At 293 years, fog cannon at Boston Light is Coast Guard’s oldest artifact

The Coast Guard has determined that a fog cannon on Little Brewster Island, built in 1716, is the oldest known Coast Guard artifact by several decades.

(Tamir Kalifa for The Boston Globe)

Obesity: Big bellies sink ships?

- Our expanding waistlines might not yet sink our whale watching boats, but it is becoming an open question as to which whale is watching whom.

Another rescue for ‘Perfect Storm’

- The Coast Guard cutter Tamaroa survived the invasion of Iwo Jima, avoided the ignominy of the scrap heap, and braved towering seas 20 years ago this month in a pair of rescue missions during the maelstrom of the so-called “Perfect Storm.”

Shining over Boston Harbor

- As the Coast Guard hands over control of lighthouses, more may open for tours. (Photo: Santa dropped presents from a helicopter at Boston Light in 1946.)

Coast Guard: Americans getting fatter

- In case you need more evidence that Americans are tipping those scales a bit harder the US Coast Guard is cutting the number of passengers allowed on passenger vessels.