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Diego Garcia News

27 Mar 2024

Britain’s Forgotten Prison Island: Remembering the Thousands of Convicts Who Died Working in Bermuda’s Dockyards

An 1862 photo of a prison hulk docked in Ireland Island, Bermuda. (Photo: UK Royal Navy)

We think of Bermuda as a tiny paradise in the North Atlantic. But long before cruise ships moored up, prison ships carried hundreds of convicts to the island, first docking in 1824 and remaining there for decades.Islands have long been places to deport, exile and banish criminals. Think of Alcatraz, the infamous penitentiary in San Francisco, or Robben Island in South Africa, which held Nelson Mandela. The French penal colony Devil’s Island was immortalised in the Steve McQueen film Papillon…

13 Dec 2023

Why the Indian Ocean Could be China's Achilles' Heel in a Taiwan War

© Igor / Adobe Stock

Every day, nearly 60 fully loaded very large crude-oil carriers sail between the Persian Gulf and Chinese ports, carrying about half of the oil that powers the world's second-largest economy.As the vessels enter the South China Sea, they ply waters increasingly controlled by China's growing military, from the missile batteries and airfields at its bases on disputed islands to its stealthy Type 055 destroyers.But when crossing the Indian Ocean, joined by others headed to China from Africa and Brazil…

07 Jul 2023

Inside the Subsea Cable Firm Secretly Helping America Take on China

On Feb. 10 last year, the cable ship CS Dependable appeared off the coast of the island of Diego Garcia, an Indian Ocean atoll that’s home to a discreet U.S. naval base.Over the next month, the ship’s crew covertly laid an underwater fiber-optic cable to the military base, an operation code-named “Big Wave,” according to four people with direct knowledge of the mission, as well as a Reuters analysis of satellite imagery and ship tracking data.The new super-fast internet link to Diego Garcia, which has not previously been reported, will boost U.S. military readiness in the Indian Ocean, a region where China has expanded its naval influence over the last decade.The CS Dependable is owned by SubCom…

27 Aug 2018

Change of Command for Cal Maritime's Training Ship

Photo courtesy of Cal Maritime

After 10 years at the helm, Harry Bolton handed over command of the Training Ship Golden Bear Wednesday at California State University Maritime Academy.Bolton, a 1978 graduate of the Academy, returned to Cal Maritime on May 1, 2008 after a 30-year career with American Maritime Officers. Twenty of those years were with American Overseas Marine Corporation (AMSEA) aboard the original preposition ships based out of Guam, Saipan and Diego Garcia. Bolton began sailing as Master in 1985, only seven years after graduation.Dr.

29 Jan 2016

U.S. Navy Commander Guilty in Corruption Scandal

A U.S. Navy commander charged with accepting paid travel, prostitutes and Lady Gaga concert tickets from a Malaysian defense contractor in exchange for classified information pleaded guilty on Thursday to federal corruption charges. Commander Michael Vannak Khem Misiewicz appeared in U.S. District Court in San Diego to answer to charges of conspiracy to commit bribery and bribery of a public official stemming from his involvement in a scandal surrounding a contractor who serviced ships in the Navy's Pacific Fleet. Misiewicz admitted to providing Malaysian businessman Leonard Francis, known to friends as "Fat Leonard," classified information worth millions of dollars. He was born in Cambodia during the Vietnam War and gained media attention for his rise to captain of a U.S. Navy destroyer.

15 Mar 2015

HMAS Anzac Deploys for Gallipoli Commemorations

HMAS Anzac and the ship’s company of 192, departed Sydney today for a once in a life-time deployment, supporting the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli. Family and friends were on the wharf to farewell the frigate, which will spend five months visiting ports around the globe. Commanding Officer HMAS Anzac, Commander Belinda Wood said the ship’s company was proud to represent Australia on this significant trip. “Today is an exciting time for Anzac as we set off for ports many Australians never get the chance to experience. “The crew are proud to have been selected. Every person has worked incredibly hard to get ready for this deployment and they’ll continue to do so. We have a demanding schedule visiting ports on three continents,” CMDR Wood said.

17 Feb 2014

Tankship Market Analysts Say Timing Essential for Success

Figure 2 ABC scenarios: Image courtesy of McQuilling Services

Marine transport advisors McQuilling Services explain in a tanker industry note that timing is everything in a volatile tanker market. McQuilling explain that on the outset, one might not directly see a similarity between Valentine’s Day and the tanker market; however, both can sometimes require serendipitous timing in order for desired outcomes to transpire. Furthermore, just like the dating world, the tanker market is full of volatility. Industry participants have been reminded…

31 Jan 2013

Doyle Joins FMC

On Tuesday, January 1, 2013, the United States Senate confirmed President Obama’s nomination of William P. Doyle, of Pennsylvania, to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner. Commissioner Doyle was sworn in on January 10, 2013. Today, a ceremonial swearing-in of Mr. Doyle took place at the Commission. Prior to his appointment, Commissioner Doyle served over 20 years in the maritime and transportation industry holding senior positions in executive leadership and operations. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts and grew up in Weymouth. His executive leadership experience includes serving as the Chief of Staff for the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA), which coupled with his experience as an Officer in the U.S.

13 Jun 2012

Underwater Propeller Blade Straightening

With all five blades of its propeller severely bent, a 290-meter container vessel needed a fast, on-site solution to restore the propeller’s balance and efficiency. Hydrex diver/technicians are trained to carry out repairs underwater in the shortest possible time frame and a team was therefore mobilized to the ship’s location in Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory to perform a cold straightening of the blades. After the equipment arrived at the vessel’s location, the divers installed a monitoring station on a workboat and made all the required preparations. The workboat was then positioned next to the vessel and the team leader went on board to discuss the details of the operation with the captain and the chief engineer of the ship and to go over the safety procedures.

13 Jun 2012

Propeller Blades Repaired Underwater

Photo courtesy of Hydrex

With all five blades of its propeller severely bent, a 290-meter container vessel needed a fast, on-site solution to restore the propeller’s balance and efficiency. Hydrex diver/technicians are trained to carry out repairs underwater in the shortest possible time frame and a team was therefore mobilized to the ship’s location in Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory to perform a cold straightening of the blades. The divers installed a monitoring station on a workboat and made all the required preparations.

14 Dec 2011

MSC Squadron Completes Maldives Port Call

Military Sealift Command Maritime Prepositioning Force ship USNS SGT William R. Button

Military Sealift Command Maritime Prepositioning Force ship USNS SGT William R. Button left the port of Male, Republic of the Maldives, today after completing a four-day port visit to the Indian Ocean island nation. The stop included bilateral meetings with senior Maldives National Defense Force officials, cultural exchange activities and a community relations event. Button is the flagship of Diego Garcia-based Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Two, which has a current fleet of 12 noncombatant…

26 Aug 2011

Change at the helm for Indian Ocean-based Maritime Prepositioning Squadron

Navy Capt. Charles “Gene” Emmert has relieved Navy Capt. Wesley Brown as commander of Military Sealift Command’s Indian Ocean-based Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Two. Emmert, the squadron’s 27th commander, accepted command during a ceremony on board MSC Maritime Prepositioning Force ship USNS SGT William R. Button in Diego Garcia’s lagoon. The commander of MPS Squadron Two has a staff of 10 active duty sailors and is responsible for the tactical control and readiness of the squadron’s current fleet of 12 government-owned and -chartered noncombatant cargo carriers.

20 Jan 2010

USS Los Angeles to be Decommissioned

USS Los Angeles (SSN 688) will arrive at the Port of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 20, for a final visit that includes a decommissioning ceremony Jan. 23. USS Los Angeles departed Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Jan. 14, and is stopping in Los Angeles en route to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for inactivation. The visit will include participation by the crew in numerous public events ongoing throughout the weekend. The Jan. 23 decommissioning ceremony will feature many former Los Angeles crewmembers, former Los Angeles Commanding Officer Rear Adm. (ret) John Shipway, Commodore of Submarine Squadron One Capt. Stan Robertson, Representative for the U.S. 46th District Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, and Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn.

23 Aug 2009

New Navy Contracts

Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $151,577,441 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-5431) to procure 186 Evolved SEASPARROW Missiles (ESSM), 77 shipping containers, and spares for the NATO SEASPARROW Consortium and the United Arab Emirates. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz., (45 percent); Camden, Ark., (2 percent); Andover, Mass,. (10 percent), Australia, (11 percent), Canada, (7 percent), Denmark, (1 percent), Greece, (1 percent), Germany, (8 percent), The Netherlands, (6 percent); Norway, (5 percent); Spain, (3 percent); and Turkey, (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by August 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

19 Aug 2009

MSC Ships Train to Support U.S. Troops Ashore

Military Sealift Command offshore petroleum distribution system ship MV Vice Adm. K.R. Wheeler (foreground) and MSC tanker USNS Lawrence H. Gianella (background) practice running a float hose between them during a one-day exercise off the coast of Yeosu, South Korea, Aug. 18. Wheeler is a one-of-a-kind ship that receives fuel from a commercial or military tanker and then pumps that fuel to warfighters ashore using eight miles of flexible pipe that is carried aboard the ship's weatherdeck.  (U.S.

Two Military Sealift Command ships conducted a training exercise off the coast of Yeosu, South Korea, Aug. 17-18, where they rehearsed the U.S. military's unique ability to deliver fuel to ground forces ashore from a tanker anchored up to eight miles from the coast. The cornerstone of this capability is offshore petroleum distribution system ship MV Vice Adm. K.R. Wheeler - the only ship of its kind. Wheeler works as an at-sea pumping station to transfer fuel ashore from commercial and military tankers. The tanker pumps fuel to Wheeler, which in turn pumps the fuel to shore.

23 Oct 2008

Worley Appointed Superintendent-USMMA

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at , is operated by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration. The superintendent of the academy is responsible for the development of scholastic standards which encourage the intellectual, professional growth and physical well-being of midshipmen and effective and economical operation of the Academy facilities. The position reports to the Maritime Administrator, and is often an influential position in the maritime industry worldwide. Worley is a 1974 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds advanced degrees from and the . During his tenure in the Navy, he served in various…

05 Mar 2004

Marine Patrol Adds New Boat to the Fleet

The Savannah-Chatham Police Marine Patrol has taken delivery of a 27-ft. Workskiff Harbor Security boat. The boat, obtained through a federal grant from the Transportation Security Administration, will be used to patrol the abundance of waterways throughout Chatham County, including security duty along the Savannah River waterfront. The Marine Patrol regularly patrols the local waterways, working with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the United States Coast Guard, providing harbor enforcement and providing an extra layer of security for Savannah's busy port. Accordingly, the Marine Patrol investigates waterway and marine-related accidents and/or crimes. The unit also enforces all the safe-boating laws of the State of Georgia.

21 Jun 2004

Sealift Wins Military Contract

Fisher to carry Air Force ammunition. $47,961,250. to be completed September 2005. current fiscal year. be obligated in FY05. received. The U.S. contracting authority (N00033-04-C-3302).

05 Feb 2002

President’s Budget Slashes Naval Shipbuilding

The American Shipbuilding Association today calls upon congress to add money to the President’s budget for more naval ships. “It is impossible to reassure Americans of their safety and security when the President’s budget slashes funding for ships for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. This budget will plunge the fleet to a size never before witnessed in our history. Investment in America’s naval fleet has been woefully inadequate for the last decade. But it is unconscionable that the current Administration is shrinking the fleet even below the levels proposed by the previous Administration. Homeland security begins with naval forces,” stated Cynthia Brown, president of the American Shipbuilding Association.

04 Apr 2002

No Substitute for A Strong Navy

The President is proposing a much needed, and long overdue increase of $49 billion in his fiscal year 2003 budget for National Defense. What is astonishing is that this larger budget proposes slashing the Navy's shipbuilding procurement account below that recommended by the previous Administration. Why is this astonishing? If it were not for ships of the Navy and Marine Corps, the U.S. would not have been able to defend America from additional attacks from the air and sea, or retaliate in Afghanistan after the September 11 attack on New York and Washington, D.C. Long before the terrorist attacks, the commanders-in-chief (CINCs) of the…

21 May 2002

Keppel’s Integration Efforts Bear Results With million contracts

The integration of Keppel Corporation’s offshore and marine businesses has contributed to a $16 million (S$29 million) swamp barge contract clinched as a result of the synergy of the offshore and specialised shipbuilding divisions. Furthermore, with the integration and Keppel’s sharper focus on specialised shipbuilding, especially support vessels, the offshore and marine group has also won a new contract worth S$21 million from Keppel Smit Towage for three 60-ton tugs which are due for delivery in mid 2003. These tugs, a utility boat and two terminal tractor tugs, will be deployed by Keppel Smit Towage in Brunei for charter to Brunei Shell Petroleum Company.

06 Jun 2002

Civilian Ship Supports Operation Enduring Freedom

SS Cornhusker State arrived May 1 at Newport News, Va., after six months deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The civilian-crewed crane ship was the only ship of the Navy and Maritime Administration's Ready Reserve Force activated specifically to support the war in Afghanistan. The Ready Reserve Force is a fleet of 76 militarily useful ships maintained in reduced operating status by the Maritime Administration near potential load ports around the country. When activated, these civilian-crewed ships come under the operational control of the Navy's Military Sealift Command. Cornhusker State was activated last November to transport and provide floating storage for ammunition to sustain the war effort.

12 Aug 2002

MSC Awards $400M Contract for LMSR Operation

On August 5, MSC awarded Maersk Line, Limited, of Norfolk, Va., a five year contract that could total $400 million to operate and maintain eight large, medium-speed, RoRo ships that strategically preposition Army equipment in the Indian Ocean near Diego Garcia. MSC’s Propositioning Program has 35 strategically located ships laden with military equipment, supplies and fuel for the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Defense Logistics Agency. Fifteen ships carry combat equipment and sustaining supplies for the U.S. Army, enough to sustain two Army heavy brigades- up to 8,000 personnel- for up to 30 days.