwell enjoys being in a career with no boss man assigning him deadlines, he said.

Its really nice to have a job that you come to work and enjoy it, Atwell said. In the beginning, I never did want to dress like a pirate and come to work, but once I started doing it, its a lot of fun.

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Captain Cannonball sails the high seas as a pirate - Destin.com - Destin Log and Walton Log

Around 1975, attorney Charles Lipcon had a legal partner who unexpectedly decided to retire from the practice of law. Despite his own success as a lawyer, Lipcon then faced a dilemma: build a new practice on his ownor rethink his career?

Related:5 Industries Getting the Most ROI From Digital Marketing

Lipcon wasnt ready to stop practicing law, so he decided to build his ownpractice. But starting over wasnt an easy road: While he had already established his legal reputation, he needed to rebuild his client base and keeppace with the changing world of digital marketing.

That's exactly what he did. Today, Lipcon is a partner atLipcon, Margulies, Alsina & Winkleman, where he handles personal injuryand wrongful death claims and is routinely quoted on major news sites abouthis legal specialty, cruise line safety; he'seven launched an app for passengers injured on a cruise ship. And, in an interview, he offered three lessons he's learned from his use ofdigital marketing to differentiate his law firm in a crowded marketplace.

Thought leadership may be hailed as thenew strategy for corporate growth, but if your own thought leadership lacks substance, it will fall short.Whether youre a lawyer like Lipcon or a small business marketing whiz, its not enough to just share your expertise with the world. Effective thought leadership shows rather than tells, provides rather than promotesand displays substantive depth rather than breadth. In short, it offers value to your audience and starts a two-way conversation, not a never-ending soliloquy.

Unsure how to get started? Hone in on your area of expertise and consider what value you can provide, Lipcon advises. With more than 40 years of experience handling tough cases like cruise line sexual assault, he understands how challenging these cases can be for victims. Hes published articles on what to do if youre a victim, as well as abook on how travelers can stay safe on a cruise.

When youre aboard a cruise ship, youre thinking about vacation, not being a victim of violence, Lipcon says. Our firms thought leadership initiatives were born out of a genuine desire to help people enjoy their travels and stay safe on the high seas.

Related:3 Digital Marketing Tactics Every Small Business Can Implement Today

From branded apps to live-streaming video on social media, Lipcon said, dont be afraid to experiment with new digital marketing tactics. Just be sure to always monitor your results by tracking key marketing metrics.

For example, each digital marketing campaign Lipcons law firm creates uses a different phone number.This makes it easy to track results, so we can identify quickly which strategies are falling short and realign resources to focus on what does work, Lipcon says. We try to monitor the results of different approaches and then put more resources into those that work.

With the rise of websites and online research, social media and review sites have become the new word-of-mouth marketing. One reason reviews are so important? Todays savvy consumers know that its easy to create a slick website making big promises. But would-be customers want to know what other people are candidly saying about their experience.

A website can look great, but the attorney may have little-or-no experience in the advertised area of expertise, Lipcon says. Many clients dont know the difference and wind up with lawyers who dont measure up to the promises of their website.

While theres no guarantee that information on review sites is accurate, todays consumers are conditioned to checking everything from Google to Yelp before making a new purchasing decision;and selecting a lawyer is no different, Lipcon says. Even though you cannot directly control the quality or quantity of your businesss reviews, these reviews play an increasingly important role in generating referral traffic to your website.

Start by keeping tabs on your online profile and review sites, Lipcon says. Next, proactively reach out to dissatisfied customers to understand their concerns and take steps to correct any problems. Satisfaction counts.A satisfied customer will share his or her experience with four to six people, on average. When they're dissatisfied,that number explodes to nine to 15 people, according to LinkedIn Pulse. Take steps as soon as possible to correct a problem and limit the impact of negative feedback.

Related:16-Step Blueprint to Master Your Digital Marketing in 2016

Brian Hughes is the founder and CEO ofIntegrity Marketing & Consulting, where he helps his clients build powerful brands through content marketing, social-media marketing, search-engine optimization, email marketing, pay-per-click...

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3 Digital Marketing Lessons From a Lawyer Focused on the High Seas - Entrepreneur

The pair, 55-year-old Irish national Nick Dwyer and 44-year-old French national Barbara Heftman, activated the yacht's emergency position-indicating radio beacon following high winds and heavy swells.

Photo by: AFP

A New South Wales police vessel responded, battling six-metre swells and gale force winds on a 13-hour voyage to reach the yacht and safely haul the pair on board.

Two sailors have survived six metre high waves and gale force winds in the middle of the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand.

Authorities said the crew, an Irish and a French national, were travelling from New Zealand to Australia aboard a 12-metre yacht when trouble emerged about 210 nautical miles from Sydney.

The rescue vessel took 13.5 hours to reach the yacht during the six-metre swells and southerly winds.

The two sailors who were travelling with a broken rudder since March 4, were safely transferred ashore and are not injured.

TRT World's Ben Saidhas their story.

How International Women's Day went around the world

Illegal plant smuggling a threat to endangered orchids

International Women's Day becomes a global day of activism

Women across the globe seek rights, equality

European zoos tighten security after poachers kill rhino in France

Poachers shoot dead Vince the rhino at French zoo

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French, Irish yacht sailors survive high seas off Australia's coast - TRT World

People nowadays are craving for new experiences. And, the most effective way of getting out of ones comfort zone to find an adventure is through traveling.

With seat sales and travel tour packages left and right, it isnt a secret that traveling has gone from being a luxury to a staple, maybe even a necessity, in peoples lives. But even then, more and more people are now looking to discover new ways on how to make traveling itself more fun and exciting.

Oftentimes these vacation trips entail having to wait for hours just to travel for a couple of more hours to get to the destination. Who says that the journey to satisfying ones wanderlust has to be ordinary, uneventful, maybe even boring?

Try going on a cruise and let yourself experience traveling like never before. Cruising is making waves as it continually evolves into providing the best experience one can get when traveling, continually trying to find new ways of letting passengers enjoy the ride going to the destination just as much as being at the intended vacation place itself. Experience traveling by starting the fun and adventure the moment you set foot on board. Create experiences even before you get to your destination.

The cruising industry has continually evolved in order to keep up with the ever-changing needs and wants that people might have when it comes to traveling. Whatever type of adventure youre after, cruising can definitely provide it for you. With world-class entertainment and state-of-the-art facilities, youre sure to experience traveling in style and in comfort.

Now, when can you exactly say that you were able to swim, exercise in a gym, play basketball, enjoy world-class entertainment, and get all-around service even before arriving at your destination? Experience all these and other luxurious amenities and services offered onboard. With a wide array of dining options, lounges left and right, you wont run out of options and things to do.

Another one of the beauties of traveling via cruise ship is that you get to be a part of a community while on board. Have the opportunity of getting to meet new people, even probably a few famous personalities and celebrities along the way. The environment lets you meet and make friends and new relationships with people who share the same passion in traveling as you do. Share your favorite wanderlust experiences with them as you create another one definitely worth putting in the books. So even if youve gone on multiple cruises, the interactions you get to have onboard makes it all the more memorable and unique for each and every trip.

Have an adventure from Taiwan and see Japan like no other. Visit the pristine beaches and islands on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa, Japan with SuperStar Aquarius. You can also sail from Singapore to the beautiful islands of Malacca, Pulau Redang, Langkawi, and Penang and get to see Malaysia with SuperStar Gemini.

From Penang, you can sail to the scenic ports of Krabbi and Phuket in Thailand aboard the SuperStar Libra. Discover Chinas Pearl River Delta as you sail to Vietnams Halong Bay and culture-rich Danang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Nha Trang with Superstar Virgo or go on and sail and cruise along the South China Sea for a one-night getaway from Hong Kong aboard Star Pisces. The possibilities of breathtaking adventures are limitless with Star Cruises.

Let Star Cruises take you to your destination and start the adventure as soon as you get onboard. When traveling with Star Cruises, you get to experience traveling around Asia like no other. Enjoy world-class amenities and satiate your hunger with the mouth-watering dishes from all types of cuisines prepared by internationally trained chefs.

Dont miss out your chance to go on an adventure for up to 50 percent off. Climb aboard on SuperStar Gemini for as low as $290 USD and on Superstar Aquarius for as low as $397 USD.

Contact your local travel agency to book your tickets now. For inquiries, you can reach Star Cruises at (02) 836-6830 to 32 or email [emailprotected]

COMMENT DISCLAIMER: Reader comments posted on this Web site are not in any way endorsed by The Standard. Comments are views by thestandard.ph readers who exercise their right to free expression and they do not necessarily represent or reflect the position or viewpoint of thestandard.ph. While reserving this publications right to delete comments that are deemed offensive, indecent or inconsistent with The Standard editorial standards, The Standard may not be held liable for any false information posted by readers in this comments section.

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Journey through the high seas - The Standard

An East Kilbride couple have told of their dramatic rescue at sea after their boat ran aground off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.

Steve Mackay, a former St Brides High School pupil, and his partner Elizabeth Anne Jamieson, from Westwood, were in the Gulf filming a documentary kayak4kuwait as part of the K20 Expedition.

The pair followed three kayakers who paddled more than 2300 kilometres in 90 days from Kuwait to Oman to highlight sea pollution and its impact on the marine environment.

However, Steve and Elizabeth Anne, both 45, ended up getting more than they bargained for in treacherous seas when their ship, The Katherina, struck rocks off the coast off the UAE.

They led the evacuation from the listing ship, plunging into rough seas, and were eventually picked up by the UAE military and coastguard.

The drama didnt end there as their second yacht, The Aquarius, was battered for weeks by storms in the Gulf.

Even then there was further drama when rigging on the yachts mast snapped and the boat had to limp back to the nearest port.

Steve, who is a documentary-maker and cameraman, met Elizabeth Anne when he helped organise and film a fundraiser.

He was director of photography during the three-month expedition, which began last November, while Elizabeth Anne acted as camera operator.

However, after just five days aboard The Katherina, events took a dramatic turn.

It was absolutely terrifying, Steve said. There were moments I questioned if I was going to make it out alive.

We obviously realised we had struck rocks but panic really set in when the ship began to list. Its not until youre in that situation you know how youll react.

Initially, Elizabeth Anne and I drank coffee on deck and remained calm but once we started feeling the ship listing and heard the crashing of dishes and fridges toppling over inside as we were waiting to be rescued, I definitely felt the fear.

Elizabeth Anne probably handled it better than me. One of the crew knelt on deck praying. Even the coastguard didnt know what to do until we took the decision to jump into the sea.

When it was clear we were going down, Elizabeth Anne jumped into the rough seas first, swimming through diesel and wreckage, and I followed, before we were picked up and flown to Qatar.

A huge salvage operation resumed the following morning without success and within days The Katherina was torn apart by unforgiving seas just before Christmas.

Steve said: It was emotional leaving the boat behind as it becomes home and a part of you. She was a beautiful yacht.

The whole experience was extremely emotional, not to mention humbling. But I would be lying if I said it wasnt also a little exhilarating.

Having been rescued and checked over by medics, the East Kilbride couple, along with the rest of the expedition, regrouped and boarded The Aquarius early in the new year.

But having survived one dramatic experience, the couple couldnt believe it when they ran into trouble once again.

Steve said: Our hearts were in our mouths when the wires holding the mast started snapping and the mast became loose.

It could have gone either way. I was standing there filming and could not believe we were in this position again.

This time we were facing storms, deep water, no VHF radio and the life-jackets were under the mast in the crew quarters.

We all froze but somehow the captain steered the ailing yacht back to port. Again we were very, very lucky.

One of the group was swept out to sea when filming underwater and had to swim a mile to shore in dangerous currents to survive.

The documentary, which has now been released, saw Steve and Elizabeth Anne explore the coastline from cityscapes, mountains, beaches, deserts, mangroves and come across an abundance of wildlife and marine life along the way.

And they were welcomed by everyone from village folk to dignitaries during the expedition.

Steve said: It was an amazing experience and one we wont forget in a hurry being on a sinking ship wasnt part of the plan but Elizabeth Anne and I are just so thankful it wasnt much worse.

The expedition and documentary have generated so much interest that there are now proposals for a TV series in Alaska or the Amazon and I am looking for investors and sponsors for what would be another amazing project designed to help safeguard the environment for generations to come.

To get involved in Steves project, call 07793 009998.

Excerpt from:

Drama on the high seas: East Kilbride couple reveal dramatic rescue after boat sinks in Gulf - Scottish Daily Record