Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.



Bermuda Maritime Museum

Today’s website is the Bermuda Maritime Museum. Bermuda's largest fort is the Keep in the Royal Naval Dockyard, which in 1974 was taken over by a volunteer group that established the Bermuda Maritime Museum. Today it is the largest museum on the island. Its extensive ramparts have been partly restored, and some guns have been remounted. Enjoy.
Website




This Day in U.S. Naval History

1776 - Sloop-of-war Ranger, the frigate Queen of France and the frigate Warren capture the British vessel Hibernia and seven other vessels.
1862 - Naval gunfire from the warships Tyler and Lexington help save Union Troops at the Battle of Shiloh.
1909 - Cmdr. Robert E. Peary reports reaching the North Pole.
1917 - The United States declares war on Germany.
1945 - The first heavy kamikaze attack occurs on ships at Okinawa.
1961 - USS Lake Champlain (CVS 39) brings oxygen to aid stricken passenger of British liner Queen of Bermuda.
1968 - USS New Jersey (BB 62) is recommissioned for shore bombardment duty in Vietnam.
1989 - The President orders Department of Defense to assist in the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup.
1993 - Branch Navy Hospital Adak, Alaska, responds to crash of civilian Chinese airliner by providing lifesaving treatment and medical evacuation of 89 injured passengers. Only one passenger out of 265 passengers died.


Royal Navy Task Group Heads for Red Sea
Source: Royal Navy

A Royal Navy Task Group which forms the biggest deployment to the Far East in more than a decade is preparing to head into some of the busiest sea lanes of the world, notorious for pirate attacks.

The 12 ships and Royal Marines of TAURUS 09 left the UK in February and have been undertaking a period of training and multi-national exercises in the Mediterranean, practicing amphibious and anti-submarine warfare in large-scale exercises off the coasts of Cyprus (WADER) and Turkey (Ex EGEMEN), as well as conducting maritime security operations.
The Task Group has reduced in numbers for Phase Two but maintains its full capability to transit through the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, culminating in an intense, multi-national training package in the primary jungles of Brunei. This will provide crucial training for the Royal Navy and its Royal Marines, many of whom have more recently been serving in a land environment during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Riverine training will also be conducted with the Bangladeshi Navy, the first such interaction in more than a decade.

Speaking from his flagship HMS Bulwark as Phase One draws to an end, Commodore Peter Hudson CBE ADC, Commander UK Amphibious Task Group said:
“The main objective of the first phase of this deployment was to exercise the UK’s Amphibious Task Group in a testing, challenging multi threat environment – for both the ships and the Royal Marines. In completing Exercise Egemen with our US, Dutch and Turkish partners we have fully achieved this, enabling nearly 2500 Royal Naval personnel to hone their skills, to refine procedures and to demonstrate what a powerful capability the Amphibious Task Group can deliver. It has been a very successful period which sets the right tone of the next phase of work in the Indian Ocean”.
TAURUS 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, enhancing interoperability and demonstrating the UK’s commitment to the stability and security of the Mediterranean, Middle East and South East Asia. In exercising its ability to deploy globally, the Task Group will remain available for a range of potential missions as required, such as anti-piracy, humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

The Task Group sailed from the UK with 12 ships, including a US Navy destroyer and a French Navy frigate, a nuclear powered submarines, Royal Marines from 40 Commando in Taunton, the Fleet Diving Unit, Assault Squadron Royal Marines from Plymouth, elements of 820 and 857 Naval Air Squadrons (NAS) from RNAS Culdrose, 847 NAS and Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) Sea Kings based in Yeovil and Support Helicopter Force Chinooks from 18 Squadron, RAF Odiham. It will be joined by ships, troops and aircraft from other nations as it transits towards South East Asia.
The Task Group is expected to return in August 2009.


Government Seeks Bids for Mid-Shore Patrol Vessels
Source: Public Works and Government Services Canada

GATINEAU, Quebec --- The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, as well as the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, today announced that the Government of Canada has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to obtain mid-shore patrol vessels on behalf of the Canadian Coast Guard.

The government plans to procure up to twelve new mid-shore patrol vessels to provide support for the Fisheries Conservation and Protection Program, as well as maritime security.

“This government will ensure that the Coast Guard receives the vessels they need, that Canadian taxpayers receive the best value for their money, and that Canadian industry benefits from this procurement,” said Minister Paradis.

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) issued a draft RFP on Merx on February 26, 2009, in order to give industry the opportunity to provide feedback. As a result of this draft, PWGSC received comments from nine companies. This input was taken into account in drafting the RFP now posted.

“The acquisition of new mid-shore patrol vessels is a priority for the Canadian Coast Guard,” said Minister Shea. “With this investment, the Coast Guard will continue to focus on what it does best, that is, provide valuable services to mariners in Canadian waters.”

Under the Canadian Shipbuilding Policy, the government’s commitment to procure, repair and refit vessels in Canada, subject to operational requirements and the continued existence of a competitive domestic marketplace, remains unaltered.

Canada’s Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy also applies to this project and will require the winning bidder to undertake high quality and advanced-technology business activities in Canada in an amount equal to 100% of the contract value.

“The government is fulfilling an important need with this purchase,” said Minister Clement. “The application of the Shipbuilding and IRB policies will bring direct benefit to the Canadian economy.”


BACKGROUNDER

The government plans to procure up to twelve new mid-shore patrol vessels (MSPVs) to provide support for the Fisheries Conservation and Protection Program, as well as maritime security.

PWGSC launched this process by issuing a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) on Merx on February 26, 2009. This provided industry with the opportunity to provide input into the RFP now posted.

As a result of the draft, PWGSC received comments from nine companies. This input was taken into account in drafting the final RFP. As part of a fair, open and transparent process the RFP is posted on Merx™ for 45 days. Once the RFP has closed, the government will examine all bids received to ensure that Canadian taxpayers receive the best value for their money and will seek the best possible benefits for Canadian industry.

The contract will ensure that the twelve new MSPVs will be built in Canada as per the Canadian Shipbuilding Policy and delivered to Canada's west and east coasts and the Great Lakes. These vessels are critical to the Canadian Coast Guard, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canada’s international maritime partners. They will ensure that the Canadian Coast Guard can provide a presence in Canadian waters that discourages threats and illegal activities.


Photo of the Day



American landing craft arriving at Guadalcanal Island.
Image courtesy of Life Archives

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