Race to Alaska (R2AK) 2023
In 2023, forsaking the comforts of large vessels and powered assistance, Nigel competed with his two brothers, nephews and favorite racing buddy Dave, in the infamous madcap dash from Port Townsend through Victoria to Kethikan Alaska. SV Hessian (C&C35 MkII) aka “Team Ship of Fools” accomplished the Victoria-Ketchikan leg in just over 8 days to place 7th, with minimal use of oars and pedal-drive, after which the engine was re-installed for the mostly windless return.
Briefs on Arctic Maritime Ops and Security (2024)
In 2024, GMSL lectured to three successive audiences on this subject: The Royal College of Defence Studies, a Royal Canadian Navy webinar, and the Royal United Services Institute (Victoria).
Wrote “Celestial Navigation for Offshore Yacthsmen” for CRYA (2021)
In collaboration with Bert terHart, a solo circumnavigator, wrote an aide-memoire or guide to yachtsmen wishing to exercise this ancient art from the pitching deck of a small vessel, especially as a stand-alone navigational capability.
USN Regional Security Education Program (RSEP) (2019)
In May 2019 I joined Dr. Rob Hubert onboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT to lecture on Arctic Security, while the ship was engaged in Exercise Northern Edge. We joined alongside in San Diego and disembarked by COD (carrier onboard delivery) aircraft to Anchorage Alaska 10 days later, having had the opportunity to discuss issues of interest with a very wide representation from all ranks and trades among the crew.
Clear Seas Study: Technology Implications for Marine Pilotage (2024)
GMSL conducted a study of evolving technology for marine navigation and it implications for future modifications of coastal pilotage practice.
CHS Study on Future of Sailing Directions (2020)
GMSL conducted a study for the Canadian Hydrographic Service, looking into traditional format and content of Sailing Directions (Pilot Books) and means to reconcile this with emerging formats and user-interfaces for S-100 hydrographic products.
Numerous DRDC/CORA projects
Numerous DRDC/CORA projects in conjunction with Calian (2017-2025):[7] Since 2017 GMSL has participated in 22 projects for Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC). These have resulted in a wide range of unclassified reports from gaming Force Protection Options, to force development planning vignettes, collateral effects estimation, naval strategic issues analysis, and Arctic underwater surveillance.
Leadership Lecture, University Canada West (Spring/Fall 2021-23)
In the Spring and Fall of 2021, GMSL provided four lectures to University Canada West MBA classes on personal perspectives and experiences of leadership. These lectures were updated and repeated in 2022/23.
PPA Tonnage Threshold Review (2021)
From 2019 to 2021 GMSL conducted a study of issues of concern to industry, marine pilots and coastal First Nations communities relative to potential changes affecting the tonnage threshold for compulsory pilotage in BC waters. The study reached out to about 120 Canadian and US industry partners and over 100 First Nations to present conclusions that will help inform Transport Canada’s future modification of Pilotage Regulations.
Canadian Nautical Research Society (2021)
In response to a CNRS request for different perspectives of the “Pacific Gateway” for their (virtual) conference in Victoria in June, GMSL presented an historical and future vision of Canada’s west-coast gateway to the Arctic.