John K Miller News

Operations to remove the overturned car carrier Golden Ray in St. Simons Sound, Ga. are facing further delays after new engineering challenges surfaced relating to the mooring system of a specialized heavy-lift crane vessel that will be used for the project.The complex salvage project had been paused earlier this year due to coronavirus concerns and Hurricane Isaias, and now the cutting and lifting operations will be pushed back several weeks to allow engineers to modify the VB-10…

The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP called on the UKMCC headquarters in order to meet personnel and receive briefings on the U.K.’s naval mission in the Gulf. He was accompanied throughout by Lieutenant General Simon Mayall CB, Defense Senior Advisor Middle East. Commenting on his visit, Hammond said, "The Royal Navy's continued presence in the Gulf is essential to ensuring maritime security and to protect freedom of navigation in this important region. The Secretary of State also met Vice Admiral John W Miller, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, during his visit.

Attendees at the IQPC Offshore Patrol Vessels Middle East 2013 conference, which concluded on Dec. 11, agreed that that the safety and security of maritime commerce in the Arabian Gulf, Res Sea and their approaches, is an international responsibility shared by regional and international partners. The conference was chaired by Rear Admiral (R) Ahmed Al Sabab Al Teneiji, former chief of naval forces for the UAE Navy. The event focused on regional security cooperation; offshore patrol vessel design, procurement and operations; coastal surveillance; and maritime domain awareness.

Attendees at the IQPC Offshore Patrol Vessels Middle East 2013 conference agree that what happens at sea in the Arabian Gulf and the Middle East has implications that ripple, or more correctly rumble throughout the globe. Speakers and panelists underscored the importance of maritime domain awareness and security for military, commercial, legal and environmental reasons, and how they are all connected. The IQPC Offshore Patrol Vessel conference at the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi is being attended by naval, coast guard, security, and other maritime and military professionals.

International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) 13 sees a gathering of 35 ships, 18 Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) & over 100 explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) divers. Representatives from 41 nations are assembled in Bahrain to prepare for International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) 13, May 6-30, 2013, in the Gulf Region. International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) 13, is the largest exercise of its kind in the region and will exercise a wide spectrum of defensive operations designed to protect international commerce and trade…

Pictured is Senator Boxer. On February 14, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works conducted a legislative hearing on the Marine Vessel Emissions Reduction Act of 2007 (S. 1499). Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (D-CA) discussed the harmful air emissions from ships and the measures that would be required if her proposed legislation were enacted. Ranking Member James Inhofe (R-OK) pointed out that adoption of MARPOL Annex VI is preferable to enacting unilateral legislation.

Commander Scott B. To a Navy officer who has made an outstanding contribution to the high standards of leadership traditional in the naval service. Admiral Claude V. Senior Chief Aviation Hospital Corpsman Roger M. To a Navy enlisted person who, by traditional performance of duty, has demonstrated outstanding leadership and the professional competence required by his or her rank. Admiral Claude V. Master-At-Arms First Class Christopher D. To a Navy enlisted person who, by traditional performance of duty, has demonstrated outstanding leadership and the professional competence required by his or her rank. Lieutenant Kelly T. To a woman…

MISTgroup announces the launch of VTSS-advanced, a configurable version of its flagship Vessel Terminal Synergy System (VTSS) software. VTSS-advanced provides the maritime community with a universal portal to store vessel and terminal data. The system enables a vessel and/or terminal to submit required data to Port Authorities, create automated questionnaires, and control access to proprietary data. VTSS-advanced has built in functionality to perform vessel and terminal evaluations, advanced queries, and trend analysis. The system is designed to enhance existing safety/quality assurance systems and provides distinguishable control between internal sensitive data versus shared accessibility.

On August 9, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works conducted a field hearing in San Pedro entitled Hearing to Examine Port Pollution and the Need for Additional Controls on Large Ships. Chairwoman Boxer (D-CA) discussed the health impacts of air pollution. Representative Solis (D-CA) seconded those remarks. Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa of Los Angeles testified about the importance of green growth in the Port of Los Angeles. Mayor Bob Foster of Long Beach stated that the level of growth contemplated for the Port of Long Beach is not sustainable without environmental enhancements. Roy Wilson, South Coast Air Quality Management District…

A 25-ft. Defender-class safe boat from Coast Guard Station Little Creek maintains a security zone around the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) as it is towed into the Port of Hampton Roads July 31, 2007. The decommissioned carrier will be moored temporarily at Naval Operating Base Norfolk before being towed to its new permanent home in Philadelphia. A 500-foot security buffer is maintained by Coast Guard vessels around naval vessels as they enter and exit port. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo by PA2 John D. Miller)