Thales Supports Launch of Astute-Class Sub
Thales supported the official launch of the second Astute-class submarine, HMS Ambush, at the BAE Systems shipyard at Barrow-in-Furness on 16 December. Ambush, a 7,400 tonne nuclear powered attack submarine (SSN), was unveiled and officially named at the Cumbrian-based shipyard, a significant milestone for the Astute-class program. Lady Anne Soar, Ambush’s sponsor and wife of the Royal Navy’s (RN’s) Commander-in-Chief Fleet, Admiral Sir Trevor Soar, performed the ceremony, which was watched by invited guests from the RN, Ministry of Defence (MoD), industry and the Barrow community. The first submarine, HMS Astute, was officially commissioned into the RN in August 2010. The Astute class are the UK’s biggest SSNs, and one of the most capable military assets in the RN.
Coast Guard Seeks Mariner Feedback
The U.S. Coast Guard announced that its Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee has established a mechanism to provide ongoing feedback on the mariner licensing and documentation program and the relocation of the National Maritime Center. The Coast Guard began restructuring its mariner licensing and documentation program in March 2005 to improve service to mariners. The project will relocate the National Maritime Center to Martinsburg, W. Va., change mission focus for the 17 regional examination centers and implement technological improvements such as electronic imaging of mariner records, electronic administration and grading of exams, and on-line payment of user fees.
