Please Note
Weekend gone ……. Slaves back to work …….. !!!
Regards
Snooper
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THE ZAC SUTHERLAND UPDATE
Zac's Blog
My name is Zac Sunderland and I am 17 years old. I departed 14th June 2008 from Marina del Rey, California in an attempt to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the world alone by yacht.
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Further tales from our long haired solo sailor !
Photo : Jed, Me and Jen with friends onboard Intrepid
©Laurence Sunderland 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Cape Town - Final Days
This past week in Cape Town has gown by way too fast. We worked on the boat most of the week and on Friday my dad took the 30 hour flight back 2 Cali. It is always a bittersweet time because there is always more work that could be done. With the help of Doudemas, we have Intrepid looking as good as she did when I left Marina del Rey nearly 8 months ago.
Friday night I had some friends over to the boat for a BBQ and chilled. It was great to relax and enjoy the boat for a change. Then on Saturday we went to the X Games, extreme skateboarding, motorcross biking and wake boarding, for the day. They were being held just across from the V & A Marina where Intrepeid is berthed. Since Jed lives about an hour outside of Cape Town in Pinland Jed and I ended up catching a train to get from his house to the games and walked through the heart of Cape Town. This kind of thing can be a bit dodgy but it was great to just fit in like a local and we had no trouble. It was an awesome experience.
We stayed at the X Games till it started raining and then went and saw a movie. Sunday morning we went back to the X Games for the day and then went back to Jed's to meet his dad whom I had met while in Cocos Keeling. He had just flown in from where he has left his boat in the Seychelles off of northestern Africa. We traded stories of the sea for a while. It was good to see him again. Richard has sailed from Cape Town to St. Helena before, which is my next stop so it is good to get some advice from a veteran. All eyes are on the weather as I look for a good weather window mid to end of week.
Monday, it was back to work on the boat. I finished a few jobs in the morning and at 1:00 had a few Vogue magazine photographers show up for a photo shoot. I took the boat out for the shoot but had a little engine trouble. I managed to sort it out and we sailed around the bay which was cool. The photographers made me put on some pretty interesting (must be Italian style) clothes and took a bunch of pix
Later in the day I got a phone call from Jed who told me he had organized to have me speak at his school tomorrow morning. I ended up going out to dinner with Jed's family and Jen. I'll have to sleep over at Jed's house and get up early. It is nearly midnight and I've still got to write some bullet points down for tomorrow's speech so I'd better go!
Cheers,
Zac
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Visit www.zacsutherland.com
YouTube Videos http://www.youtube.com/zacsvideos
Blog http://www.zacsunderland.com/blog/
Email zacsworldadventure@yahoo.com
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Mike Perham aged 16, the youngest person to sail across the atlantic solo now has his eye's on an even more adventurous challenge.
To become the youngest person to sail around the world solo in an open 50 racing yacht.
No Update. Partying Hard in Cape Town ??? Suspect working hard in Cape Town !!
Visit : http://www.totallymoney.com/sailmike/
Blog : http://www.totallymoney.com/sailmike/?cat=5
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Export Privileges Denied to Iranian Co.
2/9/2009 9:44:47 AM
The U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued an order temporarily denying export privileges to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, as well as two related companies. The order relies on evidence that the parties are about to engage in conduct prohibited by the Export Administration Regulations by re-exporting US-origin items. Specifically, it appears that the parties are planning to re-export from South Africa a Bladerunner 51 powerboat, known as the Bradstone Challenger, for use by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Under the Order, no person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States may take any action that facilitates this re-exportation. 74 Fed. Reg. 6265 (February 6, 2009).
(Source: Holland & Knight)
http://sname.marinelink.com/snamestory.aspx?stid=214432
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Africa Partnership Station Arrives in East Africa
Story Number: NNS090209-03
Release Date: 2/9/2009 11:10:00 AM
By Lt. Patrick Foughty, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa Public Affairs
MAPUTO, Mozambique (NNS) -- The director of Policy, Resources and Strategy for U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, spoke with media Feb. 7 to discuss Africa Partnership Station (APS) coming to East Africa for the first time.
Rear Adm. William Loeffler arrived in conjunction with the visit of USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) as the ship is in port conducting partner building activities such as maritime training, community relations projects and cultural exchange activities.
"We have commenced the first APS visit on the east coast of Africa with the visit of the USS Robert G. Bradley," said Loeffler, "our efforts here are to help improve maritime safety and security in Mozambique [and East Africa]."
APS began in October 2007 when with the deployment of USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) to West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea. The program has since become an enduring mission with multiple U.S. and partner-nation ships, aircraft and personnel involved almost continuously.
"Africa Partnership Station is about sustained engagement, which is why USS Robert G. Bradley began its [APS] mission in West Africa in November, and is now the first U.S. warship to tie up pier-side in Maputo and the first time APS has expanded beyond West and Central Africa," said Loeffler, "this is also the first visit of a U.S. naval admiral in recent history, which is an indication of how important we view our Naval relationship with Mozambique."
While in port, Bradley will conduct small boat operations and maintenance training, as well as visit, board, search and seizure training.
"After USS Robert G. Bradley departs Maputo it will continue its APS engagements along the East Coast of Africa, stopping in Djibouti, Kenya and Tanzania," said Loeffler, "the ship will also embark naval personnel from Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania to ride the ship as it transits along the East Coast."
Embarked Sailors will have opportunities to participate in various training events and routine ship operations.
Loeffler emphasized the scale of the program by describing how amphibious landing ship USS Nashville (LPD 13) is also part of the APS mission and is in Dakar, Senegal this week. Nashville includes a large international staff and will visit Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana and Nigeria over the next four months to conduct similar training engagements.
Loeffler also spoke about the U.S. Navy's national maritime strategy, the Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower and how a key aspect of that strategy is global maritime partnerships.
"International cooperative [maritime] security engagements are performed throughout the world, we have similar partnership initiatives in the Pacific, South America and the Black Sea" said Loeffler.
He explained that APS is currently led by the U.S. Navy, in conjunction with international partners from Africa, Europe and South America.
"We will only be able to achieve a safe and secure maritime environment by working to build partnerships now. Programs like APS help to build trust and cooperation among all participating nations as well as build positive relationships that will last for years to come," said Loeffler.
For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa, visit www.navy.mil/local/naveur/.
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=42437
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Near Collision, Fishing Vessel & Large Freighter
2/9/2009 9:45:26 AM
The Coast Guard is investigating a report of a commercial fishing vessel that crossed in front of the Motor Vessel Bosse, a large commercial freight ship transiting outbound from the Port of Long Beach on Feb. 4.
The Marine Exchange of Southern California and Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service, who jointly monitor vessel traffic in San Pedro Bay, were first alerted of the situation by the Motor Vessel Bosse, after the crew was unable to make radio contact with the approaching, unresponsive fishing vessel.
Motor Vessel Bosse was within 400 yards of the fishing vessel when it was forced to take evasive action and turned hard to starboard to prevent a collision. The Vessel Traffic Service then actively tracked the fishing vessel into port using radar and other sensors. The incident is currently under investigation by Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles - Long Beach investigating officers.
This near miss is one of several recent incidents where small vessels impeded the right-of-way of large commercial traffic in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and it nearly caused a collision with potentially catastrophic consequences.
The Coast Guard is taking a heightened posture towards small vessel navigation violations. This will include coordination with the Los Angeles-Long Beach Harbor Safety Committee, education outreach efforts to small boat operators and increased enforcement presence.
http://sname.marinelink.com/snamestory.aspx?stid=214433
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Shipping line adds SA calls
CSAV has added fortnightly calls in Durban and Cape Town to its Marco Polo service linking Brazil and the Middle East, general manager CSAV Group Agencies South Africa, Chris Glen told Cargo Info News.
“In response to market demand this is to be upgraded at the end of February to weekly calls at both ports,” he said.
In a separate development, the CSAV car carrier division has launched a service linking China, Korea, Singapore and Jebel Ali to Durban and Port Elizabeth.
The service will provide regular monthly sailings between the Far East, Middle East and South Africa for rollable cargo and FBUs .
Story By : Joy Orlek
Date :2/10/2009
http://www.cargoinfo.co.za/newsdetails.asp?&newsid=7431
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MAN Diesel Powers Danish Navy OPVs
2/9/2009 9:36:18 AM
After delivery from Karstensens Shipyard, Denmark, the second Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) for the Danish Greenland operation entered official command under the Royal Danish Navy on 16 January. The vessel, which has been named Ejnar Mikkelsen (P571), is built for a wide range of arctic and coastal operations, like its predecessor. The newbuilding is expected to enter North Atlantic service at the end of February 2009 and follows the first vessel, Knud Rasmussen (P570), which was commissioned into the Royal Danish Navy on 18 February 2008.
Both vessels are powered by robust twin-engine medium-speed propulsion packages from MAN Diesel. The propulsion engines are two 8-cylinder L27/38 units, resiliently seated, each with a nominal rating of 2,720 kW at 800 r/min. The engines drive a MAN Diesel Alpha VBS 1080-series CP Propeller and an AVK shaft alternator through a Renk NDSL-2500 twin-in/single-out reduction gearbox. The propulsion equipment is ice-strengthened for operation through an ice thickness of 2.3 ft. The complete propulsion package, including local engine monitoring, control and safety systems, is controlled from the main bridge control station, from two indoor slave control stations, and from the engine control room stations via an Alphatronic 2000 system.
In the North Atlantic, the operational tasks of the OPVs Ejnar Mikkelsen and Knud Rasmussen will include fishery inspection, environment protection, search and rescue, sea surveillance, sovereignty assurance and assistance to the Danish/Greenlandic government. Both vessels are designed with an aft helicopter landing deck and an internal slipway for a 39.4 ft high-speed landing craft. This patrol vessel application takes full advantage of the well known virtues of medium-speed engines in long endurance operation und adverse conditions – e.g. robustness, high availability, and excellent operating economy and emissions levels. With its full-line of medium-speed engines, generator-sets, marine gears, propellers and complete propulsion systems, MAN Diesel is ideally placed to meet the requirements of naval and governmental vessels - which now generally place more emphasis on missions of longer range which can occur anywhere in the world. The new OPVs will replace two of the Royal Danish Navy’s smaller and old Agdlek-class Inspection Cutters from 1973. About the ship names: Mr. Knud Rasmussen (1879-1933) and Mr. Ejnar Mikkelsen (1880-1971) were arctic explorers, who both created numerous remarkable scientific results during their Greenland expeditions in the beginning of the last century.
http://sname.marinelink.com/snamestory.aspx?stid=214424
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Aero India 2009
US firms to go full throttle at Aero India 2009
Tuesday, 10 February , 2009, 10:56
Last Updated: Tuesday, 10 February , 2009, 10:58
Bangalore: Riding high on the winds of change in India-US ties since the signing of the civilian nuclear deal, American aerospace prowess will be at full throttle during the Aero India-2009 international air show beginning here on Wednesday.
"The US will be the largest participant at Aero India 2009 in terms of space taken up to showcase an array of military and civilian aircraft for static and flying displays. With a huge contingent, our presence will be larger than at any previous Indian air show," a US consulate official said.
Though the number of US firms participating in the five-day biannual event at 22 is lower than that of other countries, the presence of its aerospace majors such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, General Dynamics and Bell Helicopter with their fleet of fighter jets, transport planes, helicopters, hi-tech equipment and products will be a major attraction and show of strength.
Also read: Global fighter jets make a beeline for Aero India 2009
"Our participation in a big way highlights the US administration's commitment to increase defence cooperation with India and the importance it places in the international defence arena. Besides top military leaders and defence department officials, top officials of aerospace firms will be present at the event," the official said.
Owing to security and operational reasons, detailed information on the products and technologies being showcased and marketed by the participating firms have not been made public.
Lockheed's F-16 and Boeing's F/A-18F Super Hornet are in a hot race to win the Indian Air Force (IAF) contract for 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA). Both have flown in a couple of the combat-proven strike fighters for static and aerial demos with a full weapons payload involving breath-taking maneouvres twice a day at the Yelahanka air force station, 20 km from the city.
Vying with F-16 and F-18 in displaying air power will be Eurofighter Typhoon of EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space), Gripen of Saab, French Rafale of Dassault and Russian MiG-35 of MiG for the lucrative IAF order, estimated at about $10 billion (Rs 500 billion/Rs 50,000 crore).
"India's growing aero-space and defence industry offers significant opportunities for growth and productivity. Our participation will underscore our commitment to India and foster stronger ties with our Indian customers and partners," said Boeing India President Ian Thomas in a statement.
The recent comments of Secretary (defence production) Pradeep Kumar that the global meltdown would not impact India's military modernisation have reassured the global aerospace industry of the market potential in the sub-continent.
India plans to purchase military hardware valued at Rs1.4 trillion ($30 billion) over the next five years.
"The global meltdown is a reality but India's military modernisation will continue as before. There is no question of scaling down our modernisation plans," Kumar said in New Delhi on February 2.
In this context, the signing of the biggest-ever military deal with the US on January 5 for eight Boeing P8I Poseidon long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft for the Indian Navy has encouraged the global firm to pitch for more such deals from the Indian defence services.
Boeing's programme manager for airborne anti-submarine warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance Richard Buck will highlight the salient features of P-8I and P-8 reconnaissance aircraft.
The P8I, which is based on the Boeing-737 platform, has been specifically developed for the Indian Navy's requirements. The aircraft, which is still in the conception stage, is expected to fly by 2012.
The Boeing exhibit will also feature models of its commercial jets such as 787 Dreamliner, planes of the 777 family, the 747-8, freighter series and the next-generation 737 family, besides a range of products and services.
Boeing's rival Lockheed, which has bagged the $1-billion order for six C-130J Super Hercules aircraft for the Indian Air Force in early 2008, has roped in Indian ace shooter and Olympics gold medallist Abhinav Bindra to fly in the F-16 at the air show.
http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14854112&?vsv=TopHP1
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SAAB Provides AIS For Malaysia
2/9/2009 9:34:52 AM
Saab TransponderTech has been awarded a contract to supply a coastal Automatic Identification System (AIS) network for the east coast of the Malaysian peninsula and an integration of all AIS systems in the country.
The contract was awarded to Saab by the Marine Department in Malaysia, and the work is being completed in collaboration with Saab’s Malaysian partner, Maicons Technology.
Saab was contracted earlier to supply the AIS coastal network for the west coast of the Malaysian peninsula (Straits of Malacca) and the Sarawak installations. The contract has recently been completed and provides a fully integrated AIS-based Monitoring and Control System with complete coverage of the entire Malaysian coastline, stretching over 1,200 Nautical miles from east to west.
The Malaysian AIS system is based on Saab’s CoastWatch AIS Monitoring and Control System, which combines all of the surveillance stations into an integrated network. National CoastWatch AIS systems from Saab are in use in a dozen countries around the world.
(www.transpondertech.se)
http://sname.marinelink.com/snamestory.aspx?stid=214423
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Northrop Grumman Showcases Advanced Homeland Defence Capabilities at Aero India 2009
Multi-role electronically scanned array (MESA) radar mounted on the 737 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C)
15:06 GMT, February 8, 2009 Bangalore | Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) will highlight its range of key capabilities including airborne early warning and control systems for maritime reconnaissance, fire control radars and unmanned aerial vehicles at the Aero India 2009 exhibition and air show.
Aero India is organised by the Ministry of Defence, Government of India and managed by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and takes place at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru, India from Feb. 11-15, 2009. Northrop Grumman will be exhibiting in Hall E at stand number E24.
"India represents an important market in Asia for Northrop Grumman's industry-leading technologies and capabilities and we recognise India's changing needs particularly in homeland defence," said John Brooks, president Northrop Grumman International Inc. and vice-president business development for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems sector. "Our capabilities across the company are well matched to meeting India's growing aerospace, defence and national security requirements."
Among the exhibits on display will be a Northrop Grumman's world leading capabilities in airborne early warning and control. Featured will be the E-2 Hawkeye and 737 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C), multi-role electronically scanned array (MESA) radar.
An E-2 Hawkeye airborne early warning and battle management system crew workstation and flyable cockpit simulator aimed at demonstrating maritime reconnaissance will be on display.
Also on display will be a model of Northrop Grumman's AN/APG-80 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for the F-16IN Super Viper multi-role fighter aircraft.
The Fire Scout vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicle will also be featured.
Other programmes available for viewing will be models of directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM); the LITENING advanced airborne targeting and navigation pod; and the Longbow Apache radar and Longbow Hellfire missile system.
The company will also be promoting its LPD San Antonio-class Amphibious Warfare and Transport ship and the International Patrol Frigate, a versatile warship based on the multi-mission National Security Cutter currently operated by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Northrop Grumman's German subsidiary, Northrop Grumman LITEF, will also be exhibiting at Aero India and will be displaying its navigation systems for land vehicles, sensors for weapon stabilisation, inertial guidance systems for missiles and AHRS / navigation systems for fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Northrop Grumman LITEF will be in the German pavilion in Hall C at stand C26.5.
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See also:
Aero India 2009 Press Room
http://www.defpro.com/confairs/profile/aero_india/pressroom/
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/5388/
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CG to hold AIS meeting
Updated February 9, 2009 11:59:14 AM
The JOURNAL of COMMERCE ONLINE
The Coast Guard will hold a public meeting March 5 to discuss proposed new rules governing advance notice of arrival and departure, and expansion of the Automated Identification System.
The agency announced proposed rules in December to require smaller commercial vessels to transmit vessel information, passenger, crew and cargo lists to the agency 96 hours before arrival. There is also a new notice of departure component to the rule.
The Coast Guard also plans to extend AIS to include all navigable waters in the United States. Currently, the system is used on Vessel Traffic Service areas.
The meeting will take place at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington from 12:30-3 p.m. on March 5.
http://www.joc.com/articles/news.asp?section=ocean&sid=47797
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2009/02/10
Terror concerns: South Africans to need UK visas
BRITAIN’S Home Office is imposing tougher visa requirements on South Africans as it seeks to combat emerging new terror fronts.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said South Africans will need a visa to enter Britain in the future.
They do not require one now.
The change follows concern that terrorists are exploiting the availability of stolen or forged South African passports.
Security officials also say that South Africa has become a new base for terrorist activity.
Prosecutors have alleged that a defendant in the 2006 transatlantic terror plot flew to London from South Africa to lead the final stages of the plan to blow up at least seven airliners in suicide strikes. — Sapa-AP
http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=292608
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Raytheon to showcase defence tech at Aero India
AIM-9 ‘Sidewinder’
14:55 GMT, February 8, 2009 Bangalore | Global technology major Raytheon Company plans to showcase a variety of defence and security technologies at the 2009 Aero India trade show in Bangalore to be held from February 11 to Feb 15, 2009.
Raytheon, whose 2008 sales stood at $23.2 billion, offers a variety of products and services to meet India’s military and commercial needs. They include advanced technologies being offered for India’s Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft competition, as well as products in the homeland security, naval, air and missile defence, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance areas.
“India is a very important market for Raytheon,” said Walter Doran, president for Raytheon Asia. “We’re pleased to participate in Aero India and showcase the ways in which we can provide solutions for India’s military requirements and enhance our strong business partnership.”
Visitors to the Raytheon booth during Aero India will find a number of products on display including:
1) Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft
Raytheon’s AESA radar, electronic warfare systems and targeting pod offer technological capabilities that are among the most advanced being considered for India’s Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft competition. From towed decoys to an EW suite to advanced radar technology to air-to-air missiles and strike weapons, Raytheon intends to support the Indian Air Force with the best available technology and strong business relationships with members of Indian industry.
In addition, Raytheon’s air-to-air missiles and strike weapons are the most advanced in the world and being considered for India’s Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft competition. Products include: AIM-9 ‘Sidewinder’, High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM), Maverick, Joint Stand Off Weapon and Paveway laser guided bombs.
2) Homeland Security
With both military and civilian security applications, Raytheon offers solutions for situational and domain awareness. The company’s Athena system integrates, merges and displays data from multiple existing systems as a solution for port and border security. Another, RAID, elevates a suite of sensors on a tower or under an aerostat and provides persistent surveillance over a defined area in support of forward deployed forces, or for border and coastal surveillance.
In naval capabilities, Raytheon offers India and other allies the combat management system for current and future ships. Raytheon is also the only U.S. supplier of MK 54 lightweight torpedoes and MK 48 heavyweight torpedoes.
Raytheon is ready to assist the Indian Navy with the training and maintenance requirements for its technology. In 2007, when India acquired the INS ‘Jalashwa’ from the US Navy, the Indian Navy decided to retain the two Phalanx Close In Weapon Systems already onboard.
4) Air and Missile Defence
In air and missile defence, many countries of the world have deployed or are considering Raytheon’s Patriot, Hawk XXI and SL-AMRAAM systems. Patriot is a long-range, all-altitude, all-weather system. Hawk XXI is highly lethal against low-to-medium altitude systems, and SL-AMRAAM represents the next generation in advanced short-to-medium range air and missile defense systems.
Each system integrates with existing air defence systems and provides protection from threat aircraft, cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles. These products and technologies will be featured at the Aero India show.
5) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems
Raytheon’s Multi-Mission Maritime Capabilities on Display at Aero India Raytheon will highlight the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) radar capabilities behind the US Navy’s P-8A Poseidon program. As a member of Boeing’s P-8A industry team, Raytheon has offered its AN/APY-10 radar for the P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft contract with India.
6) Global ISR
At Aero India, Raytheon will feature its global intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance technologies – a suite of Raytheon defence technologies that can be tailored to the customer’s mission need. Global ISR technologies include the customer’s choice of aircraft, sensor, and complete integration of the system. The need for Global ISR solutions exceeds traditional military mission requirements with growing applications for port and border security, economic exclusion zone surveillance, and environmental, mineral and national resource protection.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/5385/
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Panama Canal forecasts drop in tonnage due to recession
Panama City (IANS): The Panama Canal Authority has forecast a 5 per cent drop in cargo tonnage going through the waterway in the 2008-09 fiscal year as cargo transit has been badly hit by the ongoing economic crisis, EFE reported on Tuesday.
The authority, known as the ACP, said on Monday it was expecting a 5 per cent fall in transit volume this year to 294.1 million tonnes, nearly 19.9 million tonnes less than that of the previous year.
Rodolfo Sabonge, Marketing Director of ACP, said the forecasts are nonetheless subject to the way the US and other countries stricken by the world financial crisis manage to reactivate their economies.
Sabonge said the ship traffic going through the canal was also affected by high fuel costs and the devaluation of the dollar.
The canal closed the 2008 fiscal year, which ended Sep 30, with a total of 14,702 crossings, or 12.9 per cent less than the previous year.
However, toll revenues in 2008 totalled $1.32 billion, an increase of 11.3 per cent over the previous year, the official said.
Since the U.S. transferred the canal to Panama December 31, 1999, up to the fiscal year 2008, the ACP has collected some $10.8 billion, of which it has turned over to the Government $3.27 billion.
The U.S., which administered the canal between 1904 and 1999, gave Panama some $1.5 billion in all those years for the use of its privileged geographic position between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/006200902101013.htm
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U.S. Congressional Cut to E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Puts 350 Jobs At Risk
15:58 GMT, February 6, 2009 ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. | Calling a $200-plus million cut to production procurement for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye a "high risk" move that will put U.S. jobs and global security at risk, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and its 280-member supplier team is calling on Congressional leaders to restore the funding. The reduction in funding jeopardizes the building of production aircraft initially planned in fiscal years 2009 and 2010.
"We've just completed a very successful Operational Assessment with our two E-2D Advanced Hawkeye System Development & Demonstration (SD&D) aircraft and we are on schedule with our three pilot production aircraft. There is a great sense of urgency today to restore production procurement dollars into the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye budget-otherwise hundreds of U.S. jobs will be lost and taxpayers will not derive the benefit of economies of scale," said Tom Vice, sector vice president for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems sector. "We have the manufacturing capacity now to accommodate up to ten E-2D's a year, which certainly supports the Navy's plan to contract for 70 more aircraft. More importantly, these budget cuts may delay Initial Operating Capability beyond the Navy's current program of record."
Vice said the SD&D program has been performing very well, is meeting all contract commitments, and is currently on track for Milestone C in Spring 2009. "We entered flight test in 2007 in accordance with program milestones established at Milestone B in 2003. In August 2007, we were granted, via an Acquisition Decision Memorandum, release of Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lot 1 Long Lead Procurement. We have been successfully managing this program and are achieving all technical and program milestones. I can't understand this draconian cut now to what is widely recognized as a 'model' major defense acquisition program."
"We have major concerns about the jobs impact and here's why. Northrop Grumman and its 280 suppliers will make their final E-2C Hawkeye deliveries this year, as well as transfer our two SD&D aircraft to Patuxent River Naval Air Station. During this critical transition to LRIP, a reduction in the number of aircraft the Navy had planned to produce has dramatic consequences. This will increase the unit cost to the Navy by approximately 20 percent. It will mean a loss of 350 jobs across our supplier base in 38 U.S. states beginning in the first quarter of 2009. This loss will erode the highly skilled workforce, particularly in the state of Florida, that has been dedicated to this program for decades," said Program Manager Jim Culmo, vice president of Airborne Early Warning and Battle Management Command and Control Programs. "Getting these critical skills back once they are gone is going to be extremely challenging."
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is the Navy's carrier-based Airborne Early Warning and Battle Management Command and Control system, providing Theater Air and Missile Defense. Utilizing the newly developed AN/APY-9 Mechanically and Electronically Scanned Array Radar and the Cooperative Engagement Capability system, the Advanced Hawkeye works in concert with surface combatants equipped with the Aegis combat system and F/A-18E/F aircraft to detect, track and defeat cruise missile threats at extended range, providing battle group commanders required reaction time.
"Without Advanced Hawkeye operating from the decks of our nation's aircraft carriers, our joint forces operating in all warfighting scenarios will be at serious risk," Vice said. "In today's environment, we need to reduce the risk to our troops, not add to it."
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/5378/
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EU and Seychelles reach new tuna fishing deal
Mon Feb 9, 2009 3:17pm GMT
By George Thande
Workers offload tuna from a fishing boat in Port Victoria, Seychelles, August 4, 2008.
REUTERS/George Thande
VICTORIA (Reuters) - European Union boats have resumed fishing in the Seychelles' tuna-rich waters after officials negotiated a new licensing deal with the islands' government.
Fisheries is a key source of foreign exchange for the Seychelles' heavily indebted economy. Deadlock three weeks ago over licence renewal terms led to EU vessels being suspended from fishing in the archipelago's waters.
"The European Commission will pay 9 million euros in licence fees for the operations of 40 vessels in our waters over the next year," Veronique Herminie, principal secretary for the Ministry of Natural Resources, told Reuters on Monday.
She said that, besides this sum -- the same as last year's fee -- the Commission would pay 1.7 million euros in compensation for excess catches during 2006 and 2007.
Last month, a source at the Seychelles Fishing Authority said the country wanted to earn more than 10 percent of the resource's value through the licence fee, rather than the current 3-to-5 percent.
France and Spain both base purse-seine net fleets in the Indian Ocean archipelago's capital, Victoria, which handles about 350,000 tonnes of tuna a year. They resumed fishing on Sunday.
Tuna fleets have suffered two rough years as stocks in the northwestern Indian ocean have declined and Somali pirates have blocked access to some of the most lucrative fishing grounds.
"I am happy with the results of the talks," said Pierre Amilhat, the Commission's director-general for international affairs and marketing. He did not confirm the government's figures.
Tuna is the Seychelles' second-largest sector after tourism, employing one in five of its workforce. Victoria is home to Indian Ocean Tuna, one of the world's largest tuna-canning factories, producing 240 million cans a year.
Tourism revenues are expected to fall by 10 percent this year and the central bank predicts the economy will contract by at least 0.5 percent.
http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE5180IZ20090209
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BAE Systems to display UAVs at Aero show
14:50 GMT, February 8, 2009 BANGALORE |Mantis, a new autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) being developed by BAE Systems, would be making its international debut at the Aero India 2009, starting here on February 11.
A full size 'Mantis' and 'Herti' (another UAV) would be displayed outside the BAE Systems pavilion. The Mantis UAV advanced concept technology demonstrator programme brings together technologies, capabilities and systems that will demonstrate the potenti al of a large unmanned autonomous aircraft, BAE Systems said in a release.
The company will have its biggest ever presence at Aero India, an event it has attended every year since its inception. The company is taking a large stand alone pavilion, not a booth inside the halls. Its theme for the event is Autonomy -- specific ally autonomous air vehicles.
Inside the pavilion, BAE Systems would be displaying products from across its aerospace capabilities, including Typhoon and Hawk, but also some products not displayed in India before such as special seating for helicopters that protect aircrew for spinal injuries in crashes and hard landing.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/5383/
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Croation drug case remanded
9 February 2009, 12:35
A Croatian national accused of involvement in one of South Africa's largest drug busts appeared briefly in the Durban Magistrates Court on Monday.
Guarded by six heavily armed policemen, the sailor Branimir Orac, 31, entered the dock just before midday, facing a charge of dealing in cocaine.
More than R200-million worth of the drug was seized on board a ship, M/V Senator, which docked in Durban about two weeks ago.
The Liberian-registered ship was en route from South America to Namibia.
An interpreter had been appointed but the case was remanded to February 26 for instructions to be handed to Orac's newly appointed attorney, John Lister.
Orac, who had not yet applied for bail, would remain in police custody at the Camperdown police cells. - Sapa
http://www.dailynews.co.za/?fSectionId=500&fArticleId=nw20090209122722320C802177
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Commander of missile cruiser that ran aground loses post
Journal Staff and Wire Report
Published: February 10, 2009
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii -- The commanding officer of the $1 billion Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser that ran aground off Honolulu has been relieved of duty, the Navy said yesterday.
Rear Adm. Dixon R. Smith, the commander of Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, relieved Capt. John Carroll of his duties pending the results of an investigation into Thursday's incident. Yesterday, the Navy freed the USS Port Royal, which had been stuck for more than three days.
http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009/feb/10/commander-of-missile-cruiser-that-ran-aground-lose/
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Russian border guards detain foreign vessel for alleged poaching
09:22| 09/ 02/ 2009
YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK, February 9 (RIA Novosti) - A foreign vessel flying a Cambodian flag has been detained on suspicion of poaching of crab in the Pacific Ocean, near Russia's largest island of Sakhalin, a regional coast guard spokeswoman said on Tuesday.
The vessel with 10 Russian and five Indonesian crew members had some 900 kilograms of live crab on board when it was stopped in the Tatar Strait, a channel dividing mainland Russia and Sakhalin Island.
"There were no documents permitting fishing in the territorial waters of Russia. The detained vessel is being escorted to the port of Nevelsk for further investigation," the spokeswoman said.
Last year, Russia launched a crackdown on the illegal export of crab and other seafood. At least 20 boats, including several foreign vessels, were detained by Russia last year.
http://en.rian.ru/world/20090209/120040520.html
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China may unveil support plan for shipbuilding industry
Tuesday, Feb 10, 2009
It is reported that with the revitalizing programs for iron and steel automobile, textile and equipment manufacturing industries all approved, that for the shipbuilding industry, which is expected to be approved by the state council soon, is attracting attention now.
Let's see how bad the industry has been hit by the financial crisis. In the second half of 2008, ship orders of 20 million DWT were cancelled. Besides, China's ship makers got new ship orders of only 20,000 DWT, declining by 99.8%YoY and making itself the lowest both in the year and in the same periods in history.
Mr Song qun secretary of scholarship committee of the National Development and Reform Commission as an industry used to be included in the range of equipment manufacturing along with sectors such as machinery and coal equipments etc, the shipbuilding industry has become an independent industry listed among China's nine major industries. This hinges on our national condition, and China has become the world's third largest ship maker now.
According to an agency which had engaged in drawing the program the revitalizing program is drawn on the prerequisite of the medium and long term development plan of the shipbuilding industry made up in 2007, and resolving the pressing problem caused by the economic recession.
It is introduced that the stimulus package contains financial support, management strengthening, removing obsolete ships and so on. It will help some to merger or take over others, and turn some into complement manufacturers of shipbuilding groups.
A person from the agency said "There are many items in the program. He said the program mainly aims to help the industry to develop soundly and steadily, and increase the market share of finished units to 35% from current 28% and that of on-sea-project rigs from current 5% to 10%. Other initiatives include technological reform, structural adjustment, enterprise regroups and so on, and the program will finally build two shipbuilding groups into world-class enterprises.
http://www.yourshipbuildingnews.com/china+may+unveil+support+plan+for+shipbuilding+industry_23494.html
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`Resist US mediation on patrolling in Bay of Bengal’
February 10th, 2009 - 12:59 pm ICT by IANS
Dhaka, Feb 10 (IANS) The US offer to Dhaka to assist in patrolling sea lanes in the Bay of Bengal would lead to “naval dominance” that would be detrimental to the interests of Bangladesh, India and Myanmar, a daily has warned.
The three main players in the bay searching for hydrocarbons should resolve their maritime boundaries amicably and mutually and not invite any outsider, New Age newspaper said in an editorial.
Recalling the US’s control of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, the newspaper said the offer that was made last Sunday by visiting US assistant secretary of state Richard Boucher, although appearing “innocuous” was “wolf in sheep’s clothing”.
Although Boucher had rejected the notion that the US planned to have a military presence in the bay or set up a naval base, “the offer had a terrifying resonance though dressed in the clothing of goodwill”.
“While Bangladesh has longstanding maritime boundary disputes with neighbours India and Myanmar that have gone unresolved for the past 38 years, seeking a military solution, that too with the aid of US military prowess will likely be a deadly endgame in which Bangladesh might see its interests compromised, its standing in the region, and its territorial sovereignty, though US corporate and geo-strategic interests may be served,” the newspaper warned.
“… we want to politely remind the people of Myanmar and India - and their respective governments - that a US naval dominance in the Bay of Bengal is as much a threat to their geostrategic interests and goals as it is to our territorial sovereignty.
“Not only will the entire region find itself gradually succumbing to US military and consequently economic control, it is almost axiomatic now that a friendly alignment with US military-corporate interests earns nations more enemies than they can count, making small nations complicit in military aggression and corporate oppression that they can neither stop nor disown,” the newspaper said.
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/resist-us-mediation-on-patrolling-in-bay-of-bengal_100153173.html
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Shipment of cocaine to Romania stopped in Brazil
The Associated Press
Published: February 9, 2009
BUCHAREST, Romania: The U.S. Embassy in Romania says almost 4 tons of cocaine in containers bound for Romania were seized in the Brazilian port city of Paranagua.
A statement from the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest says the cocaine was concealed in a wood shipment.
The statement released Monday says the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency worked together with Brazil's federal police on the operation leading to the drug seizure on Feb. 5.
It says Romanian authorities provided intelligence after Romanian police discovered 1.2 tons of cocaine on a vessel moored in a Black Sea port and arrested four people. The containers with drugs had come from Paranagua and were registered as a timber shipment.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/02/09/europe/EU-Romania-Brazil-Cocaine-Seizure.php
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India to set up grassroot level force to guarantee coastal security
www.chinaview.cn 2009-02-09 17:28:43
NEW DELHI, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- India is planning to constitute a "grassroot" coastal command under the Home Ministry to assist the country's Navy and para-military Coast Guard in guaranteeing coastal security, said an Indian official Monday.
"To counter the sea threat and ensure integrated security, the Center (central government) has ambitious plans and the Coastal Command is part of it. The coastal force would keep vigil at the grassroot level," Indian Home Minister P.Chidambaram told the media Monday in the southern state of Kerala.
However, he said that the decision on the details of setting upof the coastal command would be taken in a few days by the government.
Chidambaram's comments came in the wake of the recent terror attacks in the country's financial capital Mumbai in November, in which at least 173 people were killed and over 308 sustained injured. The attackers allegedly entered India across the Arabian Sea to Mumbai.
With over 60,000 active personnel, the Indian Navy operates more than 155 vessels and its primary objective is to secure national maritime borders.
Editor: Wang Yan
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-02/09/content_10789266.htm
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Indian Army validates its amphibious capability
By Our Staff Reporter
Bhopal, Feb 9: Indian Armed Forces on Monday witnessed a major exercise by all the three services - Army, Navy and Air Force - 'Tropex-09' off the Western seaboard that showcased India's capability to launch a large and potent amphibious force in the blue waters of the Indian Ocean region. The three C-in-Cs and other senior officers of the three services witnessed the exercise. The exercise was preceded by intense training over the last six months in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal which included the recently concluded exercise 'Triveni' in Lakshadweep Islands.
Over 4000 personnel of 91 Infantry Brigade Group of the Sudarshan Chakra Corps with tanks and BMOs, guns and engineering equipment, Naval personnel on board the huge fleet of ships and air force personnel, fighter and transport aircrafts, participated in the exercise. The event demonstrated capabilities of the Services to launch the brigade, supported by multi-dimensional support of the marine commandos, the army special forces and the Indian Airforce by para dropping free fall and helicopter borne operations using Naval and Airforce helicopters. The event was seamless, exemplifying a very high degree of joint action between the three Services.
INS Jalashwa, the latest acquisition of the Indian Navy and the second largest ship after INS Viraat provided the major carrier for the amphibious task force that demonstrated the enhanced standoff capability now available with the Indian Navy. The exercise has brought to the fore the resolve to guard our shores as also to conduct decisive amphibious operations in pursuance of our security concerns and strategic interests.
http://www.centralchronicle.com/20090210/1002022.htm
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Russian frigate returns home after anti-piracy duty off Somalia
12:34 | 08/ 02/ 2009
KALININGRAD, February 8 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian missile frigate Neustrashimy, which took part in the anti-pirate operations in the Gulf of Aden, returned to its home port of Baltiysk on Sunday.
The Pacific Fleet's Admiral Vinogradov destroyer replaced the Baltic Fleet frigate in the Gulf of Aden in January and is now escorting civilian vessels through areas where Somali pirates are active.
The Neustrashimy was met in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad by Governor Georgy Boos, Baltic Fleet Commander Viktor Mardusin and government officials from Moscow and St. Petersburg.
The Neustrashimy entered service 16 years ago and since last September has been on duty in the Mediterranean and Red seas, escorting over 50 commercial vessels through the Gulf of Aden since joining international anti-pirate operations off the coast of Somali in late October.
It is the only Project 1154 Yastreb class missile frigate in active service with the Russian Navy to have been built before the collapse of the Soviet Union. It is designed as a general purpose ASW ship to follow on from the Krivak class frigates and incorporates some stealth technology.
The Neustrashimy's armament includes SS-N-25 Switchblade anti-ship missiles, SA-N-9 Gauntlet SAM, a 100-mm gun, torpedoes and depth charges. The frigate also carries a Ka-27 ASW helicopter.
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20090208/120037504.html
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Export Privileges Denied to Iranian Co.
Monday, February 09, 2009
The U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued an order temporarily denying export privileges to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, as well as two related companies. The order relies on evidence that the parties are about to engage in conduct prohibited by the Export Administration Regulations by re-exporting US-origin items.
Specifically, it appears that the parties are planning to re-export from South Africa a Bladerunner 51 powerboat, known as the Bradstone Challenger, for use by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Under the Order, no person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States may take any action that facilitates this re-exportation. 74 Fed. Reg. 6265 (February 6, 2009).
(Source: Holland & Knight)
http://marinelink.com/en-US/News/Article/Export-Privileges-Denied-to-Iranian-Co/329632.aspx
Monday, February 09, 2009
Stopping Iran from getting "go-fasts"
MarineLink notes Export Privileges Denied to Iranian Co.. Links to a Holland & Knight report that export of a high speed boat for the Iranian Republican Guards has been forbidden by the Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security ("BIS") here. Useful information: Tadbir Sanaat Sharif Technology Development Center (TSS hereafter) and Icarus Marine (Pty) Ltd. are essentially defendants and there was a scheme to smuggle a high speed boat to South Africa and then to Iran and the ruling herein is aimed to prevent that. The ruling
In its request, BIS has presented evidence that the Respondents are about to engage in conduct prohibited by the EAR by re-exporting U.S.-origin items, which are subject to the Regulations and classified as Export Control Classification Number (‘‘ECCN’’) 8A992.f and .g, from South Africa to a Specially Designated National (‘‘SDN’’)located in Iran using a specially designated blocked vessel, owned by a Specially Designated National, to complete the transaction. Specifically, BIS has reason to believe that TSS has been attempting to procure a Bladerunner 51 powerboat, a vessel known as the ‘‘Bradstone Challenger,’’ for use by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (‘‘IRGC’’), specifically the IRGC Navy, to be transported to Iran on an IRISL vessel. The Bradstone Challenger will imminently be re-exported from South Africa on an IRISL vessel called the M/V ‘‘Diplomat,’’ also known as the ‘‘Iran Diplomat,’’ with a vessel registration identification number IMO 8309701. IRISL and its entire fleet, including the Diplomat, is also listed in the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals list as is the IRGC, pursuant to Executive Order 13382 and as identified by OFAC in Appendix A to 31 CFR Chapter V. The designation identifies those parties determined to be weapons of mass destruction proliferators or their supporters as well as blocked vessels. Under Section 744.8(a) of the Regulations,2 no person may export or re-export an item subject to the Regulations to any person designated pursuant to that Executive Order without a license from BIS.
The Bradstone Challenger is powered with two U.S.-origin Caterpillar C18 engines and two Arneson surface drives, items subject to the Regulations and classified under Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 8A992.g. Because it contains greater than a 10 percent de minimis of U.S.-origin items, the Bradstone Challenger is also subject to the Regulations if proposed for export or re-export to Iran and is classified as ECCN 8A992.f. According to publicly available sources, the Bladerunner 51 has top speeds from 55 knots to in excess of 65 knots (or 74 miles per hour). No license was obtained from BIS for export or re-export of the U.S.-origin parts contained within the powerboat, nor the vessel itself.
Nonetheless, BIS has produced evidence that TSS is purchasing the powerboat, which is intended to be sent from Durban, South Africa. Icarus Marine is attempting to send the Bradstone Challenger to Iran.
TSS is believed to be purchasing the Bradstone Challenger for use by the IRGC Navy. There is publicly available evidence of prior dealings between the two entities. The TSS Web site, under its ‘‘About Us’’ section, lists an affiliate of Icarus Marine as a company with whom TSS has had ‘‘prosperous cooperation.’’
In this transaction, Icarus Marine is attempting to send the Bradstone Challenger from the port in Durban to Iran on the IRISL vessel Diplomat, with the end-user to be the IRGC Navy. Multiple public sources indicate that Iran and its military have invested substantially in developing its naval forces. The IRGC Navy has been involved in enhancing its asymmetric naval warfare capabilities.
These capabilities include exploiting enemy vulnerabilities through the use of ‘‘swarming’’ tactics by well-armed small boats and fast-attack craft, to mount surprise attacks at unexpected times and places. Accordingly, BIS has a significant concern that the vessel will be utilized by the IRGC as a fast attack craft. According to published reports, similar vessels have been armed with torpedoes, rocket launchers, and antiship missiles.
The all new Bladerunner 51 is the current flagship model to the Bladerunner Series. Powered by twin 1000hp Caterpillar C18 inboard engines combined with a pair of Arneson surface drives, with a top speed in excess of 65 knots (74 mph) in full leisure format, the all new Bladerunner 51 is one of the fastest luxury high performance sports cruisers in production in the world today. In late 2005, this remarkable boat smashed the Round Britain World Record in an astonishing 27hrs and 10mins at an average speed of 63.5mph, proving its astounding offshore capabilities.
http://marinelink.com/en-US/News/Article/Export-Privileges-Denied-to-Iranian-Co/329632.aspx
http://www.eaglespeak.us/
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ADDC gets design contract of Gripen fighter aircraft
Express News Service
First Published : 10 Feb 2009 07:57:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 10 Feb 2009 10:41:22 AM IST
BANGALORE: The Aeronautical Design and Development Centre (ADDC) bagged a multi-million multi-year contract from Swedish arms manufacturer SAAB to participate in the design and development of Gripen NG (Next Generation) fighter aircraft.
This is the first contract being awarded to ADDC, which was set up by SAAB in partnership with IT bellwether Tata Consultancy Services in September 2008. ADDC was established to create design and development capabilities within India for both military and civil aeronautical applications. It will address market opportunities in areas such as aero structures, aero systems, avionics and after market support.
India is evaluating the Gripen for its tender for 126 multi-role combat aircraft. The company is offering Gripen IN, a version of Gripen Next Generation for India’s tender. SAAB officials informed that the company executives will hold discussions with Indian Air Force top brass during Aero India and follow up on the status of the tender. The present generation of Gripen aircraft is in service with Swedish Air Force, Czech Air Force, Hungarian Air Force and South African Air Force and has been ordered by the Royal Thai Air Force.
The next generation Gripen will sport a newer engine with increased fuel capacity, higher payload, upgraded avionics and other improvements.
Gripen NG may be ready by 2013.
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=ADDC+gets+design+contract+of+Gripen+fighter+aircraft&artid=EG5JGuQyfQo=&SectionID=Qz/kHVp9tEs=&MainSectionID=wIcBMLGbUJI=&SectionName=UOaHCPTTmuP3XGzZRCAUTQ==&SEO=
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No standoff between Indian sub, Chinese warship: Chinese media
9 Feb 2009, 1706 hrs IST, IANS
HONG KONG: Reports of a standoff between Chinese warships and an Indian submarine in the Gulf of Aden were false, Chinese media reports said Monday.
The online edition of the South China Morning Post said that reports of Chinese warships, patrolling the region against Somalia-based pirates, being stalked by a Indian submarine pertained to a military drill last year and had no factual basis.
The report, which first appeared in the Chinese daily Qingdao Zaobao Tuesday, said the Indian submarine "stalked" the Chinese warships and they were "locked in a tense standoff for at least half an hour" after which the Indian submarine was forced to surface.
The submarine and the two warships were involved in several rounds of manoeuvring during which both sides evidently tried to test each other's sonar systems for weaknesses, the Qingdao Zaobao report said.
An Indian Navy spokesperson had said in New Delhi that "no Indian submarine surfaced in the area" where the incident is said to have occurred.
The Chinese report had been picked up by numerous mainland Chinese websites a day later. But the name of the source newspaper was changed to Qingdao Chenbao when it appeared on mainland websites.
A Qingdao Zaobao editor refused to clarify the matter and told the South China Morning Post that he did not want to talk about the incident.
Chinese warships, as also those from India and other nations, have been patrolling in the waters off the Gulf of Aden, one of the world's busiest sea routes, to prevent pirate attacks.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/No_standoff_between_Indian_sub_Chinese_warship/articleshow/4100270.cms
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Accident Damages French Nuclear Submarine
Monday, Feb. 9, 2009
A collision with an underwater object last week damaged a French submarine carrying nuclear-armed missiles, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, Jan. 27).
Le Triomphant returned to its home port in northwest France after hitting the object, which was most likely a container.
The accident damaged the vessel's sonar dome, but "did not result in injuries among the crew and did not jeopardize nuclear security at any moment," according to a French navy statement.
France's sea-based nuclear deterrent was established in 1971. The nation today has four submarines equipped to carry nuclear warheads (Agence France-Presse/The Tocqueville Connection, Feb. 6).
http://www.globalsecuritynewswire.org/gsn/nw_20090209_2471.php
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DATE:09/02/09
SOURCE:Flight International
Australia nears decisions on Boeing P-8A, BAMS participation
By Stephen Trimble
The US Navy has confirmed ongoing negotiations with Australia to join the Boeing P-8A programme, while a separate decision on taking a similar role in its Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) effort is also imminent.
The long-awaited memorandum of understanding on the P-8A, if approved, would allow Australian military and industry personnel to participate in the development of the Spiral 1 version of the 737-based anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol aircraft, says Capt Bob Dishman, the USN's BAMS programme manager.
Boeing is scheduled to deliver the first Spiral 1 aircraft to the USN under a $150 million upgrade package in 2015, two years after a version with a baseline mission system based on the 2004 configuration of its Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion fleet enters service.
Australia and Canada declined the USN's invitation in 2005 to invest $300 million to be co-operative development partners in the P-8A programme. India last month signed a $2.1 billion deal for six P-8Is, but will not be involved in the development phase.
It is not clear how much Australia would invest in the Spiral 1 development programme, but Dishman notes that the US military generally seeks to recoup 10% of its development costs through such transactions.
Meanwhile, the USN is expecting a final decision on Australia's role in the BAMS development programme. Canberra has already missed two self-imposed deadlines for making a decision, in November 2008 and January, but its newly installed Rudd government could decide on a BAMS role any day, Dishman says.
The USN signed a $1.1 billion contract with Northrop Grumman in August to develop the RQ-4N Global Hawk unmanned air vehicle for the BAMS requirement. It plans to replace more than 220 P-3Cs with a combination of 108 manned P-8As and 68 RQ-4Ns. Australia's Project 7000 proposes to replace about 20 P-3Cs with at least six RQ-4Ns and perhaps a dozen P-8As.
The RQ-4N will feature a new active electronically scanned array radar called the Northrop multifunction active sensor. In addition to inverse synthetic aperture radar and maritime search modes, Australia also requires a ground moving target indicator mode for the overland mission.
Australian industry could also be tapped to develop a unique interface between the ground control station and the country's system for processing and distributing intelligence data.
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/02/09/322198/australia-nears-decisions-on-boeing-p-8a-bams-participation.html
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Civilian ship repurposed to help anti-piracy effort
By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Tuesday, February 10, 2009
A civilian cargo ship drafted by the U.S. Navy to fight high-seas piracy has been equipped as the first U.S. vessel that can temporarily hold captured suspects, officials said.
The USNS Lewis and Clark, usually used to haul cargo and ammunition, has been reconfigured to hold as many as 26 suspected pirates — signaling a paradigm shift in the Navy’s counterpiracy missions, which previously did not allow for the capture of such suspects.
An agreement between the U.S. State Department and the Kenyan government signed in mid-January supplied "the missing link" that now lets U.S. military and coalition nations capture suspected pirates and then turn them over to Kenya for prosecution, said Lt. Nathan Christensen, a spokesman with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet.
The Lewis and Clark joined Combined Task Force 151 as "a staging platform," from which the Navy can launch either of the SH-60 Navy helicopters now assigned to the ship, or serve as a temporary holding center for suspected pirates.
Currently, no one is being held onboard.
The ship’s crew, reduced from 158 to 118 civilian and military mariners to accommodate its new mission, reconfigured part of the ship as a holding area. Crews set down matting and blankets, and the ship’s steward set aside foods like rice and beans, the ship’s master, civilian mariner Capt. William McCarthy, said Monday in a phone interview.
"Although this mission is unique, it’s not unique to support a military operation," McCarthy said. "Military Sealift Command operates ships around the world, and we’re quite frequently asked to support military missions."
The Lewis and Clark left the States in September for a scheduled 11-month deployment, he said.
In January, the Navy stood up its anti-piracy task force, setting out to patrol and monitor 1.1 million square miles of water, including the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea; shipping lanes used by roughly 23,000 commercial vessels a year.
On any given day, Christensen said, the seas are patrolled by roughly 14 coalition and non-coalition navies; drawing together such nations as Russia, China and Malaysia, among others.
Since December, pirates have seized seven vessels, but only one since the task force’s inception on Jan. 15, Christensen said. Last year, pirates received an estimated $30 million in ransoms after seizing more than 40 vessels off the Somali coast. Last week, pirates released the Ukrainian cargo ship MV Faina, held since September with a cargo of tanks and other military weapons, after receiving a reported $3.2 million ransom.
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=60602
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First Shivalik-class frigate ready for trial
NEWSX
07 February, 2009 08:11:58
The first of the three Shivalik-class stealth frigates being built at Mazagon Dock is ready for sea trials in March-April.
"We are taking the frigate for sea trials after March. We may deliver them either before the monsoon or after," an official of Mazagon Dock told PTI.
In fact, work has already begun on the second and third frigates, and the company expects to finish and deliver them by 2010, the official said.
The building of the Shivalik was launched in 2003 and the rest in 2004 and 2005 as part of Project 17 –the Centre's indigenous programme to build mutli-role surface ships.
The stealth frigate is designed to avoid enemy radars and works on principles of reducing the ship's signature.
The ship is fitted with a mix of Indian, Russian and Western weapons systems along with both air defence and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
The frigate also carries two advanced helicopters. The total length of the ship is 142.5 metres and breadth 16.90 metres. Its total displacement is 4,900 tonne and is powered by gas and diesel turbines.
The dock is also building six Scorpene submarines; the delivery of the first of these has to be done before 2012 and the last by 2017.
It also has an order to deliver three destroyers for the Indian Navy, and the work on the interiors of a destroyer has already begun. Nevertheless, the official informed that it would take a couple of years before the first destroyer is delivered.
With work already running behind schedule, a modernisation programme - at an investment of Rs 826 crore over three years - is now being put into action. The Indian Navy is bearing the cost of modernisation.
The Netherlands-based Royal Haskoning has been appointed as consultant for the programme.
The modernisation programme includes bringing in a Goliath crane facility of 300-tonnes, a modular workshop, a cradle assembly shop and a wet basin.
"The need for a new basin has been felt for some time, as the existing berthing facilities within the shipyard are limited to one wet basin, which can berth only two-three warships," the official said.
This programme aims at meeting the future maritime requirements of the country and would go a long way towards speeding up processes by modular construction, lifting of larger sections and generating additional berthing space of ships, the official said.
http://howrah.org/headlines/39295.html
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R20 000 for catching transporting sharks
10 February 2009, 10:05
By Kamini Padayachee
A fisherman pleaded guilty in the Port Shepstone Magistrate's Court on Monday to illegal commercial fishing and transporting tiger sharks in a protected marine area.
In terms of a plea bargain agreement with the state, the fisherman, Rustin Naidoo, 23, was ordered to pay an effective R20 000.
Naidoo and his father, Valayithum Naidoo, 49, were charged in February last year after they were seen by tourists bringing three headless sharks to the shore at Rocky Bay, Umkomaas.
The sharks were loaded into a bakkie and driven away. It was reported at the time that the sharks had been caught at Aliwal Shoal on the South Coast a, marine protected area.
The pair were charged with contravening a regulation that bans catching, transporting and possessing certain fish in marine protected areas, and with contravening a section of the Marine Living Resources Act for undertaking commercial fishing without a licence.
All charges against Naidoo's father were withdrawn.
In court on Monday, Naidoo pleaded guilty to both charges.
In his written plea agreement, he said he had been the skipper of his fishing boat Lucky Lady, in the company of four crew, on the day of the incident.
He said one of his crew had caught the tiger sharks outside the Aliwal Shoal and that he had unlawfully transported the fish through the shoal, knowing his actions were illegal.
Naidoo also admitted he and his crew had been engaged in commercial fishing on the day without having a permit.
In mitigation of sentence, Naidoo said he regretted his actions and had only transported the sharks through the shoal to use the nearest landing site at Rocky Bay.
The alternative route would have meant travelling a further 80km to land at Durban harbour and he had had insufficient fuel to do so.
He added he had applied for a commercial fishing licence in December 2007, but his application had not been received by the fisheries department in Cape Town and had not been processed.
He obtained his permit after the incident.
One of the aggravating factors noted in the agreement was that a high expectation of compliance was placed upon commercial fishermen because of the potential large scale damage they could cause to the marine environment.
Magistrate Johan Bester handed down the agreed sentence drawn up by the state and the defence.
Naidoo was sentenced to a R50 000 fine or two years' imprisonment, of which R30 000 or one year's imprisonment was suspended for five years on condition he is not found guilty of the same crimes in that period.
Naidoo was ordered to pay R5 000 of the fine yesterday and the balance in monthly instalments of R2 000.
kamini.padayachee@inl.co.za
This article was originally published on page 4 of The Cape Times on February 10, 2009
http://www.thepost.co.za/?fSectionId=&fArticleId=vn20090210064805298C345977
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Thales to modernize Netherlands' M-Frigates radar suite
Artist Impression of updated sensor suite - Thales
06 February 2009
The Netherlands' Defence Materiel Organization and Thales Nederland signed a contract for the delivery of SEASTAR and GATEKEEPER sensors that are to be installed on the two M-class frigates.
The modernization will take place in 2011 and 2012 in the scope of the M-frigates' upkeep program. Simultaneously, a contract was signed for the delivery of a GATEKEEPER system that will be installed on the LPD Johan de Witt.
The M-Class frigates were introduced in the nineties and were intended for air defence and submarine warfare in the Atlantic. However, these ships are deployed mainly in littoral waters to counter frontier-running, pollution, drugs trafficking and piracy. The SEASTAR and GATEKEEPER sensors provide the vessels with the capability to detect the small targets encountered in such situations. The two new sensors will be matched with the tried-and-true SMART-S surveillance radar and the STIR weapon control radar that are on board of the M-frigates.
This contract includes an option for the same modernization of the two M-Frigates that have been purchased by the Belgian Navy in 2005. The Joint Support Ship that will be built for the RNLN is expected to be equipped with an Integrated Mast, similar to the Mast on the OPVs that also includes SEASTAR and GATEKEEPER.
This contract marks another step in the long-standing and very successful cooperation between the Royal Netherlands Navy and Thales Nederland and proves that Thales's systems can be integrated in existing platform configurations.
Note to editors
SEASTAR is a non-rotating active phased array radar for naval surface surveillance. The system automatically detects and tracks asymmetric threats and very small objects such as swimmers, periscopes in all weather conditions. SEASTAR can also be used for helicopter guidance. SEASTAR has been contracted for two ship classes at present.
GATEKEEPER is a 360° panoramic electro-optical surveillance and alerter system based on IR/TV technology. Designed to counter emerging asymmetric threats down to small boats and swimmers, GATEKEEPER increases short-range situational awareness in littoral environments. GATEKEEPER has been contracted for two ship classes at present.
http://www.thalesgroup.com/netherlands/Press-Room/Press-Release-search-all/Press-Release-search-result/Press-Release-Article2.html?link=64770903-4737-020a-1658-144a543c1323:central&locale=EN-gb&Title=Thales+to+modernize+Netherlands%27+M-Frigates+radar+suite&dis=1
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Bush sea trials are delayed once more
The carrier is now scheduled for its first test by month's end — a month later than expected.
By PETER FROST | 247-4744
February 6, 2009
The aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush has yet to depart for its first set of sea trials, marking yet another delay in the yet-to-be delivered $6.26 billion Newport News-built ship.
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding officials said last month that the carrier was due to depart for builder's sea trials in late January. But the company now says the Bush is due to depart by the end of February.
Operational testing to prepare the ship for trials revealed "discrepancies" that the Navy required to be resolved before allowing the carrier's force to begin an intense training period called "fast cruise," which readies sailors to take the Bush to sea, the Navy said.
That period is under way and the Navy expects builder's trials to commence "shortly thereafter."
Commissioned on Jan. 10 at Naval Station Norfolk without being completed, the Bush must pass two sets of sea trials before the Navy officially accepts the ship. The trials, operational tests conducted at sea over a few days, are used to demonstrate that the ship's two nuclear propulsion plants and other systems function properly.
The two sets are typically spread over one or two months.
The final set of trials and delivery "will follow this spring," said Alan Baribeau, a Navy spokesman.
Northrop had targeted mid-March for the Bush's delivery. It remains unclear whether the most recent delay will push back the Navy's acceptance of the 1,092-foot-long carrier.
The Navy said Thursday that the Bush "remains on schedule for operational training in late 2009, with operational deployment beginning in 2010."
Northrop also said this week that it and the Navy agreed to defer 1.2 percent of the work remaining on the ship until after delivery, including testing of certain on-ship systems and the painting and labeling of spaces.
Work that will be deferred until after delivery "has been carefully designed to have minimal impact on (the Bush's) initial training period," Baribeau said.
Part of that work will be performed during the ship's post-shakedown availability, a post-delivery maintenance period scheduled this summer at the Newport News shipyard, said Jennifer Dellapenta, a Northrop spokeswoman.
Other remaining projects — including finishing spaces that will support the carrier's yet-to-be-assigned air wing, such as berthing and work spaces designed for aircraft electronic and mechanical repairs — will not be completed until after the post-shakedown availability.
Those projects have been deferred to allow the yard's workers to focus on other projects in Newport News, including repair work on the carriers Carl Vinson and Enterprise, Dellapenta said.
"Such work deferral on Nimitz-class carriers is typical, is not setting a new precedent and does not represent a reduction in standards," she said.
As of this week, about 2 percent of all work on the Bush had yet to be completed. Remaining projects include the testing of systems at sea, including high-speed runs, steering checks and integrated combat systems testing, the company said.
The Bush is the first Newport News-built carrier to be commissioned before it was delivered.
Its construction has been beset by delays due to various problems. Labor shortages, as well as late delivery of key ship components and other materials, have pushed the ship's delivery back nearly a year from original projections.
http://www.dailypress.com/business/dp-biz_bush_0206feb06,0,7397453.story
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Boeing Expects India To Buy $31 Billion Military Products In 10 Yrs
February 10, 2009: 02:34 AM ET
BANGALORE -(Dow Jones)- Boeing Co. (BA) said Tuesday it expects India to buy military products worth $31 billion in the next 10 years.
The U.S. company also said it expects sales in the South Asian country's civil aviation market to touch $105 billion in 20 years.
"It's a growing market," Dinesh Keskar, senior vice-president of sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes said in a statement ahead of a press conference. "We have not even scratched the surface."
"Approximately, $2 billion (of the forecast of $31 billion) has already been realized through the (maritime patrol plane) P8I deal," said Keskar, who takes over as president of Boeing India on March 1.
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200902100234DOWJONESDJONLINE000109_FORTUNE5.htm
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World's major fishing nations failing on sustainability
Scientists grade 53 major fishing nations on how they comply with UN's voluntary code of conduct
Alok Jha, green technology correspondent
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 4 February 2009 18.00 GMT
More than 40% of the world's fishing is carried out unsustainably and largely in defiance of international codes of conduct, according to a new study. The team that carried out the research said that voluntary schemes to prevent overfishing should be replaced with binding international laws that can better protect marine ecosystems.
Scientists graded the 53 major fishing nations - those that take 96% of the world's marine catch - on how their intentions matched actions in complying with the UN's code, a voluntary measure developed in 1995 as a potential way to tackle overfishing.
The code sets out criteria on how countries should implement the right type of equipment for how fish are caught and how to minimise ecosystem impacts such as catching unwanted fish species that have to be thrown back into the sea and minimising effects on dolphins and other mammals.
Norway comes top of the list with a compliance rate of 60%, followed by the United States, Canada, Australia, Iceland and Namibia.
In the bottom 28 countries, representing more than 40% of the world's marine fish catch, the compliance rates were so poor that the authors gave them "fail" grades, meaning they complied with less than 40% of the UN code of conduct. Twelve countries in this category also failed in all or most sections of the compliance analysis. The UK is ranked 14th.
The work, carried out by Tony Pitcher and Ganapathiraju Pramod of the fisheries centre at the University of British Columbia in Cabnada, Daniela Kalikoski at the Federal University of Rio Grande in Brazil and Katherine Short at WWF International in Switzerland, is published in the journal Nature tomorrow.
Giles Bartlett, WWF's fisheries policy officer, said he was surprised by the low scores of countries that are thought to have the most progressive fishing policies. "We know the global oceans are in crisis but I thought that the highest-scoring countries would score higher than they've done. That shows the challenge is pervasive – not just in the high seas but in areas we consider to be the best-managed in the world such as Australia, New Zealand, Iceland and Canada."
Overall, the five questions on which countries scored worst concerned introducing ecosystem-based management, controlling illegal fishing, reducing excess fishing capacity and minimising bycatch and destructive fishing practices.
The authors wrote that new international rules were needed to address overfishing. "Although the voluntary nature of the code may have been necessary in getting all-nation agreement when it was drafted in the early 1990s, attitudes to the oceans have changed," they said.
"There is now widespread scientific consensus on the ecological impacts of continued overfishing and the threats to seafood security, and broad agreement on policy issues such as curtailing illegal catches and minimising the impacts of fishing on marine ecosystems. The time has come for a new integrated international legal instrument covering all aspects of fisheries management."
Bartlett said that the next reform of the EU's common fisheries policy, due in 2012, had the potential to tackle some of the problems. "The last reform was going to adopt ecosystem management as a fundamental principle but it hasn't delivered on that," said Bartlett. "[They should] look at the best systems in the world in terms of governance such as Australia, where they've changed the emphasis of fisheries management to keeping ownership of resources to the industry. This means the industry doesn't have the incentive to overfish, the incentive is to look after the resource."
Other management systems include setting up marine reserves. "You can look at how humans use the sea and look at how humans mitigate those impacts, be they fisheries impacts or oil and gas exploration. Marine reserves are the best tool for mitigating those impacts on the ocean."
"The United Kingdom comes out 14th below Namibia and South Africa and only just above Malaysia," said independent fisheries biologist Doug Herdson. "What is most surprising is the spread of the European Union nations 10th to 31st when all are supposed to be following a 'common fisheries policy'. It can certainly be argued that things have been changing in the four years since the majority of this study was carried out; most notably the EU's maritime strategy, its discards policy, and the UK's marine bill, though none of these is yet in effect."
He added: "The global problem is the mindset that economic necessity must override everything else, and consequent failure to recognise that no economic measure can succeed if it is not supported by a sustainable environment. Despite recent studies showing the degradation of marine ecosystems, we have not yet outgrown the 19th-century concept that the seas are endlessly bountiful."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/feb/04/fishing-sustainable
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Feb. 06, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release #022-09
Vella Gulf Assumes Duties as Counterpiracy Task Force Flagship
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chad R. Erdmann, Combined Task Force 151 Public Affairs
USS VELLA GULF At Sea (NNS) -- On Feb. 4, USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) became the flagship of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, a multinational task force conducting counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea.
The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) assumed the role in January and served as the flagship for Rear Adm. Terry McKnight, commander, CTF 151, before the admiral transferred his flag and staff to the guided-missile destroyer.
"San Antonio did an amazing job as the first CTF 151 flagship," said McKnight. "Her crew and capabilities meshed with the embarked command staff and several other units from day one, which allowed us to be very effective conducting counterpiracy operations."
"Our Navy and Coast Guard boarding teams were able to train together, the helo detachment provided passenger movements between platforms and overwatch for our boarding teams, and our fleet surgical team was always ready to be called upon," McKnight continued.
"Through it all, we worked with our partners to promote the free flow of commerce in the maritime environment. I have no doubt Vella Gulf will take up the torch and do just as well in her support of maritime security operations."
The CTF 151 flagship transition to Vella Gulf brings a fresh crew of Sailors who will assume the responsibilities of the mission. The multi-mission platform provides unique and valuable capabilities to the task force charged with detecting and deterring piracy in the region.
"We are very strong in developing and maintaining a recognized maritime picture (RMP) because of our training during workups as the Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group Sea Combat Commander, and we will be able to use this experience during the counterpiracy mission," said Capt. Mark Genung, Vella Gulf's commanding officer.
He added that the air detachment on board which flies the SH-60B helicopter brings an "unparalleled" organic capability to detect and identify potential pirate ships and skiffs beyond the line of sight of the ship.
"On board Vella Gulf I have significant radar, [signal intelligence] and electro-optical capabilities that, coupled with my SH-60B, provide Rear Admiral McKnight the best possible RMP. We're also capable of providing a broad spectrum of kinetic and non-kinetic options to CTF 151."
http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/articles/2009/022.html
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CG Foils Attempt to Smuggle Drugs
February 09, 2009
U.S. Coast Guard
SAN DIEGO – An estimated 427 pounds of marijuana has been seized by the U.S. Coast Guard in international waters off the coast of Baja California after patrol aircraft and cutters disrupted an apparent smuggling operation.
Coast Guard C-130 patrol aircraft, based in Sacramento, sighted a suspicious vessel headed north about 150 miles from San Diego. Two Coast Guard patrol boats were diverted to intercept the vessel and Mexican authorities were notified.
The cutters did not intercept the speedboat, but as they headed toward the craft, the speedboat's crew was observed throwing bales into the water. The Coast Guard recovered the bales from the water, which later tested positive as marijuana.
When Coast Guard patrol aircraft returned to the area, a suspicious vessel was sighted. The aircraft pursued the vessel, which fled into Mexican territorial waters and Mexican authorities later intercepted the boat.
The Coast Guard Cutter rendezvoused later with the Mexican authorities to transfer one bale of Marijuana to be used as evidence.
The U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies routinely patrol known drug trafficking routes off the coast of Baja California in cooperation with Mexican authorities. This seizure of marijuana is the third such case since November for a total of 7,383 pounds with an estimated street value of more than 10.9 million dollars.
http://www.military.com/news/article/coast-guard-news/cg-foils-attempt-to-smuggle-drugs.html?col=1186032366581
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Windows Worm Didn't Ground French Planes, Official Claims
The plane had been grounded following a Conflicker worm infection that had spread last month throughout the French non-secured internal naval network called Intramar.
By Thomas Claburn
InformationWeek
February 9, 2009 07:00 PM
French navy officials suspect than an infected USB drive is to blame for a Conflicker/Downandup worm infection last month that interfered with the operation of naval logistics systems running Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) Windows.
But a French defense ministry spokesperson has denied reports that the worm grounded French navy jets, as claimed in The Telegraph and several French publications.
Citing a French intelligence publication, Intelligence Online, The Telegraph in the U.K. reported on Saturday that the Rafale, a plane used in the French navy, had been grounded following a Conflicker worm infection that had spread last month throughout the French non-secured internal naval network called Intramar. The worm supposedly interfered with French navy's ability to transfer flight data to its planes.
In October, Microsoft issued an out-of-band Security Bulletin, MS08-067, for a vulnerability affecting its Server service. It warned that the vulnerability was "potentially wormable." As Microsoft feared, the vulnerability was wormable and the worm that was released, known as Conflicker or Downandup, and its variants, affected at least 9 million PCs last month.
According to French newspaper Ouest France, the worm's impact on Intramar forced the French navy to "return to conventional means of communication such as telephone, fax or regular mail" while the infection was mitigated.
Jerome Erulin, a spokesperson for the French navy, said the incident served as an exercise and that it affected communication but resulted in no data loss.
And in keeping with a long tradition of Anglo-Gallic rivalry, Ouest France observed, "The only consolation for the [French] navy is that it is not alone in facing such problems." Its report notes that DefenseTech.org last month said that the U.K. Ministry of Defense had begun investigating what appeared to be a major worm-driven breach affecting over 24 RAF bases and 75% of Royal navy ships."
The Telegraph, in its article on the French security incident, reported the finger-pointing of the French press without comment.
http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=213401886&subSection=News
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Perlemoen syndicate suspect eludes cops
February 10 2009 at 09:30AM
By Karen Breytenbach
Local police and Interpol have launched a search for a Chinese national with a South African work permit who failed to appear in the Cape High Court with 18 other alleged members of a perlemoen syndicate.
The state suspects Johannesburg-based Yen-Chang Ku packed his bags in the second week of December. He is out on R40 000 bail.
He is ranked third on the charge sheet in terms of alleged importance in the operation.
The top seven of the 19 are suspected not only of participating in organised crime, but also occupying managerial positions in the alleged syndicate.
The names lower down are suspected to have worked in perlemoen processing plants and warehouses.
The accused are listed as Yu-Chen Chao, Phillip James Miller, Ku, Willem Jacobus van Rensburg, Adriaan Gavin Wildschutt, Tony Peter du Toit, Johannes Emil Liebenberg, Jerry Witbooi, Jerome Browne, Ashley Browne, Rodney Onkruid, Jason Damon, Dereck Bailey, Dereck Wildschutt, Hendrik Riet, Stanley Sifiso Dlamini, Wei-Liu Liu, Desmond David Pienaar and Gregory Abrahams.
It is not known whether Ku is still in South Africa, but home affairs told the prosecution he had not left the country via any airports or harbours on his official passport.
Ku has also been blacklisted by Interpol, who are searching for him abroad.
Advocate William King has withdrawn as his legal counsel, because he had not received any instructions from his client since his disappearance.
At the 18 co-accused's return to the Cape High Court on Monday, NPA prosecutor Helene Booysen asked Judge Nathan Erasmus for a postponement to give the investigating officer time to trace Ku.
March 2 was set as the provisional date for a report back to the court on the investigating officer's progress.
May 4 was fixed as the date on which the trial would start.
Earlier court appearances have been for the purpose of ironing out issues regarding the upcoming trial.
Erasmus has dismissed a number of applications, among others for the charges to be quashed, the accused to be tried separately and for the case to be heard under the Criminal Procedure Act and not the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca).
The state can only bring racketeering charges under Poca.
The accused are facing up to 114 charges related to conducting an "enterprise" through a "pattern of racketeering activities".
The group allegedly worked in several different places, including a farm in Koelenhof outside Stellenbosch, and illegally exported perlemoen, hidden under frozen fish, in containers bound for the Far East under the names of Rapitrade 109 (Pty) Ltd or Syroun Exports (Pty) Ltd.
karen.breytenbach@inl.co.za
This article was originally published on page 4 of Cape Times on February 10, 2009
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20090210020407760C969923
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Japan's anti-piracy mission ready in March: minister
2 days ago
TOKYO (AFP) — Japan may deploy its anti-piracy task force off Somalia as early as March, said Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada, speaking as an advance team left for the region Sunday to prepare for the mission.
"We will be able to send vessels in early March after providing necessary equipment to vessels and training of naval officials," Hamada told Japanese reporters at a security conference in Munich, Germany, public broadcaster NHK and other media reported.
Last month the Japanese government put the pacifist nation's navy on standby for a mission to Somalia, and join coalition of countries fighting piracy in the lawless area.
Prime Minister Taro Aso is expected to give the final order this month for the mission to proceed.
The conservative prime minister wants Japan to play a greater role in global security. US, European and Chinese vessels have all been sent to the waters off Somalia, where pirates attacked more than 100 ships last year.
On Sunday, Japan's defence ministry sent a fact-finding team to Djibouti, Yemen, Oman and Bahrain to prepare for its anti-piracy mission.
The team is due to visit harbours and airports as well as gather information on other countries' anti-piracy measures, before returning to Japan to draft the navy's operational plan, defence officials said.
China's mission marks the first time in recent history that the country has deployed ships for possible combat beyond its territorial waters.
Japan and China have often jostled for influence, although they have been working since 2006 to repair their tense relationship.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iTxOex8e0QpjYvu63ZrTzR8Y0UAw
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40 Commando storm Cornish beach
Monday, February 09, 2009, 10:05
The big freeze did not stop the Royal Marines from Taunton-based 40 Commando enjoying a day at the beach over the weekend.
They launched a dramatic early morning assault on the normally tranquil Pentewan beach, near St Austell in Cornwall, on Saturday in preparation for Tauros 09, the biggest Naval task force to deploy to the Far East for more than a decade.
They launched from HMS Ocean, showcasing the ship's amphibious capability and the operation involved landing craft and helicopters, as well as specially-modified vehicles.
Lieutenant Colonel Paul James, Royal Marines, the Commanding Officer of 40 Commando, said: "After tours of Afghanistan and Iraq in recent years, being involved in amphibious exercises like this is excellent for Royal Marines because it takes us back to our roots and is what we do best."
The Commandos, based at Norton Manor Camp, are playing the role of embarked military forces during HMS Ocean's operational sea training, showing their flexibility by helping the ship's company in firefighting, medical emergency and damage control exercises.
The Task Group, which will first deploy to the Mediterranean, will consist of more than 3,000 UK personnel. It will include 10 Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships, a nuclear-powered submarine and 15 rotary-wing aircraft from the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as well as Royal Marines from 40 Commando and the Fleet Diving Unit.
Among them will be personnel from 847 Naval Air Squadron and Commando Helicopter Force Sea Kings from Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton.
France, the US, the Netherlands, Belgium and Turkey will also send ships to elements of the deployment, which will be under the operational command of the Royal Navy. The exercise has been 18 months in the planning. The 20,400 mile round-trip will build relations with 17 nations.
T he MoD says: "Tauros 09 aims to maintain the Royal Navy's fighting capability as well as develop the UK's capacity to operate with key partners and allies from NATO countries and other nations, demonstrating the UK's commitment to the stability and security of the Mediterranean, Middle East and South East Asia. It will be conducting a wide range of activities, including maritime security operations, and exercising amphibious and anti-submarine warfare. The Task Force is commanded from HMS Bulwark by Commodore Peter Hudson CBE ADC Royal Navy, Commander UK Amphibious Task Group."
http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/news/40-Commando-storm-Cornish-beach/article-681885-detail/article.html
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2 MSDF destroyers set sail for 1st antipiracy exercise
Tuesday 10th February, 02:15 PM JST
HIROSHIMA —
Two Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers set sail Tuesday from a port in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, for their first antipiracy exercise with an eye to their possible mission off Somalia. The exercise at the Bungo Channel between Japan’s southwestern islands of Shikoku and Kyushu will involve live firing of weapons from the destroyers, the 4,650-ton Sazanami and the 4,550-ton Samidare, according to the Kure District Headquarters.
During the exercise, the destroyers will fire at targets at sea disguised as pirate boats with their machine guns and rapid-fire guns, while patrol helicopters will fire upon them from the sky, MSDF officers said. About 370 personnel, including members of the MSDF’s highly trained Special Boarding Unit, will take part in the exercise, they said.
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/2-msdf-destroyers-set-sail-for-1st-antipiracy-exercise
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VLCCs avoid Suez to cut costs
Martyn Wingrove - Monday 9 February 2009
OWNERS of very large crude carriers are avoiding the Suez Canal and traveling to western destinations from the Middle East by the Cape of Good Hope in an effort to reduce operating costs.
Last year’s slump in oil prices and the recent drop in charter rates for VLCCs is behind owners’ decision to switch voyage routes.
Data from Lloyd’s MIU’s Apex service showed that just three VLCCs went through the Suez Canal partially laden with Middle East crude last month, compared with 18 in the same month last year and 29 in July 2008.
“It is for purely economic reasons,” said Apex team leader Marie Bates. “The combination of low oil prices and the decline in charter rates means owners are looking at their costs. Owners are operating below their break-even levels because of the low charter rates. To compensate they are working to reduce voyage costs.”
Gibson head of research Steve Christy said the longer route would be good for tanker owners, adding that “it helps at the margin to raise demand”.
The increase in tonne-miles travelled by the VLCC fleet would tighten the supply of vessels in the Middle East, he said.
When the oil price was high there is pressure on owners to transport crude as rapidly as possible from the Middle East to European and North American terminals.
VLCCs will sail up the Red Sea and partially unload crude at Ain Sukna, so the oil can be piped along the Suez-Mediterranean pipeline.
Lloyd’s MIU consultant Claire Wright said the lightered VLCCs would go through the Suez Canal and reload the cargo at Sidi Kerir, west of Alexandria, to continue on their journey.
“Owners are avoiding paying Suez Canal dues, although there are outside influences from the threat of piracy, but this is a lower consideration than the economic reasons,” Ms Bates said.
According to Apex data, 26 VLCCs in December 2008 travelled around the Cape of Good Hope, while only two travelled partially laden through the Suez Canal.
Last month up to 42m barrels of crude went around South Africa compared with 6m barrels going through the Gulf of Suez.
The number of VLCCs transporting Middle East crude to western destinations fell by more than 30% year-on-year in January, reflecting lower demand for oil in the US.
Crude shipment volumes to North America and Europe dropped off in November 2008 as the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries reduced petroleum export levels.
Opec production was 28.6m barrels per day in January, down almost 3m bpd year-on-year.
http://lloydslist.com/ll/news/vlccs-avoid-suez-to-cut-costs/20017616188.htm
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Regards
Snooper
NNNN
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