(powerboat-world) Distress signalling flares can help save lives in an emergency but are only as good as their use-by date. Minister for Ports and Waterways, Paul McLeay and Member for Kiama, Matt Brown, today launched a new disposal system for out-of-date flares. ‘Flares are essential emergency signalling equipment for boats in open waters. Therefore it’s a compulsory safety requirement for boaters to carry them when operating offshore,’ Mr McLeay said.  Source ...

(poughkeepsiejournal)  New York state banned shad fishing in the Hudson River on Wednesday, citing a “dramatic decline” in a species that has been part of the region’s fabric for centuries.  Source ...

(coastguardnews) Personnel at Coast Guard Station Point Judith, R.I., were able to avoid needlessly searching for a person in the water Wednesday morning because a kayak owner had labeled his lifejacket with contact information.  Source ...

(gulf news) A yacht caught fire near to Dubai Marina at about 4pm on Thursday, confirmed a Civil Defence official.  The fire was brought under control at about 4:49pm, said the official and witnesses in the area.  Source ...

(soundings) The Liberty Boat Show will not take place this year because of the economic climate, the National Marine Manufacturers Association said.  Source ...

(stuff) A helicopter is to join the search today for missing yachtie Paul Rensburg and will scour the coast between Tauranga and Gisborne.  Source ...

(projo) As Rhode Islanders nurture hopes of colorful sails, tanned yachtsmen and revenue dollars that a return of the America’s Cup would bring, sailing and economic leaders are scrambling to develop a detailed pitch to convince Cup officials to return the challenge here.  Source ...

(earthtimes.org) Air searches covering 153,000 square kilometres of sea off the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island Wednesday failed to find a missing South African sailor whose yacht disappeared over the weekend. Source ...

(Rhineland Daily News) The U.S. Ice Team took a giant stride forward in international fishing competition, winning the gold handily in the 2010 World Ice Fishing Championship, sponsored by the International Angling Confederation (CIPS) in Rome, over the weekend. Source ...

(USA Today) As Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Kevin Sheehan put it, “what a difference a year makes.” Source ...

(Marine Link) Representatives from the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards, Arctic region stakeholders and established responders are scheduled to hold a joint “Canada – United States North” (CANUSNORTH) tabletop exercise March 16 and 17 at the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage. Source ...

(Marine Link) The Coast Guard is investigating an allision caused by flood conditions between an 80-ft construction barge and the 14th Street Bridge in Washington, D.C, around March 15. Source ...

(Newport, RI) On Tuesday March 16th at 7:00 PM, Waypoint Rhode Island presents ‘WIND’ at the Jane Pickens Theater in Newport, RI.  Tickets are $20.00 per person and will be available at the door or in advance.  If you would like to purchase in advance call 401.787.5843.  Source ...

(pbo) The skipper of a Clipper Round-the-world racing yacht has been transferred by helicopter to Japan after breaking his leg.  Hull & Humber skipper, Piers Dudin, has undergone surgery and is reportedly in good spirits and even learning a few words of Japanese. He is likely to remain in hospital in Japan for several more days before repatriation to the UK for further treatment.  Source ...

(marinelink) Riverkeeper, a New York clean water advocate, commended the New York City Council for passing Int. 54-A, a bill substantially increasing penalties for illegal dumping in New York City Waters. The bill, passed unanimously by the City Council, creates a new civil penalty for dumping into the waterways where none currently exists, setting fines at not less than $1,500 or more than $10,000 for the first violation, and not less than $5,000 or more than $20,000 for each subsequent violation.   Source ...

(chron) A dozen centuries-old shipwrecks — some of them unusually well-preserved — have been found in the Baltic Sea by a gas company building an underwater pipeline between Russia and Germany. Source ...

(chron) A dozen centuries-old shipwrecks — some of them unusually well-preserved — have been found in the Baltic Sea by a gas company building an underwater pipeline between Russia and Germany. Source ...

(AFP) Strong winds on Sunday disrupted shipping through Egypt’s Suez Canal, cutting traffic to its lowest level in two decades, and closed four Red Sea ports, maritime officials said.  Source ...

(AFP) Strong winds on Sunday disrupted shipping through Egypt’s Suez Canal, cutting traffic to its lowest level in two decades, and closed four Red Sea ports, maritime officials said.  Source ...

(noaa) Today, scientists from the NOAA-funded Gulf of Maine Toxicity project issued an outlook for a significant regional bloom of a toxic alga that causes ‘red tides’ in the spring and summer of this year, potentially threatening the New England shellfish industry. Source ...