New York State Office of Homeland Security Maritime Sector Open Source Week in Review 11 - 17 September 2009

Maritime Sector:
Open Source Week in Review

11-17 September 2009
New York State Office of Homeland Security

Intelligence Division
This product is designed to provide agencies and personnel with a maritime interest situational awareness of worldwide events
and developments in the maritime sector as reported in the Open Source domain. No operational, classified or law enforcement
sensitive information is contained within the report. This information has been compiled by the NYS OHS Intelligence Division.
For questions, comments, suggestions or additional information please contact Intelligence Analyst John Fusco at
jfusco@security.state.ny.us.
2009-35
Table of Contents
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................................... 1
Open Source Week in Review Highlights ...................................................................................................... 2
Areas of Interest ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Terrorism, Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea .......................................................................................... 4
Homeland, Port and Maritime Security .................................................................................................. 20
Drugs, Smuggling, Illegal Weapons Shipments, Immigration, Border Security, Humanitarian ............ 29
US Navy, US Coast Guard, International Navies, etc............................................................................. 33
Energy, Environment, Natural Resources, Shipping, Commerce and Trade .......................................... 40
Miscellaneous ......................................................................................................................................... 46
Geographic Region(s) of Interest................................................................................................................ 49
Featured Vessel(s) of the Week ................................................................................................................... 50
NATO Shipping Centre Piracy Update ....................................................................................................... 52
This Week in US Naval History .................................................................................................................. 53
This Week in US Coast Guard History ....................................................................................................... 55
National Maritime-related Documentation ................................................................................................ 57
Useful Maritime-Related Website Links ..................................................................................................... 58
This weekly product is designed to provide agencies, organizations and personnel with a maritime
interest, situational awareness of worldwide events and developments in the maritime sector as reported
in the open source domain. It is a compilation of Open Source information only; no operational,
classified or law enforcement sensitive information is contained within the report. This information has
been compiled by the NYS OHS Intelligence Division.
“Ninety percent of intelligence comes from open sources. The other ten percent, the clandestine work, is just
the more dramatic. The real intelligence hero is Sherlock Holmes, not James Bond.”
- Lieutenant General Samuel V. Wilson, USA (Ret),

former director, Defense Intelligence Agency
Open Source Week in Review Highlights
Terrorism, Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea
An attack was launched by US Special Forces, originating from a US Navy warship off the coast, into
Somalia killing wanted al-Qa‘ida terrorist Saleh ali Saleh Nabhan. Nabhan has been tied to several
attacks including the 1998 bombings of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in which more than 200
were killed and close to 4,000 were injured. He was also wanted in connection with the 2002 suicide
bombing of an Israeli-owned hotel which killed ten Kenyans and three Israelis, as well as a failed attack
on an Israeli aircraft, both in Mombasa, Kenya.
The Somali pirate captured during the hostage taking incident aboard the MV Maersk Alabama appeared
in a Manhattan federal court this week where he pleaded not guilty to piracy charges. Abdiwali
Abdiqadir Muse was indicted on ten counts including piracy and hostage-taking and could face life in
prison if convicted.
According to the commander of the anti-piracy Combined Task Force-151 (CTF-151), US Navy Rear
Admiral Scott Sanders, pirate skiffs are being intercepted ―every few days‖ by the international naval
forces in the region. Currently there are about six ships assigned directly to CTF-151. In addition to
CTF-151, there is the European Union Operation Atalanta and the NATO Operation Ocean Shield.
Several other nations have sent their own ships and operate independently of the organized task forces
including Australia, Turkey, Pakistan, Russia, India, Japan South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and
Iran. In total there are approximately 30 warships now on patrol in the waters off Somalia. Recently,
Russian and Chinese naval forces together escorted a convoy of 18 commercial ships through the Gulf of
Aden. According to Russian media reports, Russian naval forces have escorted over 100 Russian and
foreign commercial ships and thwarted several attacks so far in 2009. According to reporting, in 2009
international naval forces have encountered 542 suspected pirates, released 315 and have handed 212
over for prosecution. Now that the monsoon season has ended, pirate attacks are expected to increase.
An attack on a North Korean commercial vessel by Somali pirates armed with rocket propelled grenades
and assault rifles was repelled by the ship‘s crew using Molotov cocktails and distress rocket flares. One
of the ship‘s crew was reportedly wounded and the ship sustained some damage. According to the
International Maritime Bureau this was the 156th attack of the year. A Greek merchant ship, MV Irene
EM, and its 21 crew seized in April was released this week after the pirates were paid a $2 million
ransom. There are approximately six ships and 100 crew still being held hostage by Somali pirates.
Four suspected pirates captured last week by the German Navy frigate Brandenburg were released and
returned to Somalia along with the body of a fifth individual who was killed when warning shots were
fired at the skiff they were sailing in. According to a statement posted on the German Bundeswehr
website, it was decided not to send the four suspects to Kenya for prosecution since they were not sure
they would be convicted.
Meanwhile, off the coast of Malaysia pirates attacked two tankers, a Panama-registered tanker Pacific
Harmony and a Malaysia-registered chemical tanker MMM Kingston. It is believed the same group of
pirates was responsible for both failed attacks. Approximately 50% of the world‘s oil tanker traffic sails
through region, which provides ships with the shortest route between the Pacific and Indian oceans.
Homeland, Port and Maritime Security
A safety zone has been established by the US Coast Guard around a small island just off the coast of
Maine in order to protect fishermen from unexploded ordnance dating back to the 1940s and 1960s. Seal
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Island was used by the US Navy as a bombing range until it was placed under the jurisdiction of the US
Fish and Wildlife Service in 1972. According to US Coast Guard Commander Michael Sams, the head of
prevention for Coast Guard Sector Northern New England, the request to establish the safety zone came
from the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
Drugs, Smuggling, Illegal Weapons Shipments, Immigration, Border Security, Humanitarian
Tensions between Russia and Georgia continue to escalate as the Russian border guards have now
indicated that all vessels in violation of Abkhazia‘s maritime border would be detained. Georgia still
considers the breakaway Abkhazia to be part of its territory and recently seized a Panamanian-flagged
tanker and its cargo of gasoline and diesel fuel as it attempted to reach Abkhazia. The Abkhazian foreign
minister has indicated that Abkhazia would use force if necessary in order to stop Georgia from seizing
vessels. Russia has recognized Abkhazia and signed mutual assistance treaties with Abkhazia and South
Ossetia.
Energy, Environment, Natural Resources, Shipping, Commerce and Trade
Italian authorities have reported that a sunken ship carrying 120 barrels of suspected radioactive waste
may have been sunk by the Calabrian mafia. It is believed there may be as many as 30 other such vessels
off the Italian coast. This vessel, identified as the Ndrangheta, was discovered in approximately 500
meters of water about 20 nautical miles from the coast of southern Italy.
The oil spill which began over three weeks ago in the Timor Sea off the western coast of Australia is
reportedly leaking about 400 barrels a day, with approximately 1,200 tons of oil having already leaked.
This would be the third largest spill in Australia‘s history. According to a spokesperson for the
Australian Maritime Safety Authority, "We've got two observation flights daily across the area and we
have our vessels, spoons and skimmers to recover oil off the surface of the water and in addition to that
we have got another vessel that is doing disbursement spraying as necessary," she said.
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Areas of Interest
Terrorism, Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea
Counter-Piracy Task Force Flagship Hosts Yemen Sea Service Officers

Source: U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=38924
Published: 17 September 2009
USS ANZIO, At Sea – Commander of Combined Task Force 151, Rear Adm. Scott E Sanders, and Capt. Frank J
Olmo, commanding officer of the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio, hosted senior members of the two Yemeni
maritime forces aboard the CTF 151 flagship this week. The visit promoted cooperation between the Yemeni Navy,
Yemeni Coast Guard and the Combined Maritime Forces.
Aden District commander, Yemen Coast Guard Col. Lofta Al Barati and Aden District commander, Yemen Navy
Brigadier Radman Shamsan were flown out to the USS Anzio by one of the ship's SH-60 Seahawk helicopters for
their two hour visit.
"Cooperation with the maritime forces in the surrounding countries is critical to the long-term success of our
mission" said Sanders. "Having this opportunity to discuss our counter-piracy operation with senior officers from
both the Yemen navy and coast guard is a significant step towards stopping piracy" he added.
USS Anzio was patrolling the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor in the Gulf of Aden and moved out of
these shipping lanes to launch a helicopter for the ferry flight from Aden. This was the first U.S. helicopter flight
into Aden in more than four years.
Captain Keith Blount RN gave the Yemeni officers a brief on the operations of the CTF 151 ships in the region. He
stressed the benefits to be gained by all forces in working together. He said "We are able to gain a greater
understanding of the usual pattern of life in the Gulf of Aden by speaking to those who see it every day. Only by
working together will we win our fight against piracy", a statement that was endorsed by Cmdr. Lofta Al Barati of
the Yemen coastguard.
The Yemen officers were shown the medical center aboard USS Anzio which is able to deal with severe gunshot
wounds or similar injuries and include an Expeditionary Resuscitation Surgical System. The surgical team is
available to deal with some of the most serious injuries and the team demonstrated their response to an injury.
While touring the remainder of USS Anzio, Sanders said, "the turning point has been the willingness by merchant
mariners to defend themselves, by the prudent defensive measures that many have adopted." "CTF 151 is here to
work with them and support them every step of the way."
CTF 151 is a multinational task force established in January 2009 by the Combined Maritime Forces headquartered
in Manama, Bahrain, to conduct counter piracy operations under a mission-based mandate to actively deter, disrupt
and suppress piracy in order to protect global maritime security, and secure freedom of navigation for the benefit of
all nations.
The number of military units assigned to the force flow in CTF 151 is constantly changing as ships and aircraft from
a variety of countries assign units to the task forces. Nations including the UK, Turkey, South Korea, Japan,
Australia, Denmark, Singapore and the U.S. have conducted operations as part of CTF 151.
Piracy off the Horn of Africa is a threat to the security of all nations and requires an international solution. The
presence of coalition naval vessels in the region demonstrates our commitment to regional security and stability. To
continue to counter and deter piracy successfully, coalition efforts must be complemented by proactive measures by
commercial shippers, regional governments, and the international community.
4
Teen Somali Piracy Suspect Due Back in Manhattan Court
Source: 1010 WINS http://www.1010wins.com/pages/5239999.php?contentType=4&contentId=4708438
A Somali teenager accused of leading a pirate attack on an American cargo ship off the coast of Africa is facing a
New York judge. Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse has pleaded not guilty to piracy charges. He appears in Manhattan
federal court on Thursday afternoon.
Authorities say Muse was the only surviving pirate of a group that attacked the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama off
the Somali coast in April. The ship was carrying humanitarian supplies. Muse was indicted on 10 counts including
piracy and hostage-taking. He faces a mandatory life term if convicted of the most serious charge.
His lawyers have denied the government's claim that Muse is 18. His family has said Muse is as young as 15
Lawyers: alleged Arctic Sea pirates needed help

Source: Associated Press http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gGMWEnaCdQQYsfVwZJjeIVkgLzgQD9AOHGV00
MOSCOW — Lawyers for eight men accused of hijacking the Arctic Sea freighter as it passed through the Baltic
Sea said Wednesday their clients are peaceful seamen who were merely practicing maritime skills when their boat
ran into trouble.
They said the eight defendants who have been charged in a Russian court with abduction and piracy had done
nothing wrong and only climbed onto the freighter off Sweden to seek help because their inflatable rubber boat was
taking on water.
The comments were the latest addition to the saga of the Arctic Sea, whose alleged hijacking, subsequent
disappearance and rescue by Russian naval ship prompted wide speculation about the ship's cargo and its
destination.
Russian authorities have said the freighter, loaded with Finnish timber, was boarded July 24 by armed men, who
beat the crew and forced them into submission before leaving in an inflatable boat.
Six days later, the ship disappeared after passing through the English Channel.
The Kremlin then announced on Aug. 17 that a Russian frigate had intercepted it off western Africa, thousands of
kilometers from the Algerian port where it was supposed to deliver its load of timber two weeks earlier.
A Russian shipping expert and an EU anti-piracy official have speculated that the vessel was carrying clandestine
cargo, possibly surface-to-air missiles for Iran or Syria. Russian officials have dismissed the allegations.
One of the lawyers, Omar Akhmedov, told reporters that the suspects were practicing navigation in the Baltic Sea
when they got lost and their rubber boat began taking on water. They accidentally reached the Arctic Sea and asked
for help, he said.
Akhmedov said his client, Dmitry Savins, and the others were trying to practice their seafaring skills before
applying for job with a Spanish environmental protection company. He wouldn't name the company.
Another lawyer, Egon Rusanovs, said that Savins and others were desperate to find new jobs amid high
unemployment in the Baltic nations. Most of the eight come from Estonia and Latvia.
The eight are being held in Moscow's high-security Lefortovo prison; lawyers argued that keeping the suspects in
custody violated Russian law.
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Meanwhile, Russian investigators who had remained on board the Arctic Sea to inspect it as part of the official
investigation, prepared to hand the ship over to authorities of Malta, whose flag the freighter was flying. The federal
Investigative Committee said the transfer will take place on the Canary Islands over the next two days.
Key Outcomes of 4th Plenary of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia
Source: US Department of State http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/sept/129267.htm
Author(s): Office of the Spokesman, Washington, DC
International efforts to combat piracy in the Horn of Africa region received a boost when the Contact Group on
Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, chaired by Japan, convened its fourth plenary at the United Nations in New York
on September 10. At the meeting, Contact Group participants:
Agreed that Piracy in the Horn of Africa Remains a Serious Shared Security Challenge. 17 new countries
came to the table in New York, bringing the Contact Group to 45 participating nations, seven international
organizations (the African Union, the Arab League, the European Union, INTERPOL, the International
Maritime Organization, NATO, and the UN Secretariat), and two major maritime industry groups, BIMCO
and INTERTANKO, taking part as observers.
Assessed how improving coordination of international naval patrols is making a positive contribution
toward improving maritime security in the waters off the Horn of Africa. An unprecedented international
armada of 20 Contact Group participants, including the United States, NATO, the EU, China, India, Japan,
Malaysia, Russia, and Singapore are working together at sea to help safeguard regional shipping. These
efforts are complemented by Contact Group work to help Somalia and its neighbors to improve their ability
to secure their own territorial waters.
Approved a new UN Multi-Donor Trust Fund to help defray the expenses associated with prosecuting
suspected pirates. All governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector will be able to
contribute to this trust fund, which will complement the International Maritime Organization‘s
International Trust Fund that is building maritime security and judicial capacity among countries near the
Horn of Africa and Gulf of Aden. During the plenary, the United States also called for an examination by
subject matter experts of the various illicit financial systems and flows that help to sustain piracy off the
coast of Somalia.
Expanded political support for the ―New York Declaration.‖ The Declaration is a political commitment by
nations to enact internationally recognized best management practices to protect vessels against pirate
attacks. The United States, Cyprus, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Kingdom signed the
Declaration. These six new signatories along with Panama, Liberia, the Bahamas, and the Marshall Islands,
who introduced the Declaration in May 2009, account for more than fifty percent of the world‘s shipping
by gross tonnage.
―As Secretary Clinton has said, piracy is a 17th Century problem that demands a 21st Century solution,‖ Assistant
Secretary for Political Military Affairs Andrew J. Shapiro told participants at the September 16 Global Maritime
Information Sharing Symposium. ―The Contact Group is encouraging international cooperation among naval
patrols, promoting shipping self-protection measures, arranging for the prosecution of suspected pirates, and
building the capacity of countries victimized by piracy.‖
Assistant Secretary Shapiro‘s remarks are available at http://www.state.gov/t/pm/rls/rm/129258.htm>. To learn

more about the United States‘ and international community‘s response to piracy off the coast of Somalia, visit
http://www.state.gov/t/pm/ppa/piracy/index.htm.
Somali Pirate Sorties Are Being Thwarted, Naval Forces Say

Source: Bloomberg.com http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601116&sid=aR3K894IS_VI
Author(s): By Gregory Viscusi
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Sept. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Somali pirates are venturing out again as monsoon winds abate and are being met by an
increased naval presence that has been able to intercept them before they carry out attacks, say commanders of a
U.S.-led force.
The southwestern monsoon kicked up high waves in the Indian Ocean over the past few months, reducing activity
by pirates who typically use light skiffs for their assaults.
―The weather is now relatively calm and pleasant, and every few days we intercept a skiff carrying pirate
paraphernalia,‖ U.S. Rear Admiral Scott Sanders, commander of Task Force 151, said in a telephone interview from
the USS Anzio off the Somali coast. ―Because of our close cooperation with the EU and NATO, we‘ve been able to
intercept the skiffs before they attack.‖
The six warships of Task Force 151 are joined by vessels from Pakistan, Australia, Turkey and Korea. It operates
alongside Atalanta, a European Union fleet, and a North Atlantic Treaty Organization fleet. Countries such as
India, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia have sent ships on their own to protect their
country‘s shipping.
Altogether, there are about 30 warships in the area, compared with fewer than 20 in May when attacks peaked, the
U.S. Navy says. Pirates have attacked vessels off the coast of Somalia about 140 times so far this year, with a surge
in April and May, the U.S. Navy said. A total of 28 ships have been seized this year, and pirates are still holding
four vessels for ransom.
Since the start of July, when the monsoon hit full force, there have been 13 attacks and only one boat seized. There
has been one attempted pirate attack so far this month.
International Cooperation
International cooperation is helping intercept the pirates, Sanders said.
―In late August a Japanese patrol aircraft detected a skiff in the Gulf of Aden,‖ said Sanders, who took over
command of 151 from a Turkish admiral last month. ―The Dutch flagship of Atalanta sent a helicopter to intercept,
as did a Korean ship. Then a Norwegian fast boat sent a boarding party. That‘s the sort of cooperation we see every
day.‖
The Norwegians found six Somalis with weapons, ladders and extra fuel. There wasn‘t any fishing equipment. The
Norwegian sailors destroyed the paraphernalia and let the men return to shore because they weren‘t caught doing
anything illegal.
The German Navy says it killed a suspected pirate Sept. 7 when it fired on a skiff that refused warnings to stop. His
body was turned over to Somali authorities a week later.
Pirates Held
So far this year, naval forces have encountered 542 suspected pirates and released 315 and turned 212 over for
prosecution. Eleven presumed pirates have been killed in the encounters. Four are still being held while their status
is investigated.
Early in the year, most pirate attacks were in the Gulf of Aden, a choke point for the Suez Canal that‘s used by
33,000 ships a year. With naval forces patrolling a security corridor through the Gulf, pirates in March shifted their
attacks farther out into the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Somalia.
―We have a lot of assets in the area now, and they will go where they need to go,‖ said British Captain Keith Blount,
chief of staff of Task Force 151. ―We‘ve got them spread out along the transit corridor in the Gulf of Aden, but we
have enough to move in and out of the Somali Basin when needed.‖ The coast of Somalia is about as long as the
east coast of the U.S.
Taking Diplomatic Action Against Piracy

Source: US Department of State http://www.state.gov/t/pm/rls/rm/129258.htm
Author(s): Andrew J. Shapiro, Assistant Secretary, Political-Military Affairs
Remarks to the Global Maritime Information Sharing Symposium, National Defense University
Washington, DC
As prepared
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Thank you, Captain McCarthy, for the introduction and opportunity to speak this morning.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to join you this morning at this important gathering.
Let me take a few minutes to talk about the State Department‘s role in leading the diplomatic effort to combat
piracy off of the Somali coast.
As Secretary Clinton has said, piracy is a 17th century problem that demands a 21st century solution.
Each year, 33,000 commercial ships pass through the Gulf of Aden, making it one of the world‘s busiest shipping
lanes.
In 2007, there were 19 pirate attacks on ships. In 2008, the number of attacks grew to 122. In the first nine months
of 2009, the number of attempts on commercial vessels has already reached 140.
Piracy is no longer occurring just off the coasts of Somalia and Yemen. It has spread to an area of over a million
square miles across the Gulf of Aden and the West Indian Ocean, and there have recently been pirate attacks in the
Red Sea.
We all understand that piracy is a result of the decades of failed governance in Somalia. Somalia cannot control
criminals in its territory, and the international community is limited in our ability to conduct law enforcement in the
global commons of the high seas.
The United States Government is dedicating significant effort and resources to help the Somali Transitional Federal
Government build its capacity to govern. However, that is a long term effort that will not curb piracy in the near
future.
In the meantime, we are taking energetic action to restore security to the maritime industry and humanitarian
assistance shipments to eastern Africa.
Last week, 47 nations and international organizations participated in the fourth plenary meeting of the Contact
Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia.
The State Department created and convened this forum in January 2009, months before any U.S. ship came under
attack.
After the attack on the Maersk Alabama, Secretary Clinton demanded additional actions and we have responded
with a vigorous agenda for the Contact Group.
The Contact Group is encouraging international coordination among naval patrols, promoting shipping self-
protection measures, arranging for the prosecution of suspected pirates, and building the capacity of countries
victimized by piracy to interdict and prosecute these maritime criminals.
At the meeting last week, we encouraged members to adopt straightforward priorities: (1) implement best
management practices in commercial fleets to minimize their vulnerability to pirate attacks; (2) discourage ransom
payments to pirates; (3) prosecute pirates in national courts when national ships and crews are attacked; and (4)
support capacity building programs to help countries in the region better prevent pirate attacks and to prosecute
pirates and their enablers.
The biggest challenge we are facing is prosecuting those accused of piracy. Many countries have inadequate or
antiquated national laws dealing with this particular crime. Some states with adequate legal frameworks and judicial
codes lack the political will to prosecute even when their interests are directly attacked by pirates.
The United States‘ decision to prosecute the suspected pirate captured during the Maersk Alabama incident
demonstrates our resolve to prosecute when we are victimized by pirates. We continue to urge other affected states
to prosecute as well, and the Contact Group has created legal approaches to help them do so.
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For instance, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries have arranged with Kenya to prosecute
and incarcerate piracy suspects seized by our naval forces when affected states are unable or unwilling to prosecute.
Last week, the Contact Group approved the creation of an international trust fund to help defray the expenses of
pirate prosecutions in regional or other courts. The fund was specifically created in such a way that the commercial
shipping industry can contribute to prosecution; it will allow donors to specify how their contributions are to be
used.
In an unprecedented move, the United Nations, which will administer the fund, agreed to limit its overhead
expenses to eight percent of fund contributions. This means that ninety-two cents of every donated dollar will
directly support prosecution or related initiatives.
Funding is important, but so is the availability of witnesses who can provide statements for debriefing and/or
testimony at trials. Allowing competent authorities access to vessels, manifests, and other records may be vital to
the successful prosecution of pirate suspects. It is important that commercial shipping companies whose ships and
crews have been attacked by pirates support the prosecution of their attackers.
We continue to press affected states to help prosecute those who attack their ships, take their sailors as hostages, or
seize their cargo and again, your voices are important in making the case to these governments.
We are also searching for ways to disrupt the flow of money between pirates and their financial enablers. Pirates‘
financial flows operate outside formal institutions, through cash transactions in a complicated network built on
personal relationships.
We know that the young pirates who undertake these attacks receive only a small percentage of the millions of
dollars in ransom being paid. We need to better understand the financing of pirate activities and the flow of monies
paid, and to develop strategies to discourage this enterprise. We are working with other agency and international
partners to find ways to disrupt the investment and distribution network of pirates.
And we are also working with naval forces in what has arguably become the most nationally diverse maritime
operation in history. The European Union fielded the first naval operation in its history to protect World Food
Program shipments to eastern Africa. NATO established OPERATION OCEAN SHIELD, to which the UK,
Greece, Italy, Turkey, and the United States have contributed frigates to counter-piracy operations.
China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Russia and Singapore have deployed naval task forces to escort national shipping and
have joined in the international effort to combat piracy. This international armada is unprecedented, and we hope
our counter-piracy cooperation at sea will form the basis for international efforts to combat other transnational
maritime threats like smuggling and trafficking in arms, drugs, and human beings.
Given the vast area across which pirates are operating, naval forces – no matter how large or robust – will never be
in a position to rapidly respond to and thwart all pirate attacks. Effective defensive counter-measures by merchant
vessels will remain pivotal to preventing their capture by pirates.
We appreciate that the use of armed security on merchant ships is a complex and controversial matter. Every
sovereign nation has the right to determine whether they will allow armed vessels or security teams within their
territory, and should they do so, what the fees for related arrangements would be.
As we assess this and other possible security measures, we recognize that industry has an important role to play in
this debate, and we welcome your input as to the most effective ways to enhance the security of your commercial
vessels. Ultimately, the goal of the United States Government is to support the long-term interests of our shipping
industry in ways that are commensurate with both security and commercial competition.
Apart from the question of armed security, we want to see commercial security measures fully implemented
according to the International Maritime Organization‘s International Ship and Port Security Code architecture. As
you well know, best management practices must be implemented in order to be effective.
We are encouraging flag states to push for the implementation of piracy counter-measures in their commercial
9
fleets, and we welcome public commitments to this effort. Indeed, just last week, Cyprus, Japan, Singapore South
Korea and the United Kingdom joined the United States in signing the New York Declaration, a non-binding
political statement committing ship registry states to promulgate internationally-recognized best management
practices to prevent pirate attacks.
The New York Declaration was first proposed and signed by the four largest ship registry countries – Panama,
Liberia, Bahamas, and Marshall Islands – at the Contact Group meeting on May 29. Last week‘s new commitments
continue our momentum in this area, and we will continue to urge more countries to sign in support of this
important effort by and on behalf of commercial shipping self-protection.
If all commercial fleets worldwide were to adopt such self-protection measures, we would stand a much better
chance of significantly reducing the success rate of pirate attacks.
As the U.S. Government encourages other governments to prevail on their shipping industries to adopt these
measures, I ask that you prevail on your foreign industry counterparts to do the same. If you can demonstrate that
adopting self-protection measures is benefiting your business, then that would be a powerful example and incentive
for your peers around the world to do the same. We are, I hope, on the right track in this regard.
Combating piracy must be a collaborative effort that leverages not only our military strength and diplomatic
engagement, but also the experience of the shipping industry that is directly impacted by this criminal activity.
Sharing information through industry-government conferences such as this is a positive start toward the goal of a
more effective public-private partnership in countering piracy. I regret that my schedule does not allow me to sit in
on some of the other presentations, particularly from the private sector, to fully honor the two-way exchange of
information, but I trust that you will have a fruitful dialogue throughout the day.
Thank you for your time and attention this morning.
German navy releases suspected pirates after thwarting attack

Source: Earth Times http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/285711,german-navy-releases-suspected-pirates-after-thwarting-attack.html
Berlin (dpa) - The German navy has released four suspected pirates, captured last week in an operation to prevent a
suspected piracy attack in the Gulf of Aden, the Bundeswehr said Tuesday. A fifth suspect had died when the
Brandenburg navy frigate attempted to stop a suspicious-looking boat off the coast of Somalia on September 7. This
was the first fatality caused by the Bundeswehr mission.
The body is to be returned to Somalia in coordination with the International Red Cross, according to a statement
published on the Bundeswehr website. The four men were released after German officials - consulting with the
European Union-led Atalanta operation headquarters - decided not to extradite them to Kenya for prosecution.
EU experts said they were not sufficiently sure that the men would be convicted in Kenya. The German government
did not want to prosecute as no German interests had been damaged. Consequently, the men were released on
Monday afternoon, within sight of the Somali coast.
Russian, Chinese warships escort large convoy off Somali coast

Source: RIA Novosti http://en.rian.ru/russia/20090915/156133332.html
VLADIVOSTOK, September 15 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Admiral Tributs destroyer and the Chinese Zhoushan
frigate have successfully escorted a convoy of 18 commercial ships in the Gulf of Aden, a Pacific fleet spokesman
said on Tuesday.
10
"An 18-vessel convoy has passed through the dangerous Gulf of Aden under protection of the Russian and the
Chinese warships," the official said.
Admiral Tributs has immediately formed another convoy of six ships and started escorting it to the Bab-el-Mandeb
Strait. The third Russian task force from the Pacific Fleet, led by the Admiral Tributs destroyer with two helicopters
on board, arrived in the Gulf of Aden on July 30.
The previous two task forces from the Pacific Fleet were led by Admiral Vinogradov and Admiral Panteleyev
destroyers. The fleet's warships have escorted over 100 Russian and foreign commercial ships and thwarted several
attacks by pirates since January 2009.
The Pacific Fleet will send a fourth task force, comprising a missile destroyer, two support ships and a naval
infantry unit, to the Gulf of Aden after Admiral Tributs finishes its current anti-piracy mission in the region at the
end of October.
Around 35 warships from the navies of 16 countries are currently deployed off Somalia's coast to counter frequent
pirate attacks on key trade routes. Pirate attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden and off the east coast of
Somalia have amounted to 148 since the beginning of the year, with over 40 ships captured and at least 270 taken
hostage.
Key al Qaeda operative killed in U.S. strike, Somalia says

Source: CNN http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/09/15/somalia.strike/index.html
(CNN) -- Somalia said a senior al Qaeda operative tied to several attacks in East Africa was killed Monday in a U.S.
strike in southern Somalia. Intelligence sources have confirmed to the Somali government that Saleh ali Saleh
Nabhan was killed, Information Minister Dahir Mohamud Gelle said Tuesday.
"We welcome that attack because those people targeted were murderers, and they are unwanted and unwelcome in
Somalia," Gelle said.
U.S. special operations forces used a helicopter to fire on a car Monday in southern Somalia, killing several people,
including one they believed was Nabhan, U.S. officials told CNN earlier. Nabhan, 30, was born in Kenya and had
been tied to attacks that included the 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, according to the
sources.
More than 200 were killed, and 4,000 wounded in those attacks, most of them Kenyans.
The United States targeted Nabhan in an airstrike in southern Somalia near the Kenyan border in March 2008, U.S.
officials said at the time. In February 2006, the FBI announced that Nabhan was wanted for questioning in
connection with the 2002 suicide bombing of an Israeli-owned hotel and the unsuccessful attack on an Israeli charter
jet in Mombasa, Kenya.
Ten Kenyans and three Israelis -- including two children -- were killed when three suicide bombers detonated a car
bomb outside Mombasa's Paradise Hotel in November 2002. The bombing took place within minutes of an
unsuccessful missile attack on an Israeli charter jet, which was taking off with 261 passengers and 10 crew
members.
President Obama signed off on Monday's operation, a senior U.S. official said. The United States had been
monitoring the situation for days and had intelligence that Nabhan was in the area, the U.S. officials said. The
officials who talked to CNN are familiar with the latest information on Monday's strike but did not want to be
identified because they were not authorized to talk to the media.
The U.S. helicopter flew from a U.S. Navy warship offshore, while the ship kept watch on the operation, one of the
sources said. The warship was ready to rescue the American troops if they got into trouble.
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Farmers in the southeastern town of Barawe, Somalia, said they witnessed the assault. They said helicopters
attacked a car and its occupants and that at least two people died. The witnesses said some helicopters landed and
that some of the injured or dead were pulled into at least one helicopter.
A U.S. official said the troops landed to take away the body believed to be that of Nabhan for positive identification.
Nabhan is believed to be an associate of al Qaeda member Harun Fazul, who was indicted in the 1998 bombings of
the U.S. embassies.
The U.S. military has long sought Nabhan because he is believed to be deeply involved in al Qaeda's East African
operations, a senior U.S. official said last year. Journalist Mohammed Amiin Adow and CNN's Ed Henry and
Barbara Starr contributed to this report.
Somali pirates still holding 20 Filipinos: govt

Source: AFP http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hIjxEpYfyQHnvBmFahbKINeKOgOA
MANILA — Twenty Filipino sailors remain in the hands of Somali pirates, the government said on Tuesday, a day
after the release of 22 seamen from a Greek-owned merchant vessel who had been held for five months. The
Department of Foreign Affairs said it was working to help the repatriation of the 22 freed sailors whose ordeal
began on April 14 when the MV Irene was hijacked while sailing through the Gulf of Aden.
It said the local agency that recruited the Filipinos had informed the government that negotiations for their release
had been successful, but gave no details as to whether a ransom had been paid. Filipino sources said last month that
the pirates were demanding 2.8 million dollars to free MV Irene and its crew.
As a policy, the Philippine government does not pay ransom to kidnappers, but it has given shipowners a free hand
in negotiating for the release of abducted Filipino seamen. The Kenya-based East African Seafarers Assistance
Programme said on Monday that 21 Filipino seamen had been freed along with the MV Irene, but the foreign affairs
department clarified that all 22 had been released.
The department said there were now 20 Filipinos still in the hands of Somali pirates. Seventeen of them were seized
on the Win Far 161 when it was hijacked on April 6 and three from the MV Charelle were taken hostage on June 13.
The Philippines is the world's leading supplier of merchant ship crewmen, with over 350,000 Filipinos manning oil
tankers, luxury liners and passenger vessels worldwide, exposing them to piracy attacks.
North Korean ship fights off Somali pirates

Source: Associated Press http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gB7YMEDuCwwY9ncDOtPAkEI4-H2wD9ANKPCO0
Author(s): By EILEEN NG (AP)
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Somali pirates tried but failed to hijack a North Korean cargo ship when crew
members fought back with improvised fire bombs and sped away, a maritime official said Tuesday. The ship was
adrift off the Somali coast near Mogadishu on Sept. 5 for engine work when the crew saw 10 pirates approaching in
two speedboats, said Noel Choong, who heads the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting center in Kuala
Lumpur.
The North Korean ship immediately started its engine and moved away, and the captain called the IMB for help
when the pirates, dressed in military clothing, began firing rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns, Choong
said.
The crew fought back with improvised molotov cocktails — bottles filled with kerosene or similar fluid and set
alight by a wick or rag. The crew also fired distress rocket flares at the pirates, and the ship escaped "after the
captain increased speed," Choong said.
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The captain later told the IMB a U.S. warship arrived at the scene, but the pirates had fled, Choong added. He could
not confirm it was a U.S. ship. One of the 30 North Korean crew members was injured, and the ship was damaged,
Choong said. The ship was heading to the Middle East when it was attacked. It was not clear where the ship went
afterward.
The incident raised the number of attacks off Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden this year to 156. So far, 32 ships have
been hijacked and five remain held by pirates along with 102 crew members, Choong said. Somalia has not had an
effective government since 1991 — a power vacuum that has allowed the pirates to operate freely around Somalia's
1,900-mile (3,060-kilometer) east African coastline, along one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
The U.S. government last week warned of an increase in piracy off Africa's east coast because the monsoon has
ended and Somali pirates will have easier access to passing ships.
FACTBOX-Ships held by Somali pirates

Source: Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLE85978
Sept 14 (Reuters) - Somali pirates freed a Greek-owned ship on Monday after the gang received a $2 million ransom
for the vessel and its 21 Filipino crew, one of the pirates said. The Irene E.M. bulk carrier was seized on April 13 in
the Gulf of Aden, where gangs from Somalia have made tens of millions of dollars in ransoms by targeting vessels
using the strategic shipping lanes that link Europe to Asia.
Here is a list of some ships believed to be still under the control of Somali pirates:
SERENITY: The catamaran sailing for Madagascar from the Seychelles with three people aboard, was seized in
March 2009.
INDIAN OCEAN EXPLORER: Seized March 2009. The 35-metre boat was built in Hamburg for oceanographic
research. It accommodates about 12 passengers. Pirates have freed the seven crew.
WIN FAR 161: Taiwanese tuna boat, seized April 6, 2009.
SAMARA AHMED: Seized April 10, 2009. The Egyptian fishing vessel was captured with 16 crew.
MOMTAZ 1: Seized April 10, 2009. The Egyptian fishing vessel was taken with 18 crew.
ARIANA: Seized May 2, 2009. The Ariana was seized north of Madagascar en route to the Middle East from
Brazil. The 24 Ukrainian crew were said to be unhurt. The ship, flying a Maltese flag, belongs to All Oceans
shipping in Greece.
VICTORIA: Seized on May 5, 2009. The Antigua and Barbuda- flagged cargo vessel was hijacked by eight pirates
in the Gulf of Aden on its way to the port of Jeddah. The 146-metre ship has a crew of 11 Romanians.
CHARELLE: Seized on June 12, 2009. The 2,800-tonne cargo ship carrying about nine crew, was attacked 60 miles
south of Oman. Lloyds reported the vessel was owned by shipping firm Tarmstedt International.
HORIZON-1: Seized on July 8, 2009. The 34,173 dwt bulk carrier, believed to be carrying sulphate, was hijacked
with 23 Turkish crew aboard.
* PIRACY KEY FACTS:
-- Piracy attacks around the world more than doubled to 240 from 114 during the first six months of the year
compared with the same period in 2008, the ICC International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB)
said in July.
-- The rise in overall numbers is due almost entirely to increased Somali pirate activity. In the first half of 2009
13
attacks soared to 148 from 25 in the same period a year ago.
-- Of those 148 attacks, 31 resulted in successful hijackings by Somali pirates, including one attack off Oman's
coast. In 2008, there were 111 incidents including 42 vessels hijacked in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of
Somalia.
-- Nearly 20,000 ships pass through the Gulf of Aden each year, heading to and from the Suez Canal.
Sources: Reuters/Ecoterra International/International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Centre/Lloyds

List/Inquirer.net
(For main story please click on [ID:nLE87527]) (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top
issues, visit: africa.reuters.com/) (Writing by David Cutler, London Editorial Reference Unit;)
Freed Seychelles sailors home after Somali ordeal

Source: Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/africaCrisis/idUSLD487000
Author(s): By George Thande
Published: 13 Sept 2009
VICTORIA, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Three sailors from the Seychelles seized by Somali pirates in March arrived home
on Sunday but declined to comment on their ordeal. The sailors were freed this month only to be arrested by the
authorities in the semi-autonomous Somali region of Puntland and accused of being part of an illegal prisoner swap.
Puntland accused Seychelles of exchanging 23 suspect pirates caught in the Indian Ocean archipelago's waters for
its three citizens -- a charge the government denied. Puntland finally said on Wednesday it planned to release the
sailors.
The three, Conrad Andre, Gilbert Victor and Robin Samson, looked tired and frightened when they were met at the
airport by Transport Minister Joel Morgan, who heads the Seychelles' anti-piracy task force. The sailors declined to
comment on the hijacking or their seven months in captivity. They said they would prefer to talk to the authorities
for security reasons, because the pirates were closer to the Seychelles than previously thought.
Maritime security groups warned in May of a surge in the number of pirate "mother ships" operating in the
Seychelles archipelago's expansive territorial waters. The U.S. military said last month it would be deploying
unmanned reconnaissance aircraft in the skies above the Seychelles to bolster anti-piracy efforts.
"We know a lot of what (the sailors) are saying but I would like to say that we have stepped up surveillance together
with our international partners," said Morgan.
"The U.S. air force cargo plane behind you, for example, has just off-loaded a lot of equipment to be used in
ensuring our waters are safe," he told reporters at the airport.
Pirate attacks worldwide more than doubled to 240 during the first half of 2009, driven by a surge in hijackings in
the waters off the Horn of Africa, according to an International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre report in
July. While there has been a relative lull in Indian Ocean waters in the past few months because of monsoon rains,
analysts fear the number of pirate attacks will mount again soon. (Writing by David Clarke)
Multinational Force Keeps Pirates at Bay

Source: Navy.mil Story Number: NNS090914-13 http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=48273
Author(s): By Ian Graham, Special to American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Piracy often is romanticized in popular culture, from children's toys to pulp novels and
major motion pictures, but for those who work on the high seas, piracy is a dangerous and harmful reality. To
14
combat piracy around the Horn of Africa, the Combined Maritime Forces created Combined Task Force 151 in
January to deter, disrupt and suppress piracy and maintain free channels for ships navigating the area.
Navy Rear Adm. Scott Sanders, vice commander for U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, and British Royal Navy
Capt. Keith Blount, the task force's chief of staff, discussed counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and the
Internationally Recognized Transit Corridor in a Sept. 11 "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable.
A major facet of their mission in the long term is to help nations bordering the gulf -- such as Yemen and Somalia --
build their naval capacity, so they can deter piracy themselves.
"It stands to reason, the more capacity we can build is in the interest of the international maritime community,"
Blount said. "As much as we can, we will push forward with them. We just have to make sure that exactly the right
circumstances are set for a meaningful engagement that will be a benefit for both sides."
More than 30 ships and aircraft from 17 nations including the United States, China, Russia, India, Malaysia, South
Korea, the European Union and NATO nations patrol the gulf. Task force officials want to foster better relations
with nations using its area of operation, which also includes the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. So far, Sanders said,
that portion of the mission is going quite well.
"I had [Dutch Navy] Commodore Pieter Bindt of the European Union here last week on the USS Anzio, and he said
-and I didn't prep him with this line- 'This is the maritime strategy at work each and every day in the Gulf of Aden,'"
Sanders said. "At the end of the day, that makes us all very proud. Every time we end another day without a piracy
attack, we feel pretty good about ourselves, and we've had a lot of those nights lately, I can tell you that."
Another part of their operation is maintaining open communication with ships passing through the gulf and
providing guidance should they be approached or attacked by pirates. Primarily, he said, they encourage captains
not to surrender immediately or give up their ship. Because the area of operations is fairly small, simply taking
evasive maneuvers can give enough time for a member of the task force's fleet to come to the scene of an attack,
Sanders said.
"We can't be every place, but in the [Internationally Recognized Transit Corridor], there usually isn't a ship too far,"
Sanders said.
Sanders and Blount said that no ship that's taken the proper countermeasures within the corridor has been
successfully boarded by pirates -- though there have been instances in which ships were boarded after straying from
the measures the task force prescribes.
"The reason the IRTC was put in place was to properly coordinate the movement of ships from one end of the Gulf
of Aden to the other, and it's been quite successful," Blount said. "But what we've found is that despite the number
of military units we have patrolling, if the merchant ships weren't doing their bits, they could still be pirated."
He said it's to merchant mariners' "enormous credit" that they've been more courageous and active in taking anti-
piracy measures. It's created an environment in which pirates are less brazen and spend more time hiding and
looking for an easy target.
"Captain Blount did say 'courageous,' and that is not to be underestimated," Sanders said. "It's extremely stressful
out here, and what the maritime community is doing, they can't be applauded enough. They're taking a lot of risks.
We're backing them up, but they're taking a lot of risks."
The results Sanders has seen while commanding the task force have been beyond imagination, he said. If he didn't
witness it every day, he added, he couldn't possibly fathom the goodwill it's created.
"No matter what country you're from or what your politics are, piracy is not in your national interest," Sanders said.
"There's a level of confidence. ... It's one of those things where you can read about it, but when you actually see this
level of cooperation happening at sea, it's really remarkable."
For more news from Combined task Force 151, visit www.navy.mil/ctf151.
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Chris Dwyer, Tracking Ships, Terrorists and Pirates
Source: The Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/14/AR2009091400433.html?wprss=rss_politics/fedpage
From the Partnership for Public Service - What might have happened had the U.S. cargo ship hijacked by Somali
pirates this year in the Indian Ocean had the advantage of a warning system that detected the threat hours before the
attack?
Chris Dwyer and his colleagues at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., are (should we say 'trying
to develop', you decide. ) developing a global maritime system that would automatically detect such a threat and
generate an alert no matter where the ships are located.
Their satellite system currently tracks more than 70,000 ships sailing the world's oceans. Their goal is to enhance
this technology to help identify and stop terrorist threats as early and far from U.S. shores as possible, and to spot
other potential trouble on the high seas before it happens.
"The ultimate goal would be to automatically track all ocean-going vessels just as we track every aircraft, but that's
not so easy when you're talking about millions of watercraft at sea every day," Dwyer said.
While the volume of ships coming into U.S. ports is enormous, limited resources only allow authorities to inspect a
small fraction of those vessels and their contents. In addition, the process of compiling and analyzing relevant
intelligence information has been painstaking and labor-intensive for multiple organizations with distinct but
overlapping jurisdictions.
As the technical manager for the Navy project, Dwyer is leading the efforts to integrate intelligence, surveillance,
observations and navigation systems into a common maritime awareness picture accessible throughout the U.S.
government.
One component includes software that tracks ship movements and detects abrupt or unusual course changes.
"A cargo ship may start with a plan to go from point A to point B, but change course halfway because the owner of
the shipment can get a better price that week by redirecting the delivery to point C instead," Dwyer said.
He said the system helps trigger an analysis to determine if a course change is legitimate or not.
Other new software compilesand integrates data from multiple sources that contain relevant maritime information
on vessels, people and cargo. The system automatically skims the data and identifies anomalous conditions that are
flagged for further inspection.
For example, the system would send an alert if a ship is approaching Long Beach, Calif., and a ship by the same
name was reported in Rotterdam a day earlier. The system would also flag a ship for inspection if an arrival report
indicated a crew size that differed from the size of the departing crewPeter Wilhelm, director of the Naval Center
for Space Technology, credited Dwyer with fostering much of the collaboration among federal agencies, foreign
governments and private companies to ensure successful information sharing.
"Chris has a unique ability to get people who have not always cooperated in the past to work together," Wilhelm
said.
Kent Thew, technical director of the Coast Guard's Maritime Intelligence Fusion Center Pacific, also highlighted the
significance of international cooperation.
"Our foreign partners are essential to our efforts to identify threats in the Pacific," Thew said. "They often have key
information that we need to complete our picture of developing threats."
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Wilhelm said a major challenge is protecting secure information and its sources while declassifying the appropriate
information so it can be used by the people who need it. He said Dwyer began by formulating a strategy to develop
a "culture of sharing" between international partners and the United States, and among U.S. agencies.
Dwyer started working part time at Naval Research Laboratory during college, and then full time following
graduation. Twenty-four years later, he said, "I never dreamed that I would work on so many cool things. I've
created pieces of satellites that are now in orbit."
In his pursuit of protecting our national security, Dwyer is likely to soon list another cool accomplishment on his
resume - helping to track and perhaps capture pirates.
This article was jointly prepared by the Partnership for Public Service, a group seeking to enhance the performance
of the federal government, and washingtonpost.com. Visit www.ourpublicservice.org for more about the
organization's work.
Somali Pirates Say They Have Freed Greek Ship

Source: Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLE87527
MOGADISHU, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Somali pirates freed a Greek ship on Monday after they received a $2 million
ransom for the vessel and its 21 Filipino crew, one of the pirates said.
The Irene E.M. bulk carrier was seized on April 13 in the Gulf of Aden, where heavily armed gangs from Somalia
have made tens of millions of dollars in ransoms targeting vessels using the strategic shipping lanes that link Europe
to Asia.
"We released the Greek ship after taking a $2 million ransom," a pirate who gave his name as Hussein told Reuters
by telephone from the coastal pirate stronghold of Eyl.
"We already left the vessel and now we are dividing our money. A helicopter brought the cash this morning."
Foreign navies have been deployed off the coast of the lawless Horn of Africa state since the start of the year to try
to prevent more attacks on ships.
Pirates attempt to board two tankers near Singapore

Source: Reuters http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-42440520090914
SINGAPORE, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Pirates attempted to board two tankers in a busy shipping lane off southern
Malaysia on Monday, a regional government security agency said. Five men tried to board Panama-registered tanker
Pacific Harmony early on Monday near the southern Malaysian port of Tanjung Ayam, just to the east of Singapore,
according to the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia
(ReCAAP). The men fled on hearing the ship's alarm system.
Two hours later, six men with long knives tried to board Malaysia-registered chemical tanker MMM Kingston.
They fled in a speed boat after seeing the crew had been alerted.
ReCAAP said the same group was probably involved and advised shipping crews to take precautions since there had
been six such cases this year in the area, all during the night while the ships were anchored.
"That area is high risk ... there have been a number of attacks in that area," said Noel Choong, head of the
International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting centre in Kuala Lumpur, confirming the two attacks.
Many ships have been laid up in the waters around Singapore, the world's busiest container port and a key refuelling
hub, after the slide in global trade following the financial crisis.
17
The South China Sea is the shortest route between the Pacific and Indian oceans and has some of the world's busiest
shipping lanes, with more than half of global oil tanker traffic passing through the area. (Reporting by David
Chance in Kuala Lumpur and Neil Chatterjee in Singapore; Editing by Jeremy Laurence).
Task Force 151; Pirate Hunters of the Gulf of Aden

Source: Associated Content http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2164429/task_force_151.html
Author(s): By Chuck Simmins
U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Scott Sanders, Vice Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Royal Navy
Capt. Keith Blount, chief of staff of Combined Task Force 151 spoke with reporters about the status of anti-piracy
efforts in the Gulf of Aden and off the Horn of Africa on Friday, September 11. I participated in the press briefing
described in this story.
Task Force 151 is part of a multi-national effort to protect shipping for intense pirate activity originating in the
nation of Somalia. While the United States Navy and the Royal Navy have provided the core units for the Task
Force, other allied navies have also participated with ships, aircraft and personnel. TF 151 is joined in its mission by
naval units of the European Union, NATO and a number of independent efforts from countries such as Russia,
mainland China and Iran.
Adm. Sanders discussed the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor. The latest version of the IRTC was
established in February 2009. It is about 2,600 miles long and 60 miles wide. Running along the Yemeni coast, it is
designed to provide a safer transit route for shipping, away from fishing grounds and away from the Somali coast.
Sanders is quite proud that there have been no successful piracies of ships in the corridor that followed the
suggested guidelines and followed the recommended safety and more robust response protocols aboard ship.
Sanders characterized the sailors of these merchant vessels as courageous in the defense of their vessels.
The recommendations are designed to deter pirates from boarding vessels, and if a ship is boarded, to allow the
various naval vessels time to respond. Attempts to pirate such vessels in the IRTC have been made but all have
failed.
The Admiral made it clear that other vessels have been seized by pirates. While TF-151 and the other navies do their
best, the merchant vessels that do not follow best practices risk being taken.
Last week, a skiff was spotted and stopped by the combined efforts of several navies. A Japanese P-3 aircraft first
spotted the suspicious ship. A helicopter off a ship from the Republic of Korea investigated. German and Greek
ships provided additional assets. A boarding party from a Norwegian ship did search the skiff.
The Norwegians found a "fishing vessel" with no fishing gear. It carried weapons, ladders and other materials
associated with piracy. All of the weapons and material were confiscated and the Somalis with their skiff were sent
home.
Captain Blount, a veteran of naval activity off the Iraqi coast, talked about the Coast Guards' of the nations in the
region. The Kenyans are working closely with TF-151. There is a meeting scheduled for September 12 with officers
of the Yemeni Coast Guard to build that relationship. In a week or two, TF-151 personnel will be meeting with
officials in the Seychelles with a similar agenda.
Blount discussed the announcement that the Somali government was intent on creating its own Coast Guard. He
welcomed the move and TF-151 would be open to discussions and perhaps some level of assistance at the right
time.
Both Rear Admiral Sanders and Captain Blount stressed the extraordinary level of communication and cooperation
among all of the nations conducting anti-piracy operations in the Gulf. Sanders stated that regardless of other
political conflicts, controlling piracy was a common interest for all of these nations.
18
19
Homeland, Port and Maritime Security
Coast Guard shuts down area around Seal Island

Source: Village Soup http://knox.villagesoup.com/Government/story.cfm?storyID=176150
Author(s): By Shlomit Auciello The Herald Gazette Reporter
SOUTH PORTLAND (Sep 15): Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, has asked for a briefing to learn why the U.S. Coast
Guard has banned boats from the area around Seal Island, a remote 65-acre wildlife refuge about 8.5 miles south of
Vinalhaven and 21 miles from Rockland. According to Cmdr. Michael Sams, the head of prevention for Coast
Guard Sector Northern New England, the decision was made in order to protect fishermen and others who use the
area.
The treeless, rockbound island was used by the U.S. Navy as a bombing range from the 1940s to the 1960s, and in
1972 it was placed under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Recent survey information suggests
that more than 230 pairs of Atlantic puffins and more than 2,200 pairs of common and Arctic terns now nest on Seal
Island, according to the Web site of the Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Sams said Tuesday that the Coast Guard drafted an interim rule on Sept. 8 establishing a safety zone around the
island. The rule affects an area out to the 60-foot depth curve around the island. Sams said that would be about 100
yards from the shore.
"There remains unexploded ordinance around Seal Island," Sams said. He said the request to create the protective
zone came from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection,
following reports of unexploded ordnance on the bottom near the island.
Beth Goettel said those reports came from urchin divers. Goettel is the refuge manager for the Maine Coastal
Islands National Wildlife Refuge, of which Seal Island is a part.
"I think they're far enough removed from Maine fishing communities that they didn't realize it would cause an
uproar," she said of the Coast Guard's action. Goettel added that she understood the necessity of taking precautions
to ensure that no one is hurt due to an unexpected explosion.
Pingree's communications director, Willy Ritch, said Pingree wanted to get a firsthand report from Coast Guard
officials to understand why the emergency rule was instituted prior to any public meetings.
"Obviously safety is important but she wants to figure out how quickly people can get back to fishing," Ritch said.
About 35 lobstermen, mostly from Vinalhaven, fish near Seal Island, Sams said. Nautical charts show the island and
its surrounding waters as a danger area.
"That‘s an old marking that talks about the Navy doing bombing runs," Sams said. "That has been a chart oversight
for many years." He said the plan is to change the marking to list the area as a no-anchor zone.
"As [the safety zone rule] is written it does say no one can enter the zone without approval of the captain of the port
for Sector Northern New England," Sams said. "I think we're going to put out some clarifying guidance to allow
transiting but no anchoring."
Seal Island Wildlife Refuge won't be affected by the rule, since the mooring block it uses was placed there by the
Navy in 1984. Goettel said her agency was also shown where people could safely walk on the island at that time.
"They've inspected and cleared certain areas and we know where they are," Goettel said. In addition to a wide
variety of winged wildlife, Seal Island hosts student researchers every summer who monitor the birds, protect them
from predators and keep members of the public off the island during nesting season.
"There are some researchers banding songbirds and counting shorebirds until the beginning of October," Goettel
said.
20
Goettel said federal agencies must follow strict rules and standards when making decisions such as the one the
Coast Guard has made.
The Coast Guard plans to schedule a follow-up meeting to allow interested parties to comment on the rule, Sams
said. He said that meeting will take place on Vinalhaven.
"An interim order is in effect starting Sept. 8," he said, adding that the goal is to protect mariners without taking
away their livelihood. "We are receiving comments. If any entity wants to go into the established safety zone all
they have to do is notify the Coast Guard."
For more information or to comment on the interim rule or request permission to enter the restricted zone, contact
Sector Northern New England on VHF Channel 16 or by phone at 741-5465.
Public introduced to state-of-the-art U.S. Customs vessel

Source: The News Messenger http://www.thenews-messenger.com/article/20090915/NEWS01/909150307
Author(s): BY JAMES PROFFITT • Staff writer
MARBLEHEAD -- The U.S. Customs and Border Protection's new prototype intercept watercraft, the Advanced
Concept Demonstrator Vessel, was given a full introduction to the press Monday morning at the U.S. Coast Guard
station in Marblehead.
By all accounts, the 43-foot vessel is a sleek, powerful and fast machine. In fact, it took reporters from the Coast
Guard station to a point about a mile offshore from Kelleys Island in less than three minutes.
"This is the future of interdiction," said Marine Interdiction Agent Jeff Lane, who works for the CBP's Air and
Marine Unit and has traveled around the country on a tour with the ACDV.
Lane described the vessel as a floating laboratory, where all the possible concepts of interdiction marine vessels
meet the personnel, on the water, that will be utilizing them in the future.
Lane, who has been in law enforcement 26 years, said this is the first time personnel in the field have been so deeply
involved in developing a new tool.
"This is the first time they've done this," he said. "We'll really get the right package."
According to Lane, officers from various agencies around the country have driven and tested the ACDV in a
number of venues, both fresh and saltwater.
The final design will be used to patrol the nation's coastlines in the hunt for drugs and weapons smuggling, illegal
immigrants and terrorism activities.
The tour, which goes coast-to-coast and includes Puerto Rico, invites law enforcement officers to captain and crew
the vessel and test systems like the 360-degree infrared surveillance system, the pilot and co-pilot operating
systems, shock mitigating seats and the numerous other state-of-the-art features that have been incorporated into the
ACDV.
Some features are as simple as a folding windshield and flush-mounted cleats.
Carlos Diaz, a CBP interdiction agent from Puerto Rico, said the four 350-hp supercharged Mercury outboards are
the latest and greatest.
"These are the latest and highest-tech engines available," said Diaz, pointing out several ACDV-specific
modifications made to the engine units.
The engines purr when idling, rumble quietly at about 20 or 30 knots and roar at 60 knots.
21
Anglers, pleasure-boaters and ferry-riders on the lake turned their heads to get a glance of the gun-metal gray vessel
as it planed across the water at 70 mph Monday morning, zigzagging across the water and heeling at a 45-degree
angle as it turned on a dime and switched directions.
U.S. Customs Agent Paul Pope said after the vessel makes its 10-city tour it will return to the CBP National Marine
Center in St. Augustine, Fla, where it will undergo more testing and refinements.
"Different agents drive the boat and give us their feedback," said Pope, going on to explain the refinements will
make their way into the next generation of interdiction boats.
Lane said the ACDV and its nationwide tour will save taxpayers money in the long run, going on to say when the
final design is completed and the vessels manufactured, there will be no errors made and no corrections required.
"We've seen agencies do that before," Lane said.
Canberra moves on ports crime

Source: The Age http://www.theage.com.au/national/canberra-moves-on-ports-crime-20090914-fnvd.html
Author(s): NICK MCKENZIE
THE exploitation of security gaps at Australia's wharves and airports by organised crime syndicates will be
investigated by a parliamentary committee, in a move that could cause headaches for the Rudd Government.
The announcement by the joint parliamentary committee on the Australian Crime Commission to examine drugs,
weapons and people-smuggling at the nation's ports came after a series of reports in The Age.
In June, The Age reported that a secret three-year Australian Crime Commission probe found that organised
criminals were entrenched at some big wharves and airports and were exploiting gaps in security.
Last week, The Age revealed an Office of Transport Security report had found the centrepiece of the Government's
port security regime, the Maritime Security Identification Card, was failing because workers convicted of offences
linked to terrorism or organised crime had been granted the cards.
Other Government-commissioned reports found serious flaws in the Aviation Security Identity Card system.
The parliamentary inquiry will examine ''the methods used by serious and organised criminal groups to infiltrate
Australia's airports and ports'' as well as the effectiveness of the aviation and maritime security card schemes and the
extent of criminal activity at various ports.
The inquiry will also examine the problems faced by policing agencies, which cannot share key criminal
intelligence with other agencies because of legal restrictions.
Chairman of the parliamentary inquiry, Labor senator Steve Hutchins, told The Age yesterday: ''We want to make
sure that the Government and law enforcement agencies in Australia have every resource they require to combat
criminal activity in these areas.''
But other revelations about how criminals are exploiting the parlous state of wharf and border security will also
embarrass the Rudd Government.
The reports by the crime commission and the Office of Transport Security were completed in the months after
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd identified the need to stop organised crime and border security threats in his first
national security statement.
Opposition justice spokeswoman Sussan Ley, who sits on the parliamentary committee, said the need for an inquiry
had been highlighted by recent media reports, which she said also exposed the Government's failure to act.
22
Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said last week that the Government was considering tightening access
to the Maritime Security Identity Card, which is required by all maritime workers.
Did the Coast Guard or CNN cause the 9/11 panic on the Potomac?
Source: The Christian Science Monitor http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2009/09/12/did-the-coast-guard-or-cnn-cause-the-911-
panic-on-the-potomac/
Author(s): By Brad Knickerbocker | Staff writer/
Most of the criticism for erroneous reports of gunshots is aimed at the Coast Guard exercise. But news organizations
take hits too for going live with unconfirmed reports reminiscent of Chicken Little.
The United States Coast Guard continues to take flak for its exercise on the Potomac River in Washington Friday.
Critics say it should have been more sensitive to the mental atmosphere on the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist
attacks.
―The anxiety caused by this situation on such a solemn day is extremely disturbing,‖ said Sen. George Voinovich of
Ohio, senior Republican on a homeland security subcommittee. ―It sounds very much like the left hand didn‘t know
what the right hand was doing.‖
Senior Coast Guard officials promise a ―thorough review‖ of the incident in which there was a simulated attack on a
―suspicious vessel‖ involving a radio broadcast of mock gunfire but no actual shots being fired.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs pushed back against suggestions that this week‘s episode was somehow like
one earlier this year when the Air Force conducted an unannounced photo op over New York City in which Air
Force One appeared to be chased by fighter jets. Since many New Yorkers immediately remembered the day when
hijacked airliners slammed into the World Trade Center, it seemed insensitive to say the least.
Gibbs pointed out that the initial breathless report on CNN was based on what someone heard on a radio scanner —
unconfirmed by the Coast Guard, which in essence had said it didn‘t know what the CNN reporter calling for
comment was talking about. Based on what CNN had reported but without doing its own checking, Reuters and then
Fox News went with the story as well.
―Before we report things like this, checking would be good,‖ Gibbs said. To which many media experts could only
say, ―Duh!‖
―The higher the stakes, the more careful you have to be to make sure you are correct,‖ Tom Fiedler, dean of Boston
University‘s College of Communication, told the Los Angeles Times. ―Unfortunately, this is one of those examples
of ready-fire-aim journalism.‖
Al Tompkins, a faculty member at the Poynter Institute, a journalism center in St. Petersburg, Fla., also told the LA
Times: ―It‘s a really dangerous practice to use radio traffic as your principal source of information, because it so
often turns out to be incorrect.‖
Listening to the police radio scanner for stories to chase has been common practice in newsrooms for decades. But
with cell phone texting and Twitter tweets, it brings to mind something Winston Churchill said: ―A lie gets half way
around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.‖
In this case, it was a half hour — eternity in an age of Internet communication — before CNN corrected its first
report.
It‘s not an isolated problem, Tompkins writes on PoynterOnline.org:
―Reputable news organizations reporting bad information appears to be a growing problem in the American news
media. Some newsrooms are cutting corners by not verifying information. Others are recycling incorrect
information by simply reposting the work of others on their Web sites.
23
―Although cable news programs face a certain pressure to be first and fill a lot of time with breaking news, all
newsrooms can stumble in the race to be first. The skill of verifying facts is more important than ever. And it may
be the only thing that elevates journalism above the rest of the noise on the Internet.‖
There are lessons in all of this, especially for young journalists in an increasingly competitive profession.
―As an editor, I forbade reporting off the [police] scanner, tempting though it is,‖ writes Dean Miller, director of the
Center for News Literacy at the State University of New York at Stony Brook in an email to reporters and
columnists. ―CNN‘s 9/11 debacle this week is a perfect teaching moment.‖
River drill shakes up DC on 9/11 anniversary

Source: Associated Press
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_COAST_GUARD_SEPT_11?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Author(s): CALVIN WOODWARD and EILEEN SULLIVAN; Associated Press Writers
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A morning of remembrance turned into one of flashbacks, fear and media missteps Friday
when a Coast Guard exercise - unfolding near Pentagon ceremonies marking the Sept. 11, 2001, anniversary - was
mistaken as an attack. The false reports of gunfire on the river briefly spooked the capital, sending FBI agents to the
scene and grounding flights.
The episode left the Coast Guard promising to "take a good hard look at what we did here today" and military
families sore that officials would simulate a confrontation on the Potomac River on a day of raw emotions and high
security.
But the exercise, involving speeding boats and at least one helicopter, probably would have passed unnoticed except
that two TV networks confused simulated chatter over a Coast Guard radio for actual events and reported that the
Coast Guard had opened fire on a suspicious vessel near ceremonies attended by President Barack Obama.
A chain of errors on television and online raised fears the capital might be under assault eight years to the day -
almost the moment - after the terrorist attack on the Pentagon. CNN reported 10 shots had been fired, based on
information it heard over the network's police scanner.
On Twitter, the network reported: "Coast Guard confronts boat as Obama visits Pentagon, police scanner reports say
shots fired."
After the Reuters news agency reported on what CNN was saying, Fox News followed suit, telling viewers: "Here is
what we are learning. The U.S. Coast Guard ship of some type fired on what is considered a suspicious boat in the
Potomac River."
Anchor Bill Hemmer said: "I can't recall a time or moment like this, on an American river, where the Coast Guard
has opened fire."
In fact, no shots were fired and there was no trouble on the river.
The Coast Guard's chief of staff, John Currier, said participants in the exercise were given simulated instructions by
radio to fire 10 rounds, and someone said "bang, bang, bang," - the routine signal of compliance in drills that don't
involve live fire.
Unaware that it was an exercise, CNN opened its reporting on the incident by saying at least one boat was intruding
in a security zone on the river and the Coast Guard was chasing it. As the network showed pictures of the river, a
banner read: "Breaking News: Coast Guard fires 10 rounds at boat on Potomac River."
"This is pretty incredible," said the anchor, Heidi Collins. CNN played audio from the scanner, with a man saying:
"Stop your vessel. ... You will be fired on."
Even the Coast Guard was confused about what the Coast Guard was doing.
24
After the erroneous reports surfaced and flights were grounded, at 10:12 a.m., the Coast Guard ordered one of its
helicopters based at Reagan National Airport scrambled to fly over the river to investigate the reports of shots on the
Potomac, Coast Guard spokesman Ron LaBrec said.
The exercise played out on the stretch of the Potomac closest to the Pentagon - between the 14th Street and
Memorial bridges - as Obama joined families of the victims in remembrance of the attack that killed 184 people
when hijacked American Flight 77 plowed into the building.
The Coast Guard began the drill at 9:30 a.m., five minutes after Obama arrived at the Pentagon for ceremonies
keyed to 9:37 a.m. - the time of the 9/11 attack. Other agencies were not widely notified of the drill because the
Coast Guard considered the exercise routine.
Currier said no apology was necessary for conducting a routine drill. Still, he said, "we're going to take a good hard
look at what we did here today and ensure that if we need to modify procedures, if we need to modify notification,
we will do so in the future."
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano asked the Coast Guard commandant, Adm. Thad Allen, "for a full
account of what happened," said Sara Kuban, speaking for the secretary.
A group for military families expressed outrage over the timing and setting of the exercise.
"Absolutely inexcusable," Military Families United said in a statement. "September 11th is a day to remember the
loss of 2,973 innocent victims in New York, Pennsylvania and the Pentagon; not a day to create an unnecessary
panic near a terrorist's target."
Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs defended the Coast Guard's decision to train in the Potomac on the Sept. 11
anniversary.
"I tend not to question law enforcement in keeping the nation's capital safe," he said. "If they feel they need a
training exercise, best not to second-guess."
As for the errors of the networks, he said: "Before we report things like this, checking would be good."
CNN said in a statement hours later that it called the Coast Guard twice and was told "its National Command Center
and other command posts knew nothing about any activity in the area." But CNN said "it would have been
irresponsible not to report on what we were hearing and seeing."
The Associated Press reported that the Coast Guard was conducting a drill in the area and quoted Coast Guard Chief
Keith Moore as saying no shots were fired.
Departures from Reagan National, which is also along the Potomac, were halted for about 20 minutes, delaying 17
flights until the confusion cleared.
W.H. hits CNN for Coast Guard report

Source: Politico http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=A9BB2BFB-18FE-70B2-A83E32BB7CFB601B
Author(s): By: Carol E. Lee and Jen DiMascio
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs today criticized CNN — not the Coast Guard — over the panic caused by
the agency‘s training exercise on the Sept. 11 anniversary, saying that the alarm could have been avoided if the network
had checked its facts.
Gibbs said he wouldn‘t second-guess Coast Guard leadership for holding a Potomac River exercise on the morning of
the 9/11 commemoration. But he took a shot at CNN, which initially didn‘t know the maneuvers in the Potomac were
an exercise and erroneously reported that gunshots were fired — something the homeland security department said
didn‘t occur.
25
―Let‘s understand that best I can tell there was reporting based on listening to a police scanner that was not verified,
and then it was on television and now we‘ve raced back to find out that it‘s a training exercise. So I think it appears as
if a lot of this might have been avoided,‖ Gibbs said.
Gibbs told reporters that the Coast Guard was holding a news conference to explain the exercise. "Hopefully CNN will
go,‖ Gibbs quipped. "My only caution would be that before we report things like this, checking would be good."
The incident also set off a terse exchange between Gibbs and CNN reporter Elaine Quijano over the incident as Gibbs
briefed reporters in his office. Quijano asked whether the public should have been informed about a training exercise
on the Sept. 11 anniversary.
She also asked why Gibbs didn‘t think the Coast Guard incident was comparable to an Air Force One flyover in New
York for a photo shoot in April that set off a panic there. The head of the White House military office, Louis Caldera,
resigned in the wake of that incident.
"If we set aside the media coverage, would you be asking this question?" Gibbs said.
―She doesn‘t do hypotheticals,‖ another reporter joked, using a response Gibbs likes to give reporters who pose ―if‖
questions.
―But reports them,‖ Gibbs said.
―Well, look,‖ Quijano said, ―I‘d like to set that aside for just a minute.‖
―No I understand, and it‘s not directed at you, just writ large at CNN,‖ Gibbs said.
As Quijano pressed further, Gibbs said, "If anybody was unnecessarily alarmed based on erroneous reporting that
denoted that shots had been fired, I think everybody is apologetic about that."
CNN, in a statement Friday afternoon, did not express regret for the network‘s erroneous report or admit to jumping the
gun on the story.
―Given the circumstances, it would have been irresponsible not to report on what we were hearing and seeing,‖ the
statement read. ―As with any breaking news story, information is often fluid and CNN updated the story with the
official explanation from the Coast Guard as soon as it was provided.
The Coast Guard acknowledged at a news conference that its personnel simulated the sound of gunfire on an open
police radio frequency — which might have caused the confusion. ―That ‗bang bang‘ was verbalized on the radio, but I
want to emphasize no shots were fired,‖ said Vice Adm. John Currier, the Coast Guard chief of staff.
But Currier did not apologize for the training exercise. He did promise the agency would review both the timing of its
exercises as well as the way it works with the media.
―No I am not issuing an apology,‖ Currier said, adding that he felt the agency‘s ―normal, low-profile‖ training activities
were blown out of proportion by erroneous news reports of shots ringing out over the Potomac River. ―It‘s unfortunate
that it‘s been raised to this level,‖ Currier said.
Asked whether the morning of the Sept. 11 anniversary was the best day for such an exercise — which featured patrol
boats making rapid, defensive maneuvers in the Potomac River — Currier said, ―We will look at our procedures and
the timing of this exercise.‖ He also said the Secret Service wasn‘t notified in advance of the exercise, and there was
minimal coordination with other agencies because it was a routine exercise.
Earlier, the Coast Guard defended the timing by saying the best way to remember the tragic day is by being prepared.
―The best way that we in the Coast Guard can remember Sept. 11 and our security obligations to the nation is to be
always ready, and this requires constant training and exercise,‖ said Lt. Nadine Santiago in a statement.
26
Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) is calling on Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to explain the timing of
the exercise, which occurred while top officials were attending memorial services for Sept. 11. Homeland Security
oversees the Coast Guard.
―The anxiety caused by this situation on such a solemn day is extremely disturbing,‖ said Voinovich, a member of the
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. ―It sounds very much like the left hand didn‘t know what
the right hand was doing.‖
Napolitano‘s spokeswoman Sara Kuban said the secretary has asked Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen for a full
account of what happened. The Coast Guard‘s Baltimore Sector office signed off on the scheduling decision, Currier
said.
At the White House, Gibbs defended the importance of such training exercises. ―I assume that there‘s a training
exercise going on somewhere in this country right now. I think we‘re all safer because of training exercises. My only
caution would be before we report things like this, checking would be good.‖
As for holding one on the anniversary of the attacks on the twin towers and the Pentagon, Gibbs said, ―I tend not to
question law enforcement in trying to keep the nation‘s capital safe. If they feel like they need a training exercise, I‘m
not sure that we‘re to second-guess.‖
Whether the exercise is appropriate is ―a decision that‘s made by the Coast Guard,‖ Gibbs said.
Nia-Malika Henderson contributed to the story.
One of the World's Largest Maritime Exercises Kicks Off in Panama

Source: PRNewswire http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-11-
2009/0005092491&EDATE=
PANAMA CITY, Sept. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 4,500 personnel from 20 countries began a 12-day exercise
here Friday to train in a joint, multinational effort to ensure the security of the Panama Canal.
U.S. and Panamanian officials held a formal opening ceremony Friday for Fuerzas Aliadas (Allied Forces)
PANAMAX 2009, co-sponsored by U.S. Southern Command and the Government of Panama, in Panama City,
Panama.
Representatives of the 20 participating nations joined Jose Raul Mulino, Panama's Minister of Government and
Justice, and U.S. Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Gerald W. Ketchum, Director of Stability for U.S. Southern
Command, at the ceremony.
FA PANAMAX 2009 is one of the largest multinational training exercises in the world, and is taking place in the
waters off the coasts of Panama from Sept. 11-22 with the participation of civil and military forces.
More than 20 vessels and a dozen aircraft are involved in the exercises. Participants are focusing on a variety of
responses to any request from the Government of Panama to protect and guarantee safe passage of traffic through
the Panama Canal, ensure its neutrality, and respect national sovereignty. Simulated ground forces are also
participating at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.
"This year's exercise will continue the tradition of strengthening partnerships and building real operational
capability," said Ketchum. "It is important to all participants, that this unique engine of regional and world
economic activity remain safe, secure and prosperous.
"In 2009, we will collectively exercise maritime interdiction, security operations, humanitarian assistance and
disaster relief," Ketchum added.
27
Minister Mulino also emphasized the importance of creating the legal, institutional and operational framework
necessary to ensure the safeguarding of the Panama Canal.
The multinational forces protecting the canal approaches will be organized under Multi-National Force-South and
commanded by U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Keith M. Huber, commander of U.S. Army South.
The FA PANAMAX 2009 exercise scenario includes sea-based training devoted to maritime interdiction operations,
including visit, boarding, search and seizure. Virtual land-based training in San Antonio, Texas, will focus on
command and control, stability operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief operations.
FA PANAMAX 2009 participating nations include: Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa
Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru,
United States and Uruguay. France and Mexico are scheduled to participate as observers. The Conference of Central
American Armies, the Organization of American States and the United Nations will also participate.
Honduras withdrew from the exercise Aug. 10.
PANAMAX began in 2003 with three countries: Panama, Chile and the United States. Exercise participation has
greatly expanded every year since. In 2004, nine nations took part; in 2005, 15 nations were involved; in 2006, 18
nations participated; in 2007, 19 nations took part and last year 20 nations were a part of PANAMAX 2008.
SOURCE U.S. Southern Command
28
Drugs, Smuggling, Illegal Weapons Shipments, Immigration, Border Security,
Humanitarian
23 suspected illegal immigrants arrested off California

Source: AFP http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iuXoloyGyhWvflP2bx4zWB6j3lqw
LOS ANGELES — A boat carrying 23 suspected illegal immigrants was intercepted off the coast of southern
California early Wednesday, the United States Coast Guard said.
The boat was spotted by a helicopter crew at around 4:00 am (1100 GMT) south of Carlsbad, a coastal town roughly
31 miles (50 kilometers) north of the US border with Mexico, US Coast Guard spokesman Henry Dunphy said.
The 23 on board were arrested and handed over to the US Border Patrol.
The overwhelming majority of illegal immigrants arrested in the United States in 2008 came from Mexico (91
percent), followed by Honduras (2.7 percent), Guatemala (2.3 percent) and El Salvador (1.8 percent).
Busy night: Smuggler boats, 29 illegal migrants found on north coast

Source: San Diego Union-Tribune http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/sep/16/carlsbad-8212-search-immigrants-believed/
Author(s): By Debbi Baker, Union-Tribune Staff Writer
Published 16 September 2009
CARLSBAD — Twenty-nine suspected illegal immigrants were apprehended early Wednesday morning after a
search for people who had disembarked from a smuggling boat on Ponto Beach led to the discovery of another boat
offshore.
Border Patrol agents spotted the first boat about 2:30 a.m. and chased it to the beach, said Coast Guard Petty Officer
Henry Dunphy.
Six people were taken into custody but others eluded capture, Dunphy said.
Authorities called the Coast Guard and asked for helicopter assistance in the search for the escapees, Dunphy said.
About 90 minutes later, the Coast Guard crew aboard the helicopter spotted the second boat about eight miles
offshore and a little farther south, Dunphy said.
Twenty-three people aboard the panga were apprehended and turned over to the Border Patrol, Dunphy said.
Ponto beach was the drop-off point for another group of suspected illegal immigrants in August.
Agents patrolling the coast spotted the smugglers with a thermal scope and tracked their boat as it got closer to the
beach.
Help Wanted: Watch out for human smugglers

Source: WZVN http://www.abc-7.com/Global/story.asp?S=11138040
Author: By Kevin Ozebek
FORT MYERS BEACH: The U.S. Coast Guard says it needs your help in catching human smugglers. We found out
what the Coast Guard says you can do to help.
29
Monday night, six Cuban migrants were found in Fort Myers. And in Collier County, a boat filled with barrels of
gasoline was found. Officials we spoke to say that boat may have been involved in human smuggling.
At the Coast Guard station on Fort Myers Beach, there are only a handful of boats that can be out patrolling the
water looking for human smugglers. That's why when you're out on the water; the Coast Guard needs you to be its
eyes and ears.
When the sun is out, boater Tim Velazquez loves to hit the open water. He says when he's on the water he has fun,
but also stays focused.
That's what the U.S. Coast Guard loves to hear.
"Believe me, I'm looking in all directions - all the time, all the time," he said.
Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Justin Wainscott with the U.S. Coast Guard says catching human smugglers "is a huge
priority."
He went on to say, "We work with all local and state law enforcement agencies."
But the Coast Guard also wants to work with pleasure boaters like Velazquez. Wainscott says the Coast Guard only
has so many men and woman to look over water that can seem endless.
When it comes to what boaters should be on the look for, Wainscott didn't want to tip off smugglers and had to keep
the advice vague.
"[Look for] anything out of the ordinary. Anything what you would think would be suspicious," he said.
Velazquez says he'll keep his eyes alert the next time he's out on his boat. He says he is making it his mission to
help the Coast Guard with its mission.
"If they need it, I'll help them," he said.
Officials with the Coast Guard said they're not that surprised they intercepted that boat Monday. They say here in
Southwest Florida, smuggling operations are not that rare.
Russia to detain any ship violating Abkhazia's maritime border

Source: RIA Novosti http://en.rian.ru/russia/20090915/156134724.html
MOSCOW, September 15 (RIA Novosti) - Russian border guards will detain all vessels that violate Abkhazia's
maritime border, a senior border guards official said on Tuesday.
Tbilisi considers Abkhazia and its waters part of Georgian territory, and has declared any unauthorized maritime
shipments of goods to be illegal.
Georgia seized the Panama-flagged Buket tanker and its cargo of gasoline and diesel fuel for Abkhazia last month
as it sailed from Turkey to the tiny republic on the Black Sea.
Abkhaz Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba said in early September that Abkhazia was ready to resort to force as
President Sergei Bagapsh had given the order "to open fire on Georgian ships if they continue their acts of piracy."
Russia recognized Abkhazia and another former Georgian republic of South Ossetia last August after a five-day war
with Georgia over the latter, which was attacked by Tbilisi in an attempt to bring it back under central control. Most
residents of both Abkhazia and South Ossetia have held Russian citizenship for several years.
Under mutual assistance treaties signed last November, Russia pledged to help Abkhazia and South Ossetia protect
their borders, and the signatories granted each other the right to set up military bases in their respective territories.
30
Russia's Defense Ministry has said it plans to open a base in Gudauta, in the west of Abkhazia, and staff it with at
least 1,500 personnel by the end of this year.
Migrants 'drown' off Somali coast

Source: BBC http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8256757.stm?ad=1
Some 65 migrants are feared to have died this week, trying to cross from Somalia to Yemen, the UN says. Sixteen
deaths have been confirmed, while 49 people are missing feared drowned in three separate incidents, says the UN
refugee agency.
Eleven people suffocated, while three were beaten to death by people smugglers, it says. Hundreds of Africans
drown each year, trying to reach Yemen in crowded and often unseaworthy boats.
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, says people smugglers are now using larger vessels "which puts more lives at
risk".
It says some 860 boats carrying 43,586 people have tried to cross the Gulf of Aden so far this year.
Some 273 people have drowned or are presumed dead, it says.
Australia intercepts boat with 65 asylum seekers

Source: AFP http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jImkIW53ibf6NFjeVJbwC9VScvxA
SYDNEY — The Australian navy has intercepted a suspected people-smuggling boat carrying 65 asylum seekers,
officials said, the second such vessel stopped in 24 hours off the country's northwest coast.
The HMAS Maitland intercepted the boat on Saturday night about three nautical miles from Ashmore Island, Home
Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said.
Earlier Saturday, the same navy patrol boat stopped another vessel with 83 asylum seekers about 80 nautical miles
south of the island, an uninhabited Australian territory in the Indian Ocean.
All 148 asylum seekers and seven crew members who were operating the two boats would be transferred to an
immigration detention centre on Christmas Island, further west in the Indian Ocean, O'Connor said.
Some 21 illegal vessels have been stopped this year, three in the past week.
Australia has detained more than 1,000 would-be refugees this year and the government has warned that there are
thousands more waiting in neighbouring Indonesia, a key staging post for people smugglers.
Australia's conservative opposition has blamed the centre-left government for the influx, saying its softening of
refugee policies was encouraging people smugglers.
Opposition immigration spokeswoman Sharman Stone said people smugglers were threatening to "swamp"
Australia's official refugee programme.
"The message now, it's well-established -- in Indonesia, in Malaysia and up through to places like Pakistan or the
further western Middle East -- come on down, you're going to have a fairly trouble-free passage," Stone told public
broadcaster ABC.
But O'Connor said international unrest was to blame for the surge in boat numbers, not government policy.
31
"Situations around the world mean that large numbers of displaced persons are looking for settlement in wealthy,
developed nations like Australia and can be targeted by, and fall prey to, people smugglers," he said.
"The Australian government remains vigilant and committed to protecting Australia's borders."
32
US Navy, US Coast Guard, International Navies, etc.
FEATURE-In restive Med, U.S. ship eyes risk of missile war
Source: Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLH667845
Author(s): By Dan Williams
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Thursday the United States would deploy Aegis warships equipped with
missile interceptors to defend its forces and allies around Europe. [ID:nLH510988]
Following is a report on these Aegis ships, first filed on Sept 8 by Reuters correspondent Dan Williams, who went
aboard one of them, the destroyer USS Higgins, in the Mediterranean.
* Aegis missile-killer a boon to U.S. allies fearing Iran
* Israelis see potential competitor to their Arrow system
ABOARD USS HIGGINS, Mediterranean Sea, Sept 8 (Reuters) - He is trained to hunt submarines or pirates, launch
Tomahawk cruise missiles at coastal targets and shoot down attacking planes. He can also enforce naval blockades
and rescue vessels in distress.
Yet on his first Mediterranean tour Commander Carl Meuser may have another mission in mind, the kind the U.S.
Navy has long performed off North Korea and Japan -- strategic air defence.
Iran has girded its disputed nuclear project with long-range missiles. Israel and Washington's Arab allies are
nervous. The Obama administration wants talks with Tehran, but is quietly shoring up the diplomacy with means for
military containment.
So Meuser cites no specific Middle Eastern adversaries when showing a Reuters crew his destroyer, USS Higgins,
one of 18 American ships deployed globally with Aegis interceptor systems capable of blowing up ballistic missiles
above the atmosphere.
"Regardless of the threat, regardless of the territory that we are trying to defend, based on our national interest, we
can cover a large area," he said.
According to a regional map issued last month by the U.S. Missile Defence Agency, a Mediterranean-based Aegis
could cover southern Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, the Palestinian territories and north Egypt in the event of a missile
war. Another ship, deployed in the Gulf, would similarly protect local Arab states.
"Being ship-based, it also gives us more flexibility and gives our leadership more flexibility in that we can go places
a lot more simply and folks at the embassies don't have to spend as much time getting clearance," Meuser said.
"We just kind of show up 12 miles (19 km) off the coast and we're in international waters."
CLOSE ASSET
For Israel, where Higgins docked this week, Aegis is an especially close asset. Israel already hosts a U.S. strategic
radar, X-band, and its Arrow II missile interceptor, which is partly underwritten by Washington, is inter-operable
with Aegis.
Arrow designer Uzi Rubin said Aegis could be brought into line with Israel's air defences "at the flick of a switch".
"I think it is very important that the United States make Aegis ships available should there be an attack by Iran, with
their firepower joining our firepower," he said, echoing fears that Iranian nuclear warheads could one day be used
against the Jewish state, although Tehran denies having hostile designs.
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But some Israelis have voiced concern at the degree to which their country may grow beholden to American
military largesse.
Assumed to have the region's only atomic arsenal, Israel has hinted it might strike Iran preemptively. Any such
unilateral action could be circumscribed by the presence of U.S. forces whose ties to Israel would mark them out for
Iranian reprisals.
Israel is also reluctant to rely too heavily on Aegis ships, which are unlikely to carry more than two dozen of the
costly SM-3 interceptor missiles and could thus, in theory, be stumped by a big salvo from Iran or its ally Syria.
Pointing to Higgins's 90 pre-loaded launch tubes, Meuser said: "Even if you filled them up with the $10 million
missiles -- that's a lot of money -- then you're still going to have a limited amount, so you would need to have more
ships come in."
PROTRACTED FACE-OFF
Robert Hewson, a combat systems analyst with Jane's Information Group, said such reinforcement would be
unfeasible for any protracted face-off between Israel and its arch-foes.
"I don't think the United States can afford to provide the number of ships and assets required to provide 365-day
coverage for Israel," he said.
Thrift is one selling point behind the Israeli-U.S. plan to develop an upgraded Arrow III by the middle of next
decade, with a projected price of $2.4 million for its interceptor missiles.
Yet the Pentagon has also shown interest in a land-based version of SM-3, which could be offered to Israel either as
a stop-gap or an alternative to Arrow, with the added domestic boon of diverting funds to its American
manufacturer, Raytheon.
Despite the protectionist instincts on both sides, Rubin said professional considerations would keep Arrow III on
track.
"The question is what's easier: to take a foreign-designed missile across the barriers of sovereignty and proprietary
rights and somehow integrate it into our system, or to do it in-house? To do it in-house is cheaper and faster," he
said.
Raytheon says the "ashore" SM-3, due out in 2013, may also be considered by the Pentagon for Europe, where it
could play a role with or without a missile defence deployment that former U.S. President George W. Bush had
proposed in Poland and the Czech Republic and which has been fiercely opposed by Russia.
"As Navy guys, we are going to have plenty of work to keep us busy. So if the Army comes up with a better answer
for how to do this (missile defence), then that's fine. I can tell you that Aegis is not the answer to everybody's
problems," Meuser said.
"But right now we do have a good capability. We are mobile, and we are on-scene ... so at least we can influence
events." (For a factbox on the U.S. missile shield please click on [ID:nL0466923]) (Editing by Samia Nakhoul)
UPDATE 1-US Navy to pick one LCS ship in FY10

Source: Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSN1615206620090916?sp=true
Author(s): By Andrea Shalal-Esa
34
WASHINGTON, Sept 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. Navy has decided to pick one Littoral Combat Ship design in fiscal
2010, instead of two, as part of a new acquisition strategy for the large shipbuilding program, two sources familiar
with the Navy plan said on Wednesday.
Navy acquisition chief Sean Stackley and Vice Admiral Barry McCullough, deputy chief of naval operations, are
due to announce the new acquisition plan later on Wednesday, the sources said.
Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) and General Dynamics Corp (GD.N) are building separate models of the shore-
hugging ship, which the Navy plans to use in coastal areas for mine detection, anti-submarine warfare and combat
against small surface craft such as pirates.
The Navy had planned to buy 55 of the new lighter, more agile warships to help the Navy expand its fleet from 283
ships to 313 over time, but those plans have been jeopardized by big cost increases on the program.
It was not immediately clear if the total number would remain the same under the new acquisition plan.
Chief of Naval Operations Gary Roughead told reporters in June that costs had nearly stabilized on a second set of
LCS ships being built by Lockheed and General Dynamics.
Roughead said he was encouraged by cost trends on the two ships under construction and that the Navy would try to
avoid adding any new requirements that could drive costs higher.
Costs have more than doubled from an original projection of $220 million and the program is subject to a
congressional cost cap of $460 million on each new ship, beginning in fiscal 2010, which begins Oct. 1, although
lawmakers have proposed various options on how to adjust the cap for inflation and other items.
Lockheed's first LCS ship successfully completed a second round of builders' trials earlier this month.
General Dynamics' first ship had been going through its builders' trials, but ran into several unexpected problems.
The decision to pick just one design in fiscal 2010 could be bad news for General Dynamics, which started later on
its version of the ship program, said Loren Thompson, a defense analyst with the Virginia-based Lexington Institute.
Thompson advises many defense companies including both Lockheed and General Dynamics, but is not involved
with either company on the LCS program.
"Right now, the obvious ship to downselect is the Lockheed Martin ship. They have worked through their problems
and the ship is performing very well. The GD ship really isn't ready for primetime because it started so much later,"
he said.
The problem was that the Navy's current shipbuilding plan was not affordable, putting the service under pressure to
simplify programs like LCS by "prematurely selecting one winner," Thompson said.
"The shipbuilding budget is underfunded, so they have to make cuts somewhere," he said.
Lockheed shares closed up 46 cents at $76.16, while General Dynamics shares gained 16 cents to close at $63.29.
(Reporting by Andrea Shalal-Esa; editing by Carol Bishopric)
Russia to equip four Indian subs with new cruise missiles

Source: RIA Novosti http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20090916/156148137.html
MOSCOW, September 16 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Zvezdochka shipyard said on Wednesday it will install Club-S
cruise missile systems on four Kilo class diesel submarines in service with the Indian navy in the next five years.
Russia has built ten Kilo class submarines for India. Only two of them — the INS Sindhugosh and INS Sindhuvijay
— have reportedly been equipped with the Club-S (SS-N-27) cruise missiles to date.
35
"The new missile system will be installed on the INS Sindhuratna, INS Sindhuraj, INS Sindhushastra, and INS
Sindhuvir. The retrofit will be carried out at Indian shipyards," the shipyard in northern Russia said in a statement.
"Zvezdochka will finish this work in the next five years," the statement said.
The Club-S subsonic cruise missile is designed for launch from a 533 mm torpedo tube, or a vertical launch tube. It
has a range of 160 nautical miles (about 300 km). It uses an ARGS-54 active radar seeker and Glonass satellite and
inertial guidance.
In addition, Zvezdochka is getting ready to overhaul another Indian Kilo class submarine — the INS Sindhurakshak
under a deal which is expected to be signed in spring 2010.
"The submarine will be delivered to Severodvinsk in June 2010," the shipyard said.
Russia agreed in 2001 to upgrade all 10 Indian Kilo class submarines and has previously overhauled four subs at the
Zvezdochka shipyard.
The upgrade program involves a complete overhaul of the submarines, including their hull structures, as well as
improved control systems, sonar, electronic warfare systems, and an integrated weapon control system. The
upgrades are reported to be costing about $80 million.
Russia's Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines have gained a reputation as extremely quiet boats, and have been
purchased by China, India, Iran, Poland, Romania and Algeria.
Pakistan gets first Sword-class frigate

Source: UPI http://www.upi.com/Security_Industry/2009/09/15/Pakistan-gets-first-Sword-class-frigate/UPI-57151253027400/
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- In a move intended to boost its surface warfare capabilities, the Pakistani
navy has taken delivery of its first F-22p class frigate.
The frigate is the first of three Sword/F-22P-class vessels that Pakistan has ordered from China under a $750 million
deal.
Christened PNS Zulfiqar, the new frigate was received by Pakistani naval officials at Karachi port after first taking
part in naval exercises in the Arabian Sea under the watchful gaze of Rear Adm. Asif Sandila, commander of the
Pakistan fleet, local media reported.
Armed with ship-to-ship and ship-to-air missiles, the PNS Zulfiqar was constructed at Shanghai's Hudong
Zhonghua Shipyard.
Two other ships of the class are nearing completion at the Shanghai shipyard, set to be delivered to Pakistan by the
end of 2010. A fourth ship under construction at Karachi Shipyards is expected to join the fleet by 2013, the Press
Trust of India news agency said, quoting Pakistan's Naval spokesman Commander Mubeen Bajwa.
The PNS Zulfiqar, a modification of the Type-53H3 design, was commissioned in late July. Under the lucrative
deal, China will also supply four to six Harbin Z9EC anti-submarine warfare helicopters to Pakistan.
"The arrival of the PNS Zulfiqar marks the first time in Pakistan's history in which it has received a new-build major
frontline warship," Defense News reported.
The Pakistani navy's fleet is composed of six aging ex-Royal Navy Type-21 frigates of 1970s vintage. Three of
them are fitted with Chinese SAM arms; the rest with Boeing RGM-84A Harpoon anti-ship missiles due to space
and top weight limitations.
36
"That makes the 3144-ton Sword class frigates considerably more versatile," Defense News reported.
In recent months, the United States has pledged to transfer the USS McInerney frigate to the Pakistani navy
following decommissioning from the U.S. Navy next year. It is expected that the ship will join a multinational force
aimed at fighting piracy in the troubled waters of the Gulf of Aden, Arabia Sea and Indian Ocean.
Pakistan's navy, however, faces allegations that it tampered with missiles the United States sold to it in the 1980s to
enable them to be used against land targets.
Should the allegations prove true, Pakistan could be in violation of U.S. law -- an issue said to have been raised by
Obama administration officials with Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani three months ago.
Russia to decide on purchase of French warship by October

Source: RIA Novosti http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20090915/156132004.html
MOSCOW, September 15 (RIA Novosti) - Technical discussions between Russia and France on buying a Mistral
class amphibious assault ship should be completed soon, with a decision on the purchase to follow from Moscow, a
source close to the negotiations said on Tuesday.
"We are holding technical consultations, which are expected to be completed by the end of September. The results
will be reported to Russia's military-industrial commission in order to determine the viability of the purchase," the
source said.
He added that a group of Russian naval officers had already inspected a Mistral class ship at a French naval base in
Toulon.
"The officers were shown the interior of the ship and provided with technical data," the official said.
The source denied media reports that Russia was considering alternative purchases of the same type of warship from
other countries, including the Netherlands and Spain.
"These countries also build amphibious assault ships of a similar class, but we have not considered their offers so
far," he said.
A Mistral class ship is capable of transporting and deploying 16 helicopters, four landing barges, up to 70 vehicles
including 13 main battle tanks, and 450 soldiers. The vessel is equipped with a 69-bed hospital and can be used as
an amphibious command ship.
The ship could cost between 300 and 400 million euros ($430-580 million).
Gen. Nikolai Makarov, the chief of the Russian General Staff, said in August that Russia was negotiating the
purchase of one ship at present, and later planning to acquire 3-4 ships of the same class to be jointly built in Russia.
Some Russian military experts have questioned the purchase both from the financial and military standpoint.
Revealed: The awesome aircraft carrier that will be Britain's most powerful warship ever (if it is
actually built)
Source: Daily Mail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1213128/Revealed-The-awesome-aircraft-carrier-Britains-powerful-warship-actually-built.html
Author(s): By Daily Mail Reporter
An impression of how a controversial future giant aircraft carrier would look in its home base has been unveiled
today by the Royal Navy.
37
The computer-generated image has been created to give an impression of the scale of the next generation of
warships which are due to enter service in 2015.
It shows one of the carriers alongside at Portsmouth Naval Base, Hampshire, where it would take up three jetties.
The ships will be the biggest and most powerful warships ever designed and built in the UK.
They will be 70 metres wide and the flight deck area is equivalent to 49 tennis courts or three football pitches and
large enough to take up to 40 aircraft.
The Government has given the go-ahead for the creation of the HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales
despite criticism that the funding would be better spent elsewhere in the armed forces.
Captain Paul Lemkes, deputy naval base commander, said: 'The image brings home the sheer scale of our future
aircraft carriers and there is a great deal of work in hand to ensure that the naval base is ready to support them when
they enter service.
'As well as bringing a much-needed addition to the UK's joint military capability, they will be a magnificent sight
and will, undoubtedly, make a huge impact on the Portsmouth skyline when alongside as well as generating great
interest throughout the region.'
Preliminary work is already under way in the naval base to accommodate the vessels.
Assessments to define the exact work required have been completed and an impact study is under way to identify
any measures required to safeguard the environment.
Three jetties on the western edge of the base will have to be upgraded and extra shore services will be needed,
including an increase in electrical supply.
Approach channels to the base will have to be dredged to a depth of 10.5 metres - current depth is 9.5 metres - to
cope with the ships, which will have a full displacement of 65,000 tonnes.
Witnesses: Foreign troops raid Somali town

Source: Associated Press http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g7OaI4_kjeHA-o4UhlmP7vlWmrrwD9AN4BTG0
Author(s): By MOHAMED OLAD HASSAN (AP)
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Foreign troops in helicopters attacked a seaside town controlled by Somali insurgents
Monday, killing at least two people and taking two others captive, witnesses said.
Eyewitness Abdi Ahmed said the helicopters fired from the air and hit a car near Barawe town, killing two men in
the car and wounding two others. He said foreign soldiers, who were white, left with the two wounded men as
captives.
"We heard the explosion and saw two helicopters flying over us," said Mohamed Ali Aden, a bus driver who drove
past the burnt-out car minutes after the attack. "There was only a burning vehicle and two dead bodies lying beside."
It was not clear who conducted the attack. Somalia's weak government has very few resources and does not have
helicopters or other modern equipment. One witness, Dahir Ahmed, said the helicopters took off from a nearby
warship flying a French flag, but that could not be immediately confirmed.
France has launched commando raids in the past to rescue French nationals held by insurgents and pirates in this
lawless African nation. Calls to the Defense Ministry in Paris rang unanswered Monday.
Barawe is controlled by al-Shabab, an insurgent group the U.S. accuses of having links to al-Qaida. The town is
some 155 miles (250 kilometers) from the capital, Mogadishu.
38
Many experts fear the country's lawlessness could provide a haven for al-Qaida, offering a place for terrorists to
train and gather strength — much like Afghanistan in the 1990s. Al-Shabab has hundreds of foreign fighters in its
ranks, and the group controls much of the country.
Somalia's lawlessness also has allowed piracy to flourish off its coast, making the Gulf of Aden one of the most
dangerous waterways in the world.
The U.S. government — haunted by a deadly 1993 U.S. military assault in Mogadishu chronicled in "Black Hawk
Down" — is working to lower the growing terrorist threat without sending in American troops. The Obama
administration recently increased aid to Somalia by pouring resources into the weak government.
Various Islamist groups have been fighting the U.N.-backed government since being chased from power 2 1/4 years
ago. Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, sees near-daily battles between government and insurgent forces. Tens of
thousands of civilians have been killed
PCU New York Remembers 9/11

Source: Navy.mil Story Number: NNS090911-20 http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=48230
Author(s): By Mass Communciation Specialist 1st Class Corey Lewis, Pre-Commissioning Unit New York
AVONDALE, La. (NNS) -- The crew of Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21) honored those who
lost their lives Sept. 11, during a ceremony that included a timeline from the events of 9/11 narrated by members of
the crew.
"Strength forged through sacrifice. Never Forget" is the motto of PCU New York.
Quotes from survivors, first responders and voicemail messages of victims who were able to say final goodbyes
were interspersed throughout the timeline to bring the story to life.
"The events of 9/11 happened to real people on a typical workday," said Lt. Cmdr. Laura Bender, command
chaplain. "Hearing their words connects us with them in a unique and powerful way. What would we have said if
we had to make that last call home?"
James Bennett, crew member of USS New York (BB-34) from 1935-1940 visited the crew and took part in the
ceremony. Bennett will be 94 years old the day of the ship's commissioning Nov. 7. He toured some of the ship with
his family afterward.
"It's a wonderful ship," Bennett said. "I feel a strong connection to the crew. Being a member of BB-34 and
watching this ship progress has been a wonderful thing, and I am waiting for this ship and crew to begin their
mission."
Ceremony participant Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Winette Cox said, "I was honored to participate in the
ceremony. It was an emotional yet touching event. I think the ceremony drove home why we are working so hard to
get the ship ready to do her job."
For more news from Pre-Commissioning Unit New York (LPD 21), visit www.navy.mil/local/lpd21.
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Energy, Environment, Natural Resources, Shipping, Commerce and Trade
Lobster fishing area closed after discovery of unexploded bombs in the water
Source: Los Angeles Times http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/09/unexploded-bombs.html
Author(s): --Kelly Burgess
Access has been barred to an area popular with lobster fishermen after the discovery of unexploded munitions on
the sea floor.
The U.S. Coast Guard has established a safety zone around Seal Island, located about 20 miles off the coast of
Maine, after a recent discovery of unexploded ordnance in the shallow waters surrounding the remote island. The
island was used by the U.S. Navy as an aerial bombing range from the 1940s to the 1960s.
"An urchin diver recently spotted what he described as thousands of shell fragments and shells on the bottom,"
Chief Petty Officer Jeff Hall told the Associated Press. "Even though we don't have a good handle on what the
threat level is, we want to err on the side of caution when it comes to public safety."
Lobstermen are upset with the decision to close the area, arguing that traps have been hauled there for decades
without any problems.
The interim ruling went into effect last week . The Coast Guard is taking comments on the measure until Dec. 7,
after which a decision will be made on what sort of permanent rule might be necessary.
Seal Island is now managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in cooperation with the National Audubon
Society and is a national wildlife refuge for nesting seabirds. At least 30 fishermen tend to hundreds of traps in the
lobster-rich shallows surrounding the island.
Italian official: Mafia could have sunk ship carrying toxic waste
Source: Europe News http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1501236.php/Italian-official-Mafia-could-have-sunk-
ship-carrying-toxic-waste
Paola, Italy (dpa) - A sunken ship discovered last week off the southern Italian coast and carrying 120 barrels of
suspected radioactive waste, could be one of more than 30 similar vessels destroyed by the Calabrian mafia, a
prosecutor said Tuesday.
The 110-metre vessel was found on Saturday 500 metres under water and 20 nautical miles from the coast of
Calabria, Paola city prosecutor Bruno Giordano told the German Press Agency dpa.
Footage relayed by a robot-operated underwater camera shows that the barrels on board the wreck were sealed 'in a
way' that suggests they contain radioactive or toxic substances, Giordano said.
The find could be 'only the first such wreck,' to provide evidence of involvement by the Calabrian version of the
mafia, the 'Ndrangheta, in illicit waste disposal in the Mediterranean, Giordano said.
It is alleged that at least 32 vessels carrying such substances were sunk during the 1980s and early 1990s, even if
'until now,' none of these ships had been discovered, Giordano added.
He cited a 'Ndrangheta turncoat, Francesco Fonti, who in 2006 told investigators that he had participated in the 1993
sinking with explosives of a ship, the Cunsky, in a location which corresponds to Saturday's find. According to
Fonti the Cunsky was carrying radioactive waste, which came from Norway.
'The size of the Cunsky mentioned by Fonti, also corresponds to that of the vessel found on Saturday,' Giordano told
dpa.
40
Giordano said tests would have to be carried out to determine whether the barrels on the ship were indeed used to
store radioactive waste.
Taiwan demands Japan return skipper: official

Source: AFP http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j1mmNRJlPZl92lF4Rs4JeQIvb4DA
TAIPEI — Taiwan's foreign ministry called Tuesday for the return of a local sailor held in Japan on accusations of
illegal fishing in disputed waters in the East China sea.
"Skipper Wang Wei-hsi is in Japan to assist in the investigation of the incident, and we hope he will return to
Taiwan soon," foreign ministry spokesman James Chang told AFP.
After Japan detained the skipper on Sunday, Taiwan sent five coastguard vessels to the area, while Japan dispatched
an equal number of ships, according to the Taiwan side.
The incident began when Formosa Chieftain No 2, a 49-tonne sports fishing boat, was accosted by Japanese
maritime vessels over allegations of illegal fishing, according to Taiwan's coastguard.
The 44-year-old skipper declined the Japanese officials' request to board his vessel, arguing that he was operating in
Taiwanese waters.
The Japan Coastguard said it arrested Wang on suspicion of violating the nation's fishing law by being within
Japan's exclusive economic zone.
His boat and one crew member were also held on Japan's Ishigaki island while nine fishing tourists onboard were
returned to Taiwan, the local coastguard said.
Taipei and Tokyo have held 14 rounds of negotiations over territorial fishing disputes since 1996. They have yet to
reach an agreement.
Chang, the Taiwanese foreign ministry spokesman, said the incident would not affect ties with Japan.
The East China Sea has been the scene of several disputes between China, Japan and Taiwan, which all claim a
chain of islets, known as Senkaku in Japanese and as Diaoyu in Chinese.
Europe's $57 billion plan to put windmills in the ocean

Source: The Christian Science Monitor http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0915/p06s01-woeu.html
Author(s): By Robert Marquand | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
Though questions remain about how to bring electricity to shore, Europe sees offshore wind power as a crucial
component in its effort to reduce carbon emissions.
Paris - Wind is the fastest growing renewable energy in Europe – making up a third of new energy here, with 20
turbines added every working day in 2008, according to EU statistics.
What the European wind energy industry now wants is to expand – offshore. Ocean winds are a stronger and more
predictable form of energy than the ones on land, and the industry is pushing a $57 billion investment to allow
broad-winged turbines to spin at sea.
Offshore wind is "absolutely" a significant new resource, argues Walt Patterson, an associate at Chatham House and
author of "Keeping the Lights On," adding that "the big question mark is not sticking the stuff in the ocean, but how
to get the electricity ashore."
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A report released in Stockholm Monday by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) argues that offshore
turbines could provide 10 percent of Europe's energy by 2020 – avoiding some 200 tons of C02 emissions.
Currently, 11 sets of the wind-powered turbines are circling off Europe's shores, with 21 under construction, mostly
in Great Britain. At the moment they only contribute about .02 percent of Europe's electricity needs.
EU energy czar Andris Piebalgs backed the EWEA's ambitious plans to harness ocean winds, saying in Stockholm
that the European commission is "committed to doing everything we can to support offshore wind developers and
make sure their… projects come to fruition."
The EWEA Stockholm wind conference, called "Oceans of Opportunity," comes at a time when Europe is focusing
on climate control and job creation. Offshore turbines are also seen as a solution to complaints from Europeans who
do not want the gargantuan turbines in their backyards.
Complaints and hurdles
But people also have complaints about turbines at sea. Complaints that the turbines ruin ocean views have slowed
US efforts to get a project started off the coast of Massachusetts. The US has virtually no offshore wind energy,
though the Obama administration has started to work on the issue.
There are also economic limitations, since electricity produced by offshore turbines is more expensive to deliver to
consumers. There are also maintenance concerns involving storms at sea and corrosion from salt water. Mr.
Patterson says the biggest hurdle is making the power deliverable.
"It's a chicken and egg question, really," says Patterson. "If you are the industry, do you wait for the cables to be laid
on the ocean floor, or do you build the fields and then hope they are laid?"
The industry was boosted by a recent EU law requiring that 20 percent of Europe's energy be obtained from
renewable sources by 2020. Some 15 European states are planning offshore projects, according to the EWEA report.
"There is huge developer interest in offshore wind power," Arthuros Zervos, president of EWEA, said in a statement
Monday. "The scale of planned projects is far greater than most people realize."
Britain's Daily Telegraph reported on Monday that Germany is about to begin construction of a wind farm 12 miles
off its Baltic coast that German Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee said would produce 12,000 megawatts of
electricity, bringing Germany "closer to our goal of producing 25,000 megawatts offshore by 2030."
This week the American electric giant GE, which produces nearly a quarter of the turbines for wind power
worldwide, said it will enter the offshore market for the first time.
The Financial Times reported Monday that GE is expected to invest "hundreds of millions" in developing offshore
turbines. The FT reported that GE "is also buying ScanWind, a small Norwegian-Swedish turbine company for 18
million, giving it access to new turbine technology, tested in harsh conditions on the coast of Norway."
The EWEA in Stockholm presented data asserting that all of Europe's energy needs could one day be met by eight
fields of turbines roughly the size of 10,000 square kilometers, off the coasts of EU states.
Timor Sea oil leak 'Australia's third biggest'

Source: ABC News http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/14/2685394.htm?section=australia
Author(s): By Bronwyn Herbert for The World Today
An oil spill that started more than three weeks ago off the West Australian coast has now become the third biggest
oil slick in Australia's history. Up until now the company responsible, PTTEP Australasia, had not publicly put a
figure on the size of the spill.
Now it says 400 barrels a day are leaking into the ocean from the Mantara Well in the Timor Sea, with 1,200 tonnes
of oil having spilled into the ocean so far.
42
Environmentalists say the delay in getting accurate information on the scale of the disaster highlights the need for
the Federal Government to take charge of the response. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority's (AMSA)
Tracey Jiggins says the 400-barrel figure makes it Australia's third largest oil spill.
"If you go back to 1975 we had the Princess Anne-Marie, which was 14,800 tonnes of oil lost, and the Kirki in
1991, which was 17,280 tonnes - they are really, really massive spills," she said.
"Certainly this one is not anywhere near that sort of extent but it is getting up there in terms of the quantity."
AMSA says the rate of oil flow into the sea is reducing but it is difficult for the company responsible to accurately
measure the flow.
Ms Jiggins says AMSA's work is continuing but has been scaled back.
"We've got two observation flights daily across the area and we have our vessels, spoons and skimmers to recover
oil off the surface of the water and in addition to that we have got another vessel that is doing disbursement spraying
as necessary," she said.
Information gap
The Greens say the lack of accurate information on the spill from both the company and the Government authorities
is disappointing. Senator Rachel Siewert has flown over the site and believes the company's 400-barrels-a-day
figure is a conservative estimate.
"My concern with the company saying there is around 300, 400 barrels per day spilling is that there is data to back
that up and when you look at what the expected production from that well is, it is significantly higher," Senator
Siewert said.
Senator Siewert has questioned why it has taken the company so long to release data.
"I think they haven't been as upfront as I think they should have been and it wasn't until I flew over the site a week
after the accident that AMSA actually acknowledged the size of the spill ... the quantity of the oil entering the
marine environment and then the quantity of the disbursements being used," she said.
But she acknowledges that it is difficult to accurately measure an oil spill.
"Yes it is but they have access to satellite data, they were doing regular flights over it, the AMSA said. The next day
they were flying over it," she said.
"They dropped satellite buoys or tracking buoys into the water, so they had a fairly good idea about how big it was,
they just weren't releasing that information, it seems to me."
Six different government agencies are involved in the operation. Senator Siewert says the incident has raised a
number of questions on the way governments respond to major oil slicks.
"That indicates that we need an update of our national oil response plan because I think having to go to those
difference agencies to find out all that information is extremely confusing," she said.
The executive director of the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), Don Henry, says the oil spill highlights
why there needs to be a marine conservation plan.
"We have got coral reefs, we've got whales, whale sharks. It is a precious beautiful pristine region now being
polluted by a bad oil spill," Mr Henry said.
"There should be no more oil and gas development until there is a full, proper marine conservation plan in place."
A spokesman from PTTEP Australasia was unable to speak with The World Today but says it will still take another
three to four weeks to stem the spill.
43
Row escalates as Japan arrests Taiwan skipper
Source: AFP http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hCWT46KO6gCAmqY4D2uIsjEhdfpA
TAIPEI — Taiwan sent coastguard vessels to disputed waters in the East China sea after Japan arrested a skipper
from the island, accusing him of illegal fishing, officials on both sides said Monday. Taiwan's Coastguard
Administration told AFP it had dispatched five patrol boats to an area 110 nautical miles east of the island, as
Japanese officials said they were holding the skipper for questioning.
The incident began late Sunday, when Formosa Chieftain No 2, a 49-tonne sports fishing boat, was accosted by
Japanese maritime vessels over allegations of fishing illegally, according to the Taiwan administration. The
skipper, Wang Wei-hsi, declined the Japanese officials' request to board his vessel, arguing he believed he was
operating in Taiwanese waters, the administration said.
The Japan Coastguard said it arrested the 44-year-old skipper on suspicion of violating the nation's fishing law by
being within Japan's exclusive economic zone. His boat was carrying one crew member besides Wang and nine
fishing tourists, according to the Japanese coastguard.
Wang was being questioned on Japan's southern Ishigaki island while the others remained on the boat at sea, a
Japanese official said. The Taiwanese side said that while it had sent five vessels to the area, a flotilla of five
Japanese maritime vessels was also involved.
Taiwan's foreign ministry spokesman Henry Chen called for restraint in handling the incident.
"Priority should be given to safety of the people and the boat," he told AFP.
Taipei and Tokyo have held 14 rounds of negotiations on fishing disputes since 1996 without reaching any
agreement yet. The East China Sea is the scene of several disputes between China, Japan and Taiwan, which all
claim a chain of islets, known as Senkaku in Japanese and as Diaoyu in Chinese.
2 German cargo ships pass through 'Arctic Passage'

Source: Associated Press http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ibGHSvFxr9kgRVuSSMuSsk5CfQAwD9AL9GKO2
Author(s): By MATT MOORE and SETH BORENSTEIN (AP)
FRANKFURT — Two German merchant ships have traversed the fabled Northeast Passage after global warming
and melting ice opened a route from South Korea along Russia's Arctic coast to Siberia. Now the German-owned
ships are poised to complete their journey through the cold waters where icebergs abound, heading for Rotterdam in
the Netherlands with 3,500 tons of construction parts.
The merchant ships MV Beluga Fraternity and MV Beluga Foresight arrived this week in Yamburg, Siberia, their
owner Beluga Shipping GmbH said Friday. They traveled from Ulsan, South Korea, in late July to Siberia by way
of the Northeast Passage, a sea lane that, in years past, was avoided because of its heavy ice floes.
Scientists report that the Arctic Ocean ice cap has been shrinking to unprecedented levels in recent summers,
because of global warming, opening up many passages that were ice-choked in earlier times.
In July, new NASA satellite measurements showed that sea ice in the Arctic was not just shrinking in area, but
thinning dramatically.
Niels Stolberg, the president of Beluga, which is based in the German city of Bremen, called it the first time a
Western shipping company successfully transited the Northeast Passage.
44
"To transit the Northeast Passage so well and professionally without incident on the premiere is the result of our
extremely accurate preparation as well as the outstanding team work between our attentive captains, our reliable
meteorologists and our engaged crew," Stolberg said.
He said the shipping company was planning more voyages through the area in coming months. Traditionally,
shippers traveling from Asia to Europe have to go through the Gulf of Aden and through the Suez Canal into the
Mediterranean Sea and, pending their destination, into the Atlantic Ocean.
A journey from South Korean to the Netherlands, for example, is about 11,000 nautical miles (12,658 miles). By
going northward and using the Northeast Passage, approximately 3,000 nautical miles (3,452 miles) and 10 days can
be shaved off. That means lower fuel costs
Researchers said the ability to navigate the route showed climate change.
"We are seeing an expression of climate change here," said Mark Serreze, director of the National Snow and Ice
Data Center in Boulder, Colo. "The Arctic is warming; we're losing the sea ice cover. The more frequent opening of
that Northeast Passage is part of the process we're seeing."
"The Arctic is becoming a blue ocean," Serreze told The Associated Press.
For the last few years, including this year, navigator Roald Amundsen's famous Northwest Passage has been
navigable. Then in 2007, the more crucial deep water channel called McClure Strait opened up and now the
Northeast Passage, Serreze said. The passage "is the traditional choke point," Serreze said.
That northern route "is going to become more and more open on a seasonal basis," Serreze said. But it won't be
consistently open because of local weather patterns that could still freeze it up for long time periods.
This year is shaping up to have the third lowest amount of Arctic sea ice on record, just behind the worst year set in
2007 and in 2008. But just because 2009 is slightly up from the past two years, it is not an upward trend or a
recovery, Serreze said. It reflects a change in local weather patterns that occurred in August, he said.
"It's certainly part of the overall decline of sea ice that we've been seeing," Serreze said.
Both ships, which carried cargo for a power plant project in Surgut, Siberia, were escorted by a pair of Russian
icebreakers during portions of their journey. The Beluga Fraternity left South Korea on July 23, followed by the
Beluga Foresight on July 28.
They arrived at the Novy Port, a major Russian shipping one on the west side of the Ob Gulf, an open body of water
that stretches from the Ob River delta in the south to the Kara Sea in the north.
Verena Beckhusen, a spokeswoman for Beluga, said the Beluga Fraternity had already hoisted anchor and left Novy
Port on Thursday. The Beluga Foresight is scheduled to cast off Saturday after its departure "was postponed due to
bad weather."
Russia has long used its northern coast for shipping fuel, supplies and other goods to its remote Arctic settlements,
though funding for such shipments dwindled after the Soviet collapse.
AP Science Writer Seth Borenstein reported from Washington, D.C. AP Writer Mike Eckel in Moscow contributed
to this report.
45
Miscellaneous
The Patuxent's Hidden Treasure; Archaeologists Hope to Excavate Shipwreck That Dates to
War of 1812
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/13/AR2009091302537.html?wprss=rss_politics/fedpage
Author(s): By Steve Vogel Washington Post Staff Writer
Aboard a pontoon boat chugging past the marshland of Maryland's upper Patuxent River on a recent Saturday,
Ralph Eshelman pointed to the spot where the muddy brown water hides a shipwreck nearly two centuries old, part
of the American flotilla that defended the Chesapeake Bay when the British burned Washington during the War of
1812.
Nearly 30 years ago, Eshelman helped direct a team of marine researchers who discovered the wreck, one of the
war's most significant artifacts.
After a limited, month-long excavation of the site east of Upper Marlboro in 1980, the wreck was reburied under
four feet of mud and sediment to protect it from decay. The hope was that archaeologists with more funding could
one day return to excavate the 75-foot vessel, tentatively identified as the Scorpion, flagship of Commodore Joshua
Barney's Chesapeake Flotilla. Now, supporters are hoping the time is ripe.
The Navy, which still owns the flotilla, is considering whether to excavate the site and possibly raise the vessel as
part of its plans to commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812.
"It's on the agenda to be discussed," said Capt. Patrick Burns, director of Navy commemorations, who is leading the
Navy's plans for remembering the war with a three-year-long series of events beginning in 2012. "There are a lot of
ideas being bantered about."
No funding has yet been allotted, but Navy archaeologists have done preliminary site work and are intrigued by
what might be found.
"It's an important part of history," said Robert Neyland, head of the Navy's Underwater Archaeology Branch at the
Naval History and Heritage Command at the Washington Navy Yard.
In July, archaeologists with the office surveyed the site with a magnetometer and thought they identified the wreck's
exact location. "We found a strong magnetic anomaly where the site is presumed to be," said underwater
archaeologist Alexis Catsambis.
The vessel, which is under about five feet of water, "very well could be intact," added George Schwarz, a Navy
archaeologist who participated in the survey. "There's a lot of the wreck that could be buried."
If funding can be found, archaeologists might build a coffer dam around the site, which would allow water to be
pumped out and excavation to be done in a dry environment, said Neyland, who directed the recovery of the
Confederate submarine Hunley from South Carolina's Charleston Harbor in 2000.
Marine researchers think the nearby marshland may hold other flotilla boats, which were sunk to avoid British
capture but are likely no longer in the Patuxent because of changes in the river's course over the years.
"It's very likely that more vessels are buried under marsh like this, and if so, their preservation could be
spectacular," Eshelman, co-author of a forthcoming guide to the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake, said during a tour
of the site Sept. 5.
In the summer of 1813, Barney, a Revolutionary War naval hero, proposed building a flotilla of shallow-draft
gunboats and barges that could harass the British, whose far-larger warships controlled the Chesapeake Bay and
who were raiding plantations and small towns at will. After being assembled in Baltimore, the flotilla set sail in the
spring of 1814, clashing with the British at St. Leonard's Creek in June and escaping up the Patuxent.
46
The British advanced up the Patuxent in August 1814 and landed an invasion force, trapping Barney's flotilla in the
river's upper reaches. Under orders from the Secretary of the Navy, Barney scuttled the fleet with rigged explosives
just ahead of the British. He escaped with most of his men and cannons to defend Washington, and they played a
heroic but ultimately futile role in trying to stop the British, who captured the city and burned the Capitol, the White
House and almost all other government buildings.
"Not only did an army of invasion lay their boots on American soil, they burned our capital, and this fleet was trying
to stop it," said Marine archaeologist Donald G. Shomette, author of "Flotilla," a history of the Patuxent naval
campaign. Shomette also helped lead the flotilla search three decades ago. "Here we have the presumed flagship 16
miles from the White House, in shallow water. In terms of historical value, this is extremely significant."
"We think we have the Holy Grail," said J. Rodney Little, chief historical preservation officer for the state of
Maryland, which wants to partner with the federal government to assess the site.
This month, the Department of Defense Legacy Resource Management Program turned down the state's request for
about $300,000, leaving the state and the archaeologists to hope that the Navy or another federal agency will
support the project.
The cost of the project would depend largely on its scale, with an attempt to raise the entire vessel far costlier than a
more limited excavation. Moreover, the price of conserving what is raised would likely be significantly more than
the excavation, so without guaranteed funding, the flotilla should be left alone, archaeologists said.
The 1980 excavation raised more than 150 artifacts, many of them well-preserved and unique. Some of the pieces,
including medical equipment and a cook's tin grog cup, point to the vessel being the flagship.
After the artifacts were preserved, most were kept at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Md., which co-
sponsored the search. Last year, asserting ownership, the Navy took possession of most of the pieces, leaving about
30 on loan with the museum.
At the Navy's underwater archaeology laboratory at the Navy Yard last week, Schwarz and Catsambis displayed the
artifacts, many of them pieces of everyday shipboard life often not recorded in history books: the tools the flotilla
men used, buttons from their clothes and pharmaceutical vials that once held their medicine.
"What's interesting about pieces like this is that there's a human element to it," Schwarz said. "It gets you thinking."
By all indications, they said, the artifacts raised nearly 30 years ago represent only a small fraction of what lies in
the Patuxent mud.
U-boat Casualty Maritime archaeologists discover WWII Navy patroller off Hatteras
Rare Find: Only 40 Of 137 Such Vessels Found
Source: Winston-Salem Journal THE ASSOCIATED PRESS http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009/sep/13/u-boat-casualty-
maritime-archaeologists-discover-w/
NEWPORT NEWS - Maritime archaeologists tracking the victims of Nazi U-boats during World War II have
explored a Navy patrol boat that has been untouched since it sank off the Outer Banks in 1942.
The converted trawler YP-389 was found about 18 miles off Hatteras Inlet last month by an expedition led by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration studying shipwrecks left from the WWII battle for control of
East Coast shipping lanes, maritime archaeologist Joe Hoyt said.
Finding a World War II-era vessel is rare, researcher Richard Lawrence said. Of the 137 Allied, German and
merchant vessels lost off North Carolina during World War II, about 40 have been found, said Lawrence, the head
of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources' North Carolina Archaeology Branch.
Footage of the wreck shows a ship's skeleton with light fixtures, batteries, fire extinguishers, and port holes
scattered around it. The metal sides of the hull had fallen to the side.
47
Lawrence said the expedition team compared video sent by an underwater robot sent down to find the vessel with
old photos of the ship.
"By the end of the dive, we had no doubt what it was," Lawrence said.
The patrol boat was originally detected in the 1970s by a team searching for the Civil War-era warship Monitor. The
remains of as many as five men may be inside the 102-foot vessel resting under 325 feet of water, Monitor National
Marine Sanctuary Superintendent David Alberg said.
The ship's discovery was made last month during a three-week NOAA expedition, Alberg said.
YP-389 lost a 90-minute surface battle with the German U-701, which was sunk two weeks later by U.S. Army
aircraft about 10 miles north.
In accounts told by survivors, Hoyt said, the YP-389 used .30-caliber machine guns and depth charges to attack the
Germans, who returned fire with 20mm flak guns and 88mm deck guns.
Carney Sailors Represent U.S. in NATO 9/11 Ceremony

Source: Navy.mil http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=48198 Story Number: NNS090913-01
Author(s): by Lt. j.g. Nick Kalman, Navy Office of Information, East
NEW YORK (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Carney (DDG 64) paid tribute to the victims of Sept. 11, during a NATO
wreath-laying ceremony at Ground Zero.
"We will always remember and honor the innocent people who died here," said Carney Commanding Officer Cmdr.
Brendan McLane. "Today, we recommit ourselves to freedom and liberty, the causes for which they gave their
lives."
Carney crew members were joined by sailors from the NATO Military Alliance during the event, including
representatives from Scotland and the Netherlands.
The remembrance ceremony was followed by a tour of the 9/11 Tribute Center, a museum created by 9/11 family
members, where Sailors listened to personal accounts from that tragic day and got a first-hand look at artifacts
collected from Ground Zero after the attacks.
Carney arrived in New York Sept. 8 as part of a weeklong series of events marking the 400th anniversary of Henry
Hudson's arrival to the city.
For more news from Navy Office of Information, East, visit www.navy.mil/local/navinfoeast/.
48
Geographic Region(s) of Interest
Somalia (Source: Google Earth)
US Special Forces launched a raid into Somalia from a US Navy ship offshore killing a wanted al Qa‘ida terrorist.
49
Featured Vessel(s) of the Week
In this photo released by Beluga Shipping on Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, a pair of German merchant ships are seen as
they traverse the fabled Northeast Passage. Two German ships have traversed the fabled Northeast Passage, having
arrived in Siberia from South Korea by traveling around Russia's Arctic coast line. Global warming and melting ice
made the journey possible. (AP Photo/Beluga Shipping
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/slideshow/ALeqM5ibGHSvFxr9kgRVuSSMuSsk5CfQAwD9AL9GKO2?index=0)
The Greek-owned MV Irene, seized in April 2009, was released this week after the pirates were paid a $2 million
ransom. (Photo: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8255600.stm)
A Hercules aircraft from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority drops dispersant on the oil spill in the waters off
Australia.
(Photo: AAP: Australian Maritime Safety Authority http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/14/2685394.htm?section=australia )
50
Featured Vessel(s) of the Week
Ministry of Defence computer generated image of how a controversial future giant aircraft carrier would look in its
home base was unveiled today by the Royal Navy. It shows one of the carriers alongside at Portsmouth Naval Base,
Hampshire, where it would take up three jetties.
(Photo: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1213128/Revealed-The-awesome-aircraft-carrier-Britains-powerful-warship-actually-built.html
)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Advance Concept Technology Demonstrator boat which is touring the nation
speeds past on Lake Erie while it makes a stop at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Marble-head on Monday. (Jonathon
Bird News-Messenger) Photo: http://www.thenews-messenger.com/article/20090915/NEWS01/909150307
Length -- 43 feet
Beam -- 8 feet
Draft -- 3.5 feet
Fuel -- 600 gallons
Range -- at 40 knots cruise, 380 miles; at 60 knots, 290 miles
Displacement -- 22,500 lbs
Armament -- (2) 7.62 mm hull-mounted machine guns
Cost (prototype) -- $550,000
51
NATO Shipping Centre Piracy Update
Source: NSC (http://www.shipping.nato.int/InfoonSoma/SomaliaPir/file/_WFS/Daily%20Brief%2006%20APR%2009.bmp)
15 September 2009 0925Z (most recent update available)

Over the past 24 hours there is nothing of any significance to report.
During recent weeks there has been an increase in the presence of small skiffs in the Bab El Mandeb and Southern
Red Sea area. Some skiffs are making erratic manoeuvres and approaches towards merchant vessels transiting the
area. Most of the reports indicate between 7-15 skiffs with 2-3 persons on board. The number of skiffs and the
persons on board indicate that this activity is most likely to be fishing or possibly smuggling activity.
There are some reports stating that small arms has been fired in the air however, even though piracy can not be ruled
out, none of the these reports has so far been related to actual piracy. There is only one report this year assessed to
be an actual piracy attack in the Bab El Mandeb straight. The area is also historically known to be used by
smugglers using small fast skiffs. If any suspicious activity is sighted or vessel feel threatened / uncertain PLEASE
contact UKMTO (+971 505 523 215) to determine the possible threat and if needed alert military forces. This
should be your first point of contact, as UKMTO can cascade your report to the appropriate authorities on your
behalf. All vessels are advised to maintain a high state of readiness and maintain a strict 24 hour anti-piracy visual
and radar watch when transiting the area. MSC(HOA), UKMTO and Maritime Forces are closely monitoring the
situation in this area and details of incidents are highly appreciated. Please send details / photographs to UKMTO
Dubai (ukmto@eim.ae) or IMB PRC (imbkl@icc-ccs.org / piracy@icc-ccs.org). Reports can also be relayed to
MSCHOA (opscentre@mschoa.org).
52
This Week in US Naval History
Source: Naval History & Heritage Command (http://www.history.navy.mil/)
September 11
1814 - In Battle of Lake Champlain, Commodore Thomas Macdonough defeats a British Squadron.
1939 - Bear (AG-29) is commissioned by the U.S. Navy for Antarctic operations under command of RADM
Richard Byrd, USN (Ret.).
1941 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt announces order to the Navy to "shoot on sight" vessels threatening U.S.
shipping or ships under U.S. escort.
1942 - Pharmacist's Mate First Class Wheeler B. Lipes, USN, performs emergency appendectomy on Seaman First
Class Darrell D. Rector, USNR, on board USS Seadragon on patrol in South China Sea.
1943 - Italian Navy surrenders to Allies
1945 - Operation Magic Carpet, the return of troops to the U.S., begins.
2001 - American Flight 77 hijacked by terrorists struck the Pentagon. Casualties include 33 sailors, 6 Department of
the Navy civilians, and 3 Navy civilian contractors reported missing, Arlington, VA. Two commercial airliners also
struck the World Trade Center in New York City, NY, destroying both towers.
2002 - The "Don't Tread on Me" First Navy Jack is flown by Navy ships marking the first anniversary of the
terrorists attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center
September 12
1916 - First demonstration of automatic stabilization and direction gear in aircraft
1944 - 5th Fleet carrier aircraft begin 3-day attack on Japanese shipping and facilities in Visayas, Philippines
1952 - USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) took Marshall Josip Tito for a one-day cruise in the Adriatic Sea where he was
shown flight operations.
1961 - Navy task force sails to aid the Galveston area after hurricane Carla hits Texas
1966 - Launch of Gemini 11, piloted by CDR Charles Conrad Jr., USN and LCDR Richard F. Gordon Jr., USN.
Their mission lasted 2 days and 23 hours and included 44 orbits at an altitude of 1368.9 km.. Recovery was by HS-3
helicopter from USS Guam (LPH-9)
1967- Operation Coronado V began in Mekong Delta
1992 - Joint Task Force Hawaii activated to provide humanitarian aid after Typhoon Iniki struck Hawaiian Islands
September 13
1814 - British bombardment of Fort McHenry inspires the Star Spangled Banner.
1847 - Marine Brigade leads U.S. forces that storm Chapultepec Castle near Mexico City, inspiring one line of the
Marine Hymn
1906 - Sailors and Marines from USS Denver land in Havana at the request of the Cuban government to preserve
order during a revolution.
1939 - Navy suspends transfers to the Fleet Reserve after 20 years service and retains men on active duty.
1985 - Commander Middle East Force orders escort of Military Sealift Ships in Persian Gulf because of Iranian
seizure of merchant vessels.
September 14
1899 - Gunboat Concord and monitor Monterey capture two insurgent schooners at Aparri, Philippine Islands
1939 - Atlantic Squadron Neutrality Patrol ships deploy
September 15
1944 - Invasion of Peleliu, Palau Islands, after several days of intensive carrier aircraft bombing and ship
bombardment.
1950 - U.S. forces under VADM Arthur Struble achieve an amphibious landing at Inchon, Korea
1967 - Operation Crimson Tide in Mekong Delta
September 16
1854 - CDR David G. Farragut takes possession of Mare Island, the first U.S. Navy Yard on the Pacific.
1917 - Navy Department authorizes establishment of 16 Naval air stations abroad
1922 - Commander Halsey Powell in USS Edsall became the senior officer directing the evacuation of 250,000
53
Greek refugees from Turkey after war between Greece and Turkey.
1940 - President Roosevelt signs Selective Training and Service Act, the first peacetime draft.
1958 - USS Grayback fires first operational launch of Regulus II surface to surface guided missile off CA coast;
Missile carries first U.S. mail sent by guided missile.
1966 - USS Oriskany helicopters rescue 44-men crew of British merchant ship August Moon near Hong Kong
September 17
1861 - Union landing party from USS Massachusetts takes possession of Ship Island south of New Orleans, LA.
This was the headquarters for ADM David Farragut's Gulf Coast Blockading Squadron.
1944 - Navy Task Force lands Army troops on Angaur, Palau Islands supported by Navy carrier aircraft and shore
bombardment
54
This Week in US Coast Guard History
Source: United States Coast Guard Historian‘s Office (http://www.uscg.mil/history/chronindex.asp)
11 September
1883-Shorty after noon, during the prevalence of a strong northeasterly gale and high sea, the lookout at the
Cleveland Station (Ninth District) Lake Erie, saw a yawl break adrift from its moorings and commence driving
towards the breakwater. The life-saving crew at once put out in their surfboat and after a hard pull succeeded In
reaching the yawl just In time to save it from being dashed to pieces. It was towed into the river and delivered to its
owner, whom they notified.
2001-Al Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial U.S. aircraft, crashing two into the World Trade Center in New
York and one into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The fourth aircraft crashed around Shanksville, Pennsylvania,
when passengers on board tried to regain control of the aircraft from the terrorists. The attacks killed over 3,000
innocent civilians. Coast Guard units, including Reservists and Auxiliarists, were among the first military units to
respond in order to provide communications, security, evacuation by water and render assistance to those in need.
Coast Guardsmen assisted in the search and rescue efforts as well as the cleanup operations after the attacks.
12 September
1941-After the Danish government in exile asked the U.S. to protect Greenland, the cutter Northland seized the
Norwegian sealer Buskoe, with Nazi agents on board trying to establish radio and weather stations in Greenland, in
MacKenzie Bay, Greenland. The capture of the Buskoe was the first U.S. naval capture of World War II.
1953-When the 6,000 ton ore carrier SS Maryland grounded off Marquette, Michigan, a Coast Guard helicopter, in
the face of driving wind and rain that required the combined efforts of both pilots to hold the controls and stabilize
the aircraft, removed 12 crew members safely.
13 September
1897-The American steamer, Business Point mistook a buoy and stranded on Mouse Island reef, 9 miles northwest
of Point Marblehead Life-Saving station. The Life-Saving Service crew and two tugs attempted to release her, but
without success. The master chartered a tug to go to Sandusky for a lighter which arrived about 6 pm. The crew then
assisted all night at transferring cargo and at 9 a.m. next day, the steamer backed off.
14 September
1716-The Boston Lighthouse on Little Brewster Island in Boston Harbor, the first lighthouse established in
America, was first lit.
1944-The Great Atlantic Hurricane, a Category 3 hurricane, made landfall at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, Long
Island, New York, and Point Judith, Rhode Island. Cape Henry, Virginia, reported sustained winds at 134 MPH
with gusts to 150 MPH. There were 46 civilian deaths and $100 million in damage from Cape Hatteras northward
through the Maine coast. Cutters Jackson and Bedloe, and Lightship No. 73 on Vineyard Sound Station, foundered.
All 12 of the lightship's crew perished. Only 30 of the 78 crewmen aboard the two cutters were saved. Two Navy
vessels also foundered. A total of 344 perished at sea.
1989- Sikorsky Aircraft unveiled the replacement for the Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican helicopter: the HH-60J. The
Coast Guard planned to purchase 33 of the new helicopters and gave it the moniker "Jayhawk."
1990- The Secretary of Transportation and the Commandant of the Coast Guard authorized the first-ever
deployment of a reserve port security unit overseas. PSU 303, staffed by reservists from Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
was the first of three PSUs deployed. PSU 303 was stationed in Al-Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
15 September
1944- Coast Guardsmen participated in the invasion of Morotai Island.
1948- After making a night-long high speed run to reach the hurricane-ridden Portuguese schooner Gasper some
300 miles off the southern tip of Newfoundland, USCGC Bibb launched two 20-man rubber lifeboats in heavy rain
and seas to rescue 40 survivors and 1 dog from the doomed ship.
1958- A New Jersey Central passenger train plunged into Newark Bay through an open drawbridge, submerging
two engines and two coaches. Coast Guard small craft and helicopters assisted in rescuing 43 survivors and
recovering 29 bodies.
1995-Hurricane Marilyn made landfall, cutting a path of destruction across the U.S. Virgin Islands. GANTSEC
Command Center coordinated the SAR efforts. HH-65As from AIRSTA Borinquen rescued survivors from two
55
vessels that sank during the storm. CGC Escanaba also participated in the SAR operation and then supported the
relief efforts in St. Thomas. CGC Vigorous relieved Escanaba on 18 September. The CGC Point Ledge,
homeported in St. Thomas, had been washed up on the city's seawall by the heavy storm surge, causing considerable
damage. None of her crew were injured, however. Members of LEDET Miami and TACLET members from
Miami and San Juan were flown to St. Thomas to help enforce a curfew, provide airport security and help stand
watch on the grounded Point Ledge. Coast Guard aircraft also flew overflights to survey the damage and delivered
relief supplies. In 10 days the aircraft delivered more than 410,000 pounds of relief supplies and transported 260
federal recovery workers to St. Thomas. MSD St. Thomas supervised all maritime recovery operations, facilitated
maritime traffic for a community dependant on maritime commerce, responded to the massive environmental
impacts, and were the DoT's representative for the initial standup of the EOC. ANT San Juan and the CGC Laurel
were also sent to assist in the cleanup.
2001- Coast Guard units and local agencies responded to a bridge collision on the Intracoastal Waterway after the
tug Brown Water V and its four barges struck the Queen Isabella Causeway, the longest bridge in Texas. The
collision caused a 240-foot section of the causeway to collapse, spilling 10 cars into the water and killing five
persons. Station South Padre Island deployed two 27- foot boats, a 41-foot boat and a 21-footer. Other vessels
pulled 13 survivors from the water and transferred them to the Coast Guard craft. The CGC Mallett was later used
as a rescue platform to retrieve the submerged vehicles and victims.
16 September
1918-CGC Seneca‘s crew attempted to bring the torpedoed British collier Wellington into Brest, France. Eleven of
Seneca‗s crew, sent as a boarding party aboard the collier, were lost when Wellington foundered in a gale on 16
September 1918.
1939-The longest continually-operating Coast Guard Auxiliary unit, Flotilla 63, was first chartered in Onset,
Massachusetts.
1988- Hurricane Gilbert hit Mexico. Coast Guard units assisted in rescue and evacuation operations on 18-20 of
September. Coast Guard aircrews lifted 109 victims from flood waters to safety.
17 September
1882-At 2: 30 a.m., during the prevalence of a strong southerly gale upon Lake Huron, the schooner, Colonel
Hathaway, lying at the wharf at South Harrisville, MI was wrenched from her moorings and driven ashore. The
morning was intensely dark and rain fell in torrents, but the schooner drove so far up on the beach that her crew of
five men found no difficulty in saving themselves without aid. While drifting in, she collided with the schooner
Garibaldi, she too broke adrift and drove ashore. The crew of this vessel, five in number, were equally fortunate in
getting ashore without trouble. Word being sent about noon to the life-saving station at Sturgeon Point (No. 5, Tenth
District), six or seven miles distant, that two vessels were ashore at South Harrisville, the crew at once repaired to
the scene to offer their services. Hathaway‘s crew was busily at work stripping the vessel, but requiring no
assistance. Finding nothing could be done for her, the life-saving crew went to the aid of Garibaldi. After
discharging her cargo of lumber and tan-bark, they pumped her out and assisted in heaving her within reach of the
lines of a steam-barge, which then took hold and hauled her afloat. She came off in a leaky condition, but
nevertheless reloaded her cargo and proceeded to her port of destination in tow of the steamer which assisted in
getting her off.
1999- The CGC Dallas returned to Charleston after an 84-day deployment to the Mediterranean and Black seas.
Originally scheduled to go to the Adriatic and Ionian seas in support of NATO forces engaged in Kosovo, the Dallas
turned to support the U.S. 6th Fleet after tensions in Kosovo eased. The Dallas also visited several ports not
normally seen by Coast Guard crews, including Rota, Spain; Souda Bay, Crete; Haifa, Israel; and Antayla, Turkey.
2004-The Coast Guard made the largest cocaine seizure in its history (to date) when Coast Guard and Navy forces
located and seized 30,000 pounds of cocaine aboard the fishing vessel Lina Maria approximately 300 miles
southwest of the Galapagos Islands. LEDET 108, embarked aboard the USS Curts, made the seizure. A second
Coast Guard and Navy team intercepted the Lina Maria's sister ship, the fishing vessel San Jose, 500 miles west of
the Galapagos, and discovered and seized 26,250 pounds of cocaine.
56
National Maritime-related Documentation
The National Strategy for Maritime Security

http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/maritime-security.html
The U.S. Coast Guard Strategy for Maritime Safety, Security, and Stewardship
http://www.uscg.mil/comdt/speeches/docs/CGS-Final.pdf
Maritime Strategy - A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower
http://www.navy.mil/maritime/MaritimeStrategy.pdf
DHS Small Vessel Security Strategy
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/small-vessel-security-strategy.pdf
Framework Agreement on Integrated Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement Operations between the
Government of the United States of America and the Government of Canada
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/shiprider_agreement.pdf
57
Useful Maritime-Related Website Links
United States Government
United States Coast Guard http://www.uscg.mil/default.asp

U.S.C.G. Homeport https://homeport.uscg.mil/mycg/portal/ep/home.do
United States Navy http://www.navy.mil/swf/index.asp
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/index.htm
U.S. D.O.T. Maritime Administration http://www.marad.dot.gov/index.html
U.S. Maritime Administration‘s Horn of Africa Piracy page
www.marad.dot.gov/news_room_landing_page/horn_of_africa_piracy/horn_of_africa_piracy.htm
Office for Global Maritime Situational Awareness www.gmsa.gov/
Department of State link to Contact Group on Somali Piracy http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/01/113783.htm
National Geospatial Intelligence Agency http://www.nga.mil/hydro
Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) http://www.nmic.navy.mil/
ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping Report http://www.nga.mil/portal/site/maritime
U.S. Department of State‘s Maritime Security and Navigation page
www.state.gov/g/oes/ocns/opa/maritimesecurity/
TSA Information on TWIC http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/twic/program_info.shtm
International Organizations
CTF 151 News http://www.navy.mil/local/CTF-151/

EU Maritime Security Centre http://www.mschoa.eu/
EU NAVFOR Somalia http://ue.eu.int/showPage.aspx?id=1518&lang=en
NATO Shipping Centre http://www.shipping.nato.int/
Counter Piracy Operation Ocean Shield http://www.shipping.nato.int/CounterPir
Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 http://www.jfcnaples.nato.int/JFCN_Factsheets/SNMG2.htm
International Maritime Bureau http://www.icc-ccs.org/imb/overview.php
U.N. International Maritime Organization http://www.imo.org/
U.N. Oceans and Law of the Sea
http://www.un.org/Depts/los/convention_agreements/convention_overview_convention.htm
United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1846 (2008), 02 December 2008
http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N08/630/29/PDF/N0863029.pdf?OpenElement
Private Sector
Lloyd‘s List www.lloydslist.com/piracy

International Maritime Bureau (IMB) http://www/icc.ccs.org/prc/piracyreport.php
Maritime Global Net http://www.mgn.com/
Port Guide http://www.portguide.com/
58

New York State Office of Homeland Security Maritime Sector Open Source Week in Review 11 - 17 September 2009

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New York State Office of Homeland Security Maritime Sector Open Source Week in Review 11 - 17 September 2009

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Maritime Sector:

Open Source Week in Review

New York State Office of Homeland Security

Open Source Week in Review Highlights ...................................................................................................... 2

Areas of Interest ............................................................................................................................................ 4

Terrorism, Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea .......................................................................................... 4

Homeland, Port and Maritime Security .................................................................................................. 20

US Navy, US Coast Guard, International Navies, etc............................................................................. 33

Energy, Environment, Natural Resources, Shipping, Commerce and Trade .......................................... 40

Geographic Region(s) of Interest................................................................................................................ 49

Featured Vessel(s) of the Week ................................................................................................................... 50

NATO Shipping Centre Piracy Update ....................................................................................................... 52

This Week in US Naval History .................................................................................................................. 53

This Week in US Coast Guard History ....................................................................................................... 55

National Maritime-related Documentation ................................................................................................ 57

Useful Maritime-Related Website Links ..................................................................................................... 58

- Lieutenant General Samuel V. Wilson, USA (Ret),

Homeland, Port and Maritime Security

Drugs, Smuggling, Illegal Weapons Shipments, Immigration, Border Security, Humanitarian

Energy, Environment, Natural Resources, Shipping, Commerce and Trade

Counter-Piracy Task Force Flagship Hosts Yemen Sea Service Officers

Lawyers: alleged Arctic Sea pirates needed help

Assistant Secretary Shapiro‘s remarks are available at http://www.state.gov/t/pm/rls/rm/129258.htm>. To learn

Somali Pirate Sorties Are Being Thwarted, Naval Forces Say

Taking Diplomatic Action Against Piracy

Thank you for your time and attention this morning.

German navy releases suspected pirates after thwarting attack

Russian, Chinese warships escort large convoy off Somali coast

Key al Qaeda operative killed in U.S. strike, Somalia says

Somali pirates still holding 20 Filipinos: govt

North Korean ship fights off Somali pirates

FACTBOX-Ships held by Somali pirates

WIN FAR 161: Taiwanese tuna boat, seized April 6, 2009.

* PIRACY KEY FACTS:

Sources: Reuters/Ecoterra International/International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Centre/Lloyds

Freed Seychelles sailors home after Somali ordeal

Multinational Force Keeps Pirates at Bay

Somali Pirates Say They Have Freed Greek Ship

Pirates attempt to board two tankers near Singapore

Task Force 151; Pirate Hunters of the Gulf of Aden

Coast Guard shuts down area around Seal Island

Public introduced to state-of-the-art U.S. Customs vessel

Some features are as simple as a folding windshield and flush-mounted cleats.

"We've seen agencies do that before," Lane said.

Canberra moves on ports crime

It‘s not an isolated problem, Tompkins writes on PoynterOnline.org:

River drill shakes up DC on 9/11 anniversary

W.H. hits CNN for Coast Guard report

―But reports them,‖ Gibbs said.

Nia-Malika Henderson contributed to the story.

One of the World's Largest Maritime Exercises Kicks Off in Panama

Honduras withdrew from the exercise Aug. 10.

SOURCE U.S. Southern Command

23 suspected illegal immigrants arrested off California

Busy night: Smuggler boats, 29 illegal migrants found on north coast

Help Wanted: Watch out for human smugglers

That's what the U.S. Coast Guard loves to hear.

"If they need it, I'll help them," he said.

Russia to detain any ship violating Abkhazia's maritime border

Migrants 'drown' off Somali coast

Some 273 people have drowned or are presumed dead, it says.

Australia intercepts boat with 65 asylum seekers

* Aegis missile-killer a boon to U.S. allies fearing Iran