Join Around the Buoy and Latitude Yacht Brokerage for the screening of The Hunt for Red October at the historic Jane Pickens Theater in downtown Newport, Rhode Island. November 7th, 2024 at 7:30pm More ticket information, visit JanePickens.comAutor: Around the Buoy

The Lionfish is native to the waters of the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, but in the 90’s they mysteriously started appearing off the coast of Florida. With no natural predator, a veracious appetite and the ability to reproduce at a staggering rate, the Lionfish can now be found as far north as Rhode Island and as far South as Brazil, leaving de…

The Race to Alaska, a 750 mile Cannonball Run up the Canadian coast, is a simple race: survive the unpredictable weather, navigate whirlpools created from 20kt tidal rips, dodge shipping traffic, and lastly avoid being eaten by bears all with no outside support on an engineless boat. What could possibly go wrong? Adam Cove of Team Wickedly Wildcat …

We are very lucky in New England to have an organization like Mystic Seaport and its Henry B. Du Pont Preservation Shipyard, the first shipyard in the nation dedicated to the preservation of historic vessels, both large and small. Join us on this episode of ATB as we talk with Walt Ansel, Director of the Henry B. du Pont Preservation Shipyard, abou…

Wreck diving is a perfect mix of maritime history and ocean exploration and that is why we at ATB are fascinated with the subject. For the past five decades, Eric Takajian has been diving on deepest and most infamous wrecks in the world and at the same time discovering over seventy of history’s most notorious lost ships. From German U-Boats to ocea…

The America’s Cup has always been about pushing yacht design to the limit and embracing changes to keep the sport relevant for future sailors. But over the past 153 years, the teams have been predominantly filled with male crews with opportunities few and far between for female sailors to compete. In a move to change that, the organizers of the 37t…

The expression, “Must Be Nice” is often a dig towards someone else's perceived luck or easy road to success. Whoa, you vacationed in Aspen... MUST BE NICE! Today's guest, Sadie Samuels, might single-handedly change that phrase's definition. Starting at the age of 7, Sadie has made her own luck with an unstoppable drive to catch lobsters. Now with a…

Shaw & Tenney has been supplying traditional, heirloom quality oars and paddles since 1858. As the second oldest manufacturer of marine products in the U.S., little has changed over those 165 years. In fact, the company has only been owned by three families until this summer when Neil Gutekunst took the reins. A Marine Corps veteran, Neil is not af…

With the dawn of the iconic flying boat, Trans-Pacific travel that once measured in weeks by ship could be accomplished in only days. These island-hopping aircraft were passports to worlds that were once only seen in books. Travel is different these days, but there are a handful of dedicated aviators who are keeping that dream alive and their stori…

Liz Wardly has done everything in the world of sailing: World Championships, The Fastnet, Sydney to Hobart and four editions of The Ocean Race. So, what is she doing lining up at the start line of the Atlantic Challenge, the 3000 mile row from The Canary Islands to Antigua? We caught up with Liz in between training rows and prepping for the race to…

After a quick summer break, ATB returned to the studio to find our show was removed from Apple Podcasts. A couple frantic weeks later, we're back and better than ever! Listen here for the whole story. In case you missed it, check out our latest episode, Ep. 80: Life on Sweet Day.

The year 2020 was all about pivoting. Almost overnight, we went from leaving the house for work, school and socializing to working, learning and socializing from home via phone calls and video chats. As the world started to open again, many people took the opportunity to cast off from shore and find a new adventure after being cooped up for so long…

“When can you get it there”? From overnight shipping to delivering goods in the days of sail, anyone who has shipped anything has asked this question. The Cutty Sark was designed for speed, to deliver materials from all over the globe back to London as fast as possible. Built in 1869, she represented the pinnacle of shipbuilding and success on the …

Each year, rowers set off from The Canary Islands as a part of the Talisker Atlantic Challenge, a 3000nm race to Antigua. Each team knows that they will be pushed both physically and mentally to the breaking point, but it was inconceivable what was in store for the members of the all-veteran team, Fight Oar Die. Sixteen days in, their boat was flip…

Will Sofrin is a professional sailor and boat builder who was given the chance to take part in a voyage of a lifetime: sailing the replica of the HMS Rose from Newport, RI through the Panama Canal to San Diego for the filming of Master and Commander. After two decades of reflection, Will has put pen to paper and is sharing the stories and adventure…

Ep. 76: The Restoration of Coronet With an impeccable racing record, multiple circumnavigations, and an owner’s list that reads like a who’s who in 19th century yachting; Coronet has been named America’s most historic yacht. With her ongoing restoration stalled, new owners Alex and Miles Pincus moved the hull to Mystic where the Seaport’s talented …

From new parents to elite athletes, everyone can benefit from a good night’s sleep. But what happens if you are in an environment where it is impossible to be rested yet you must be at your best? This is the situation the sailors of The Ocean Race find themselves; racing on yachts built for speed, not comfort. In this episode we talk with sleep exp…

In Ep. 14, we talked to SailCargo about their mission to provide a zero-emission shipping alternative & their plans for a wooden cargo ship named, Cieba. Four years later, the crew is busy finishing Cieba’s hull but in order to start delivering products sooner, the company has purchased the 1909 cargo schooner Vega. With fully booked cargo holds, V…

We are about two months away from the start of the 2023 Ocean Race in Alicante Spain and there have been many changes since the last time the fleet visited Newport in 2018. Volvo is no longer a title sponsor, there are four fewer legs, but the biggest change is the addition of a second class of one-design boats. This new class greatly expands the f…

The Iowa Class Battleships are some of the most powerful ships to sail into battle and represent the end of an era in naval warfare. The USS New Jersey was launched a year after Pearl Harbor and immediately went into battle; playing a role in the largest naval battles ever seen. She continued to serve for nearly five decades before being decommissi…

When Sir Edmund Hilary was asked why he climbed Everest, he famously responded, “Because it’s there.” These words have fueled explorers and adventures to risk everything to break ground and push human endurance to new heights. Next May, Andrew Bedwell will be setting out to smash a record that has stood for nearly thirty years; crossing the Atlanti…

Next September, a group of single-handed sailors will leave France for the Caribbean in the Mini Transat, a regatta that celebrates the adventurous sprit of the early Trans-Atlantic races. In a fleet dominated by European skippers, one Mini will be flying the Stars and Stripes, PGN Ocean Racing skippered by our guest Peter Gibbons-Neff. Peter has b…

In 1906, a small fleet of vessels left New York City on their way to Bermuda to prove to the world that an open ocean race in a yacht under 80’ could be run safely. Over a century later, a much larger fleet is set to sail toward the start line at the mouth of Narragansett Bay in the 52nd of the Bermuda Race. It stands as one of the most iconic blue…

Shortly after the Revolutionary War, it was apparent that the United States needed a new Navy to protect its interests overseas. The USS Constitution along with five other warships were built and immediately sailed into battle. After 225 years of service, it’s amazing that she can still be making history. This January, CDR Billie Farrell became the…

When the world came to a screeching halt in 2020, The Clipper Race fleet pulled into Subic Bay and the race was put on hold after sailing only half the journey. Just over two years later, the teams are back in the Philippines to finish the lap. In this episode we are honored to be talking with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (yes, that Sir Robin) who is am…

When Dustin Reynolds, also known as The Single-Handed Sailor, pulled into his home port on the Big Island of Hawaii last December, he became the newest member one of the most exclusive maritime clubs, sailing alone around the world. With a membership around 300 sailors, this achievement is made even more remarkable considering that he is a double a…

Chantale Begin fell in love with the ocean as a teenager on a submersible 800ft below the St. Lawrence Estuary and this passion led her far and wide researching as a marine biologist. No stranger to adventure, she has sailed the world as a teacher for Seamerster and then with her family. With this background, it’s no surprise that she jumped at the…

Situated on Puget Sound and only 42 miles from Mt. Rainier, Tacoma, Washington is a beautiful city. But decades of industrial abuse at the turn of the century turned the pristine waters into an EPA Superfund Site. This episode’s guest is Dean Burke. Dean is the head of Travel Tacoma and has chronicled the healing of the region’s waterways over the …

Elizabeth Beisel achieved athletic notoriety at age of 15 when she became the youngest member of the US Olympic Team in Beijing. She earned two medals in London and served as the swim team’s captain in Rio, but in 2020, when her father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Elizabeth decided to do something no woman has done before. In this episode,…

Wooden boats have long been a Siren song for many, drawing them in with irrational decisions, only to have their dreams dashed on the rocks. When Emmy award-winning actor, Matthew Rhys, purchased one of the few remaining Hemingway boats, he found himself in dire straits and needing help. Thankfully, he reached out to our guest, Capt. Kelli Farwell,…

Since 2003, the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta has hosted many of the best sailors in international competition. To make it even more special, these sailors have had to overcome challenges that few others have had to face. The mission behind this regatta is to provide athletes with disabilities a platform to complete against oth…

Sailing solo around the globe is an exclusive club to be a part of; more people have climbed Everest or traveled into space than completed a lap alone. During the 2018 Golden Globe Race as the fleet was deep into the Southern Ocean, a fast-moving storm wreaked havoc on the competitors, including our guest CDR Abhilash Tomy. A knockdown and dismasti…

Newport Harbor is a busy place in the summer with fleets of boats ranging from modern go fasters to classic wooden hulls racing around the buoys every afternoon. The Gamecock Sailing team is unique because they can be found racing in not one but all those fleets. Gamecock Sailing, named after the fleets’ flagship a 96-year-old Herreshoff R Boat, wa…

In 1940 John Steinbeck was at the top of literary world, but fame came with a backlash. His depiction of migrant workers in 'The Grapes of Wrath' labeled him as a communist, and protests were held to burn his books. Wanting to escape, Steinbeck chartered a fishing vessel named Western Flyer for an expedition to Mexico; a trip recounted in his book,…

Living on the North Fork of Long Island, Trent Preszler is a long way from his upbringing on a ranch in South Dakota. The CEO of a local vineyard, Trent never had the time or inclination to be a craftsman until his father’s toolbox was passed down to him. Inspired to build a canoe, what follows next is a soul-searching odyssey that includes coming …

It was a lot a late nights watching Emirates Team New Zealand defend the Auld Mug by defeating Luna Rossa on their home waters of the Hauraki Gulf in the 36th America’s Cup, and Tucker Thompson stayed up to watch it all. Tucker is back with us to recap all of the action–from the quick evolution of the AC75 during their time in Auckland, to the matc…

Submarines are the silent counterweight in the balance of power. With nuclear weapons and classified materials on board, their secrets would be devastating to a country’s national security if they were ever lost. So, in 1968 when a soviet sub disappeared in the Pacific, the CIA recognized the opportunity for an unprecedented intelligence grab. Josh…

Edson Marine made their name by developing the first diaphragm pump used to keep the bilges of commercial fishing fleet dry in 1859. Since then, innovation has been their hallmark, and today they provide hardware that can be found everywhere on a boat-- from stem to stern, and top of the mast, to the bottom of the keel. In this episode, we talk wit…

11th Hour Racing promotes healthy oceans by providing financial grants worldwide, but it’s one thing to talk the talk and another walk the walk. They are also taking a lead by sponsoring world class programs and demonstrating to other teams how to responsibly run a competitive team. 11th Hour’s Managing Director Todd McGuire joins us in this episod…

For too long, our oceans have been used as a trashcan, and it has become too common to see videos of yachts sailing past large clumps of trash in the open ocean. 11th Hour Racing was founded by a group of sailors who are on a mission to team up with the sailing community, the marine industry, and the biggest names in the sport to promote healthy oc…

This summer, when COVID-19 restrictions prevented crewed ships from conducting the yearly Alaskan Pollock survey in the Bering Sea, NOAA called on an unmanned surface vessel from Saildrone to gather data on the population. With long on station times, zero emissions, and specialized onboard sensors, Saildrone is revolutionizing the way we gather dat…

From the America’s Cup, countless World Championships, and The Ocean Race, the world’s best sailors have shoved off from the docks here in Newport. When the National Sailing Hall of Fame announced that they were looking for a new home, it only made sense that this history would play a role in Newport’s selection. Construction is underway at the his…

Chris Fischer loves fish sandwiches, but he knows that without sharks there are no fish sandwiches. In 2007, Chris founded the shark research group OCEARCH, a progressive organization that has changed the way data is gathered by teaming up the world’s best fisherman with leading marine scientists on one ship and making their findings open to the pu…

“Lead an interesting life”. This was the advice that a young Carol Newman Cronin, hopeful author and sailor, was given when she asked about increasing her odds on achieving her dream of becoming published. Since asking that question, she has given herself plenty to write about. Carol has competed at the highest levels of sailing: representing the c…

The Race to Alaska! A 750-mile Cannonball Run from Port Townsend, WA, up the Inside Passage of the Canadian Coast to Ketchikan, AK has been called the “Iditarod on a Boat”, and the only rule is there are no engines allowed. COVID has pushed the start of the 2020 race back until 2021 but that does not mean you have to quit R2AK cold turkey: Race to …

From the first race around the Isle of Wight in 1851, the America’s Cup has been about pushing the envelope of sailing but few people could have predicted that the sport would evolve to where we are today: a 75 foot 50+ knot foiling monohull. With all these new advancements, it is helpful to have someone there who can educate you on the history of …

Sara Hastreiter was born and raised landlocked in Wyoming and did not get into sailing until well into her 20’s, but she did not let that slow her down. Working on boats in the Caribbean, she took every opportunity to get sea time; from island hopping to trans-Atlantic races, it did not matter, she signed up. With only a few years of sailing under …

Today, we take trans-Atlantic flight for granted; jump on a plane in the early evening on the East Coast and arrive in London, Paris, or Amsterdam by sunrise. But shortly after the Wright Brothers flew in Kitty Hawk in 1903, sights were set to reach Europe by air, and as the world was mired in World War I, this achievement became even more vital to…

Sperry Sails is a family run business that has been providing boaters with the highest quality, hand crafted sails and other canvas products for over 40 years. Throughout their history, adapting has been one of their keys to success. Starting with Dacron sails, a staple for the traditional wooden boat fleet, the sail makers in the loft now use comp…

The Oliver Hazard Perry is the first fully rigged ocean going vessel to be built in the United States in over one hundred years and she flies the Rhode Island flag proudly as the state’s official tall ship. The Oliver Hazard Perry also is the largest civilian sailing school in the country and we are joined in studio with their new Captain and CEO, …