Posts by John Riise
Has Anyone Lost a Dog?
Workers on an oil rig in the Gulf of Thailand were astonished to spot a dog swimming toward the structure last Friday — especially so, since the rig lies 135 miles from the nearest land. More »
I’ll take Maritime Miscellaneous, Alex
Like most sailors, our maritime interests extend beyond sailing. And that news cycle has been eclectic lately. Here are just a few of the odd things that we’ve read about in the last few weeks…
Misfortune, Murder or Manslaughter?
Back in September, we noted the strange case of Lewis Bennett, his wife of just three months, Isabella Hellman, and their honeymoon-gone-wrong aboard their 37-ft catamaran. The couple were on the way back to Florida on the final leg of a two-week Caribbean cruise in the spring of 2017, when, according to Bennett, he was awoken around midnight by the sound and feel of the boat hitting something. More »
Misfortune or Murder at Sea?
Surf into Summer, not lookin’ good.
© USCG
Back in the spring of 2017, Lewis Bennett and Isabella Hellman, both in their early 40s, were supposed to be enjoying a belated Caribbean honeymoon aboard the 37-ft catamaran Surf into Summer. More »
Taking Care of Business
When it comes to money, there are two types of cruisers: those who have enough that they no longer need to work — and those who don’t.
Among that second set, there are also two types — commuter cruisers and those who work along the way. More »
Viva la Transpac!
Cal 40s are great boats, and we’re happy to bring you the news that another one is being revived and returned to racing. Belvedere’s Don Jesberg acquired Viva, hull #103, last year and the boat is currently undergoing a rebuild in preparation for the 2019 Transpac. More »
Tale of Two Storms
By now you’ve doubtless seen the stats on Florence. Since coming ashore in the Carolinas early Friday as a Category 1 hurricane, the storm has left 17 dead, almost a million evacuees still unable to return home, extensive flooding, major highways shut down, 700,000 homes and businesses without power — and it hasn’t stopped yet. More »
Singlehanders on Their Way to Hanalei
In the age of insanely tall skyscrapers and self-driving cars it’s nice to know that a San Francisco tradition is still around and unchanged since 1978. On Saturday the start of the Singlehanded Sailing Society’s Singlehanded TransPac was off and running with 19 diverse boats heading to Hanalei, Kauai. More »
A Flyer Clinches Volvo Ocean Race
French skipper Charles Caudrelier hoists the trophy after claiming victory. His first win was six years earlier while sailing with Franck Cammas’ Groupama team.
© Eloi Stichelbaut / Dongfeng Race Team
The Volvo Ocean Race has arrived at its closest finish in the race’s long and storied history. More »
Mystery Boat No More
With 32 responses — and counting — a family ‘mystery’ of over half a century has finally been solved. I thank all of you who wrote.
A photo of a photo of a former mystery boat (you can just make out the silhouette of the author, snapping the shot). More »
Receive emails when 'Lectronic Latitude is updated. SUBSCRIBE