On 22 February 2012, the EU NAVFOR combat support warship FGS BERLIN responded to a distress signal from a tanker that was under attack by suspected pirates in the Gulf of Aden. On receipt of the radio call the FGS BERLIN immediately dispatched her two Seaking helicopters to the area while she close
NORWAY-based boat handling system and specialised davit supplier Vestdavit has been contracted by shipbuilder Austal to supply its state-of-the-art PLAR-6500 davits to eight new Cape Class Patrol Boats (CCPBs) to be built for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service. Austal will build th
In partnership with Northumbrian boat builder, Alnmaritec, BMT Nigel Gee Ltd, a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd the leading international maritime design and engineering consultancy has recently completed the design and delivery of its 40 knot fast patrol boat design. The vessel is destined for the Arab
The Boeing Company has announced that the U.S. Navy has exercised an additional contract option for production and delivery of Ship’s Signal Exploitation Equipment (SSEE) Increment F systems. The $53 million award to Boeing subsidiary Argon ST is for the second lot of full-rate production (FRP) syst
Scotland’s top Royal Navy diver, based at HM Naval Base Clyde, flies to Rome for multi-national discussions about the best way to recover the remaining bodies trapped in the luxury liner Costa Concordia. His swift departure for the Italian capital follows contact made by the Italian authorities to t
The vice chief of naval operations (VCNO) concluded a three-day engagement visit to Canberra and Darwin, Australia, Feb. 21. Adm. Mark Ferguson met with Chief of the Australian Navy Vice Adm. Ray Griggs and U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey L. Bleich, toured naval facilities, and delivered remarks to students
Iranian warships moored at Syrian port Tartus are equipped with special hardware to jam radio bands of Syrian opposition, writes London-headquartered Arab newspaper Asharq Alawsat. Referring to sources in Egyptian intelligence agencies, the newspaper reports that Iranian warships are jamming communi
EU NAVFOR hosted a press conference on 20 February 2012 to present an update on Operation ATALANTA, piracy off the Horn of Africa and a view towards future developments. The briefing was hosted by Operation Commander Rear Admiral Duncan L. Potts with Deputy Operation Commander Rear Admiral Rainer En
The commanding officer of USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), U.S. 7th Fleet command ship, presented the ship’s Family Readiness Group’s (FRG) cabinet with letters of thanks, Feb. 21. Capt. Daniel Grieco presented the awards during an informal ceremony in his cabin while the group enjoyed cookies and coffee. E
The Reuters reports that Iranian naval ships returned from Syria through the Suez Canal yesterday. The two warships entered the Suez Canal early in the morning and were expected to leave the canal same day afternoon. They had docked at Port of Tartous, Syria, in show of support for Syrian President.
By Feb 24, the investigative committee will finish an inquiry into the fire outbreak happened to SSBN Yekaterinburg, Russian vice premier Dmitry Rogozin told reporters adding that community would be informed if the sub had nuclear weapons on board during the incident. “Till the month end, namely by
Following his posting as Commander of the UK Counter-Piracy Task Group, Captain Gerry Northwood, Royal Navy, has written in The Times newspaper about how concerted efforts are helping reduce attacks on merchant vessels. Captain Northwood writes: “Eleven pirates on board with automatic weapons and ro
Venezuelan Armed Forces are about to establish a Coast Guard Command armed with Russian-made Bal-E mobile missile systems, reports Infodefensa. At present, a group of Venezuelan officers and technicians is passing initial training in Russia. Caracas was supposed to receive coast defense missile syst
As the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Feb. 17, the CSG’s Air Wing Commander credited the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) with improving the group’s readiness seven months earlier as it prepared to deploy. “The Hawaii Range Complex provid
