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



Hampton Roads Naval Museum

Today’s website is Hampton Roads Naval Museum. The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is an accredited museum operated by the United States Navy that celebrates the 220 years history of the fleet in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. Enjoy.
Website




This Day in U.S. Naval History

1847 - Naval Forces begin a five-day battle to capture several towns in Mexico.
1861 - Fort Sumter surrenders to Confederate forces.
1960 - The Navy's navigation satellite, Transit, is placed into orbit from Cape Canaveral, Fla., and demonstrates ability to launch another satellite.


US captain's rescue raises stakes in piracy ops
Source: Associated Press

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – The killing of three Somali pirates in the dramatic U.S. Navy rescue of a cargo ship captain has sparked concern for other hostages and fears that the stakes have been raised for future hijackings in the busy Indian Ocean shipping lane.

Sunday's rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips followed a shootout at sea on Friday by French navy commandos, who stormed a pirate-held sailboat, killed two pirates and freed four French hostages. The French owner of the vessel was also killed in the assault.
The two operations may have been a setback for the pirates, but they are unlikely to quell the brigands, who have vowed to avenge the deaths of their comrades.

Experts indicated that piracy in the Indian Ocean off Somalia, which transformed one of the world's busiest shipping lanes into one of its most dangerous, has entered a new phase with the Navy SEAL rescue operation of Phillips.
It "could escalate violence in this part of the world, no question about it," said Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.

The International Maritime Bureau said Monday it supported the action by the U.S. and French navies, but cautioned it may spark retaliatory moves by pirates.

"We applaud the U.S. and the French action. We feel that they are making the right move, although the results sometimes may be detrimental," said Noel Choong of the IMB's piracy center in Kuala Lumpur.
He did not elaborate, but for families of the 228 foreign nationals aboard 13 ships still held by pirates, the fear is revenge on their loved ones.

"Those released are lucky, but what about those who remain captive?" said Vilma de Guzman, the wife of Filipino seafarer Ruel de Guzman. He has been held by pirates since Nov. 10 along with the 22 other Filipino crew of the chemical tanker MT Stolt Strength.
The U.S. rescue operation "might be dangerous (for) the remaining hostages because the pirates might vent their anger on them," she said.

So far, Somali pirates have never harmed captive foreign crews except for a Taiwanese crew member who was killed under unclear circumstances. In fact, many former hostages say they were treated well and given sumptuous food.
The pirates had operated with near-impunity in the Gulf of Aden north of Somalia, and more recently in waters south of the country after a multinational naval force began patrolling the Gulf.

Choong said there have been 74 attacks this year with 15 hijackings as compared to 111 attacks for all of last year.
The modus operandi of the pirates is simple: Board unarmed or lightly armed merchant ships, fire shots in the air or at the hull to intimidate the crew, divert the ships to hide-outs on the Somali coast and wait for the owners to pay millions of dollars in ransom.

But the game changed last week when the pirates boarded the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama. In an act of courage, Phillips offered himself as hostage in return for the safety of his crew.
The pirates transferred the 53-year-old Phillips, a Vermont native, to a lifeboat. But the pirates had not counted on the U.S. military's resolve. After a five-day standoff during which a small U.S. flotilla tailed the lifeboat, Navy SEAL snipers on a destroyer shot and killed three pirates and plucked an unharmed Phillips to safety. A fourth pirate surrendered.
The comrades of the slain pirates immediately threatened retaliation.

"From now on, if we capture foreign ships and their respective countries try to attack us, we will kill them," said Jamac Habeb, a 30-year-old self-proclaimed pirate, told The Associated Press by telephone from the pirate hub, Eyl.
Abdullahi Lami, one of the pirates holding a Greek ship in the pirate den of Gaan, a central Somali town, told the AP that pirates will not take the U.S. action lying down.
"We will retaliate for the killings of our men," he said.

Giles Noakes, chief maritime security officer of the largest international shipping association, the Denmark-based BIMCO, says it is premature to say Philips' rescue will lead to an escalation of violence.
"The question here is whether there will be a change of attitude in the pirates and in their modus operandi. We hope the change will be that they will be even more deterred because of the successful action by both the Maersk Alabama crew and the navies," he said.

Many of the governments whose ships have been captured — including Taiwan's Win Far 161 with a multinational crew of 30 — are in talks with the pirates and would not comment on the consequences of the American rescue for fear of jeopardizing the negotiations.
"We are monitoring the situation closely, but the ship owner wants to keep a low profile to help with their negotiation with the abductors," Taiwanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Henry Chen said.

He said the crew, comprising 17 Filipinos, six Indonesians, five Chinese and two Taiwanese, were safe as of Monday.
Some families also wonder if Phillips' rescue drew so much of attention because of his nationality.
"It's difficult when the ship's crew are all Filipinos because we are ignored," said de Guzman. "Maybe if there are Japanese, Koreans or British among the crew, the case would get more attention."


Thales Signs Submarine Partnering Arrangement
Source: Thales UK

Thales UK's naval business has today announced that it has signed a submarine Performance Partnering Arrangement (PPA) with BAE Systems.

This arrangement provides a commitment between the companies to cooperate on future submarine programmes. The aim of both parties is that the PPA will significantly contribute to providing an affordable and sustainable common combat system across the UK's submarine flotilla.

Under the PPA, Thales will be the preferred contractor for submarine sonar work in support of BAE Systems' submarine build and combat system design work. This will include providing sonar functional integration services for BAE Systems. Thales will also continue to be a key contributor to the combat system Design Evolution Team managed by BAE Systems on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence.

This commitment requires Thales to achieve a certain level of performance based on time, cost, quality and other factors. It is anticipated that continuing high-performance by Thales's underwater systems business in the UK will lead to further new business success in the future.

Ed Lowe, Managing Director of Thales UK's naval business, says: "This agreement is a very positive factor in the ongoing and close working with BAE Systems. It under¬pins the two companies' long-term relationship and is significant for Thales's underwater systems business in the global maritime defence market.

"It highlights Thales position as a leading contractor to the submarine service. We look forward to supporting this key arrangement and delivering future successes together."

Jon Sayer, Director Combat Systems & Support, BAE Systems, says: "The performance of UK sonar technology, and of Sonar 2076 in particular, is world-leading. BAE Systems are very pleased to enter into this agreement to sustain the supply of this capability into the submarines we design and build - today and in the future."

Captain Pat O'Neill, Royal Navy, the Combat System Group Leader in the Submarines Cluster of the Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) organisation, says: "This Partnering arrangement is very welcome. It recognises the ongoing contribution of Thales to the Royal Navy's submarine sonar programme, which is delivering world-class performance at sea".

"It provides a framework for the overall UK Submarine 'Combat System Enterprise', including front-line forces, DE&S and industry, to benefit from ongoing relationships."




Mexico – Persuader Maritime Patrol Aircraft
Source: US Defense Security Cooperation Agency

WASHINGTON --- On April 3, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Mexico of the Persuader Maritime Patrol Aircraft and other related services and support.

The estimated cost is $60 million.

The Government of Mexico has requested a possible sale of one Persuader Maritime Patrol Aircraft, CASA type CN235-300M-M01, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, contractor engineering and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve Mexico’s fight against criminal organizations, drugs, and gang activities. This proposed sale directly supports the Mexican government and serves the interests of the Mexican people and the U.S.

The proposed sale of the patrol aircraft will allow the Mexican Navy to perform enhanced surveillance missions, which will support its interdiction activities and rapid response of law enforcement in Mexico.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor is EADS North America in Arlington, Virginia. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U. S. Government personnel in country. One contractor representative is requested for a period of four years to provide logistic support services.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.


Photo of the Day



Belgian frigate F930 Leopold I.

Gator