Sailors

What does National Geographic consider the best island in the world? Tahiti? Capri, Italy? Lord Howe Island, Australia? Nope. According to its recent book, "The 10 Best of Everything," it's actually Nantucket, which takes the coveted spot in the ten best islands category.  Nantucket? No disrespect to the Massachusetts hotspot, but it seems a bit of an odd choice on a list that doesn't even include Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, or the Bahamas. Travel writer Leslie Thomas came up with the list for National Geographic and had the following to say about...

High Five Tucker Ciessau , Scituate: The attack continued his impressive junior campaign, scoring seven goals as the Sailors (12-3) rolled to a 16-5 victory over Martha's Vineyard. Seana Cofsky , Walpole: In a 14-10 win over King Philip, the junior registered five goals and four assists for the Rebels (9-5-1). Chris McAndrews , Whitman-Hanson: The Panthers inched closer to a state tournament berth behind seven goals and three assists from the senior in an 18-2 win over Quincy.

DAEJEON, South Korea — The 46 sailors killed in the sinking of a navy warship were remembered during an emotional and solemn burial yesterday, as officials vowed retaliation against those responsible for what many believe was a North Korean attack. Wailing families placed white chrysanthemums, burned incense, and bowed in front of the framed photos of the men before their cremated ashes were buried in the country’s national cemetery in the central city of Daejeon. Buddhist and Christian clergy offered prayers, a navy band played a dirge, and troops fired a rifle salute.

At 15, Paul Stuart Brailsford left his home in London to live aboard a dormitory-style training ship known for its strict treatment of boys destined for the British Navy or merchant marine. The following year, he set off for a life at sea. He was an envoy for an oil company and a deck officer in New Zealand before joining the US merchant marine during World War II. Serving aboard ships that supplied US troops in the Philippines and Okinawa, he was near Japan when the United States dropped atomic bombs in August 1945.

HONOLULU -- A nuclear submarine ran aground about 350 miles south of Guam, injuring around 20 sailors, one of them critically, the Navy said. There were no reports of damage to the USS San Francisco's reactor plant, which was operating normally, the Navy said. The 360-foot submarine was headed back to its home port in Guam, and the Friday afternoon incident was under investigation, said Jon Yoshishige, a spokesman for the Pacific Fleet based at Pearl Harbor. He said there was no information yet on what the submarine struck.

A piracy watchdog group says 23 sailors have been kidnapped off the coast of Benin in West Africa. A report by the International Maritime Bureau said armed pirates boarded a tanker Wednesday about 62 nautical miles from Benin's capital of Cotonou. The bureau said the pirates took over the vessel, kidnapped its crew and sailed to an unknown location. The bureau said it had no other details about the attack Wednesday. Piracy has been increasing in the Gulf of Guinea, which borders Benin and oil-rich Nigeria.

The U.S. Coast Guard is sending rescuers to aid three sailors seriously injured in a storm during a race 400 miles off the California coast. A spokesperson for the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race said Saturday that the nearly 70-foot Geraldton Western Australia hit a large wave, sweeping away its steering mounting and some communications equipment during powerful winds. Three crew members suffered back, rib and pelvic injuries. The Coast Guard says one of its cutters has been diverted carrying rescuers and a helicopter.

LAGOS, Nigeria - Armed pirates raided a tanker off the West African coast and kidnapped 23 sailors yesterday, taking off with the vessel in waters that are increasingly at risk of piracy, an international monitoring group said. The International Maritime Bureau said pirates boarded the tanker as it idled about 62 nautical miles from Benin's capital of Cotonou. Pirates struck as the Cyprus-flagged vessel tried to transfer its cargo of crude oil to a Norwegian-registered ship, said Cyrus Mody, a manager at the bureau.

MOSCOW — A Russian icebreaker labored through howling winds and heavy snow yesterday as it tried to reach icebound ships in the Sea of Okhotsk, where more than 500 sailors are trapped. Three of the vessels have been trapped since Friday in ice estimated to be 6 feet thick. The state news agency RIA Novosti said two more ships became stuck yesterday. The Sea of Okhotsk is an arm of the northern Pacific to the west of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. A statement from the Transport Ministry said the crew on the three ships stuck since last week have sufficient food and...

The Navy says 13 sailors aboard a Virginia-based destroyer are being kicked out of the service for illegal drug use. The Navy said Thursday that 12 sailors assigned to the USS Mahan received non-judicial punishment in connection with the use of synthetic marijuana commonly sold as "Spice. " It said one other sailor was punished for use of hallucinogenic mushrooms. The service says the 13 sailors also will face additional punishment ranging from a reduction in rank to forfeiture of pay. They have been reassigned pending discharge.

SAN DIEGO - Since the first half of the 20th century, sailors seeking wind, waves, and heady competition in California could race from Newport Beach to Ensenada, Mexico, or sail out past the limits of the San Francisco Bay in the Full Crew Farallones Race, giving little thought to death and danger. At least until this spring. Two weeks after five sailors were killed in the waters off Northern California when their 38-foot yacht was hit by powerful waves and ran aground on a rocky island, the sailing community was stunned again.

(Photo by New England Revolution) New England Revolution players Chris Tierney and A.J. Soares pose with sailors aboard the USS Constitution By Johanna Kaiser, Town Correspondent New England Revolution players climbed aboard the USS Constitution in the Charlestown Navy Yard last week to show the sailors some of the their best soccer moves. The team's midfielder Chris Tierney and defenseman A.J. Soares took a tour of the ship and demonstrated various soccer skills and kicks to the sailors on board to promote the team's upcoming "Salute to...

South Korea says four of its officials were hurt in a fight after they boarded a Chinese fish carrier, and nine Chinese sailors have been arrested. Seoul says the scuffle happened after South Korean officials ordered the Chinese vessel to stop for an inspection Monday morning in the Yellow Sea. South Korea's coast guard says one official's head was cut but his condition isn't life-threatening. Officials say two other South Koreans received minor injuries, and another was rescued after falling into the water.

For 65 years, sailors have raced 125 nautical miles from Newport Beach, Calif., to Ensenada, Mexico, with expectations of a safe overnight voyage followed by beers at a popular cantina. Likewise, sailors in the century-old Full Crew Farallones Race off San Francisco would return to the docks jubilant at having mastered winds averaging 10 to 20 knots and churning Pacific Ocean swells that can reach 14 feet. Death was an afterthought. At least until this spring. Two weeks after five sailors were killed in the waters off Northern California when their 38-foot...

The Navy says 13 sailors aboard a Virginia-based destroyer are being kicked out of the service for illegal drug use. The Navy said Thursday that 12 sailors assigned to the USS Mahan received non-judicial punishment in connection with the use of synthetic marijuana commonly sold as "Spice. " It said one other sailor was punished for use of hallucinogenic mushrooms. The service says the 13 sailors also will face additional punishment ranging from a reduction in rank to forfeiture of pay. They have been reassigned pending discharge.

SAN FRANCISCO - The US Coast Guard rescued two injured sailors from a yacht that was hit by a monster wave while participating in an around-the-world race. Petty Officer Caleb Critchfield said a Coast Guard rescue boat reached the battered yacht about 200 miles off the California coast on Sunday afternoon. The sailors were then transported to a Coast Guard cutter where they boarded a helicopter and were flown to San Francisco for medical treatment. The injured include a 50-year-old woman who may have suffered broken ribs and a 29-year-old man with a...

Six Indian sailors have returned home to a joyous welcome after being held captive for nearly a year by Somali pirates. Huge crowds thronged the airport where tearful family members greeted the six men with marigold garlands and sweets after they landed in New Delhi on Friday. The men were freed after a $2.1 million ransom was paid to secure the release of the merchant navy ship that was captured 11 months ago by pirates operating in the Indian Ocean. One of the freed sailors, N.K. Sharma, described the homecoming as “a rebirth.’’ India’s external affairs...

Eight sailors have been discharged from the Navy after a hazing incident aboard a San Diego-based amphibious assault ship that was captured on video and included the choking of a fellow sailor, a Navy spokesman said Saturday. The eight received general discharges following allegations they assaulted and choked the sailor aboard the ship, the Bonhomme Richard, as part of a rite to initiate the sailor into a new department, said Lt. Commander David McKinney. McKinney said the assault, which took place Jan. 17 in the ship's berthing area, was videotaped, and the victim treated...

Two injured British sailors who were rescued from a yacht hit by a monster wave while participating in an around-the-world race were expected to reach San Francisco Bay on U.S. Coast Guard cutter Monday afternoon. A rescue boat reached the battered yacht Sunday about 200 miles off the California coast and transported the sailors to the cutter, Petty Officer Caleb Critchfield said. The sailors were being treated aboard the cutter and will receive additional medical aid when the vessel reaches the bay, said DeeDee Taft, a spokeswoman for the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race.

The U.S. Coast Guard is sending rescuers to aid three sailors seriously injured in a storm during a race 400 miles off the California coast. A spokesperson for the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race said Saturday that the nearly 70-foot Geraldton Western Australia hit a large wave, sweeping away its steering mounting and some communications equipment during powerful winds. Three crew members suffered back, rib and pelvic injuries. The Coast Guard says one of its cutters has been diverted carrying rescuers and a helicopter.