Around the Buoy

Humans have evolved over millions of years to have one overriding goal of staying alive, and the idea of holding one's breath for extremely long periods while diving into the cold and unforgiving depths of the ocean flies directly in the face of that instinct.  Somehow Will Trubridge does exactly that.  Will is an elite freediver with 18 world records and 6 world championships to his name and he travels the world pushing himself physically and mentally to go deeper.  We sit down with Will to talk about what it takes to dive to over 100 meters and the limitations of the human body.  Take a listen!

Ryan "The Brickman" McNaught, has the job that every seven year old would dream of, building elaborate masterpieces from Lego brick!  Starting out in his garage, he has become one of a handful of Lego Certified Professionals and grown his company, Brickman, into a full-time team of designers and builders with multiple exhibitions on display worldwide. He has recreated classic blockbuster movie scenes, historical architecture and modern modes of transportation; but in his new exhibit Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in Lego Bricks, he dives into the world of shipwrecks.  Now on display at Mystic Seaport Museum, the exhibit showcases ships that have succumbed to the deep retold in mini-figs and hundreds of thousands of Lego brick.  Take a listen as we talk with Ryan about his favorite builds and what you can expect to see up close in Mystic. 

Built in 1921 for Arctic exploration, The schooner Bowdoin has been taking explorers, scientists, and students into the high latitudes for more than a century. Throughout her history, the well thought-out design by William Hand Jr. and stout construction by the Hodgdon Yard in Maine provided a safe haven in some of the harshest conditions the earth has to offer. From offshore gales to long winters frozen into the ice, Bowdoin has proved herself over and over again.  Since 1998, Bowdoin has been under the care of the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine. However, her second life in academia has not been a retirement from Arctic adventure. On this episode of ATB, we talk with Alex Peacock, the captain and passionate steward of Bowdoin and discuss his recent trip north of the Arctic Circle on MMA's iconic schooner. 

   Lowell's Boat shop has been located on the banks of the Merrimack River in Amesbury Ma. since 1793 and they are credited as the birthplace of the iconic fishing dory.  With over 250,000 constructed over two centuries, the dory played a vital role in America's fishing industry because they were solidly built, inexpensive, could be stacked on deck and most importantly, they could be safely loaded down with a huge catch.    Although, they no longer building dories commercially, the role that Lowell's Boat Shop plays in the modern world is no less important by teaching the techniques and skills to a new crop of boat builders. After seven generations of the shop being owned by a Lowell, Graham McKay has been entrusted in keeping the boat shop's legacy alive. In this episode, we sit down with Graham to discuss the historical significance of Lowell's Boat Shop and why it is relevant in today's world. 

Offshore solo sailing has long been dominated by the French, with 65% of the skippers on the starting line of the Vendée Globe flying the tricolors. And in a sport that has been traditionally sailed by men, making inroads as an American woman can be extremely challenging. But these barriers are not going to stop Erica Lush. With countless miles at sea with legends like Tracy Edwards and Liz Wardly, the local Rhode Islander is over in France training for the Solitaire du Figaro, a multi-stage solo race that is seen as a feeder race for the Vendée Globe. In this episode, we are joined with Erica in-between training races to talk about her experiences that have gotten her to France and what is next in her pursuit to sail around the world.  For more info on Erica and to follow her offshore, jump over to www.lushsailing.com

As the Battle of the Atlantic raged on, the German U-boat fleet wreaked havoc on the Allies.  Boasting superior technology and extended underwater range, the submarines were crippling the Allies' ability to resupply the front lines throughout Eurpoe. For this reason, the US Navy made it a priority to capture a U-boat so they could get a closer look at these advancements and off the coast of Africa in June of 1944, they got their opportunity.  In this episode we are joined by John Llewellyn, a Senior Exhibit Strategist at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry to talk about the capture of U-505 and the museums unique exhibit displaying the captured submarine. 

Ep. 91: The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum Shipwrecks like the Edmund Fitzgerald have long captured our attention. Immortalized by Gordon Lightfoot's 1976 hit, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, has secured a place alongside other famous wrecks like the Titanic and Lusitania. But she represents only one of the estimated 6,000 sunken vessels in the five Great Lakes.  The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is dedicated to telling the history of the brave sailors and countless tons of cargo lost to the depths on the world's largest freshwater lakes. In this episode, we sit down with the museum's Executive Director Bruce Lynn to talk about some of the more famous wrecks and what makes the Great Lakes so dangerous.    

76 Days Adrift is a new documentary based on the true story of Steven Callahan as he confronts the insurmountable odds of staying alive long enough to be rescued after his boat sank off the African Coast.  The movie has been captivating packed theaters as it tours the United States and we are joined by the films Executive Director, Rob Sennott, to talk about Steven's harrowing tale and what went into making this film.  

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.com

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 devastated reefs in their wake.  In this episode, we are joined by Nate and Alex of the Lionfish Extermination Corporation and they are on a mission to keep the Lionfish in check so the beautiful reefs of Southern Florida can be enjoyed by future generations.   

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 is fresh off his record-breaking finish in this year's race and he joins us for a firsthand account of his experience. From outfitting his 18' Catboat, sketchy overnight anchorages, and crossing the finish line to ringing the bell, what an adventure!

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, about their ongoing restoration of one of the last remaining Grand Banks fishing schooners in existence, the L.A. DUNTON. It's free and who doesn't like free stuff?!  

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 ocean liners, if it sank on the East Coast of the United States, chances are Eric has dove to find them.  Join us as we talk with Eric about the exhilaration and dangers of a sport that has evolved from a niche hobby into a highly sophisticated and technologically advanced endeavor.

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 37th America's Cup have opened the door to the world's best female sailors with the inaugural Puig Woman's America's Cup, a regatta to be sailed in the run up to New Zealand's defense later on this fall in Barcelona. Late last year, our guest Sara Stone, was announced as a member of the first NYYC American Magic Woman's team but there has been little time to celebrate because Sara has been keeping busy as a new member the US SailGP team and crewing with the Quantum Racing Team in the highly competitive TP52 Series. We catch up with Sara to talk about her sailing career, what it means to sail into the history books and what's next.

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 few seasons under her belt and a few traps over the rail, Sadie's love for lobstering has grown into not only running her own boat, but also owning and operating her own restaurant in Belfast, Maine; both of which are proudly named, Must Be Nice.   Take a listen as we meet Sadie and learn the ups and downs of lobstering DownEast.    

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 afraid of getting his hands dirty and we talk to him about all things Maine, paddling and most importantly craftsmanship. Listen in!

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 stories are featured in the beautiful film, Flying Boat. Join us as we sit down with the film's director, Dirk Brawn, to talk about these magnificent machines & their extraordinary pilots.  

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 talk about her sailing career and how she is getting ready for her solo row across the Atlantic. Spoiler alert, she is a badass. Take a listen!

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.  Our guests today, Kate & Tim Carney, found their adventure on the Great Loop aboard their 31' trawler, Sweet Day. After more than 7,000 miles under their keel, the Carneys had circled the eastern half of the US by water and could officially claim the title, "Loopers."  Take a listen!

"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 high seas. In this episode we are joined by the curator of the Cutty Sark Museum on the banks of the Themes River to learn more about the last of the great clipper ships.       

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 flipped in a raging storm and they are forced into their life raft. Team member Chad Miller joins us for a firsthand account of their unimaginable ordeal.  Take a listen!

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 adventures of that epic trip.  His memoir: All Hands on Deck is being released on April 18th and we are excited to be joined by Will to discuss this experience. Take a listen!

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 shipwrights will give her a new lease on life. Alex joins us in this episode to talk about their life on the water, their restaurants, Coronet's restoration & their lofty goals for her when she sails again.

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 expert Dr. Eliza Van Reen whose company, Circadian Positioning Systems, has been working with 11th Hour Racing to advise them how to manage the long hours and lack of sleep.

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, Vega sets sail early in '23 & we are excited to welcome new CEO Julia Milmore to the show to discuss new trade routes, new partners & how SailCargo will change shipping.   

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 fleet opens the door to a whole host of new teams, like the Austrian Ocean Race Project. On this episode of Around the Buoy, we are joined by one of the team founders and boat's skipper, Gerwin Jansen, to talk about this new team, what makes them unique, and what they are racing for. Catch up with Carter, Tyler, and all things Ocean Race on Around the Buoy Episode 72!

     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 decommissioned in the early '90's. In this episode, we talk to Ryan Szimanski, the curator of the USS New Jersey Museum about the most decorated ship in US Navy history.     

    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 Atlantic in the smallest vessel. We sit down with Andrew to talk about how he is preparing for a 1,900 NM adventure in a boat shorter than a bathtub. Take a listen!

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 been sailing in offshore races all his life and as it became difficult to sail in large teams because of Covid, he decided to give single handed sailing a try. Take a listen!

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 water races and we are excited to be talking with this year's Race Director Somers Kemp, about what to look forward to in this year's Thrash to the Onion Patch.   

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 first female to take command of the Constitution and we are honored to sit down with her to talk about "Old Ironsides" and the roll she plays in today's Navy.

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 among many things the brainchild behind The Clipper Race and Mark Light, who completed his own lap back in the 2012 Clipper Race and is now the race's director. Take a listen!

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 amputee: the result of a horrific motorcycle accident in 2008. Dustin's endeavor is an incredible example of resilience, perseverance, and adaptation. Take a listen!

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 chance when asked to row the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge. Team Salty Science is four marine biologists and they are rowing across the ocean for the oceans.

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 past two decades through his stunning photography. An avid waterman, he further promotes the region with the Seventy48, a human-powered mad dash from Tacoma to Port Townsend. Listen in!

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, we talk with Elizabeth about her Block Cancer Swim, which takes her from Rhode Island's mainland, to sleepy Block Island, 10 miles offshore. Her efforts raised over $160k for cancer research in her father's memory. Take a listen!

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, who worked along alongside Matthew to complete her restoration, and stayed on to be the captain of one of the most unique New York Harbor charters, Moveable Feast. Listen in!

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 other adaptive sailors, and provide an opportunity to learn from the best. Carter and Tyler are joined by Judy McLennan, the regatta's President, to talk about how they are expanding the sport of adaptive sailing.

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 dismasting left him injured, immobilized and adrift for three days.  We talk with CDR Tomy about his experience and why he is planning to do it all over again.  Take a listen!

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, was founded by Peter McClennen to teach teamwork and sportsmanship to a new generation of sailors and he joins us to talk about his lifelong passion for the sport.

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, 'The Sea of Cortez'.  Seventy-five years later, after a long fishing career, Western Flyer was found rotting away. This episode is about a complete restoration that will soon return her to Mexican waters. Listen in!

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 to grips with his past, learning how to build a boat, and opening up Preszler Woodshop. Trent has written his memoir, "Little & Often" and he joins us to talk about this journey. Listen in!

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 match racing clinic put on by both teams during the finals. We also look ahead and discuss what to expect when Team New Zealand welcomes back the world's best sailors for the 37th Cup. Listen in!

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 Dean is the author of "The Taking of K-129", the most comprehensive account of the CIA's covert mission to raise the K-129. Josh joins us in this episode talk about one hell of a sea story. Listen in!

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 with Edson's CEO, Adam Cove, about his extensive sailing background and what it is like taking the helm of a 162-year-old company.  Listen in!

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 episode to talk about the new IMOCA 60, The Ocean Race, and responsible boatbuilding.  Listen in!

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 ocean practices. Michelle Carnevale is the director of 11th Hour's grant program, and she joins us to talk about the organizations that are leading the charge to cleaner seas.  Listen in!

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 data about the world's oceans.  In this episode, Carter and Tyler talk with Saildrone's COO, Sebastien De Halleux, about how saildrones fit into this increasingly autonomous world. Listen in!

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 historic Armory Building in the 'City by the Sea', but there is much to complete before the new museum opens its doors. Carter and Tyler sit down with The Sailing Museum's Executive Director, Heather Ruhsam, to learn about the history of this 19th Century building and what's up for the Spring of '22. Listen in!