Folks in the Exumas enjoyed a fireworks show like no other at the expense of Elon Musk last night. Shortly after the 6:30 p.m. launch, amateur videographers caught the “gargantuan Starship megarocket system” exploding and burning across the night sky.

Cruisers in Luperon Bay in the Dominican Republic also had front row seats.

One of the best videos was recorded and shared by the crew of the sailboat Auwe Auwe, a Leopard 40 catamaran at anchor at George Town, the cruising Mecca of the Bahamas. Congratulations, you four.

Here’s a little background from CNN last night.

SpaceX launched the eighth integrated test flight of its gargantuan Starship megarocket system Thursday night. But rather than achieving objectives that fell short during its previous fiery test in January, the eighth flight also ended with a loss of the Starship vehicle.

While the company was successful in capturing a booster from the rocket as it returned to the launch tower, the Starship spacecraft was lost, resulting in a fiery explosion and disruptions to air traffic over Florida.

The uncrewed mission lifted off at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in South Texas.

LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.

He started out as the bishop of a region in modern day Turkey.

LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.

News Flash

Tuesday, May 14, 2024—A group of orcas known to attack boats in southwest Europe have sunk a 50-foot sailing yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar after ripping open its hull. It is the fifth time these killer whales have sent a ship to the seafloor in the last three years.

In case you prefer reading to listening:

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This is an audio version of a story that first appeared in Loose Cannon on November 18, released here in recognition of this week’s Miami International Boat Show and its homage to wretched excess. The original story was headlined:

Megayachts Are for Show-Offs. The Puritans Wouldn't Approve And, Apparently, Neither Does Taylor

LOOSE CANNON republishes some of its history and humor pieces as audio. Most of the work consists of news reports, however. Join the crew to receive the newsletter.

LOOSE CANNON republishes some of its history and humor pieces as audio. Most of the work consists of news reports, however. Join the crew to receive the newsletter.

LOOSE CANNON republishes some of its history and humor pieces as audio. Most of the work consists of news reports, however. Join the crew to receive the newsletter.