Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
The Titanic Historical Society
Today’s website is The Titanic Historical Society. The Titanic Historical Society, Inc. (THS), established in 1963, is the premier source for Titanic and White Star Line information. THS is the original and largest Titanic society in the world. Today is the anniversary of her sinking. Enjoy.
Website
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1898 - Commissioning of the first post-Civil War hospital ship, USS Solace.
1988 - USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) strikes an Iranian mine off Qatar.
1989 - The first Navy ship arrives on scene to assist in the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup.
Navy Action Plan Unveiled to Strengthen Submarine Fleet
Source: Australian Department of Defence
The Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Russ Crane AM CSM, RAN, has released a plan to dramatically improve Australia’s submarine workforce, after concerns a lack of numbers is placing an unacceptable strain on personnel.
“Our submariners remain a professional and ready force. By improving their working conditions we will ensure our Submarine Force remains sustainable now and into the future,” Vice Admiral Crane said.
Navy’s Submarine Workforce Sustainability Program will follow a five phase strategy designed to stabilise, recover and grow the submarine workforce over the next five years. The program focuses on getting more qualified submariners to sea and on improving support for them once deployed. The strain on seagoing submariners will be eased by increasing crew sizes from 46 to 58 people. A fourth submarine crew will be operating by the end of 2011.
The Submarine Workforce Sustainability Review was completed late last year. It made twenty nine recommendations aiming to improve submariners’ work/life balance. Vice Admiral Crane is implementing them all. Three recommendations are already being implemented, including new crewing arrangements, local area networks on submarines and relocation of the Submarine Communication Centre from eastern Australia to Fleet Base West in Western Australia by the end of 2009.
“The changes will improve submariners’ conditions of service with better training systems, better respite at sea and ashore, and better incentives to remain in the submarine force.
“This program will safeguard the future capability of Australia’s submarine fleet,” Vice Admiral Crane said. “Our people must come first. This will be a key part of our New Generation Navy initiative.”
Submarine Plan In National Interest
Australian Department of Defence
The Minister for Defence, Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, today welcomed Navy’s plan to better attract, nurture, lead and retain the special Australians who serve our nation in its submarine force.
The Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane, AM, CSM, RAN, has released a plan to stabilise and improve Australia’s submarine fleet, by taking steps to address a shortage of trained personnel.
“I congratulate Vice Admiral Crane on immediately beginning work to safeguard Australia’s national security,” Mr Snowdon said.
The Submarine Workforce Sustainability Review was completed late last year. It made 29 recommendations. Vice Admiral Crane is implementing them all.
“The Review pulls no punches and I am pleased to see Navy has taken its findings so seriously.”
“While Australia’s submarine fleet remains capable, its long term sustainability depends on the wellbeing of Navy’s submariners. The Government looks forward to positive outcomes from Navy’s new recruitment and retention measures.”
Navy’s Submarine Sustainability Program will follow a five-phase strategy designed to develop a sustainable submarine workforce over the next five years.
Equipped for Swedish Mission Off Somalia
Source: Swedish Armed Forces
The Swedish Navy corvettes Malmö and Stockholm sail aboard the Eide Trader transport ship to Djibouti, where they will patrol Somalian waters on an anti-piracy mission. (Swedish Forces photo)
In a very short time, the corvette HMS Malmö and Stockholm, and support ship Trossö have been modified to be able to operate in very different waters than they originally intended. FMV has been responsible for a series of modifications of the vessels.
On December 19 came the decision from the government that Sweden should participate in EU intervention in the waters around Somalia. Since then, there has been full speed on the preparations.
In a team consisting of Naval base at Karlskrona and 3rd naval squadron, which will implement the action, FMV has participated in the preparatory work and was responsible for a series of measures to make the vessels more suited to operate in tropical waters.
The ships have undergone a so-called third-party verification in order to verify the safety at sea for vessels operating in other waters than they were originally intended. Third Party Verification, made by the classification society Det Norske Veritas, identified needs that are now implemented.
The vessels have been supplemented with rescue and safety related equipment. Ventilation and cooling capacity have been improved for operation in warmer environments. The satellite communications have also been improved.
To make the vessels interoperable with other nations the ships have been equipped with new installations, including equipment for secure text and secure voice and crypto equipment. Arms have been supplemented by heavy machine-gun and ballistic protection for the marksmen.
Work has been carried out under great time pressure.
“Thanks to the wise decision in the autumn and forces now at the end of everyone involved, we have succeeded in implementing these measures in a short time, "says Ingvar Backman, Coordinator for Somalia at FMV.
Support ship Trossö has undergone corresponding measures as the corvettes, moreover, the vessel received a new system. The vessel also equipped with several heavy machine guns and ballistic protection for the marksmen.
Friday, April 3 the loading of the ship-lift starts. It will carry the three vessels to the area of operation in the Gulf of Aden. The Swedish team will be stationed in port of Djibouti, bordering Somalia and has a strategic location at the mouth of the Red Sea.
The task is first and foremost to act escort to the aid packages as UN (World Food Program) sends to the area. But it can also be envisaged to act in areas where pirates operate and show its presence.
Navy Orders More H-1 Aircraft from Bell Helicopter
Source: Bell Helicopter
FORT WORTH, TEXAS --- Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, announced that the U.S. Navy has awarded a new production contract to Bell for the purchase of Lot 6 of the H-1 Upgrade Program, an award worth $288 million.
The 16 aircraft in Lot 6 include five AH-1Z aircraft and 11 UH-1Y aircraft. All 16 aircraft will be built at Bell's Military Aircraft Assembly Center in Amarillo, Texas, with deliveries of completed Lot 6 aircraft scheduled to begin in 2011.
Officials at Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., signed the new production contract Mar. 27.
Bell is now on contract to produce a total of 65 upgraded H-1 aircraft for the Marines: 17 AH-1Z attack aircraft and 48 UH-1Y utility aircraft.
So far, the company has delivered 23 upgraded H-1 helicopters: six AH-1Zs and 17 UH-1Ys.
Photo of the Day
Illustrated cross section of British White Star Lines' luxury liner "Titanic" showing decks, storage areas etc. as well as probable points of impact with iceberg below waterline.
Gator
