Maasdam Lectures Nov 15 - Dec 6

Preparing for my next exciting lecture series on board the ms Maasdam from Civitavecchia to Fort Lauderdale, Nov 15 - Dec 6, 2013.  Lots of really interesting updates on the latest research concerning everything from the status of the endangered Blue Fin Tuna (see an excellent update by PEW) and octopus that are smarter than your average dog... to the mysteries of the coral reef.  Here's a list of my upcoming lectures for this cruise:

Dangerous Volcanoes & Ancient Time Capsules

We've sailed past some of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world.  Learn about the secrets of long-buried civilizations, including the oldest computer -- built 2,000 years BG (before Gates)!

Wealth from the Mediterranean

Wealth comes in many forms…   but empires built on smelly fish intestines, colorful dyes, and stunning sea creatures… Come on… what next…?

Who Owns the Sea… and the Fish Below?

What's the connection between bustling ecosystems, boatloads of tourists, and plentiful fish??   Who owns all the Fish in the sea...?  Who makes the rules out here anyway!!?

Ocean Currents & Your Skyrocketing Insurance!!

 What's up with shrinking icecaps, rising seas, storm surge, extreme weather events and changing ocean currents?!  And what are the costs and impacts…?

We are not the only Smart Suckers on the Planet

 Discover creatures without bones that are as smart as your average dog!  Just muscles, guts & Big Brains!  (OK - don't forget thousands of razor-sharp claws)

Stinging Balls of Slime (and other tasty Treats!)

Meet some creatures that are truly spineless and heartless… and a great source of protein.  Jelly sandwich, anyone...? 

Some of the Biggest and Ugliest Creatures You'll Never Meet

Huge reptiles from the age of the dinosaurs and sharks the size of whales… in the Atlantic ocean?  Could truth be stranger than fiction!?

Cavorting with the Big Ones

Learn about the true giants of the Atlantic.  One species is the loudest creature on the planet… and another can go two hours without taking a breath!  (Sound like someone in your family?)

Romance and Mystery on the Coral Reef

Coral reefs provide some of the richest ecosystems on earth.  Are corals animal or vegetable?  Discover some of the magic and mystery of life among the polyps.

Best Fishes from George, <))))><

Ice Brinicles- The Freezing Killer

Amazing Photos & Video of Ice Brinicles- The Freezing Killer


A brinicle or an ice stalactite is a formation of sea ice that gets generated when extremely cold saline water is introduced in ocean water. During winter, the temperature above the sea is -20C, whereas, the temperature of the sea water is only -1.9C. Heat tends to flow from the warmer sea to the extremely cold air, resulting in the formation of ice pipes.

The salt in this freshly created ice is concentrated and then later gets pressured into the brine channels. It’s cold and salty traits; make it denser than the water beneath. It results in the sinking of brine in a descending trail freezing the seawater altogether. This process results in forming a delicate ice sheets that develops into what has been called a brinicle.

Watch an amazing time-lapse video in this report by the BBC
-- http://bbc.in/s3xghK

Oceans inc Website - excellent overview of threats to Oceans

 I've run across an excellent website for gaining a "big-picture" understanding of the current state of the world's oceans. 
Oceans inc is a multi-media platform dedicated to transmitting news about the ocean. It is concerned solely with what affects the ocean and the measures necessary to preserve it for humankind.
Ocean inc covers key ocean events around the world, issuing TV and written news as well as live coverage via social media. Follow Ocean inc for major ocean events throughout the year and on Twitter via @oceans_inc

How Did Lemurs come to Rule Madagascar...?

On our recent cruise along the east coast of Africa, we went in search of the black lemur on the island of Nosy Be, Madagascar.  It turned out to be quite an expedition – including paddling our own dug-out pirogues and walking across hot sand and mud to the Lokobe Reserve.  Local guides led us through the bush and we were successful in getting close-up views of a beautiful pair of Black Lemurs.

The female Black Lemur is a beautiful Cinnamon color

I prepared guests onboard the ms Amsterdam with a lecture about the fascinating creatures of Madagascar, including Lemurs.  In Africa, Monkeys evolved 30 million years after the early lemurs, out-competing the lemur lineage and driving them to extinction.  But by then the island of Madagascar was already far out to sea, drifting away from the African continent.  Thus my punch line -- "monkeys missed the boat by 30 million years." (An apt comparison for an audience of cruisers!)