History Heritage & Cultural Traditions

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has no central "ocean" theme, but many of its myriad studies, projects, and educational initiatives touch on maritime culture.

The spectacle of the America's Cup concluded in September in San Francisco Bay, bringing to a close the high stakes game of capital enterprise and extreme sporting. In this episode of World Ocean Radio host Peter Neill will argue that extreme sport is no sport at all and will give examples of recreational sea experience the world over that showcase traditional vessels and maritime culture for everyone,  as a means to provide access and entertainment while building community.

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Many of literature's great classics are set on the ocean where Nature's beauty and force are bound to the human experience. In this episode of World Ocean Radio host Peter Neill will suggest that the greatest author of such sea-based literature was Joseph Conrad and will share some observations from one of Conrad's most well-known books on the ocean, "The Mirror of the Sea."

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Each year during the holidays, World Ocean Radio host Peter Neill reads "At The Fishhouses" by Elizabeth Bishop. This poem was chosen above all others not only for its relevance for the New Year, but because it distills years of Bishop's seaside meditations and evokes the clarity of meaning contained in personal encounters with the world ocean.

A very Merry Christmas—Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you from all of us here at the World Ocean Observatory.

The sea has been a source of storytelling and real-time adventure tales since the beginning of narrative and most every culture has its archetypal story. The great futuristic tale is 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne, a tale of the submarine vessel Nautilus and her captain, Nemo, a self-exiled scientist in pursuit of knowledge. In this episode of World Ocean Radio, host Peter Neill will discuss modern day underwater devices for global ocean research, fascinating tools for underwater exploration in unexpected places.

Peter Neill, Director of the W2O and host of World Ocean Radio, provides coverage of a broad spectrum of ocean issues from science and education to advocacy and exemplary projects. World Ocean Radio, a project of the World Ocean Observatory, is a weekly series of five-minute audio essays available for syndicated use at no cost by community radio stations worldwide.
 

Each year during the holidays, World Ocean Radio host Peter Neill reads "At The Fishhouses" by Elizabeth Bishop. This poem was chosen above all others not only for its relevance for the New Year, but because it distills years of Bishop's seaside meditations and evokes the clarity of meaning contained in personal encounters with the world ocean.

Thousands of shipwrecks lie across the world ocean floor. Along with the new technologies that reveal them to us, various controversial issues have emerged. Many of these ships have tremendous economic value; many reveal new evidence of shipbuilding techniques, armaments, and details of historic events; many have cultural, artistic, or academic value. While standards and international treaties have been developed for inventory and historical documentation, recovery, conservation, and commemoration, not all nations have signed on, leaving inconsistent outcomes for many shipwreck sites.