Canadian cruisers George Juri and Grit Chiu had been battling strong winds and high seas for days when they chanced upon Thai barge worker Thar Hlaing, who’d been alone in the water for four days.  More »

In November, the introduction of preliminary plans to dramatically redevelop the Alameda Marina drew widespread concern and condemnation by many within the Oakland-Alameda sailing community. Early this month, developer Bill Poland, who has been part owner of the long-established, 43-acre waterfront property since 2006, attempted to clarify his position via op-ed pieces in two East Bay newspapers: "Mixed-use redevelopment of Alameda Marina… has been a public policy objective of city and regional planning agencies for years," he wrote. More »

About a year ago, when ex-America’s Cup employee Tom Ehman introduced his pipe dream of staging a 12-Meter racing renaissance on San Francisco Bay — in reaction to the astronomical costs of foiling-era A-Cup campaigning — the idea drew a mixed reaction. More »

This well-worn sign is often in place at the Santa Cruz Harbor launch ramp, but this week its warning is particularly serious, as the harbor mouth is effectively closed to all traffic. More »

The international sailing community has lost one of its best-loved father figures. On Sunday Australian billionaire Bob Oatley, 87, succumbed to a longtime illness. Billionaire yachtsman and philanthropist Bob Oatley seen with his sons atop their Hamilton Island Resort. More »

Throughout the Caribbean Basin, many businesses and tourism promoters lightheartedly capitalize on the region’s legacy of piracy. But it was no laughing matter late last month when two incidents of actual modern-day piracy occurred only a week apart. More »

Earlier this month we introduced ‘Lec Lat readers to the curious, perfectly square crystals that we found growing in our boat’s bilge. We assumed they were salt crystals, of course, as there’d been a pinhole leak down there around a through-hull fastening. More »

Forget spectator boats. How cool is it to be escorted into Hobart by a fleet of dolphins? Comanche’s effort to hang in for the win is one for the record books.  More »

As every experienced sailor knows, bad things can happen when you don’t — or aren’t able to — keep a constant lookout while underway. Here’s a great example of that, pulled from our email box today.  More »