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



HMAS Albany Intercepts SIEV
Source: Royal Australian Navy

Border Protection Command yesterday successfully intercepted a suspected irregular entry vessel. HMAS Albany, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, intercepted the vessel at 6.20pm (AEDST) on 3 January 2010 approximately 29 nautical miles south of Cartier Island.

Initial indications suggest 30 passengers and 2 crew are on board the vessel. Situations around the world mean that large numbers of displaced persons are looking for settlement and can be targeted by, and fall prey to, people smugglers. According to the UNHCR 2008 Global Trends report, there were 42 million forcibly displaced persons worldwide at the end of 2008, including 15.2 million refugees.

People smuggling is not just an issue for Australia – it is a global and regional problem. The commitment of our neighbors, through bilateral cooperation and the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime, is critical to addressing this most serious issue.

The Australian Government has an orderly and planned migration program and places a high priority on protecting Australia's borders from irregular maritime arrivals by maintaining an effective and visible tactical response program of aerial, land and sea-based patrols.

The Australian Government's Border Protection Command uses a combination of Customs and Border Protection and Defense assets to deliver a coordinated national response to security threats in Australia’s maritime domain.
The Australian Government remains vigilant and committed to protecting Australia’s borders and today's successful interception by Border Protection Command continues to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proactive response program in place.

The group will be transferred to Christmas Island where they will undergo security, identity and health checks and their reasons for travel will be established.


Winning 'Hearts and Minds' In the Arabian Gulf
Source: Royal Navy

As part of coalition forces operating in the Arabian Gulf, HMS Monmouth, fondly referred to as ‘The Black Duke’ has taken the opportunity to communicate with local fishermen by visiting Dhows whilst at sea. Known as Approach and Assist Visits (AAVs), they are designed to win the ‘fight for hearts and minds’ in the Arabian Gulf.

Allowing for a personal approach from the coalition forces, it is a rare opportunity to meet and greet the very people we are protecting. The visits have been well received and the relationship between the locals and coalition forces is strengthening. The material state of the vessel can be assessed during an AAV along with the morale and welfare of the crew. We can also give physical support by providing items such as fresh water and gloves, for handling fishing nets, as well as first aid assistance where required.

Unlike Maritime awareness calls carried out over VHF radio, AAVs give the ship the chance to converse face-to-face with the Master and crew of the vessel thus building vital local knowledge. This contributes to the overall pattern of life throughout the Gulf. In turn, this gives the Area Commanders the ability to spot any unusual activity, leading to a safer working environment for coalition forces and, more importantly, the local fishermen who rely on these waters to survive.

The consensus from all parties involved is that these visits are fundamentally important to ensuring peace in this area and gives the fishermen regular contact with coalition forces. Many do not have maritime VHF radios and this is often the only external communication they have whilst at sea. It also enables us to inform the Master of any coalition activity in the area and pass more general information such as weather forecasts and warnings of dangers.

Monmouth is well equipped to carry out these visits with her very proficient Pacific 24 RIBS. Each boat is capable of carrying up to 6 passengers and reaching speeds of 40 knots. Monmouth has her own organic Boarding Team to conduct these AAVs. The team is made up from a mixture of specially trained Monmouth Ship’s Company, more commonly known as the ‘Blue Team,’ and a team of Royal Marines or ‘Green Team’. The Green Team are specialists and are members of Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines based in Faslane, Scotland. The teams work and train side by side and, with the diversity of skills amongst them, are capable of tackling most situations ranging from a hostile crew member to a problem with the electronics or propulsion onboard a Dhow.

Marine Edwards, part of the Green Team, said: ‘’AAVs are crucial to build peace and stability in the Arabian Gulf; it gives a great opportunity for the coalition forces to win over the hearts and minds of the local fishermen. ‘’
The boarding teams of The Black Duke have a busy few months ahead conducting AAVs and maritime security in the Arabian Gulf until her return to Devonport in April 2010.




American Victory Museum & Ship

Today’s website is American Victory Museum & Ship. Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1960 - The first fully-guided Polaris missile is launched at Cape Canaveral, Fla. It flew 900 miles.
1967 - The Mobile Riverine Force begins arriving at Vung Tau, Vietnam.
1991 - Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney gives the coup de grace to the Navy's behind-schedule, over-budget A-12 Avenger stealth aircraft. At more than $52 billion, is the largest defense contract ever canceled.


Photo of the Day



Victory ships being fitted out at the Calship yard, Wilmington, California, between 27 April and 30 May 1944.

Gator