Preserving maritime history

Captains,

In 2009, aboard a Dutch naval cruiser, the City of New York celebrated the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's exploration of the Hudson River in 1609. Our host, the Dutch consulate, impressed me when he noted that unlike most of history's superpowers, the United States projects its power for peace, not empire. But in 1898 Admiral Dewey, USN, gave the famous order, "fire when ready, Gridley", during a period of our history with definite empire building tenancies. He was the fleet commander aboard the flagship, USS Olympia, in Manila Bay, Philippines. The spanish fleet was easily defeated that day, and the Philippines would be a U.S. territory for 50 years.

There are many lessons to be learned from American maritime history. Currently the USS Olympia is open to the public in Philadelphia, PA to help teach those lessons. It's a great classroom. That's why this newspaper headline caught my attention. I hope this great icon of our maritime past is not lost to the elements.

RADM W

The USS Olympia, rusting symbol of America's age of empire

Within three years, experts estimate, the Olympia will fall apart. If it isn't saved, it will be dismantled for scrap or sunk to build an artificial reef off Cape May, N.J.

And with it will go a symbol of America's age of empire. When the Olympia was built, the United States was redefining itself as a global power, taking on expensive, elective wars in ever-more-distant places.

The USS Maine exploded in Havana harbor in February 1898, and though the cause was unclear, popular opinion blamed Spain. Ten days later, an ambitious young assistant secretary of the Navy named Theodore Roosevelt - whose boss, Secretary of the Navy John Long, had taken the day off- seized the opportunity to put the Navy on war footing. Roosevelt ordered Commodore George Dewey, aboard the Olympia in Hong Kong, to attack Spanish ships at their port in Manila, capital of the Philippines. That April, the Spanish-American War began.

T/V Triathlon rescues sailors near Bermuda

Captains,

This story comes from the AMVER blog. Ships enrolled in AMVER save lives all over the world. This recent rescue involved two Americans sailing in the Atlantic. Thanks to the captain of tank ship, TRIATHLON, and her crew for being vigilant, professional, and hospitable in the rescue of the two unfortunate sailors.

RADM W

Friday, November 26, 2010

Greek Amver tanker rescues 2

Two American sailors experienced Greek hospitality first hand after they launched several distress flares and were rescued by the crew of the Amver participating tanker Triathlon. The Triathlon witnessed the flares on November 21st while sailing near Bermuda in the Atlantic Ocean. At approximately 2138 local time the bridge crew saw the flares and called Captain Glagaris Georgios to the bridge where he ordered all engines standby. Within 10 minutes of seeing the flare Captain Georgios had a rescue team in the water heading to the stricken sailboat.

Captain Georgios was in contact with Rescue Coordination Center Bermuda and his vessel management as he maneuvered the 900 foot tanker to provide a lee for the sailboat and made a rescue attempt but had to break off the rescue because of high winds and large ocean swells. A second attempt was tried but had to be aborted because the Triathlon could not get lines on the sailboat. The third attempt was successful and the sailboat was able to make fast alongside the tanker. Lowering the embarkation ladder, the Triathlon crew assisted the two sailors aboard the Greek flagged tanker and provided first aid, food, and water. Thankfully the two survivors were unhurt.

Captain Georgios radioed rescue authorities in Bermuda and arranged to have a vessel meet the ship when it arrived at the pilot station in Bermuda. After meeting the pilot boat and disembarking the survivors, the Triathlon made full away to its next port in Nigeria.

9 year old boy saves grandfather

Captains,

Matthew Drisko, 9, is a hero. According to the rescue account, his grandfather Lester got caught in a lobster trap line and went overboard.

Matthew brought the 34-foot lobster boat around to where his grandfather was struggling and attempted to get him back in the boat.

“He grabbed the hood of my sweatshirt and tried to pull me in but I was way too heavy for him,” Lester said. Matthew took off his own lifejacket and fastened it around his grandfather’s neck.

Then, Matthew hailed nearby boat for assistance and saved his grandfather from certain death in 44 degree water off the Maine coast.

RADM W

Congressman, Coast Guard award Jonesport native Certificate of Valor

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, Congressman Michael Michaud poses with Matthew Drisko, Matthew's grandfather Lester Drisko and Cmdr. Brian Gilda, deputy sector commander of Coast Guard Sector Northern New England, during the presentation of the Certificate of Valor to Matthew at Coast Guard Station Jonesport, Monday, Nov. 22, 2010. Matthew was recognized for his heroic actions when he assisted in the rescue of his grandfather while on a fishing trip on May 26, 2009. Coast Guard photo.

F/V Lady Mary sinking with loss of lives

Captains,

The NJ Star Ledger has published a 5 part series on the sinking, search and rescue and investigation of the commercial fishing vessel Lady Mary out of Cape May New Jersey. The cause of the casualty has yet to be determined, but the series and accompanying video provides a thought provoking account of the fatal event and the perilous fishing occupation in general.

It also depicts the challenge of ship wreck forensics and determining what happened "because there's no skid marks at sea".

RADM W

The Wreck of the Lady Mary: Chapter 1 - Mystery shrouds fatal scallop boat sinking

The Wreck of the Lady MaryThe Lady Mary left the Port of Cape May on the morning of March 18, 2009 on a routine scallop fishing trip. The vessel with its crew of seven traveled 66 miles to the restricted scallop fishing area known as the Elephant Trunk. Some time between 5:10 and 5:40 a.m. on March 24, the boat sank and six of the seven crewman were killed. Was it swamped in rough seas? Or did a passing container ship strike the boat without ever knowing it?Watch video

Sharing the Cape Fear River with USS Gravely

Captains,

The newly commissioned USS Gravely needed assistance from the Coast Guard security boats when a local sailor failed to give way as the Gravely transited down the Cape Fear river. Prudent seamanship would have avoided the embarrassment of being on the evening news for this sailboat skipper.

RADM W

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- The USS Gravely is back at sea, and ready to start its career.

After more than a week at the State Port of Wilmington, the newly commissioned Gravely and her crew headed home. Next stop: Norfolk, VA, for more training.

Eventually the ship will be deployed out at sea as the newest destroyer in the Navy's fleet.

Viewer Mark Todd shot this video of the Gravely as it headed down the Cape Fear River. As it neared Snow's Cut, a sailboat got a little too close. A Coast Guard boat escorting the Navy's newest destroyer closed in on the Kat Man 2 to keep it away and let the Gravely pass.

Year of the Seafarer recognition

Captains,

I attended this year's World Maritime Day observance in Vancouver, hosted by NAMEPA, Teekay Shipping, Chamber of Shipping of BC, and Transport Canada. The event was a big success.

In the words of Secretary General Mitropoulis of the IMO, "Seafaring is a difficult and demanding job, with its own set of unique pressures and risks. At the end of a long and stressful day, there is no return home to the family; no evening with friends at the taverna or the pub; no change of scenery; no chance to properly relax, unwind or de–stress. Just the relentless drone of the diesels and the never–ending movement of the vessel that is not only the seafarers' place of work but also their home, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for weeks and often for months on end; and, ever–present in the back of their mind, the possibility of natural and other, invidious hazards such as pirate attacks, unwarranted detention and abandonment in foreign ports.

In this, the "Year of the Seafarer", our intention has been not only to draw attention to the unique circumstances within which seafarers spend their working lives, while rendering their indispensable services, but also to make a palpable and beneficial difference."

The highlight of this year's North American observance was hearing the international premier of Anthem for Seafarers, performed by Christ Church Cathedral Choir. The event included presentations and panels on a combination of seafarer and environmental protection topics.

RADM W

World Maritime Day Observance
November 17-18, 2010, Vancouver, British Columbia

Our goal is to produce a world-class conference in Vancouver in recognition of World Maritime Day.

This year’s theme is “The Year of the Seafarer.”

The timing for this event in Vancouver is to take advantage of a joint meeting of major global shipping interests: OCIMF, ITOPF and INTERTANKO. NAMEPAwill be joining them to produce this World Maritime Day Observance.

High risk waters

Captains,

Last week, a kidnapping in the Niger Delta reminded me that piracy, armed robbery and kidnappings happen daily and threaten seafarers throughout the world. According to news reports, the rig workers were taken off the Transocean rig by a militant group called Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), and that U.S. State Department officials are working with the Nigerian government to secure their release.

Coast Guard international port security officers recently visited Nigeria and report that some progress is being made in the ports and on deep water operations, but rigs in the Niger Delta are particularly vulnerable. Tight vessel security remains the best defense for ships and rigs in high risk waters such as this.

RADM W

Gunmen attack rig off Nigeria

Posted Tue Nov 9, 2010 11:28am AEDT

Gunmen have attacked an oil rig off Nigeria's coast, taking two Americans, two French and one Canadian hostage while wounding two other people, security sources say.

The pre-dawn attack on Monday took place in the country's turbulent Niger Delta region, the heart of one of the world's largest oil industries.

Most kidnappings in the region are for ransom, but it is not immediately clear whether a demand has been made.

"A security breach has occurred on the High Island VII jackup rig, which had recently arrived on location, preparing to commence infill drilling at the Okoro field," a statement from Afren, the company that oversees the rig, said.

"Two crew members are stable after receiving wounds to the leg and have been evacuated by helicopter to a shore-based clinic."

Merchant Marine Vets Day - Don't forget

Captains,

Remember the supreme sacrifice of so many WWII merchant mariners this year on Veteran's Day. Learn more info like this below. It's on the USMM.org web site.

RADM W

The United States Merchant Marine provided the greatest sealift in history between the production army at home and the fighting forces scattered around the globe in World War II. The prewar total of 55,000 experienced mariners was increased to over 215,000 through U.S. Maritime Service training programs.

Merchant ships faced danger from submarines, mines, armed raiders and destroyers, aircraft, "kamikaze," and the elements. About 8,300 mariners were killed at sea, 12,000 wounded of whom at least 1,100 died from their wounds, and 663 men and women were taken prisoner. (Total killed estimated 9,300.) Some were blown to death, some incinerated, some drowned, some froze, and some starved. 66 died in prison camps or aboard Japanese ships while being transported to other camps. 31 ships vanished without a trace to a watery grave.

[Illustration shows SS Byron D. Benson torpedoed on 4/4/42 off North Carolina: 10 members of the crew of 37 lost their lives.]

The USMS was first established under the Coast Guard and later supervised by U.S. Navy officers. Many of its first recruits in 1938 were from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Men, caught up in the patriotic fervor of the time, came forward to serve in the fledgling U.S. Maritime Service. There were 37 Official U.S. Government Recruiting Offices set up around the country. Radio and newspaper ads brought in the thousands of young patriotic men, as young as 16 years of age, from every State who answered their country's call to serve. Some Offices were located next to Navy and Coast Guard Offices. Many men were sent to the USMS by U.S. Navy and Coast Guard recruiters who said, "That's where your service is needed."

Cutter Campbell crewman is the best of the best

Captains,

I'm glad to see BMC John Costabile receiving recognition for his achievement. I helped present the award and promoted him to Chief during the National Navy League Conference in Jacksonville, FL. His high speed boat skills resulted in 5 arrests and seizure of cocaine worth $28M.

RADM W

KITTERY, Maine — A crew member of the Coast Guard cutter Campbell, stationed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, was chosen as the sole recipient of a prestigious leadership award given annually by the Coast Guard.

Chief Boatswain’s Mate John Costabile was recently named the 2009 Douglas A. Munro Inspirational Leadership Award recipient. The award is bestowed on one Coast Guard enlisted member who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and professional competence.

The award comes with an automatic merit promotion and is named after Signalman First Class Douglas Albert Munro, a member of the Coast Guard who received the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military’s highest decoration.

International Port Security

Captains,

I just returned from participating as a delegate in a port security visit to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I was able to observe USCG International Port Security (IPS) Officers on the job as they familiarized themselves with various port facilities and government procedures. I also met with senior officials from the Brazilian Navy, the Rio de Janeiro IPS authority CESPORTOS, and the Brazilian National IPS authority CONPORTOS. Facility visits included: the Rio cruise terminal, the Libra container terminal, the ThyssenKrupp steel plant terminal, and the Petrobras terminals in Guanabara Bay. LCDR Schneider provides a good overall program description below.

RADM W

ISPS Global Implementation – Observations of the USCG IPS Program

The Marine Transportation Security Act requires the DHS Secretary to “assess the effectiveness of the antiterrorism measures maintained at a foreign port served by vessels documented by the U.S. or from which foreign vessels depart on a voyage to the U.S.” The USCG interpreted this requirement appropriately by recognizing that we lack the sovereign authority to conduct such “assessments” in foreign ports.

To accomplish this, a Coast Guard officer is assigned as an International Port Security Liaison Officer (IPSLO) to each U.S. maritime trading partner. IPSLOs are in place to establish international relations and help develop an understanding of ISPS implementation in ports around the world. Another portion of the IPS program includes country visits by a USCG delegation. These visits are more formal and involve trips to port facilities within the host country and observation of implemented security practices. The United States does not claim to have all the answers to port security problems. We believe that by discussing security among trading partners and sharing best practice improvements to maritime port security can be better identified and globally shared.

As a result of the USCG IPS Program, Coast Guard personnel have visited over 120 countries to observe first hand and openly discuss maritime security practices related to the ISPS Code. We have found that most countries visited have substantially implemented the ISPS Code. There is a good understanding of the requirements of the Code and in most ports steps have been taken to upgrade physical security.

Another observation of the IPS Program has been unanticipated gains from realized security practices. Anti-terrorism may have been the intended focus of the ISPS Code, but collateral benefits of implementation have been numerous. For example improvements in perimeter security have discouraged stowaways and slowed illegal migrant activities. Port operators concerned about costs of implementing the Code have been pleased to note that the added security reduces cargo theft and other illegal activities within the port. Better cargo monitoring and accountability has also led to increased customs revenue. Maritime nations as well as port and vessel operators are finding measurable economic and business-smart benefits in the implementation of basic security measures. This economic benefit encourages reinvestment in port security infrastructure and may assist with concerns about new security system sustainability.

LCDR Tanya Schneider, United States Coast Guard

Port Security Liaison Officer, USCG Activities Europe

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Tillamook Bay bar is notorious

Captains,

It's good to see a proactive approach being taken with the fishing fleet in Oregon this year. Unfortunately the navigation condition at the Tillamook Bar continues to get worse. The key will be for government officials and the fishermen to find the proper balance between safety and fishing prosperity.

RADM W

Oregon's Tillamook Bay bar grows more deadly, claiming 17 lives in seven years

Published: Friday, November 05, 2010, 3:31 PM

The Tillamook Bay bar is notoriously deadly with at least 17 lives lost in the past seven years. Now, as the fishing fleet readies for the opening of crab season, the U.S. Coast Guard is warning that the bar is as dangerous as it's ever been and it's going to take significant effort to keep everyone safe.

The Coast Guard is hosting a meeting with the fishing fleet, the Port of Garibaldi and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Monday to discuss their concerns and let fishermen know what to expect in the coming season. The Tillamook Bay bar – the place at the tip of the jetties where the calm bay waters meet the sea – has been growing progressively worse for about 20 years.

Last month, the commercial fishing vessel the Double Eagle capsized by the south jetty.Luckily for the crew, the Coast Guard life boats were standing by on the bar and able to pluck the crew of two from the water.