Deck Department News

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley returned to homeport at Coast Guard Base Kodiak, Alaska, on Thursday, following an extended seven-month dry dock maintenance period in Seattle.While in dry dock, the crew and contractors successfully completed more than $6 million worth of repairs.The engineering department oversaw 76 work items including major overhauls on the cutter’s controllable pitch propeller system, speed reducers, rudders, and boilers, along with inspections of fuel, sewage, and water tanks.

Mariners looking for insurance have a new option that is touted as being fast and affordable, cared for immediately in an online format that is designed to be more expedient than ever.360 Coverage Pros launched a new Marine License Insurance Program for mariners that offers an entirely online buying experience combined with low monthly payment options and instant proof of coverage.Until now, the process of securing a marine license insurance policy involved requesting quotes,…

U.S. Navy sailors aboard amphibious assault ship USS Boxer took time to reflect on the anniversary of the rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips from Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden seven years ago. Phillips was rescued April 12, 2009 by special operations personnel aboard USS Bainbridge and transferred to Boxer for medical evaluation and care. Boxer also served as a staging platform for the rescue operation. “This is a great reminder of the flexibility and warfighting spirit USS Boxer exhibits; always ready to respond, no matter the crisis, operation or mission,” said Capt.

Typical technical problems experienced by shipowners when they are required to use low-sulphur fuels include issues with the supply and storage of lowsulphur fuel, problems with machinery operation when using low-sulphur fuel, incompatibility between fuel types, and difficulties and delays when changing over from one fuel type to another. Solutions come in the following UK P&I Club Advisory. To avoid such problems, shipowners should consult their engine and boiler manufacturers for advice on operating with low-sulphur fuel and the need for any equipment and system modifications. system temperature and pressure alarms, fuel filter differential pressure transmitters and so on are accurate
and operational. On each ship the fuel change-over procedure should be clearly defined and understood.

The Maritime Labor Convention of 2006 (MLC 2006) is now in force – although not here in the United States. How much different is what happens on MLC compliant ships from what transpires on U.S.-based, domestic workboats? The Maritime Labor Convention of 2006 (MLC 2006) came into effect on August 20, 2013. Globally, the new rule impacts many aspects of how seafarers are treated, working conditions and a myriad of less well defined requirements that leave some operators scratching their heads to figure out. The United States has not ratified the Code and probably never will. That doesn’t mean that we don’t have work and rest rules under U.S. law, as well. We do. Regulation 2.3 of the new MLC Code also delineates hours of rest and work for mariners.

U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment Team (LEDET) 101 embarked and integrated with Sailors on the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Gary (FFG 51) for training and anti-drug smuggling operations off the California coast, Aug. 26-29. "We are currently supporting counter-smuggling operations by providing law enforcement capabilities to Third Fleet Navy platforms in known drug and migrant transit corridors," said Coast Guard Chief Maritime Enforcement Specialist Chris Sinclair…

With more than 1,500 young men and women graduating from the seven U.S. maritime academies this year, employment opportunities for the class of 2012 remain plentiful, according to the American Maritime Partnership. “We congratulate the maritime academy graduates for passing the extensive U.S. Coast Guard exam and pursuing a career that will help grow the U.S. economy and keep our country strong and safe,” said James Henry, President of the Transportation Institute, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Maritime Partnership.

The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command accepted responsibility for submarine tender USS Frank Cable Monday, Feb. 1. Cable, which is homeported in Guam, serves as a floating maintenance and logistics facility for Navy submarines. Cable will operate as a commissioned ship with a U.S. Navy captain in charge of a hybrid crew, consisting of 157 civil service mariners and 206 uniformed Navy personnel. Other uniformed personnel will maintain and operate the onboard repair facility. Prior to the transfer, Cable was crewed by approximately 599 Navy personnel plus an embarked repair department that brought the total uniformed number to 1,363. Operating ships with civil service mariners frees uniformed sailors to perform critical jobs in the combatant fleet.

A Greek citizen, Panagiotis Lekkas, the captain of the bulk cargo ship the M/V Theotokos, pleaded guilty to four felony counts in federal court in New Orleans for violating anti-pollution laws, ship safety laws and obstructing a U.S. Coast Guard investigation, the Justice Department announced. Additionally, a Philippine citizen, Charles P. Posas, the second highest officer onboard the M/V Theotokos, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of lying to the Coast Guard and violating recordkeeping laws aimed at reducing the risk of marine invasive species. Posas is the first individual ever charged under the anti-invasive species law, a law designed to mitigate the introduction of marine invasive species into waters of the United States.

STX Pan Ocean Co. Ltd. (STX), headquartered in Seoul, Korea, and the owner of the commercial cargo ship, M/V Ocean Jade, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy as well as falsifying and failing to properly maintain records meant to ensure compliance with maritime pollution laws, the Justice Department announced. The chief engineer of the M/V Ocean Jade, Hong Hak Kang, a Korean citizen, also pleaded guilty today to failing to maintain environmental records and making false statements. STX, which faces five years probation for each of the four counts against it, has agreed to pay a $2m fine, as well as make a $200,000 community service payment to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

While deployed in support of maritime security operations (MSO), the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio's (LPD 17) Deck Department is using new technology and assets that impacts daily shipboard operations. One of these features is 's complement of three -- rather than two -- ridged-hull inflatable boats (RHIB) at their disposal. Maritime security operations in the 5th area of responsibility place a demand on small boat operations. Deploying RHIBs in the water has become more efficient due to the articulating knuckle boom crane.

The crew of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) is in preparation for its Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) inspection, less than a month away. A team of INSURV inspectors will spend a week aboard Bonhomme Richard starting Nov. 3 to conduct the in-depth inspection of the ship, required every five years. The Board of Inspection and Survey was established by Congress to ensure that U.S. Navy ships are properly equipped for prompt, reliable, sustained mission readiness at sea. They inspect Navy ships and material and report their findings directly to Congress.

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman David A. Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) successfully launched and retrieved raiding craft combat rubber inflatables (CRRC) for the first time from an LHA class ship, March 29. The successful execution proved Tarawa-class ships can utilize these boats for advanced covert insertion of Marine forces ashore. "These types of craft can be launched on all other amphibious ships as well." said Chief Warrant Officer Danny Lee, assistant first lieutenant of 's Deck Department. The morning of the launch, Marines attached to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, staged the CRRCs in the well deck, and carried them to the water's edge. From there, the boats were pushed into the water.

Imagine having your employer inform you that your only two-week vacation all year will be spent sitting in training courses to revamp or add to your skill base as an officer. Most would more than likely offer a collective groan of discontent by this suggestion since they often spend more than four months at sea in one given shot. Time spent away from relaxation with their families is precious to these individuals as it is hard to come by. Therefore RTM Star (Simulation, Training, Assessment & Research) Center, located in Dania Beach, Fla. And Toledo, Ohio, strives to give students who come to the training center an atmosphere that exudes a "home away from home" environment. Driving along the industrious thoroughfare of U.S.

The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge’s (LHD 3) deck department had the opportunity to conduct training with an amphibious vehicle July 23 not normally found aboard. During the daylong training evolution, boatswain’s mates (BM) from the ship’s 2nd division learned how to safely guide nine individual Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV) into the ship’s well deck. AAVs are full-tracked landing vehicles used to transport Marines during amphibious ship-to-shore operations. AAVs have the capacity to carry 21 combat-equipped Marines and 10,000 pounds of cargo. They can travel at speeds up to 30 miles per hour on land, yet moves only six miles per hour in the water.

Deck department personnel unload a pallet of supplies from Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6) into the hangar bay aboard nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Enterprise and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 are on a scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kiona M. Mckissack (RELEASED)

A Portland fireboat greets the guided-missile frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) with red white and blue water streams as she passes under the Willamette River's Steel Bridge. Vandegrift is one of four U.S. Navy ships visiting Portland for the weeklong 100th Annual Rose Festival celebration. U.S. Four U.S. Navy ships will participate in the Fleet Week festivities June 7 - 10 during the 100th annual Portland Rose Festival. The guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) led the way as the guided-missile frigate USS Vandergrift (FFG 48), the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), and the guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) followed behind. For many young Sailors, port visits are very rare and exciting.

High Speed Vessel (HSV) 2 Swift, along with Commander Task Group 40.9, is deploying as part of the Global Fleet Station (GFS) pilot to the Caribbean Basin and Central America. This deployment is designed to analyze the GFS concept for the Navy, by enhancing cooperative partnerships with regional maritime services and improving operational readiness for the participating partner nations. U.S. The pilot Global Fleet Station (GFS) deployment began April 25, with the departure of High Speed Vessel (HSV) 2 Swift and the embarked Task Group (TG) 40.9, from Naval Station Mayport. “After much anticipation and preparation it feels great to get underway,” said Capt. Douglas Wied, commander Task Group 40.9. Global Fleet Station pilot 2007 is a U.S.

Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Michael Raines signals to the load master of a Landing Craft Utility (LCU) to raise the bow ramp prior to departure from the well deck of amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5). Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) is conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) which help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ken J. The crew aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) successfully conducted their first landing craft utility (LCU) operations in almost a year while underway in the Persian Gulf on April 7.

USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) completed Transport Exercise (TRANSPORTEX) 2007 with the Japanese Ship (JS) Ohsumi (LST 4001) off the coast of Japan on March 7. TRANSPORTEX was a training exercise designed to enhance the maritime transport proficiency and interoperability of the U.S. Navy and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) in support of humanitarian relief missions. “In the past 15 years, amphibious forces have been the first responders in numerous humanitarian crises, disaster relief missions, noncombatant evacuation operations, troop withdrawals, and defense of strategic assets such as oil platforms and seaports,” said Harpers Ferry’s Commanding Officer Cmdr. David L. Bossert. “TRANSPORTEX allowed U.S.

The amphibious assault ship USS Austin (LPD 4) was decommissioned Sept. 27, during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, ending more than 41 years of naval service. “We are one of the oldest, best ships in the fleet and its time to turn over the watch,” said Cmdr. Kevin Flanagan, Austin’s commanding officer. Commissioned Feb. 6, 1965, Austin was the first LPD class ship built, and the lead ship in its class. The ship was involved in the nation’s space program as the recovery ship for Apollo 12, and part of the recovery for Apollo 14 and 15. Austin was also the test platform for a wide range of expeditionary warfare systems entering the fleet, including: MH-53 helicopter, precursors of the present day landing craft air cushion (LCAC) and the U.S. Marine Corps AV-8 Harrier jets.

Ammunition is transferred from the hangar to the flight deck during an ammunition offload aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). The Norfolk, Va.-based Nimitz-class aircraft carrier is currently conducting training off the coast of Virginia. U.S. USS George Washington (GW) (CVN 73) returned to Naval Station Norfolk Sept. 1, following a two-and-a-half week underway period in preparation of the upcoming Planned Incremental Availability plus Docking (PIA+D). It was the last at sea period before GW goes to Norfolk Naval Shipyard. “This has been a tremendous underway, a complete success in every regard,” said Rear Adm. Garry R. White, GW’s commanding officer.

USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) successfully completed sea trails Nov. 16 and 17, following a 68-day selective restrictive availability (SRA) maintenance period. During the two-day underway period, Blue Ridge Sailors cycled through a series of tests and drills to ensure the ship and crew are ready for sea. Blue Ridge deck department participated in several evolutions designed to keep their seamanship skills sharp. They conducted line-handling evolutions, an anchorage exercise, and small boat training. Chief Boatswain’s Mate (SW) Russell Townsend, deck department leading chief petty officer, said his Sailors did an excellent job during the underway period. “We didn’t have to knock any rust off our Sailors,” Townsend said of their performance.