During the reporting period of 22 – 29 January 2013 there were no piracy related incidents in the High Risk Area (HRA), NATO Shipping Centre informed in its Weekly Piracy Update. Merchant vessels are reminded to remain vigilant while transiting this area and ensure that Self Protection Measures are
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed its order for the next prototype stage of development of a revolutionary high performance, lightweight diesel engine intended for marine outboard applications on the fast, rigid inflatable boats used by the Royal Navy. The Cox Powertrain engine concept
The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS San Francisco (SSN 711) arrived at U.S. Fleet Activities Chinhae, the Republic of Korea, Jan. 31 for a visit as part of its Western Pacific deployment. With a crew of approximately 135 Sailors, San Francisco conducts a multitude of missions and showcas
Sociedad Anónima de Electrónica Submarina (SAES), a Spanish company specialized in underwater acoustics and electronics, has delivered the first Sensor Data Link-Surface Segment (SDL-SS) to the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). This is the first formal delivery; SAES will deliver a tota
As a result of the Department of Defense’s rescission of 1994 Direct Ground Combat Definition and Assignment Rule, the Navy is developing plans to move forward in opening all positions previously closed to the assignment of women. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Experts from the Northern Diving Group helped to raise a Dunkirk ‘little ship’ from a Scottish river bed. The team took part in a two-day operation to lift the Skylark IX, which in 1940 was responsible for bringing home 600 men from the continent. The divers from Faslane volunteered to help enthusia
The Royal Navy’s officer corps will celebrate their 150-year association with the town of Dartmouth in 2013. An all-star concert by former Royal Marines musicians in March kick-starts anniversary events which mark the arrival of HMS Britannia on the Dart back in 1863. The spiritual home of the Royal
Portsmouth-based Royal Navy minehunter HMS Cattistock sails on Monday (4 February) for a four-month NATO mission in the Mediterranean. She will be working as part of a permanent multinational maritime force in the area called the Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 2 (SNMCMG2). Ships from alli
The Ministry of Defence has today published details of how it will equip the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force over the next 10 years and how this will be funded. For the first time, the government has set out a fully-funded Defence Equipment Plan totalling almost £160 billion. The affordability
Last Monday,the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) left the port of Gdynia, Poland with a new commander at the helm and new ships. The first days at sea are usually used for ships and crew to get acquainted with the new command and with the respective capabilities of each vessel. T
The Royal New Zealand Navy will continue its traditional involvement and support in Waitangi Day activities in the Bay of Islands this year. The Navy is invited annually by the people of Tai Tokerau to attend Waitangi Day activities, and plays a major part in the commemorative ceremonies. This year
The Royal New Zealand Navy has hosted a meeting of international navies to promote common understandings for the coordination of shipping and maritime trade in the Pacific, Indian and South Atlantic Oceans. The Pacific and Indian Oceans Shipping Working Group was held at Devonport Naval Base in Auck
This week marked the beginning of the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer’s (LHD 4) involvement in the initial phase of Dawn Blitz 2013 (DB 13). DB 13 is an exercise in which forces plan and execute an Expeditionary Strike Group and Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) – sized amphibious assault from se
USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) deployed today from Naval Base Point Loma for a scheduled six-month Western Pacific deployment. The Los Angeles-class, fast-attack submarine’s deployment is in support of the nation’s maritime strategy. Albuquerque’s missions will focus on maritime security operations and t
