SAILORS, MARINERS & WARRIORS LEAGUE

Naval Academy Graduated Middie Mom-To-Be

2009-07-20T00:03:00.000-05:00

In what may be a first, the U.S. Naval Academy graduated a pregnant midshipman on May 22, a move that ran contrary to policy that middies not marry or begin a family while attending the school. The academy, citing medical privacy, will not identify the woman, who received her commission and is now a Navy officer, according to Joe Carpenter, an academy spokesman. “Initial duty assignments are the responsibility of the Navy,” Carpenter said in an email to Military.com. “For reasons of privacy, it would be inappropriate for the Naval Academy to discuss the details of this individual’s service assignment.” Carpenter did not say how far along in her pregnancy the woman was at the time of graduation, but said the academy became aware of the midshipman’s pregnancy in early May. According to the academy’s Midshipman Regulations Manual, a midshipman who becomes pregnant and chooses not to resign will be allowed to take a leave of absence for no more than one year. Those who become pregnant but do not resign or request the leave will be separated, the manual states.The same rules also apply to a midshipman who “incurs the obligations of parenthood,” so that a male midshipman would face the same choices. In this case, however, after the academy determined the midshipman would not be eligible to graduate and be commissioned, the woman submitted a waiver asking to be exempted from the policy, according to Carpenter. “That request was evaluated through the chain of command,” he said. “[Defense Department] and Navy leadership approved the midshipman’s request for waiver.” Carpenter said he did not know if there have been other instances of Annapolis graduating pregnant midshipmen. More than a decade ago, in what was then seen as a “softening” of Naval Academy regulations, midshipmen facing parenthood could request returning to the school after a one-year leave of absence if they gave up the child for adoption, according to a November 1995 Washington Post report. Before then, the report stated, female midshipmen had to choose between expulsion or having an abortion. Male midshipmen would have to deny paternity in order to remain at the school.

Northrop Grumman Lays Keel For Navy Ship

2009-07-19T00:03:00.000-05:00

The keel has been laid for the Navy’s newest large-deck amphibious assault ship, three years after the contract to build it was announced. At a ceremony officials described it as a centerpiece for the Navy. Irwin Edenzon, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Gulf Coast, said the LHA 6 class will replace the aging Tarawa class of ships.USS America (LHA-6)He says this ship, the USS America, is scheduled for completion in 2013. He says it will be much like the recently delivered Makin Island, but will have more space for aviation components instead of a well deck for storing smaller vessels.

Abandoned Ship Sinks

2009-07-18T16:07:00.002-05:00

The Chinese merchant vessel, Asian Forest — abandoned by its crew off Mangalore coast when it listed on Saturday afternoon — has sunk. It sank about 6 nautical miles (11 km) southwest of the New Mangalore Port. The Coast Guard sources said the officials in its fast patrol vessel, Kasturba Gandhi, who had kept a watch since Saturday night, had reported that it had submerged fully.Braving the rough weather, four Coast Guard officials continued to keep vigil around the area where it sank to see whether there was any leakage of fuel from the ship. Since the ships carried heavy load of fuel, any leak could harm undersea life and ecosystem besides posing health hazard to people along the nearby coast.

Qatar Police Officers’ Children Get Joy Ride On Coast Guard Patrol Boat

2009-07-18T00:03:00.000-05:00

The Qatar Police Sports Federation organised a programme of events for children of police officers. They were taken on field trips to various public and private organisations. Over the last week, children aged between six and twelve, visited the headquarters of the Internal Security Force (Lekhoya), the Coasts and Borders Security Department, City Center and Al Jazeera Children’s Channel.The children were met by Lieutenant Khalid Mohamed al-Kubaisi at Lekhoya, where they were shown a documentary about the department’s work and were given a tour of vehicles, equipment and also shown police dogs. Children also joined the coastguard on a sea cruise before they visited City Center to participate in an ice-skating session. At Al Jazeera Children’s Channel, they visited a studio and learnt about creating television programmes. The programme will continue with sessions featuring other sports, cultural, recreational and educational courses such as swimming, judo, taekwondo, and other activities.

18 Crew Rescued In Mangalore

2009-07-17T20:46:00.003-05:00

A Chinese ship carrying iron ore to China from New Mangalore Port today reported a distress call following bad weather. The ship was tilting over 30 degrees by evening and it might be matter of time before it capsizes. All the 18 crew members have been rescued including the captain Yang Seng Yang. According to the captain the ship MV Asian Forest was carrying 13,500 tonnes of iron ore to China and had departed New Mangalore Port on 17th morning, but when they reached some 30 nautical miles into the sea the ship had started listing (tilting) they immediately radioed back the port that they were coming back for correction of the listing. But when they were 7 nautical miles from the port the ship had already listed 28 degrees which was beyond correction at that point. The captain then sent an SOS to the port. The Coast Guard was alerted and immediately the coast guard ship went to the spot and evacuated five crew members including the captain while the other crew had managed to lower the life boats and arrive at the new Mangalore port. The ship was precariously poised even when this report was filed.According to the port officials the Hong Kong registered ship had been in the anchorrage for seven days after arriving from China on 7 July and had berthed at the port only on 14 July. After loading cargo, it had set sail on Friday morning. Later speaking to the presspersons the captain of the ship said we knew about the listing of the ship right from the first degree but the turning around at 30 nautical miles was not easy and it took away so much precious time. We investigated into the reason for listing and found out that the iron ore had inadvertently gathered some water due to the excessive rains during the berthing which had caused the tilting of the ship when it reached into the sea.The owners of the ship have already informed the slavers and a representative of the insurance company was already in Mangalore and was assessing the situation. The insurers have also claimed that the cargo and the ship will be salvaged to the extent possible and if possible the ship will also be corrected for its listing. The Coast guard had evacuated the captain and five other crew while 12 others took the life boat of the ship under the order of the captain and arrived at the new Mangalore Port. It can be recalled that Erithrian ship Den Den capsized off the Thannirbavi coast which claimed three lives while 21 sailors were rescued. In the second incident, Cheng Le Men, which was carrying iron ore to China had listed off the port after it left the port in September 2007.

Dubai-Bound Ship Runs Aground Near Karwar

2009-07-17T20:41:00.003-05:00

A Dubai-bound commercial ship with 11 crew members, including six Indians, on board today ran aground off the Karwar coast. The ship travelling from Malaysia to Dubai was carrying 10 crew members, including six Indians, three Iranains and a Siberian national, in addition to the captain, Karwar Port Director Mohan Raj Gatta said.The authorities deployed tugs and launched operations to rescue the crew, he said.The ship M B Shaheen, carrying fuel and lubricant oil, is owned by Five Flower Trading Company of Obalali state of Dubai, Gatta said.

Somali Pirates Abandon Indian Ship, Crew Unharmed

2009-07-16T00:03:00.000-05:00

Somali pirates have abandoned an Indian ship after using it to attack an oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden. A European Union anti-piracy force said pirates who hijacked the Indian dhow earlier this week abandoned the ship Wednesday and left its 14 crew members unharmed. Naval officials said the pirates left the ship about 24 kilometers off the Somali coast. After hijacking the Indian dhow, the pirates used the ship in a failed attack on a Liberian-flagged supertanker on MondayThe EU naval force said one of its helicopters helped stop the attack. Somali pirates have hijacked dozens of ships over the last two years, often receiving ransom payments of more than a million dollars for a ship's release. The United States, China, NATO and other world powers are conducting naval patrols off the Somali coast in an effort to protect commercial shipping. The hijackings have tailed off in recent weeks because of monsoon rains in the Gulf of Aden and eastern Indian Ocean.

DoD May Say 'Snuff 'Em If You Got 'Em'

2009-07-15T00:04:00.000-05:00

A proposed ban on tobacco would end sales on U.S. military bases and prohibit uniformed soldiers from smoking, even in combat, authorities said. The ban was proposed in a study commissioned by the Pentagon and the Department of Veterans Affairs, USA Today reported. The study, which recommends phasing out tobacco products during a 5- to 10-year period, said tobacco use impairs military readiness and can cause lung cancer and cardiovascular disease, CNN reported Sunday.While any final decision rests with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, many in uniform would oppose such a ban, said retired Gen. Russel Honore, known for his ever-present cigar when he coordinated military relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. "When you're tired and you've been going days on end with minimum sleep, and you are not getting the proper meals on time, that hit of tobacco can make a difference," Honore said. One in three U.S. service members uses tobacco, compared with one in five adult Americans overall, the VA said, noting combat veterans are 50 percent more likely to use tobacco than soldiers who haven't seen combat.

Body In Boat May Be Missing Gibraltar Angler

2009-07-15T00:03:00.000-05:00

A body believed to be that of a missing Gibraltar fisherman was found in the cabin of his capsized boat today on the Detroit River near Lake Erie, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. "(The capsized boat) was found about 10:30-11 p.m. last night about 11 miles off Sterling State Park in Canadian waters," said U.S. Coast Guard Petty officer Ryan Alexander.A dive team discovered a body inside the cabin. The 47-year-old Gibraltar man was reported missing by family members Monday when he didn't return home from a fishing trip the day before, he said. The Coast Guard units at Belle Isle and Toledo began a search with air support from Detroit. The Ontario Provincial Police, which assisted in the search, are investigating. The man has not been identified.

US Warship In Georgia For Joint Exercises

2009-07-14T14:49:00.002-05:00

A US warship arrived in Georgia's Black Sea port of Batumi Tuesday for the first joint exercises between the two countries since the former Soviet republic's war with giant neighbour Russia. Georgian coastguard personnel and locals welcomed the USS Stout crew at the Batumi pier at a ceremony including traditional Georgian folk dances, an news correspondent reported. The joint exercises with the Georgian coastguard were to begin on Wednesday. While the exercises are with the coastguard -- part of the interior ministry and not the Georgian military -- the manoeuvres risk further inflaming resurgent tensions with Russia. US warships made frequent calls to Batumi in the aftermath of the August war with Russia but this the first time since then that the United States and the small pro-Western state have held a joint exercise. Russia has repeatedly questioned the need for such port calls, questioning Washington's motives for sending battleships into the Black Sea.A Georgian policeman stands by the USS StoutGeorgian officials said that the exercises would involve fire-fighting practice and similar moves but emphasized there would no firing. "US Navy regular visits to the Black Sea demonstrate the US commitment to Black Sea regional stability and maritime security," the US embassy to Georgia said in a statement. USS Stout Commander Marc Oberley told journalists: "This visit and the combined training demonstrate US and Georgian commitment to work together, to cooperate and maintain a maritime security." The exercises "will develop all the participants' ability to operate with each other and ensure a safe maritime environment," he added. Georgia and Russia remain at loggerheads over Moscow's recognition last year of its breakaway regions as independent and tensions have increased over the last weeks as Russia held war games close to Georgia. On Monday, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili slammed a visit by his Russia counterpart Dmitry Medvedev to the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia as "one of the most shameful pages in Russia's history".

Navy Accepts Delivery of USS Meyer

2009-07-13T00:03:00.000-05:00

The Navy officially accepted delivery of the future guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) July 10 from General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works (BIW) during a ceremony in Bath, Maine. Wayne E. Meyer is the 56th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and carries the 100th Aegis Combat System. The ship completed a combined builder's and acceptance super trial June 12 after spending four days at sea off the coast of Maine. "The ship performed well for the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey," said Capt. Pete Lyle, DDG 51 class program manager in the Navy's Program Executive Office, Ships (PEO Ships). "Our industry partners continue to deliver the highest quality assets to our warfighters. These ships are a perfect example of the cost and schedule efficiencies realized from steady-state production in shipbuilding." The ship will be able to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. Wayne E. Meyer will be capable of fighting air, surface and sub-surface battles simultaneously and possesses multiple offensive and defensive weapons systems designed to support maritime warfare.Designated DDG 108, the new destroyer honors retired Navy Rear Adm. Wayne E. Meyer, who led the development of the Aegis combat system for the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers. In 1963, then-Secretary of the Navy Fred Korth chose Meyer to lead a special task force for surface guided missiles. Meyer turned down a destroyer command to continue his work with missile, radar and fire control systems. His experience laid the groundwork for the success of a prototype Aegis radar weapons control system in 1974. Meyer served as the Aegis program manager 1975-1983. The future Wayne E. Meyer is scheduled to be commissioned this fall in Philadelphia, Pa. PEO Ships is responsible for the development and acquisition of U.S. Navy surface ships and is currently managing the design and construction of a wide range of ship classes and small boats and craft. These platforms range from major warships such as frontline surface combatants and amphibious assault ships to air-cushioned landing craft, oceanographic research ships and special warfare craft. PEO Ships has delivered 32 major warships and hundreds of small boats and craft from more than 30 shipyards and boat builders across the United States.

Keel to be Laid for Third LCS

2009-07-13T00:02:00.000-05:00

The keel for the future littoral combat ship, USS Fort Worth (LCS 3), will be laid July 11 during a ceremony at Marinette Marine Shipyard in Marinette, Wisc. Keel-laying has traditionally been the first step in ship construction, when shipbuilders laid down the lengthwise timber that would become the ship's backbone. During the scheduled event, a shipyard welder will attach the future ship's plaque to the keel, and U.S. Rep. Kay Granger will confirm that the keel was laid "straight and true." "Starting construction on the third ship is an exciting milestone to reach," said Capt. Jim Murdoch, LCS program manager within the Navy's Program Executive Office, Ships. "Reaching the Navy's goal of a 55-ship class depends on getting LCS into serial production, which will lead to high quality ships being delivered to the fleet on cost and on schedule." LCS is a new breed of U.S. Navy warship, capable of open-ocean operation but optimized for littoral or coastal missions. Operational experience and analyses indicate that potential adversaries will employ asymmetric means to deny U.S. and allied forces access into critical coastal regions, such as strategic chokepoints and vital economic sea lanes. LCS is specifically designed to defeat such "anti-access" threats, which include fast surface craft, quiet diesel submarines and various types of mines.Fort Worth is expected to be delivered to the Navy in 2012, when she will join sister ships USS Freedom (LCS 1) and USS Independence (LCS 2). Freedom was commissioned by the Navy in November 2008. Independence is currently undergoing builder's sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico and is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy later this year. A contract was awarded to General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works in May for the construction of LCS 4, the future USS Coronado. The future USS Fort Worth, named in honor of the Texas city, will be 378 feet in length, have a waterline beam of 57 feet, displace approximately 3,000 tons and will make speed in excess of 40 knots. PEO Ships is responsible for the development and acquisition of U.S. Navy surface ships and is currently managing the design and construction of a wide range of ship classes and small boats and craft. These platforms range from major warships such as frontline surface combatants and amphibious assault ships to air-cushioned landing craft, oceanographic research ships and special warfare craft. PEO Ships has delivered 31 major warships and hundreds of small boats and craft from more than 30 shipyards and boat builders across the United States.

Mich. Man Killed, 2 Hurt When Boat Hits Steel Pier

2009-07-12T14:39:00.000-05:00

Monroe police say a boat veered into an old steel pier on the River Raisin, killing a 28-year-old Brighton man died and injuring 2 of his passengers. Police say the collision sheared off the windshield and threw the man from the boat. Deputies found the man's body about 1:45 a.m. Sunday, nearly three hours after the crash. 1 of the three passengers still aboard stopped the boat. Two passengers received minor injuries and were taken to Mercy Memorial Hospital in Monroe. Police on Sunday were not releasing the names of any of the victims. Brighton is about 35 miles northwest of Detroit and about 45 miles northwest of Monroe.

Freighter Freed After Being Stuck On Great Barrier Reef

2009-07-10T00:03:00.000-05:00

This is the first picture of the ship which ran aground on Inset Reef, 600km north of Cairns. The Sattha, now anchored at Horn Island and under investigation by Marine Safety Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, was stranded on the reef for about 24 hours before a high tide managed to free it last weekend. Mystery surrounds the reasons why the 40m-long, ex-coastal freighter is under investigation with MSQ again declining to provide details when contacted by reporters.The Sattha, stuck on the Great Barrier Reef off Cairns last weekend.It is understood the boat was involved in a near collision after it was freed from the reef and steamed toward Horn Island. The ship left Cairns bound for Papua New Guinea late last week but ran aground on Inset Reef, near Piper Reef about 600km north of Cairns on Saturday afternoon. The boat’s crew managed to free it from the reef on Sunday but it is now anchored at Horn Island. A GBRMPA spokeswoman confirmed the agency was looking at possible damage caused to Inset Reef by the grounding.

WWII Women Pilots To Receive Medals

2009-07-08T00:03:00.003-05:00

The first women to fly U.S. military aircraft will be given gold medals to honor their service to the country under a bill signed Wednesday by President Obama. About 300 of the 1,000 or so women who were members of the World War II-era Women Air force Service Pilots -- WASPs for short -- are still alive to receive their Congressional Gold Medals. The rest will go to the pilots' families. Created during World War II, the all-women unit's primary mission was flying non-combat military missions in the United States to free up their male counterparts for combat. They flew virtually every type of U.S. military aircraft that existed at the time."The Women Air force Service Pilots courageously answered their country's call in a time of need while blazing a trail for the brave women who have given and continue to give so much in service to this nation since," Obama said at the bill signing. "Every American should be grateful for their service, and I am honored to sign this bill to finally give them some of the hard-earned recognition they deserve." Thirty-eight of the WASP pilots died while performing their missions. But it wasn't until 1977 the WASPs were afforded veteran status. Joining Obama at the signing was Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., who helped shepherd the bill through Congress, three WASP members -- Elaine Danforth Harmon, Lorraine H. Rodgers and Bernice Falk Haydu -- and five female active duty U.S. Air Force pilots.

150 People Fall ill On UK Cruise Ship

2009-07-07T00:03:00.000-05:00

About 150 people have fallen ill aboard a cruise ship berthed in Scotland following a suspected outbreak of the vomit-inducing norovirus, health officials said. A 74-year-old English man has also died on board the Marco Polo, which is berthed near Invergordon in northeastern Scotland, but the ship's operators said his death was unrelated to the outbreak. Two people have been hospitalised and the others are being treated on board, according to Ken Oates, the local National Health Service (NHS) director of public health. "NHS Highland can confirm that around 150 people on board a cruise ship docked at Invergordon have become unwell with suspected norovirus," he said. "The Marco Polo docked today. This evening two people have been admitted to Raigmore Hospital who are showing symptoms of norovirus."Germany-based operators Transocean Tours said the man's death earlier on Monday was unrelated to the outbreak, saying he had chronic heart and breathing problems and "suffered a fatal heart attack on board ship". It said 769 passengers and 340 crew were on the Marco Polo and its medical team had reported that 54 passengers and 21 crew "have an unconfirmed virus that causes a form of gastroenteritis". Norovirus is highly contagious and induces vomiting and diarrhoea. It affects between 600,000 and one million people in Britain each year and outbreaks are common within contained environments. Passengers on the world-famous Queen Elizabeth II luxury liner were struck by an outbreak in 2007.

Australian Sailors Competed For Sex With Female Colleagues

2009-07-06T00:03:00.000-05:00

Australian sailors on board the navy’s largest ship, are said to have competed with each other in a “sex game” to bed their female colleagues for cash prizes, prompting the government to launch a probe. According to a news report on ‘Channel Seven’, sailors on board ‘HMAS Success’ put a cash value on each woman’s head, and sleeping with a female officer or a lesbian, or having sex in a strange place, as on top of a pool table, won more money. The sailors have detailed their sex contest in a book they called ‘The Ledger’, which came to light in May, when the vessel was in Singapore. The ship captain ordered the sailors involved immediately to return home after they were formally interviewed, the report said. The Australian navy has now launched a probe into the claims, with the country’s deputy PM calling for a full investigation into the affair so that women wouldn’t feel excluded from joining the military.HMAS Success (AOR 304)“Obviously this is a matter for our defence forces to deal with and to fully investigate. As a nation, we have been saying for a long period of time we want men and women to be able to join the army, the navy, the air force and to have good careers in it. “We don’t want to see anything that precludes women from having a good career in our armed forces if that’s what they choose to do with their lives,” deputy PM Julia Gillard told reporters. “In the first instance we need our defence hierarchy to get on with the job of investigating these claims and taking appropriate action,” Gillard said. The defence department said in a statement, “The individuals were removed from ship after an equity and diversity health check, which led to a formal inquiry being initiated.”

Ship Hostages Out Of Food, Water

2009-07-05T00:03:00.001-05:00

On board a German ship that was hijacked by Somali pirates in April have no more water, food or medicine, a German weekly reported. The 20,000-ton container vessel, Hansa Stavanger, was captured about 640 kilometers off the southern Somali port of Kismayu on April 4. "We just cannot carry on," the captain wrote in an e-mail to his wife on Friday, the first sign of life in over three weeks, Der Spiegel magazine reported. "We have no water, no food and no medicine," he wrote. The Hamburg shipping company Leonhardt & Blumberg that owns the Hansa Stavanger was not available to comment on the authenticity of the e-mails.Hansa StavangerPiracy has flourished recently off the busy Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean shipping lanes and seaborne gangs have seized several cargo ships and collected tens of millions of dollars in ransom for the safe release of crews and cargoes. The captain of the Hansa Stavanger wrote in one e-mail that the pirates threatened to kill the crew. "They put tape over my eyes and dragged me onto the deck ... They shouted and sent bullets flying close next to my head." Five Germans, three Russians, two Ukrainians, and 14 Filippinos are believed to be on board the ship. A German Foreign Ministry spokesman said a crisis management team was working with Leonhardt & Blumberg on a solution.

MCPON Sends Independence Day Message

2009-07-04T00:03:00.000-05:00

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(SS/SW) Rick D. West released the following Independence Day message to the fleet June 29. "Shipmates and Navy Families, As we celebrate this great nation's birthday I'd like you to take a moment and consider your role in preserving the ideals the United States was founded upon. No matter the platform on which you serve, the community to which you belong or the rating that identifies your skill set, you are all patriots in defense of liberty and protectors of our independence. Not a day goes by that I'm not thankful for the honor to serve among you. It really hits home, though, during holidays like these when we are reminded of what this country stands for. Independence Day is a time to celebrate the freedoms we hold dear and to honor those who have protected them for 233 years. For your part in that, I say thank you.I also ask that while you celebrate our nation's birthday you keep in mind those who are deployed protecting what we are celebrating. Additionally I ask you keep another item at the forefront and that is safety. Use common sense on our nation's freeways and take every possible precaution (including watching out for others) whether you're driving, riding a motorcycle, on the water or staying at home with fireworks and barbecue. I expect safety to be a primary discussion point now and every day leading up to the holiday weekend. Awareness and caution should be the watchwords of every Sailor and Navy family member. Enjoy your holiday, shipmates. No matter where you are, on or below the world's seas and oceans, in the air or boots on ground, I hope you get to spend at least a few moments celebrating the 4th of July. Stay safe and continue to take care of one another. Thanks for what you do in defense of this incredible country of ours. Stay focused; stay alert and stay safe, HOOYAH!"

Cruise Ship Rescue By Coastguard

2009-07-03T12:39:00.003-05:00

The Norfolk coastguard has co-ordinated the rescue of a 57-year-old passenger taken ill on a cruise liner. The man was taken seriously ill on Tuesday on the P&O cruise ship Ventura which was in North Sea travelling to Southampton.P&O VenturaAn RAF rescue helicopter from Leconfield, Yorkshire, and the Cromer lifeboat went to the ship and the man was winched from the deck. He was taken to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for treatment.

Ships Held By Somali Pirates

2009-07-02T00:03:00.001-05:00

Somali pirates released on Sunday the crew of the Pompei, a Belgian dredging vessel captured in mid-April, Belgian authorities said. The vessel was seized en route to the Seychelles with 10 crew on board. Pirate sources had said five days ago they were on the verge of releasing it after a ransom of $2.8 million was agreed. Last week Somali pirates freed Dutch freighter, the Marathon. However, one of the Ukrainian crew was shot dead by the pirates, the Dutch Foreign Ministry said. Here are details of some ships believed to be under pirate control and some facts about the increase in piracy:JAIKUR-I: Seized Oct. 2, 2008 - The 21,040-tonne general cargo ship was detained after a dispute with the owners over damaged cargo. Most of the 21 crew were released last month.

MASINDRA 7: Seized on Dec. 16, 2008. The Malaysian-owned tugboat, was seized with a barge off the Yemeni coast. The tug has about 11 Indonesian crew.

SERENITY: The catamaran sailing for Madagascar from the Seychelles with three people aboard, was seized in March 2009.

INDIAN OCEAN EXPLORER: Seized March 2009. The 35-metre boat was built in Hamburg as an oceanographic research vessel. It accommodates about 12 passengers. Pirates said on June 22 they had freed the seven crew.

HANSA STAVANGER: Seized April 4, 2009. The 20,000-tonne German container vessel was captured about 400 miles off the southern Somali port of Kismayu, between the Seychelles and Kenya. The vessel had a German captain and three Russians, two Ukrainians and 14 Filipinos on board.

WIN FAR 161: Taiwanese tuna boat, seized April 6, 2009.

SHUGAA-AL-MADHI: Seized April 9, 2009, the fishing boat had 13 crew.

MOMTAZ 1: Seized April 10, 2009. The Egyptian fishing vessel was detained with 18 crew.

BUCCANEER: Seized April 11, 2009. The Italian tugboat, owned by Micoperi Marine Contractors, was carrying 10 Italians, five Romanians and a Croatian, and was seized towing two barges while travelling westbound through the Gulf of Aden.

IRENE E.M.: Seized April 14, 2009. The St. Vincent and the Grenadines-flagged Greek-owned bulk carrier was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden. Its Filipino crew of 22 was unharmed.

POMPEI: Seized April 18, 2009. The Belgian dredging vessel and its 10 crew were hijacked about 370 miles from the Somali coast en route to the Seychelles. It had two Belgians, four Croatians, one Dutchman and three Filipinos on board. The crew were released on Sunday.

ARIANA: Seized May 2, 2009. The Ariana was seized north of Madagascar en route to the Middle East from Brazil. The 24-strong Ukrainian crew were said to be unhurt. The ship, flying a Maltese flag, belongs to All Oceans shipping in Greece. A Ukrainian ship was hijacked on the same day in the Indian Ocean with a cargo including U.N. vehicles. Maritime officials were unable to confirm this seizure.

VICTORIA: Seized on May 5, 2009. The Antigua and Barbuda- flagged cargo vessel was hijacked by eight pirates in the Gulf of Aden on its way to the port of Jeddah. The 146-metre ship had a crew of 10.

CHARELLE: Seized on June 12, 2009. The 2,800-tonne cargo ship carrying about nine crew, was attacked 60 miles south of Oman. Lloyds reported the vessel was owned by shipping firm Tarmstedt International.

PIRACY KEY FACTS:

-- In 2008 there were 293 incidents of piracy against ships worldwide, 11 percent up on the year before. Attacks off Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden almost trebled.

-- In 2008, there were 111 incidents including 42 vessels hijacked in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia. So far in 2009, there have been 31 successful hijackings from 143 attempted attacks. -- Nearly 20,000 ships pass through the Gulf of Aden each year, heading to and from the Suez Canal.

US Launches Major Afghan Operation

2009-07-01T20:39:00.003-05:00

Thousands of U.S. Marines and hundreds of Afghan troops moved into Taliban-infested villages with armor and helicopters Wednesday evening in the first major operation under President Barack Obama's revamped strategy to stabilize Afghanistan. The offensive in the once-forgotten war was launched shortly after 1 a.m. Thursday local time in Helmand province, a Taliban stronghold in the southern part of the country. The goal is to clear insurgents from the hotly contested Helmand River Valley before the nation's Aug. 20 presidential election. Dubbed Operation Khanjar, or "Strike of the Sword," the military push was described by officials as the largest and fastest-moving of the war's new phase. British forces last week led similar missions to fight and clear out insurgents in Helmand and neighboring Kandahar provinces. "Where we go we will stay, and where we stay, we will hold, build and work toward transition of all security responsibilities to Afghan forces," Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson said in a statement. Southern Afghanistan is a Taliban stronghold but also a region where Afghan President Hamid Karzai is seeking votes from fellow Pashtun tribesmen. The Pentagon is deploying 21,000 additional troops to Afghanistan in time for the elections and expects the total number of U.S. forces there to reach 68,000 by year's end. That is double the number of troops in Afghanistan in 2008, but still half of much as are now in Iraq. The Taliban who ruled Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001 and were ousted from power following a U.S.-led invasion, have made a violent comeback, wreaking havoc in much of the country's south and east forcing the United States to pour in the new troops. Capt. Bill Pelletier, a spokesman for the Marines said the troops involved in the Thursday operation were sent in by a mixture of aircraft and ground transport under the cover of darkness.The operation is aimed at putting pressure on insurgents, "and to show our commitment to the Afghan people that when we come in we are going to stay long enough to set up their own institutions," Pelletier said. Reversing the insurgency's momentum has been one of the key components of the new U.S. strategy, and thousands of additional troops allow commanders to push and stay into areas where international and Afghan troops had no permanent presence before. While Marine troops were the bulk of the force, recently arrived U.S. Army helicopters were also taking part in the operation in Helmand province. In March, Obama unveiled his strategy for Afghanistan, seeking to defeat al-Qaida terrorists there and in Pakistan with a bigger force and a new commander. Taliban and other extremists, including those allied with al-Qaida, routinely cross the two nations' border in Afghanistan's remote south. The governor of Helmand province predicted the operation would be "very effective." "The security forces will build bases to provide security for the local people so that they can carry out every activity with this favorable background, and take their lives forward in peace," Gov. Gulab Mangal said in a Pentagon news release. Obama's strategy aims to boost the size of the Afghan army from 80,000 to 134,000 troops by 2011 - and greatly increase training by U.S. troops accompanying them - so the Afghan military can defeat Taliban insurgents and take control of the war. The White House also is pushing forces to set clear goals for a war gone awry, to get the American people behind them, to provide more resources and to make a better case for international support. There is no timetable for withdrawal, and the White House has not estimated how many billions of dollars its plan will cost.

Staten Island Ferry Crash

2009-07-01T00:03:00.001-05:00

According to the wires, at 7:13pm, a Staten Island ferry experienced a "hard docking" with "several injuries" at the St. George Terminal in Staten Island. No one was seen in the water, and the ferry regained power and was able to pull in to the berth. The Fire Department is calling all hands, and 750 people are being evacuated from the ferry. More details as we get them.

Suspicious North Korean Ship Turns Around

2009-07-01T00:03:00.000-05:00

A North Korean ship tracked by the US Navy and suspected of transporting weapons or military know-how in violation of UN sanctions has turned around, a Pentagon official said. The official declined to provide details, including where the Kang Nam 1 ship - reportedly originally bound for Myanmar - could now be headed, but news reports out of South Korea suggested the ship may be returning home two weeks after it set sail June 17. A diplomatic source speaking on condition of anonymity told the Korea Herald that the ship was "near our waters," which could suggest that sanctions were having an effect on reclusive North Korea. "If the ship is on its way back, it would mean that Resolution 1874 is taking effect and causing the North to retreat," Kim Tae-woo, vice president of the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, told the newspaper.The Kang Nam 1 quickly drew the attention of the US military under new UN sanctions designed to punish Pyongyang over its May 25 underground nuclear test. The US ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, confirmed Sunday that the United States was tracking the cargo ship. "Obviously we're pursuing and following the progress of that ship very closely," she told reporters. "I'm not going to get into our operational details or what we might actually do on the high seas, if anything, or what allies and partners in the region might do." UN Security Council Resolution 1874, adopted in response to the May 25 nuclear test, calls for beefed up inspections of air, sea and land shipments going to and from North Korea, and an expanded arms embargo. But a senior US lawmaker, Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, last week said the resolution had "serious limitations" because it rules out the use of military force to back up the searches.

Israeli Navy Takes Control Of Activist Ship To Gaza

2009-07-01T00:02:00.002-05:00

Israel’s Navy seized a Greek-registered passenger ferry carrying 21 peace activists and humanitarian goods plying international waters 24 nautical miles off the Gaza coast. Israeli sailors boarded the vessel in the afternoon and ordered its crew to sail to the southern Israeli port of Ashdod. The Cyprus-based Free Gaza movement which organised the voyage said the vessel, dubbed the Spirit of Humanity, had been shadowed by sometimes two, sometimes six Israeli warships, before being forced off its Larnaca- to-Gaza course. The boat’s navigation and communications systems were inoperative for several hours, compelling the British captain to rely on traditional navigational instruments. Passengers said the Israeli navy threatened to open fire if they did return to Cyprus. Those on board included Irish Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairéad Maguire, former US congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, and activists from Bahrain, Britain, the US, Jamaica and the Palestinian territories.Ms Maguire said US president Barack Obama “has called upon the Palestinians to abandon violence, but is denying them the right to non-violently resist the siege of Gaza”. First mate Derek Graham, an electrician from Co Mayo, has served on the five successful crossings attempted by the movement. The last three were interdicted by the Israeli navy. The Dignity, a yacht that made the journey to Gaza twice, was rammed by the Israelis last December and eventually sank in port. Mr Graham’s wife, Jenny, said the crew and passengers were expected to be taken from Ashdod to holding cells at Ben Gurion airport until they are processed for deportation. She has been in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin. The ferry was carrying three tonnes of medical supplies, toys and tool kits for Gazans deprived of basic supplies by Israel’s blockade. Israel has said the aid will be delivered to Gaza after inspection.