July 2012

If there is any discipline that has more ancient roots than voyaging over the seas, and whose ancient ways still work today, I’d like to know. Since time immemorial, even in an age of GPS and knowing where you are on the planet within feet, the ways of the ancient mariners still are useful today – especially when your GPS fails on a dark and rainy night.

A giant wave comes ashore in Newport, RI, flooding much of Aquidneck Island and killing several hundred people. A few weeks later, after the start of the Newport Bermuda Race, another monstrous wave, known as a soliton, sinks several racing yachts and drowns dozens of sailors. Then another huge wave destroys much of Fort Lauderdale, FL.

We’re on the lookout for someone to write a monthly (or semi-regular) column, as well as folks who simply want to share a special experience with fellow boating enthusiasts. So if you have a story to tell, a helpful hint to offer or rant to rave, send us what you’ve got.

New England Science & Sailing (NESS), a US Sailing-certified community sailing center in Stonington, CT that also teaches marine science and adventure water sports to students from age 4 to adult, is fortunate to have Mistral Dodson and Michael Smith on staff. Mistral and Mike have strong backgrounds in outdoor education and have been with NESS since its inception in 2008. She is the Marine Science and Adventure Sports Program Director and he’s a Marine Science Program Director….

by LEAH SCHMALZ AND KYLA MILES In January, Save the Sound, a program of Connecticut Fund for the Environment, released its 2011 State of the Sound Report. The first of its kind, the report issues grades measuring the efforts put forth by Connecticut and New York to protect and preserve Long Island Sound. Guided by the Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CCMP), the report is divided into four main topics: habitat, water quality, stewardship, and emerging issues. Connecticut and New…