New Yard Builds for Excellence
In mid-October of 2013 Capt. Mark Duthu of Montgeut, Louisiana was proudly showing his family around his new command. The 72 by 30-foot pushboat MV Gunner was about to leave the New Generation Marine Shipbuilding on the Intracoastal Waterway near Houma, Louisiana. With the Louisiana Marine Operators logo proudly displayed on her stack she would join the company’s diverse feel of workboats, tug and utility vessels. The yard, started last year by Joe Gregory, is well laid out with…
HMAS Newcastle Steers for Home
HMAS Newcastle has handed over security operations for Operation SLIPPER in support of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) in the Middle East to HMAS Melbourne. Newcastle has provided maritime security around the Horn of Africa, conducted counter-piracy and anti-smuggling operations in the Gulf of Aden and executed counter-terrorism activities since May 28, 2013. The Guided Missile Frigate handed over to sister ship HMAS Melbourne on September 24, 2013. HMAS Newcastle's Commanding Officer…
Tankship Engine Room Blaze Off Somalia Coast
Australia’s HMAS Newcastle provided medical treatment and evacuated two badly burned Filipino merchant seamen from a stricken oil tanker in the Somali Basin. The seamen from the Liberian registered Merchant Tanker Perla, were severely burned during a machinery fire which left the tanker powerless, adrift and vulnerable to pirate attack on June 7, 2013. Heavy seas required Newcastle’s embarked Sea Hawk helicopter to affect the rescue which winched a three-person medical team to Perla to treat and recover the seriously injured men shortly after dawn on June 8.
