Stephen D. (Doc) Regan
March 2026
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SEA NEWS
AXIOMA, a 236-foot super luxury yacht replete with 3-D movie room and infinity pool, was built for meager $400 million as a toy for Russian Oligarch Dmitry Pumpyanskiy who is close to President Vlad Putin. Since he did not have $400 million in cash, he received a bank loan in Europe and traveled the Med. Unfortunately, he didn’t anticipate the sanctions against Russia and couldn’t pay his debts, and the bank did what bank’s do, they took his boat. This incredible vessel was then sold to a wealthy Turk for a mere $70 million.
Hugo Vihlen, a 61 years-old certifiable adrenalin junkie and sailor (synonyms for sure) decided to sail the Atlantic in a micro-cruiser of about 5’ 11” long capsule. His FATHER’S DAY made the 1993 journey in 105 days and kicked off a competition that continues today.
Tom McNally immediately commenced building his 5’ 4” yacht to capture the World Record for smallest boat to cross the Atlantic that ended in disaster and was severely damaged when dropped by a crane. Then along comes Andrew Bedwell who remodeled McNally’s BIG C into a 4’6” bobber with a keel, rudder, and sail. His first attempt ended in failure; however, he is planning on doing a 2026 voyage carrying 1000 calorie protein bars and the ashes of Tom McNally which he will surrender to the sea at the request of McNally’s family. This version is so small that he can sit upright but can go into a fetal position for naps.
HISTORY
Freedom Ship, a book by Pulitizer Prize winner, Marcus Rediker, tells a very different perspective of the Underground Railway then we learned in History 101 which emphasized the concept of runaways wandering through the woods and looking to the “drinking gourd” (Big Dipper) to know which way to flee. Rediker argues that most slaves escaped north by ship.
In story after story, slaves often found themselves working on or near docks, wharves, or warehouses where Free Blacks, often working aboard as stewards, readily assisted in hiding the fugitives among bales of cotton or wares until they reached places like New York or Boston where slavery was illegal.
It was also illegal to assist a slave in escaping, so Captains and First Mates often needed to be uninformed of a stowaway. Worse, Southerners often hired slave catchers who would hang around Northern docks seeking information, capturing the escapees, and taking them back to their owners where horrid retribution would be handed out. It was easy to figure out which ship had left Charleston or Norfolk when a slave disappeared, so the owner sought a slave catcher to await the arrival of that specific ship.
The opening story was about North Carolinian Thomas Jones whose wife and children were sold to a plantation Alabama and would never be reunited. His Master needed cash so he leased Tom to work as a dock hand. Finding a steward who would help him for $8, Tom was hidden in bales of cotton. Unfortunately, when he reached New York, he was discovered by the skipper and mate who decided to turn him in to authorities (remember the Fugitive Slave Law). In desperation Tom lashed a few boards together as a raft and went over the side but was observed by the First Mate who ordered a boat lowered to give chase. A fishing boat saw the event and immediately pulled Jones from the water, took him to shore, and helped him find a place to live and seek employment. He eventually moved to England and became a Preacher.
The book is incredibly interesting and easy reading; however, Rediker has 50 pages of footnotes and references to support his claims. This book comes with endorsements by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, jr. and former professor Angela Davis. Somewhat interesting my volume was a used book in immaculate condition sold from Saratoga Springs, NY. It was published in 2025 and pulled the same year. Hmm.
ALLISIONS AND COLLISIONS
MSC GIADA III, A Liberian-flagged-cargo ship of 210m in length, suffered an explosion that enflamed the engine to the superstructure. The fortunate crew was rescued by an icebreaker.
The BALTIC WIND, bearing a Portuguese flag, managed to become aground in the Kiel Canal, and had to towed because of power failure. It ended up in port for inspection.
PACIFIC 88 developed a severe list and lost 30 containers. One crew was killed and another severely injured.
A fuel barge SAN JUAN also ran aground and had to pulled off for inspection.
SILJA SERENADE, a Finnish passenger vessel traveling between Finland and Åland Islands (between Sweden and Finland…considered part of Finland but the population speaks Swedish), caught fire when a truck carrying scrap metal caught fire. Reports show no casualties and the fire was confined to the section for vehicles; however, special firefighting experts were airlifted to the ship to combat the blaze.
The ro-ro Caesarea Trader caught fire, but the crew was uninjured just off the Isle of Wight.
Liberian flagged TONY rammed the Ust Luga quay damaging the dock and a crane. The accident is under investigation.
As this is written, well over 100 tankers and cargo ships are anchored east of the Horn of Hormuz. No ships are between Bandar Abbas Iran and Oman. Iran has stated that no ships shall pass that choke point, and several cargo ships have come under fire from Iran and from the Houthis in Yemen.
