Bataan News

Taiwanese container shipping line Evergreen has declared force majeure on a shipment to the Israeli port of Ashdod, with its Ever Cozy vessel diverted to Haifa further north due to safety concerns, according to a customer note.This is one of the first force majeures declared since Hamas Islamists launched attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, amid preparations by Israel's military to launch ground operations into Gaza in retaliation.The Ever Cozy was sailing towards Haifa port on Tuesday, according to data from ship tracking and maritime analytics provider MarineTraffic.Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas Islamists after its fighters stormed through Israeli towns from Gaza…

The U.S. Navy has long valued the potential of additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D Printing.AM refers to the depositing of material layer by layer to create an object. For the Navy, it’s not practical to carry every replacement part for every system on a ship, and it can be difficult to forecast if or when parts will fail. AM provides a flexible source of supply in being able to make parts instead of ordering them and waiting for them to arrive, especially for warships at the far end of the supply chain.

A Panama-flagged bulk carrier and Philippine-flagged motor tanker collided off Luzon Point, Mariveles, Bataan at around 12:15 a.m.

The Philippine unit of Royal Dutch Shell said on Tuesday it will permanently shut one of the country's two oil refineries, blaming a pandemic-led slump in margins, with other regional closures likely to follow, according to analysts.Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp said its 110,000-barrel-per-day Tabangao facility in Batangas province, which began operations in 1962, was no longer economically viable and would be turned into an import terminal.Singapore's complex refining margin…

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) new Container Freight Station (CFS) at the Subic Bay Freeport is at the forefront of ensuring the faster movement of goods in the Northern and Central Luzon markets. The two regions continue to grow, driven by industrial centers like Subic, Clark, Bataan, and Tarlac. Launched last year, the CFS is one of Subic Bay International Corp.’s (SBITC) value-added services. The CFS, envisioned to serve as a regional distribution center (RDC), makes the more efficient movement of goods possible because of its quicker clearing periods compared to other RDCs. It saves time, cuts costs, thereby helping improve margins for companies doing business with other countries.

The U.S. Navy has a balanced fleet, but it wants to grow bigger and better. Will the budget allow both? Maritime Reporter's March 2017 cover story on the U.S. Navy was all about the numbers. There exists several plans to grow the fleet beyond the current number of 308 ships, the Mitre recommendation of 414 ships, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment 340-ship proposal, and the Navy’s decision to grow the fleet to 355 ships, and the Trump administration’s 350. With so many numbers being bandied about, there are even more suggestions on how to get there.

U.S., U.K. and France began Exercise Alligator Dagger 17, April 5. The two-week multilateral amphibious exercise is taking place in international waters off the coast of Djibouti and in the vicinity of Djibouti and Arta Beach, April 5 - April 20. Exercise Alligator Dagger 17, led by U.S. Naval Amphibious Forces, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (51/5), is a multilateral amphibious exercise with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) as part of the sustainment training for ARG/MEUs in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. The Alligator Dagger Exercise iterations familiarize ARG/MEUs with the CENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR) and sharpen tactical proficiency.

Now in its 28th year, New York Fleet Week has commenced, with ships from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy sailing into New York Harbor. The weeklong Fleet Week celebration has been held nearly every year since 1984, providing an opportunity for New Yorkers to witness firsthand the capabilities of today’s maritime services, as well as meet sailors, marines and coastguardsmen.

1848 - U.S. Navy expedition to explore the Dead Sea and the River Jordan, commanded by Lt. William F. Lynch, reaches the Dead Sea. 1906 - U.S. Navy assists in relief operations during the San Francisco earthquake and fire. Sailors and Marines fight fires and ships carry the homeless and injured to Vallejo, where medical personnel established emergency facilities. 1942 - The Doolittle Raid begins with 16 Army Air Force B-25 bombers launching earlier than expected from USS Hornet (CV 8), approximately 650 miles off Japan, after being spotted by enemy ships. It is the first attack by the U.S. of the Japanese mainland since Pearl Harbor. Most of the 16 B-25s, each with a five-man crew, attack the Tokyo area, with a few hitting Nagoya.

Vice Adm. Nora Tyson relieved Vice Adm. Kenny Floyd as commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet during a change of command and retirement ceremony held on Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) while pierside at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego July 24. During the ceremony, Floyd retired from active duty after 35 years of honorable naval service. He assumed command of U.S. 3rd Fleet in May 2013. Under Floyd's strategic vision, 3rd Fleet expanded its influence and contributions across all maritime lines of operations, theater security cooperation, experimentation, disaster relief, and joint operations. At sea, Floyd served in several F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft squadrons…

The United States and Japan have renewed vows to secure the Pacific region, including the Philippines, from maritime threats. In separate speeches during the celebration of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) at Mt. Samat, Bataan yesterday, US Ambassador Philip Goldberg and Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa jointly pledged cooperation to secure the pacific region and the Philippines, notably against maritime threats. The former World War II enemies both vowed to uphold previous agreements with the Philippines in the face of new threats in the region, such as China’s expansion of outposts in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea). Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa said: "Our cooperation in maritime security issues based upon the rule of law is a good example.

Ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) transited the Suez Canal Oct. 2, 2014, marking the beginning journey homeward. Deployed since February 8, 2014, the Bataan ARG/MEU is comprised of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), and embarked Marines from the 22nd MEU. The Bataan ARG/MEU is specifically purposed to execute maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts to enhance regional security and stability. While tasked to U.S.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today ordered the amphibious transport dock ship 'USS Mesa Verde' into the Arabian Gulf, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said. The ship has completed its transit through the Strait of Hormuz, the admiral said in a statement. "Its presence in the Gulf adds to that of other U.S. naval ships already there - including the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush - and provides the commander in chief additional options to protect American citizens and interests in Iraq, should he choose to use them," Kirby said. USS Mesa Verde is capable of conducting a variety of quick-reaction and crisis response operations, the press secretary said, and it carries a complement of MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.

USS Bataan and USS Elrod (FFG 55) saved the passengers from their sinking small vessel. USS Bataan provided food, water, medical attention and temporary shelter before tranferring 277 to the Armed Forces of Malta patrol craft P61, and the remainder to hospital in Malta. Elrod and Bataan received a report from an Italian military marine patrol aircraft that sighted six small vessels, one of which was sinking, at approximately 3 p.m., June 6, 2014. Bataan launched two search and rescue MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters to investigate. Once on scene, Bataan’s SAR helicopters confirmed a small vessel was sinking. The SAR helicopters then deployed the SAR swimmers to start extracting persons from the water.

The Philippine Coast Guard informs that a rescue team onboard the cutter 'BRP Nueva Vizcaya' is conducting search and rescue operations for ten missing fishermen in waters in the vicinity of Ternate, Cavite. According to ANC News the search continues for the fishermen who went missing in the waters between Caballo and El Fraile Island in Cavite where the fishing vessel FB Dan Israel was in collision with a still unidentified cargo ship past midnight on Thursday. Coast Guard personnel…

the U.S. Navy's amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) returned to Naval Station Norfolk Friday morning following a brief underway as part of the ship's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). Sailors aboard Mesa Verde have spent months preparing for the upcoming deployment and those preparations have included extensive and exhaustive checks, equipment testing and, of course, cleaning. The ship's inspection falls after completing both Amphibious Ready Group Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercises (ARGMEUEX) and Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) earlier in 2013…

Four Sailors from USS Bataan (LHD 5) and three civilian instructors from the Center for Security Forces were injured aboard a rigid hull inflatable boat when it collided with USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) during a small boat training exercise near Thimble Shoals Channel, off the coast of Hampton Roads, Va. The exercise was being conducted in support of the Amphibious Ready Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit (ARG/MEU) Visit, Board, Search & Seizure (VBSS) Boat Crew Course. Six injured personnel were transported by ambulance to Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital.

Naval Surface Force Atlantic announced that the ship, delivered prematurely and tormented by years of mechanical malfunctions and mishaps, has been awarded the Battle Efficiency award, or Battle “E” — a coveted honor given annually to units that demonstrate the highest standards of performance and efficiency. “Everyone who believes that San Antonio is still broken and on the sidelines will now realize that we are not,” said the ship’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Neil Koprowski, quoted in a SURFLANT press release. The award caps a remarkable turnaround for the ship.

On August 2, the Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) team from amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) conducted training with sailors from Romanian mine countermeasures vessel Lieutenant Dimitrie Nicolescu (MCMV 29) as part of Summer Storm 2011. The maritime interdiction operations (MIO) exercise was one of several evolutions being conducted by Whidbey Island and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). "The purpose of the exercise was to demonstrate to them how we conduct a boarding operation," said Ens. Jason E. Roberson, force protection officer on board Whidbey Island. The details of the exercise were closely coordinated with Lt. Cmdr. Lucian Grigoreseu, Nicolescu commanding officer, during a face-to-face meeting three days earlier.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (April 29, 2011) Sailors and Marines assigned to the amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) conduct a visit, board, search and seizure exercise. Mesa Verde is deployed as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Josue L. Escobosa/Released)

1906-At the second International Radio Telegraphic Convention, which was held in Berlin, the attendees agreed to adopt the wireless signal "SOS" as the internationally recognized signal for distress at sea. Their thinking was that three dots, three dashes and three dots could not be misinterpreted. 1953-A great boon to ocean navigation for aircraft surface vessels was the completion of four new LORAN stations in the Far East. The stations were built at Mikayo Jima, Ryuku Islands; Bataan and Cantanduanes Islands, Philippines; and Anguar, Palau Island in the Carolinas chain. Now replaced by the more accurate LORAN-C network, these stations on sparsely-populated, remote and typhoon-battered islands.

The USS Fort McHenry arrived in Haiti Jan. 18, six days after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean nation. The Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship's Sailors and embarked Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) provided critical medical, distribution, rubble removal and construction assistance during Operation Unified Response. The ship provided over 3,500 pounds of medical aid and the medical team treated 850 patients, both on the ship and ashore…

Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., was awarded on Feb. 10 a $41,288,005 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for life cycle engineering and support services on the LPD 17 class amphibious transport dock ship program. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Miss., and is expected to be completed by December 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $186,963 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-10-C-2203). BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a $21,853,550 modification to previously awarded contract for the USS Bataan (LHD-5) FY10 phased maintenance availability.