Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
On Display - German U-Boot Type XXI U2540
MSW Crew-mate Alec Cap (bigal007) shares a gallery of the German U-Boot Type XXI U2540 in this "On Display" feature.
On-Display - Soviet Dekabrist Class Submarine D2
MSW crew-mate Peter Fulgoney (Peterf) shares another of his artistic photo presentations of his build for our "Divine Waterline" Campaign Soviet Dekabrist Class Submarine D2 in this "On Display" feature.
US navy nabs pirate suspects near Seychelles
Source: AFP
WASHINGTON (AFP) – A US warship operating in the Indian Ocean captured five suspected pirates Thursday after an exchange of gunfire in international waters near the Seychelles, the Pentagon said.
The frigate USS Nicholas took the piracy suspects into custody after the warship sank a skiff, and confiscated a suspected mother ship, said a statement from US Naval Forces.
"While operating west of the Seychelles in international waters, Nicholas reported taking fire at 12:27 am local time from a suspected pirate skiff and returned fire before commencing pursuit of the vessel until the disabled skiff stopped," the statement said.
"At 1:59 am personnel from Nicholas boarded the disabled skiff and detained three personnel. The boarding team found ammunition and multiple cans of fuel on board."
After taking the suspected pirates on board, the Nicholas sank the disabled skiff and captured two additional suspected pirates on the confiscated mother ship.
"The suspected pirates will remain in US custody on board Nicholas until a determination is made regarding their disposition," the statement said.
The lifting of the winter monsoon in the region has spurred a fresh spate of attacks by pirates able to venture hundreds of miles from their bases and approach their prey on relatively calm seas.
The Seychelles economy relies heavily on tuna fishing and tourism and the country has had several ships hijacked since 2008.
In a separate incident, six Seychellois fishermen rescued from Somali pirates were returned home Wednesday after three days of high-seas drama which saw the Seychelles coastguard sink several pirate boats.
Malta's new patrol boat fleet
Source: Baird Maritime
Austal has completed its first European defense contract following the commissioning of four 21.2-metre inshore patrol craft for the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM).
The aluminum vessels have a maximum speed of more than 26 knots and will assist the AFM with surveillance and border protection throughout Malta’s coastal waters.
The four vessels were built at Austal’s Western Australian facility and delivered to Malta via liftship.
Austal’s 21.2-metre inshore patrol platform is designed for coastal surveillance and search and rescue. The all-aluminum monohull provides enhanced crew habitability, maneuverability and fuel efficiency across various operating conditions.
An elevated fly bridge provides optimal visibility during near-range operations. The vessel is equipped with fire fighting capability via a fire monitor on the aft flybridge deck, alongside two 7.62mm light machine gun mounts. Mounting for one 12.7mm heavy machine gun is positioned near the vessel’s bow.
Powering the vessel are two MAN D2842 LE410 diesel engines, each producing 809kW at 2,100rpm and driving fixed pitch propellers. Auxiliary engines consist of two Cummins MDKBUs.
The AFM vessels are classed by DNV with X1A1 LC R2 Patrol notation.
Royal Navy Multimedia Center
Today’s website is Royal Navy Multimedia Center. Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1946 - USS Missouri (BB 63) arrives in Turkey to return the body of Turkish ambassador to the U.S. and to show U.S. support and willingness to defend Turkey.
Photo of the Day
Bow section of the new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier.
Gator
