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NOTICE !!!

The following ILIPS Group International websites will shut down temporarily on April 20, 2009, in preparation for a move to a new server at Rackspace.Com.

All other ILIPS Group International websites will remain active on the current server, Hostmonster.

The listed websites will provide limited size (Edition) service from a temporary index.html page at Hostmonster and will restart service in full size (Edition, as seen here...) and format on May 3, 2009. Advertising will continue unabated once we are assured we have met and not exceed our 50,000 file limitation.

The move is required as our sites have exceeded file size while at Hostmonster. We are in excess of ten times the limit and regret that we were only recently informed of the problem.

To fix the problem, we are attacking the issue aggressively by removing our largest sites from Hostmonster on April 19, 2009, and moving them to Rackspace with completion of the project occurring on or about May 3, 2009.

Our smallest sites and hosted sites will remain operational at Hostmonster for development and once they reach an appropriate size, we will move them one by one to Rackspace.

We intend to continue our operations utilizing a minimum of two servers from now (2009) until 2025. We fully anticipate diversifying and moving additional sites onto additional servers between now and 2025.

Our traffic counts will be reported on the last day of operation for these particular sites. An estimate of what our traffic would have been between April 20, 2009, and May 3, 2009, will be determined thereafter.

That is all for now...

~ Ed.

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Sites Facing Temporary Limited Operations:

Aviation and Marine USA.Com

Images of Light Online

Silver State News Service

World Warbird Report

The Home Pylon Group


Latest News As Of April 18, 2009


Under New Construction At This Time ~ 04/11/2009

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One Maritime News Alert At This Time...April 18, 2009


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The U.S.S. Oklahoma City at Sea

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Maritime Archives Directory

Current Issue: April 11 ~ April 23, 2009

Past Issues in Descending Order by Month/Year...

Under Construction 04/11/2009

April, 2009

  April 10, 2009 April 11-22, 2009 April 23 ~ 30, 2009


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Aviation & Marine USA

Editor's Choice:

Link Takes You to AP/Yahoo! News:

French nab 11 pirates as threats mount on US ships




Latest News As Of April 18, 2009


Aviation & Marine USA

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Aviation & Marine USA

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Maritime Top Stories Below


"In Our Pursuit of Treasure, Let Us Never Forget What We Treasure Most...

...Our Love for the Sea."

~ Ed.




News Alerts!


News Alerts!

090412-N-XXXXN-001 SOMALI BASIN (April 12, 2009) Maersk-Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips, right, stands alongside Cmdr. Frank Castellano, commanding officer of USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) after being rescued by U.S Naval Forces off the coast of Somalia. Philips was held hostage for four days by pirates.

Official U.S. Navy photo/RELEASED

~~~~~~~~~~

Maersk-Alabama Captain Rescued

Story Number: NNS090412-02
Release Date: 4/12/2009 7:53:00 PM

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- At approximately 7:19 p.m (12:19 p.m. EDT) April 12 U.S. naval forces rescued Capt. Richard Phillips, the master of Motor Vessel Maersk-Alabama.

"This was an incredible team effort, and I am extremely proud of the tireless efforts of all the men and women who made this rescue possible" said Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.

"The actions of Capt. Phillips and the civilian mariners of Maersk-Alabama were heroic. They fought back to regain control of their ship, and Captain Phillips selflessly put his life in the hands of these armed criminals in order to protect his crew."

Following the rescue, Phillips was initially taken aboard the Norfolk, Va., based guided missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96). Phillips was subsequently flown to the San Diego based amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) where he contacted his family, received a routine medical evaluation and is resting comfortably.

U.S. military forces have one pirate in custody; three were killed in the rescue.

For more news from the fleet visit
www.navy.mil.


News Alerts!

090409-N-0000X-926 INDIAN OCEAN (April 9, 2009) In a still frame from video taken by the Scan Eagle unmanned aerial vehicle, a 28-foot lifeboat from the U.S.-flagged container ship Maersk Alabama is seen in the Indian Ocean. (U.S. Navy Photo)

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Maersk-Alabama Captain Rescued


News Alerts!

090409-N-0000X-136 INDIAN OCEAN (April 9, 2009) In a still frame from video taken by the Scan Eagle unmanned aerial vehicle, the guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) is underway near a 28-foot lifeboat from the U.S.-flagged container ship Maersk Alabama in the Indian Ocean. (U.S. Navy Photo)

~~~~~~~~~~

Maersk-Alabama Captain Rescued


News Alerts!

090412-N-XXXXN-003 SOMALI BASIN (April 12, 2009) Maersk-Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips, right, stands alongside Lt. Cmdr. David Fowler, executive officer of USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) after being rescued by U.S Naval Forces off the coast of Somalia. Philips was held hostage for four days by pirates. (Official U.S. Navy photo/Released)

~~~~~~~~~~

Maersk-Alabama Captain Rescued


MARITIME TOP STORIES

The U.S.S. Bainbridge

Photo: USN


Latest News As Of April 18, 2009


MARITIME TOP STORIES


MARITIME TOP STORIES

MSPA 133/09 Saturday, 18 April 2009

UPDATE TO ADF SUPPORT TO EXPLOSION ON FOREIGN VESSEL


A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-17 with six burns patients arrived in Brisbane late this afternoon, completing the latest emergency support to the victims of an explosion in northern Australian waters on Thursday morning.

Defence’s efforts in the delivery of emergency care and treatment to the burns victims has drawn praise from health authorities.

The Surgeon General Australian Defence Force Major General Paul Alexander said; “Without exception, these senior health colleagues have indicated that the level of care provided by Defence health personnel during the initial resuscitation phase and subsequent phases of care has been of the highest standards and has significantly contributed to the positive outcomes obtained so far.”

Two RAAF C130 Hercules aircraft, two C-17 aircraft and specialists in aero-medical evacuation have been closely involved with civilian efforts to treat and transfer the burns victims to specialist facilities in Darwin, Broome, Perth and Brisbane.

The Royal Australian Navy personnel and the two Patrol Boats assigned to Border Protection Command involved in the rescue and treatment of the in the explosion have returned to Darwin.

The cause of the explosion is the subject of police investigation which Defence is assisting, which includes providing operational imagery to the investigating authorities.

Of the 49 people on-board the vessel that exploded, two people remain missing presumed dead and three died.

Defence continues to provide Navy ships and surveillance aircraft to Border Protection Command operations.

Online Now: www.defence.gov.au/


MARITIME TOP STORIES

MSPA 132/09 Friday,
17 April 2009

ADF RESPONSE TO EXPLOSION ON FOREIGN VESSEL


The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is providing aircraft and personnel operated by the Royal Australian Air Force, and patrol boats operated by the Royal Australian Navy, to evacuate injured survivors of the incident involving an explosion aboard a vessel in the vicinity of Ashmore Reef.

The Air Force is providing two C-130 Hercules and two C-17A Globemaster III aircraft, along with aero-medical evacuation health professionals, to support the ADF response to the incident.

These aircraft commenced evacuating the injured people to major health facilities in Perth and Darwin overnight and will continue through today.

The ADF also provided medical staff to the initial emergency response team that was despatched to meet the injured people at Truscott air field. Medical supplies were delivered to the ships by RAAF air craft and HMAS Glenelg delivered medical staff and supplies to HMAS Albany overnight.

Due to the remote location and limited facilities at Truscott Airfield, a Temporary Restricted Area has been established around the airfield to ensure air operations in support of the evacuation of injured personal is guaranteed the highest priority.

Online Now: www.defence.gov.au/


MARITIME TOP STORIES

BAE Systems, NZ Government reach agreement on acceptance of Inshore Patrol Vessels

14 Apr 2009 | Ref. 060

WHANGAREI, New Zealand - The first of four new Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs) will soon be delivered to the Royal New Zealand Navy after an agreement was reached between BAE Systems and the NZ Government.

The first IPV, Rotoiti, will be handed over on 16 April, with the other three vessels to enter service progressively by the end of May 2009.

The four IPVs were built in Whangarei by prime contractor BAE Systems Australia as part of Project Protector.

Merv Davis, Maritime Director for BAE Systems Australia, said today the company had been engaged in constructive discussions with the Ministry of Defence since late 2008 to resolve issues that had caused delay to the delivery of the IPVs.

"We recognised that the RNZN needed to commission these ships into service as soon as practicable and have agreed to install Zodiac sea boats so that this can happen," Mr Davis said.

Project Protector comprises the delivery of seven ships including the Multi Role Vessel, HMNZS Canterbury, four IPVs and two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). HMNZS Canterbury was delivered in May 2007.

Mr Davis said discussions with the Ministry of Defence for the delivery of the two Offshore Patrol Vessels were well advanced.

"Both parties are working together to agree the terms under which they will be offered for acceptance.

"BAE Systems is committed to delivering the Project Protector vessels quickly. This agreement on the IPVs marks an important milestone in that journey," Mr Davis said.

The IPVs will be used to patrol the NZ coastline from the shore to approximately 24 nautical miles and conduct maritime surveillance in support of agencies such as Customs and Fisheries.

About BAE SYSTEMS:

BAE Systems is the premier global defence, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £18.5 billion (US $34.4 billion) in 2008.


Online Now: www.baesystems.com


MARITIME TOP STORIES

U.S. Navy Sailors and Northrop Grumman shipbuilders together manned the flight deck of Makin Island (LHD 8) for the delivery ceremony on Thursday, April 16.

Photo: Northrop Grumman


MARITIME TOP STORIES

Northrop Grumman Successfully Delivers Amphibious Assault Ship Makin Island (LHD 8) to U.S. Navy


PASCAGOULA, Miss., April 16, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Shipbuilding sector delivered to the U.S. Navy today one of the nation's newest and most advanced ships, the amphibious-assault ship Makin Island (LHD 8) during a short ceremony held on the vessel's flight deck.

A photo and video accompanying this release are available at http://media.globenewswire.com/noc/

"We made a commitment to deliver this ship to the U.S. Navy in the second quarter of this year and through a determined effort by our shipbuilders, we successfully met this milestone," said Irwin F. Edenzon, sector vice president and general manager, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Gulf Coast. "This delivery will provide sailors and Marines a critical tool in performing their sea power missions worldwide. LHD 8's diverse capabilities will make it a significant and important member of the fleet."

Makin Island (LHD 8) was delivered to the U.S. Navy after successfully completing acceptance sea trials. Acceptance trials are conducted to allow representatives of the U.S. Navy Board of Inspection and Survey to witness and evaluate operation of ship systems and ship performance.

Makin Island is the eighth USS Wasp (LHD 1)-class amphibious assault ship built by the company's shipbuilders in Pascagoula, Miss. It is 844 feet long, 106 feet wide and weighs 42,800 tons. Its 70,000 horsepower hybrid propulsion system will drive it to speeds in excess of 20 knots. Makin Island contains the first gas turbine/electric-powered propulsion system ever used on large deck amphibious assault ships. The gas turbine engines and electric drive, a change from previous steam-powered amphibious-assault ships, will provide significant life-cycle savings in manpower and maintenance costs over the previous ships.

As a multi-purpose amphibious assault ship, Makin Island is designed to transport and land a Marine Expeditionary Unit, a force of almost 2,000 Marines, ashore by helicopter, landing craft and amphibious assault vehicle. It will also have secondary missions of sea control and power projection by helicopter and fixed-wing vertical short take-off and landing aircraft; command and control; and mission support, including a hospital with six operating rooms. Makin Island is scheduled for commissioning at its San Diego homeport in October 2009.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.


Online Now: www.northropgrumman.com


MARITIME TOP STORIES

Northrop Grumman Upgrades Ship Navigation Radars With Enhanced Naval Display Features


CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., April 16, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Sperry Marine business unit announces the introduction of a new family of navigation radar sets with enhanced naval display features.

"We are now offering a naval display version of our highly successful commercial VisionMaster FT(tm) series of navigation radars, providing extended capabilities to meet the specific requirements of naval ships," said J. Nolasco DaCunha, vice president of Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine. "We have retained the outstanding capabilities of the commercial radars while incorporating important new features for the naval sector. The open-architecture design of the VisionMaster FT product line permits easy upgrades without making hardware changes."

New features incorporated into the VisionMaster FT naval display radars include red first strike for immediate identification of high-speed targets, helicopter approach sectors, freeze frame function for radio silence, station keeping, target intercept, advanced index lines and other functions to support modern naval operations. It can be integrated with scanner systems operating at very low rotating speeds, down to 5 rpm.

The VisionMaster FT naval radar display systems are available in 340 millimeters and 250 millimeters, X-band and S-band models in dedicated consoles or for built-in installations with remote electronics. The units utilize state-of-the-art high-resolution flat-screen display technology. They are designed to serve as stand-alone radars or as part of a complete VisionMaster FT integrated bridge system.

Like all VisionMaster FT commercial radars, the naval display versions incorporate Sperry Marine's advanced automatic clutter-suppression technology, ensuring that weak targets can be detected under poor weather conditions or in close proximity to land.

Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine, headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., and with major engineering and support offices in New Malden, United Kingdom and Hamburg, Germany, provides smart navigation and ship control solutions for the international marine industry with customer service and support through offices in 16 countries, sales representatives in 47 countries and authorized service depots in more than 250 locations worldwide.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.


Online Now: www.northropgrumman.com


MARITIME TOP STORIES

Northrop Grumman Supplies Navigation Radars for Brazil Navy


CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., April 15, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Sperry Marine business unit has won a contract to supply new-generation navigation radar sets for the Brazil navy.

Sperry Marine will supply 12 new VisionMaster FT(tm) 250 X-band radars under a multi-phase program to upgrade the bridge installations across the Brazil navy fleet. Vision Marine Ltda, Sperry Marine's representative in Brazil, is providing technical support for installation, commissioning, testing and training. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The PC-based VisionMaster FT systems utilize high-resolution flat-screen display technology and incorporate state-of-the-art automatic clutter-suppression software to identify and track weak target returns under adverse sea and weather conditions and when operating close to landmasses.

Sperry Marine is also engaged in a multi-year program to upgrade the ship inertial navigation systems on the Brazil navy's surface and submarine combat vessels. Sperry Marine's MK39 ring-laser gyrocompass systems replace the existing installed base of MK29 gyrocompasses. The MK39 provides high-accuracy 3-D position data and precise attitude, velocity and heading inputs for the ships' navigation and fire-control systems.

"We are proud to be a major supplier of navigation and steering systems for the Brazil navy and commercial ships in Brazil," said J. Nolasco DaCunha, vice president of Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine. "We have had an excellent working relationship with the Brazil navy for more than 30 years."

Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine, headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., and with major engineering and support offices in New Malden, United Kingdom and Hamburg, Germany, provides smart navigation and ship control solutions for the international marine industry with customer service and support through offices in 16 countries, sales representatives in 47 countries and authorized service depots in more than 250 locations worldwide.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Online Now: www.northropgrumman.com


MARITIME TOP STORIES

Northrop Grumman Wins Contracts to Supply Integrated Bridge Systems for New Brazil Navy Patrol Boats


CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., April 14, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) today announced that its Sperry Marine business unit has been awarded contracts to supply state-of-the-art navigation systems for two new 500-ton patrol boats for the Brazil navy.

Sperry Marine will supply a complete integrated bridge system based on its new-generation VisionMaster FT(tm) navigation technology, tailored to meet the unique space constraints and operational requirements of these coastal patrol boats. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The system includes Sperry Marine's electronic chart display and information system, gyrocompass, echo-sounder, speed log, navigation radars, steering controls, steering gear, mission data recorder and other sensors and subsystems. The Ethernet-based VisionMaster FT network processes data from all these systems into a completely integrated solution for route planning, navigation and piloting.

The two NAPA 500-class patrol boats are being constructed at the Industria Naval do Ceara SA (INACE) shipyard in Fortaleza and are scheduled for delivery in 2009. Four additional ships of the same class have been approved. The Brazil navy has plans to order a total of eight such vessels in 2009.

"We are very proud to be the selected supplier of navigation systems for these new patrol boats, building on our more than 30-year relationship with the Brazil navy," said J. Nolasco DaCunha, vice president of Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine. "We are also currently under multi-phase contracts to upgrade the ship inertial navigation systems and navigation radars across the Brazil navy fleet."

DaCunha noted that similar bridge systems are also being installed on offshore patrol vessels for the Chile and Mexico navies.

Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine, headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., and with major engineering and support offices in New Malden, United Kingdom and Hamburg, Germany, provides smart navigation and ship control solutions for the international marine industry with customer service and support through offices in 16 countries, sales representatives in 47 countries and authorized service depots in more than 250 locations worldwide.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Online Now: www.northropgrumman.com


MARITIME TOP STORIES



Online Now:


MARITIME TOP STORIES

Aviation & Marine U.S.A.

Delegate Glenn Oder of Newport News presented Northrop Grumman vice president Scott Stabler and a delegation of shipbuilders the final signed copy of a resolution commending employees of the company's Shipbuilding sector on the completion of the USS George H.W. Bush.

Photos by John Whalen via Northrop Grumman


MARITIME TOP STORIES

Northrop Grumman Shipbuilders Commended On the Completion of Final Nimitz-Class Aircraft Carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77)

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., April 9, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The shipbuilders of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) were honored by the Virginia House of Delegates during a ceremony held on April 8 at the start of the Reconvened Session.

Photos accompanying this release are available at http://media.globenewswire.com/noc/

The 2009 General Assembly adopted a resolution commending the employees of the company's Shipbuilding sector on the completion of the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), the 10th and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier built in Virginia. During a ceremony on the floor of the House of Delegates, the final signed copy of the resolution was presented to a delegation of shipbuilders who worked on USS George H. W. Bush and other ships in the Nimitz class. The resolution, sponsored by Delegate Glenn Oder of Newport News, was adopted unanimously by both the House of Delegates and the State Senate.

"The shipyard remains a place where the spirit of American craftsmanship lives, grows and is celebrated," said Oder. "I hope we demonstrate with this resolution to these shipbuilders how much we thank and appreciate them."

"It's an honor to be here," said James Witt, a 47-year employee who has worked on every Nimitz class carrier. "I want to thank everyone I have worked with for the past 47 years. This is a great honor and they should share in it. It was a dream come true that I was able to represent the shipyard today."



HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 806
Commending the shipbuilders of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding.

WHEREAS, the shipbuilders of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding are
recognized for their delivery in 2009 of the nuclear-powered
aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), the tenth and
final ship in the Nimitz class, to the United States Navy; and

WHEREAS, Northrop Grumman is the nation's sole designer,
builder, and refueler of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and
has built every single ship of the class since the keel was
laid for the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in 1968; and

WHEREAS, the Newport News shipyard built the first United
States Navy ship designed as an aircraft carrier, the USS
Ranger (CV 4), which was launched in 1933; and 27 years later
in 1960 the same company launched the world's first nuclear
aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise (CVN 65); and

WHEREAS, for more than 30 years, the Virginia-built Nimitz
carriers and their air wings have given the United States and
her allies an unchallenged ability to defend freedom and
protect American interests on every ocean and continent, and
Nimitz-class carriers will remain with the fleet for the next
50 years; and

WHEREAS, tens of thousands of Virginians and thousands of
North Carolinians have spent five decades designing, building,
and refueling Nimitz-class carriers, both inside the Newport
News shipyard and at the hundreds of Virginia firms providing
parts and supplies for the ships; and

WHEREAS, the next aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford
(CVN 78), will mark the start of a new class of warship that
will include an enhanced flight deck, improved weapons
movement, a new nuclear power plant, allowance for future
technologies, and reduced manning; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring,
That the General Assembly commend and congratulate the
thousands of shipbuilders, suppliers, and associates of
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in Virginia on the delivery of
the USS George H.W. Bush and the completion of the historic
Nimitz class; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the
shipbuilders of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding as an expression
of the General Assembly's gratitude for the shipbuilder's many
contributions to the nation's defense and best wishes for
continued success in the future.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.
Online Now: www.northropgrumman.com


MARITIME TOP STORIES

Aviation & Marine U.S.A.

Northrop Grumman shipbuilders were honored by the Virginia House of Delegates during a ceremony held on April 8 at the state capitol in Richmond, Va., for completion of final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush.

Photos by John Whalen via Northrop Grumman


MARITIME TOP STORIES

Aviation & Marine USA

Builder's Trials following completion of final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush.

Photo: Northrop Grumman


MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ BUSINESS WIRE REPORTS WORLDWIDE

The christening and launch of USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9)


The christening and launch of USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9) will take place on Sunday afternoon, August 16, 2009, and will be open to the public. The shipyard is located at the intersection of 28th Street and East Harbor Drive in San Diego. The Harborside station on the blue line of the San Diego Trolley is located directly across the street from the main gate. More details will be available later. For Information:

Karl Johnson
Director of Communications
619-544-8860
619-544-3541 (Fax)
kjohnson@nassco.com

Online Now: http://www.nassco.com/


MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ U.K.

40 Commando Complete Turkish Exercise

40 Commando on Exercise EgemenThe culmination of the first phase of the Royal Navy’s Taurus 09 deployment was to be a huge multinational exercise on and around the coast of Turkey by the name of EGEMEN. Including Dutch and Belgian troops operating from the ships Johan de Witt and Rotterdam under the command of 40 Commando, Royal Marines, Turkish reconnaissance operators based on HMS Argyll, helicopters from the Commando Helicopter Force, RAF Chinooks and, of course, 40 Commando itself. The exercise was designed to test the task-group’s ability to influence a land-based objective.

Split across the Amphibious Task Group, with headquarters and Alpha Company onboard HMS Ocean, Charlie Company on RFA Mounts Bay and Delta Company with much of Logistics Company on RFA Lyme Bay, the whole exercise was controlled from HMS Bulwark. Lt Paul Newall RN of 40 Commando tells the story:

“Although there were plenty of moving parts, the aim of the exercise was straightforward: to test our capability to send ashore the entire Commando Unit and sustain it, while the ships dealt with whatever threat might come their way. In total, we were ashore for five days with several tasks to conduct, from reconnaissance of potential enemy locations and attacking objectives to fixing vehicles and resupplying water and food. The exercise brought together everything we have done so far as we waded off the landing craft with not just ourselves but also all our vehicles. It was also a test for the body because calling the terrain mountainous was a bit of an understatement and the temperature went down rapidly in the evenings.

“On the first night we had the task of clearing enemy from the beaches so we could move further inland to attack two sites that had been identified by Reconnaissance Troop and their Turkish counterparts, who had – as usual – already been ashore for several days, hiding by day and working by night to give us an idea of what the enemy were doing. Charlie Company landed on an unoccupied beach in the early hours and sneaked their way onto the high ground overlooking one of the objectives. They then gave fire support to 21 Company, composed of Dutch Marines and Belgian Troops, as they assaulted the beach and then quickly onto the objective in the valley below Charlie Company’s position. At the same time, Alpha Company were attacking another target further inland, having been dropped off by helicopters. The intention was to be able to carry out raids by air and by sea/surface simultaneously, and we proved we could achieve this by quickly overwhelming both positions.

“It was then that the real work began. As the Companies reorganised themselves, the ships had to begin sending ashore the rest of the Unit, establishing all the support services – medical facilities, food and water supplies, equipment, vehicles, communications, and so on – that we need to sustain ourselves for any significant period of time away. This meant loading all the vehicles and kit from the ships onto landing craft and then driving off at the beach, hoping that the vehicles would remain dry inside! Delta Company also waded into position as the reserve, ready to be sent forward. The whole process had not been tested for some time so it was quite an achievement, which we could tell from the number of high-profile visitors who wanted to come ashore themselves to take a look.

“The headquarters remained onboard HMS Ocean to control everything while the CO was on the ground in command. The whole point of sending everyone else ashore, of course, was to support operations further inland rather than limiting ourselves to the immediate coastline, so over the next few days we began to conduct patrols and expand our control of the area, looking for signs of further enemy positions and any civilians we could help. The exercise scenario was based around reassuring locals in the face of a terrorist threat so we looked to establish security and start engaging with people to find out what we could do for them. Alongside our efforts, the Turkish Marines were preparing to practice a Non-Combatant Evacuation, which meant moving people to safety from a practice refugee camp, and we sought to provide them with protection to do so.

“Reconnaissance Troop soon identified further enemy positions to the north and so we had to plan a second wave of attacks, which took place on the penultimate evening. Alpha Company were picked up by helicopters and dropped off unseen and unheard close to their objective, while Delta Company moved forward with Charlie Company in reserve. The Dutch/Belgian 21 Company remained behind, securing the beachhead ready for withdrawal. The Marines had soon taken the positions, with the few remaining enemy on the run and being chased down – including, it was rumoured, the Commander of the Amphibious Task Group, who wanted to see for himself what we are capable of!

“If bringing everything ashore after the initial attacks was difficult, restowing it after all our objectives were clear would prove even more of a test. Not only did we have to take everything off the beaches by a variety of means but we also had to plan ahead for the next phase of Taurus 09, ensuring that each vehicle, Marine or piece of kit went to the correct ship, which was not necessarily the same one they left on the first day. It was in everyone’s interest to get this right, not least because a mistake would mean sailing on the wrong ship in the wrong direction. It was testimony to Logistics and Command Companies’ efforts, as well as the STOM (Ship to Objective Manoeuvre) teams onboard the ships, that we were ready to depart within twelve hours of the attacks finishing.

“The Taurus deployment now takes elements of the Unit on different paths. For the majority, we sail for the UK onboard either Lyme Bay or Mounts Bay and take some well-earned Easter leave before we fly out to Brunei to begin phase two in the jungle. For Charlie Company Group with its attached ranks, they have a long trip ahead, through the Suez Canal to an exercise in Saudi Arabia before sailing on to Bangladesh and the jungles of Malaysia. The next time the Unit is together again will be in Brunei for the final multinational exercise. EGEMEN was a challenge, perhaps logistically more than in combat terms, but the Unit has now proven itself capable of conducting large-scale operations. Even so, everyone realises that the toughest personal challenge still lies ahead of us in the jungle.”

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MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ U.K.

Multi Million Pound Submarine Engineering Support Contract Awarded


The MOD has placed a new contract for in-service support to the entire Royal Navy submarine flotilla worth £155M.

The contract secures submarine engineering support services based in Bristol, which include deciding what engineering work the submarines require when they undergo their scheduled maintenance, for the next 10 years.

The MOD and industry will work together as a joint team with shared goals under the new contract. The industry team includes Babcock, BMT Defence Services and Systems Evaluation and Assessment (SEA), and will co-locate a section of their team, currently based in Keynsham, alongside their DE&S colleagues in Abbey Wood, Bristol,.

The Head of In-Service Submarines at DE&S Alasdair Stirling said:

"These engineering services are absolutely crucial to maintaining safety and upgrading our submarine flotilla effectively, on time and at value for money.

"Over 11 successful years we have already built a strong working relationship with the industry team, and this new contract will further develop our collaboration. Instead of the traditional customer - supplier relationship, the joint team will take a pro-active approach to improving submarine support which makes way for innovation and cost reductions."

The new agreement will also expand the pool of expertise in this specialist area to ensure the sustainability of future submarine support.

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MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ U.K.

Hyperbaric Facility Saving Lives Under Pressure


Navy divers head for the surfaceLast year's Maritime Strategic Capability Agreement (MSCA) between MOD and QinetiQ secured access to a range of maritime engineering and scientific expertise and facilities, including the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit in Gosport.

It would be easy to be overawed at first sight of the decompression chamber at the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit but its Director, Dr Mark Glover, is reassuring:

"The chamber at Haslar and its satellite facility at Queen Alexandra Hospital Cosham together form a Category 1 Unit which can receive patients ranging from the critically ill to the ambulant. It is used in recompression therapy for divers and for other medical conditions such as carbon monoxide poisoning and radiation tissue injury."

The size, weight and design of the chamber are impressive. The large steel cylinder has an external diameter of 2,438mm and a hull thickness of 13mm.

The addition of an arched doorway into the main chamber makes it feel less claustrophobic. A manlock at the opposite end allows large equipment to be passed through and staff or patients withdrawn without disturbing treatment.

Patients are kept comfortable and at ease in the environmentally-controlled Unit which has a speak-to-speak circuit keeping them in contact with Glover and his team. There is also a medicine airlock which allows patients who require drugs to get these quickly and easily, although Glover admits this is more usually caffeine and pizza!

Glover explains that the oxygen needed for treatments is delivered through hoods which are gas tight but comfortable to wear. Oxygen runs through these at 35 litres per minute, giving each patient their own 'oxygen atmosphere'. The main compartment has accommodation for five seated patients (or fewer in a combination of seated and lying).

The bends, or more correctly decompression illness, is often caused by divers returning to the surface too quickly. On descent, flexible air spaces within the body such as the lungs provide no support or resistance against greater outside pressure and can contract.

A diver usually breathes from a compressed gas supply which allows the lungs to resist the external compression and to remain at normal volumes. Some of the pressurised gas gradually dissolves in the tissues of the body during the dive. On the returning ascent the gas in the lungs expands when the outside pressure decreases and this expansion, if too rapid, can lead to lung rupture and escape of bubbles into the bloodstream.

Also, the excess dissolved gas is released from the tissues as pressure falls and this often results in formation of bubbles, especially in the blood. Wherever they originate, it is these bubbles that cause decompression illness if they are in sufficient numbers. This can happen from holding the breath or ascending too quickly.

When large bubbles of gas interfere with the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the central nervous system, lungs or heart, they can rapidly result in death or severe disability. More often the bubbles cause mechanical damage to the lining of blood vessels resulting in symptoms which are usually less serious but sometimes quite distressing. The bubbles can also cause permanent damage to the bones which has no immediate symptoms and reveals itself some time after the causal decompression incident.

To treat the bends, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) delivers oxygen to the patient at greater than atmospheric pressure. The patient receives up to 14 times the normal amount in a pressurised chamber and the combination of increased oxygen and pressure allows the blood to carry greater amounts of oxygen to the area of the body that needs healing.

"In the majority of diving cases 100 per cent oxygen is delivered at a pressure of 2.8 bar," says Dr Glover. "Deeper dives and more serious cases might need other gases to be added to make a therapeutic mixture which provides more pressure while avoiding oxygen poisoning."

Last year they treated 18 divers but their workload can vary from 10 in one year to over 50 in another. The number of treatments per patient also varies with most people requiring one or two visits to the chamber, although other facilities have recorded instances where many more visits were required. Treatments at Gosport are recorded on digital TV and video which means the Unit can audit themselves following an adverse event.

Another part of their role is to train Royal Navy Service Medical Officers. This adds to the officer's theoretical training, equipping them to deal, on-scene or remotely, with diving emergencies which may happen on an overseas deployment or on the back of a mine hunter:

"Divers often act as the hands and eyes of the doctor and will pass information to the medical officer," says Dr Glover. "Sometimes there will be a doctor or other medical branch serviceman who can assess the condition at the incident but they will still need to be talked through the treatment.

The combination of increased oxygen and pressure allows the blood to carry greater amounts of oxygen to the area of the body that needs healing.

"In both cases the Diving Medical Officer must have a thorough understanding and experience of the practical aspects of hyperbaric treatments."

The Unit's main purpose is to mitigate the effects following military diving incidents or accidents in the Portsmouth area where most diving and submarine training takes place.

The RN Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Division (which is responsible for medical aspects of diving across the services) are also based in Gosport and use the Unit for training.

As military accidents are infrequent, the opportunity for RN diving specialists to treat civilian casualties and patients with less urgent conditions is a valuable training resource. Glover believes that this is an important part of their role:

"They are able to work on people who are not urgently unwell and it allows them to familiarise themselves with the equipment and how to look after people in the chamber," he says.

RN Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Division

The Royal Navy is the lead Service for all military diving. The main aim of the Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Division is to improve the operational capability of RN diving by promoting health and safety and maximising their effectiveness. It acts as the final authority in the assessment of medical fitness for all types of Service diving and on the development of safe diving policy for the Military Diving Safety Management System.

The Division provides on-site consultant support to manage casualties and Medical Officers and also provides on-site support to high risk activities such as diving trials and submarine escape and rescue exercises.

For other military diving incidents elsewhere in the world, the Division operates a round-the-clock Diving Incident Telephone Advice Line.

QinetiQ own and run the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit and provide a Medical Director, technical staff, a state-registered paramedic and three hyperbaric nurses. The Institute of Naval Medicine provides the medical officers with hyperbaric expertise. The host hospital trust (Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust) provides support services including the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and other medical specialities required to look after the patients during and between treatments.

This article first featured in the Spring 2009 issue of Defence Codex - The Journal for Defence Engineering and Science.

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MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ U.K.

The Rise and Rise of the Navy's Olympic Champion


Lieutenant Peter Reed proudly displays his 2008 Beijing Olympic Gold medalAs a Royal Navy Lieutenant and an Olympic Gold Medallist, life has been rather interesting for Pete Reed since he and his three team mates rowed to victory in Beijing in August 2008. Report by Leigh Morrison.

Lt Reed, and team mates Tom James, Andy Triggs-Hodge and Steve Williams beat Australia in the Men's Four Rowing Final in the Olympic 2008 Games to win by just over a second in a nail biting race to the finish.

After his college career advisor suggested the Navy, Lt Reed joined up in 1999 at the aged of 18 and it was through this experience that he found his feet and his desire to row for his country.

Lt Reed was in full time training for three years and the Navy supported his talent by providing education and training, which culminated in him honing his skills through the military, all the way to becoming an Olympic champion.

As if winning a gold medal as part of Team GB wasn't enough, Lt Reed has recently been honoured with an MBE as well as being voted as Sportsman of the Year at the Combined Services Sports Award ceremony which was held at the RAF Club in London in March 2009.

Lt Reed explains that the past few months have been a rollercoaster ride:

"Since last September, my life has completely changed. From a normal rowing lifestyle consisting of three sessions a day, seven days a week, no parties, no rest, no time to go out, suddenly changed to this time after the Olympics. During the build up to the final you can't imagine any time afterwards, it's like time stops on the 16 August at 5.30.

"You win and your life suddenly becomes exciting. It's hugely exciting seeing what's on the other side of the wall and we went to so many parties and dinners and opportunities and people to meet and it was from military things to celebrity parties. It was just brilliant.

"The Prime Minister has been extremely supportive and is complimentary about Team GB's efforts, so that was just extraordinary. It's very nice to meet all these people after all the blood, sweat and tears that goes into rowing."

Since winning the gold medal in Beijing, Lt Reed explained that there have been a few perks to becoming a well known military sportsman:

"Meeting the Queen was wonderful," he said. "I didn't think growing up that I'd ever get to meet the Queen. We all went to Buckingham Palace as Team GB and we also got to go to the GQ Awards and we were introduced personally to A-Listers such as Sir Elton John, Lily Allen, Ewan McGregor and I don't want to name drop but Elle MacPherson winked at me!"

But, although some showbiz attention has been welcomed by Lt Reed, along with his gold medal achievement, he is also extremely proud of being given an MBE in the recent New Year's Honours:

"It's extremely special and we haven't had a date to go to the palace yet but I'm sure that it's in the post," Lt Reed said. "If the Queen is reading this, then please send us a date because I don't want to not go. My mum would be distraught!

"It's very surreal and I'm very proud. I'm just a normal guy who grew up in the West Country and all of a sudden life changed after the Olympics and people treat me differently and there's so much respect from sportsmen and anyone who's been at the Olympics or Olympic champions and because we're in a team sport, I've done it with three other guys and it seemed like a team effort so its very humbling to be in this position."

As well as being honoured with an MBE, Lt Reed was recently awarded with the Combined Services Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year; the second time he has received this accolade:

"Because I won in 2005 after the World Championships, I've been given two daggers [prizes] to take home with me today," explains Lt Reed. "I didn't even realise that you could win it a second time.

"I looked down the list before and there weren't any repeats in the nominations so I sat down and relaxed and waited for someone else's name to be called out, but mine was called out! I was surprised and proud and now I have a matching set of daggers. I really thought that this award was a one off job.

"It's not going to last forever. Sportsmen have a shelf life so it won't last. If I can win it a second time then hopefully I can win it a third time and if all goes well and we get another gold medal in London, then I hope that's enough. It looks like there's going to be a lot of sportsmen going to London from the services and that's something that the services should be very proud of."

So, with all this success, what is next for the Royal Navy's Olympic Gold medallist? Lt Reed explained that the London Games in 2012 are definitely on the cards:

"I have here some revised terms and conditions which I've been told involve me training for another four years and essentially being left alone from an active compliment role onboard a ship.

"It's so important that that goes through because there's no way that I would be able to be part of a team sport where the three other guys, or one other guy, or seven other guys in the boat don't have that same work commitment.

"It's a professional sport now so in terms of training time, there's no time to go and do an honest day's work so thanks very much to the Navy. Fingers crossed!

"The team is very different from last year, so a lot of guys have retired. My four are all doing something different at the moment. Tom is taking a year out, Steve is taking at least a year out, maybe retiring and Andy is having a go at sculling at the moment which is basically the same as rowing but you use two oars instead of one - it's a different discipline.

"So I think that if I'm going to row in a pair it's going to be with Andy Hodge and we'll get together soon. If it's a four then it's going to be with probably Andy Hodge and two guys who are new to the four. There's scope there to be very, very fast in either and I will leave that decision to Yurgen (the coach) but secretly I hope it's a pair as I think we can be really quick.
"Trials are in mid-April so we'll find out pretty soon after that who makes the team."

Peter Reed - Olympics


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MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ U.K.

Winning the Information Battle in Helmand


Members of the UKLF CSG Brigade Reconnaissance Force patrol in Jackal vehicles in southern Helmand provinceA unique unit of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines who have spent the last six months in Helmand with the role of winning the information battle have begun returning home.

The United Kingdom Landing Force Command Support Group (UKLF CSG) deployed to Afghanistan on Operation HERRICK 9 in September and October 2008. As they deployed their Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Andrew J McInerney took under command, elements from across the other Armed Forces, Afghan forces and indeed other nations and the unit became the Information Exploitation (IX) Group. Lt Col McInerney RM explained their role:

"We gather information from any source we can, and analyse it to get an accurate and balanced understanding. We then use this intelligence to target the enemy, to enable planning and decision making, to conduct Information Operations, all the time working closely with our civilian partners from the Government of Afghanistan. As well as targeting the enemy we also work to deceive them, and defeat their efforts against us."

Members of the Unit were involved in every operation and worked in every major location across Helmand. Many spent more than half the six months out of their base, on patrol.

Within the unit there are specialists in reconnaissance, electronic warfare, intelligence, manned and unmanned aerial surveillance, information and psychological operations, communications, vehicle mechanics, clerical work, catering and a great array of other supporting roles.

The IX Group encompasses all the elements required to deliver the five effects of Find, Understand, Influence, Exploit and Enable. In very rough terms this translates as locate the enemy, understand what he is about within the complex tribal / feudal culture and enable the Task Force to take action against him, while seeking to influence the opinions and subsequent actions of the local populace. It comprises the following:

Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF) and Afghan Territorial Force (ATF)

The BRF is an integral asset of UKLF CSG, and the ATF is a collaboration between UK and Afghan personnel that seeks to maximise the impact of the newly formed indigenous security forces. Working alongside ATF provided the troops with local insight. Working with some 14 different organisations, there have been elements deployed on the ground for over 100 days during the last six months and the energy and flexibility of the reconnaissance troops was shown in the nine different major operations that BRF have been involved in over the tour.

Just prior to Christmas, and again recently, they were involved in independent initiatives in the areas of Nad-e-Ali and Marjah which have done much to facilitate the increasing security within Lashkar Gah, Helmand's provincial capital. These areas are used as safe havens for the Taliban leadership and provide substantial levels of income to the enemy through poppy cultivation. In addition, BRF has protected logistic patrols and successful counter-narcotic operations have also seen them capture over 10 tonnes of poppy seed, 5 tonnes of hashish and 80kg of wet opium.

Y Squadron

Also deployed on the ground, in the shape of Y Squadron, were the unit's frontline in Electronic Warfare, operating a variety of latest generation technology sensors and to exploit the Taliban's communication systems.

Unmanned Drones

These aircraft have maintained a near constant patrol across all corners of the Province and have provided thousands of hours of surveillance.

Intelligence

The Unit's Intelligence section takes the lead on developing the masses of accumulated information and formulating a finished product that can be pushed forward to the Command and lay foundations for the planning and execution of its operations.

Influence and Information Operations

These teams use information to influence a series of target audiences – much like a civilian marketing organisation they aim to change people's perceptions and therefore behaviour. Within Afghanistan there is little in the way of structured media so ISAF forces have established radio stations and distributed wind up and solar powered radios. These radio stations are hugely popular with the Afghans, providing music, news and education to a largely illiterate population. Leaflet drops have also sought to bring the message of security and development to the populace.

Lt Col McInerney continued:

"Our return to Helmand saw some very different challenges to those we faced on HERRICK 5, and I am proud to say that the Unit again delivered an outstanding performance. As part of an enduring UK contribution to ISAF, returning to the conflict torn south of Afghanistan, 3 Commando Brigade had some significant success during our (relatively) short tenure. However this success carried a high price, and our homecoming celebrations are mixed with remembrance and consideration of those killed and injured.

"What should be clear to anyone is that there are no quick fixes to the problems that the International Forces and President Karzai's Government face. Our work here has had a terrible cost – from the men under my command there have been five killed and nine seriously injured - but a stable Afghanistan is in the direct interest of the UK and the work that this and future units are undertaking is fundamental to the long term achievement of that aim.

"We are all looking forward to returning to our loved ones whose amazing support has sustained us through our recent absence. The support from families, and from the wider UK population has been incredible, we really could not have done it without them.

"So many people have sent letters and gifts to the troops; anything from a letter to a small parcel with shower gel and a packet of sweets is great for morale. Along with our superb team back in Plymouth, which has kept the home base running and dealt with the returning casualties, I have been delighted to see that the families have also supported each other through the testing times of our deployment.

"Op HERRICK 9 has been an intense and demanding experience, and a challenge to which everyone concerned has risen admirably. I hope that all enjoy their thoroughly well deserved post operational tour leave."

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MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ U.K.

HMS Clyde Patrols South Georgia


Clyde in Drygalski FjordHMS Clyde has returned to the Falklands after completing her third patrol of South Georgia. The ship spent 5 days patrolling the island and renewing links with the government officials and British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientists who live there.

Enjoying some unseasonably good weather, the ship encountered little ice on the passage to the island. However the first sighting of an iceberg caused quite a deal of excitement, with many of the Ship’s Company eager to get a glimpse of the huge blocks of ice larger than the ship, which many had never seen before. With Ice Lookouts closed up the ship negotiated “Bergy Bits” and “Growlers” to arrive safely at Grytviken.

HMS Clyde berthed for two days at King Edward Point. Key to any visit to South Georgia is a briefing from the Government Officer, Miss Emma Jones, on bio-security and safety amongst the wildlife and abandoned whaling stations. This turned out to be good advice the wildlife was practically on the doorstep. From King Penguins on the jetty to Fur Seals lying on the track to Grytviken it turned out to be a nature lovers paradise.

The Ship’s Company made the trek round to Grytviken and its whaling station, visiting the excellent museum in the course of the day, but not before the obligatory trip to the post office for post cards, stamps, and the all important passport stamp.

Early the next morning the Ship’s Company braved the elements to join the sub zero club. With ice floating in the harbour these hardy souls plunged in for a refreshing, if brief, swim in South Georgian waters. Most made the best of, what was described as the finest weather of the year to then explore further around the King Edward Point site, returning in the evening to challenge the British Antarctic Survey scientist to a game of football. And challenge it was as the pitch, used for the last century by Norwegian Whalers was half bog half native thistle. After a resounding defeat by the “locals” both teams retired to the ship for well deserved social gathering.

For many of the Ship’s Company it was a first visit to this unique island, and for others it was a return after many years. Now embarked as BVT’s representative, Mr George Jameson, an ex RN engineer remembered the whaling station in the years directly after the Falklands conflict, and before the years of health and safety when “you could just walk in as if the whalers had left yesterday. Tools still in the racks, and stores in the cupboards”. Much work has gone in now to remove asbestos and make the site safe for visitors which bring much needed revenue to protect the habitat.

HMS Clyde then proceeded to land a shore party at Fortuna Bay to trek over Stromness Pass, thus re-enacting Shackleton’s last footsteps of his epic voyage into Stromness where the ship stood ready to retrieve the shore party once more, and proceed on to Gold Harbour.

Here an even more remarkable sight greeted the shore party. Tens of thousands of King Penguins hundreds of Fur and Elephant Seals clustered on the beach in a heady mix of aroma and noise to assail the senses. All to the dramatic backdrop of the over-hanging Vertrab Glacier. (see Ship’s Company photo).

More dramatic scenery ensued as the ship threaded a careful passage up the Drygalski Fjord. Plunging rock faces dripping with glaciers surrounded the ship as huge icebergs cluttered the water. Drifting fog and cloud lent the entire scene an ethereal air and added to the sense of awe.

Picking its way through the ice along the south coast of South Georgia HMS Clyde made a brief visit to King Haakon bay, conducting a recce by seaboat of Rosita Cove, the site of Shackleton’s landing in 1916, before finally calling at Bird Island. One of the few rat free islands, few members of the public are ever allowed to visit this pristine wilderness, however with strict bio-security measures in place the ships was welcomed by the BAS base commander Richard Hall. The main purpose of the visit was to deliver some gratefully received fresh fruit and vegetables to the team of scientists there, studying Albatross and Fur Seal populations there. This allowed members of the Ship’s Company to get up close and personal to the gigantic Wandering Albatross’s nesting on the island, and gave the isolated community of BAS staff some welcome outside contact.

HMS Clyde left South Georgia to return to the Falkland Islands and a period of Directed Continuation Training. However the island had left an indelible mark in the memories of all on board who all agreed it had been a far more spectacular visit than anyone had expected.

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MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ U.K.

Lord Mayor Of Portsmouth Visits Defence Diving School


The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Richard Jensen recently paid his first official visit to the Defence Diving School (DDS), to be briefed on the training carried out at the DDS.

During his visit The Lord Mayor had the opportunity to meet with students about their diver training and speak to VT Flagship maintainers about the different kinds of equipment used in diving.

The Lord Mayor added; “What a fantastic location to carry out training”.
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MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ U.K.

Bulwark's Royal Marines at It Again


Those Royal Marines from HMS Bulwark have been at it again – raising money for their injured colleagues and the charity ‘Help for Heroes’. Not content to rest on their laurels after last year’s efforts of raising in excess of £10,000 by cycling from the Ship’s homeport of Plymouth to its affiliated County of Durham, the amphibians have decided to stage a pentathlon as the 20,000 tonne Fleet Amphibious Flagship makes its way to the Far East ….and back.

On Saturday 4th April, 29 members of 4 Assault Squadron Royal Marines, who are the permanently embarked landing force onboard Bulwark, completed rowing the length of the Suez on concept rowing machines. They completed a total distance of 160km in a time of 10 hrs 4 min 2s – impressive in its own right but more so given the fact it was conducted in temperatures of over 25 degrees

With a team having already circumnavigated Malta on bikes, this was the second event of the 5, the others being cycling the length of the Suez Canal (on the way back to UK), cycle sprint up the rock of Gibraltar and finally - the endurance event – of lifting the equivalent weight of HMS Bulwark in the gym.

With such commitment it is no wonder that HMS Bulwark has recently been bestowed the privilege of being the first armed forces unit to be accorded ‘Service Friend’ status by Help for Heroes. Bulwark, known as ‘Help for Heroes favorite ship’ is currently deployed East of Suez as part of the TAURUS 09 deployment.

Lieutenant Colonel Mike Bestwick is impressed with his Royal Marine’s dedication to assisting wounded servicemen:

“We hope that the Taurus Pentathlon will help to maintain the high profile which H4H enjoys and in so doing raise even more cash towards their many projects.

Corporal Matthew Lane, the driving force behind the Pentathlon added,

‘With many of our friends and colleagues being injured whilst on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan anything we can do to help them get their lives back on track we will do. Rowing the length of the Suez or cycling around Malta is nothing compared to the sacrifice they have made in the service of their country, they are all heroes to us.”

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MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ U.K.

Shrivenham - Whoosh Bang…….A Grand Day Out


Following a highly successful visit in 2008 to the Explosives Range and Demonstration Area at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham, a team of RN & VT Flagship instructors, personnel from Fleet Explosives, support staff and students from the Maritime Warfare School at HMS Collingwood returned for a day of lectures, demonstrations and practical range work.

Staff from the Technical Division at the Defence College provided a series of lectures on the development of weapons used to defeat armour and the countermeasures employed against them. Primarily focusing on Kinetic Energy Projectiles, Shaped Charges and Explosively Formed Projectiles, the team were taken on a tour of the Ammunition Hall. The team were then given the opportunity to put into practice their new found knowledge when they split up into groups, all set on constructing armour defeating weapons in true ‘Blue Peter’ tradition and using ‘Harry Black Maskers’ to hold it all together!

In all the teams constructed; High Explosive Squash Head (HESH) and High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) devices, a Shaped Charge using house hold materials and an Explosively Formed Projectile (EFP) which were then initiated against 1 inch steel plates.

Not content with making loud bangs, the team were given a comprehensive brief on the development of personal weapons through the ages from muskets to the latest designs, prior to having the opportunity to fire both an SA80, with all the trimmings and compare it to an AK47 with no trimmings, again the staff were suitably impressed that the weapons were not only pointing in the right direction, but also made a mess of the targets.

In all the team were provided with an excellent insight into warhead design, the use of different weapons, their utility on the battlefield and techniques used to counter the threats posed by them. It also provided the visiting team with visibility of EOD operations and the types of threats posed by Armour Defeating IEDs, whilst enhancing the awareness of the team into the uses, safety and dangers associated with explosives and capabilities and design limitations of personal weapons.

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MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ U.K.

Missiles Away

HMS Kent has just successfully completed a routine test of her Sea Wolf point defence missile system. The test involves firing live missiles at a target being towed by another aircraft. Safety is always paramount when weapon systems are exercised, so lots of effort goes into making sure that no other shipping or aircraft are inside the practice area and the towed target is a very long way behind the aircraft.

The Ship fired 2 missiles, each in the air for just seconds before intercepting and destroying the targets. The test firing demonstrates that Kent’s Sea Wolf capability is up to standard and that she is capable of defending herself when deployed around the World. It also provides a chance for the operators onboard to practice their drills, for some, it will be the first time they have been part of a live missile firing.

The Weapon Engineer Officer onboard, Lt Cdr Peter Pipkin was delighted with the results, "It is always amazing to see such a complex system in operation, but that ‘s only possible because of the people behind it. When you see the efforts of the maintainers required to keep these systems at optimum performance levels and the repeated practices of the operators to make sure the drill is correct, you begin to understand how Warships work. However, the real value for me as the senior weapon engineer onboard is to be able to demonstrate to the Commanding Officer that his systems work correctly and nothing does that better than actually firing them."

HMS Kent is currently conducting a period of Operational Sea Training in preparation for a deployment. Just as the Sea Wolf firing demonstrates that the weapon system works correctly, OST will test the people and all equipment to ensure that we can tackle anything that Kent might be called upon to do as an operational Warship.

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MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ AUSTRALIA

Navy Action Plan Unveiled to Strengthen Submarine Fleet

8 April 2009

The Chief of Navy VADM Russ Crane AM CSM, RAN, has released a plan to dramatically improve Australia’s submarine fleet, after concerns a lack of numbers is placing an unacceptable strain on personnel.

“Our submariners remain a professional and ready force. By improving their working conditions I will ensure our Submarine Force remains sustainable now and into the future,” Vice Admiral Crane said.

Navy’s Submarine Workforce Sustainability Program will follow a five phase strategy designed to stabilise, recover and grow the submarine workforce over the next five years. The program focuses on getting more qualified submariners to sea and on improving support for them once deployed. The strain on seagoing submariners will be eased by increasing crew sizes from 46 to 58 people. A fourth submarine crew will be operating by the end of 2011.

The Submarine Workforce Sustainability Review was completed late last year. It made twenty nine recommendations aiming to improve submariners’ work/life balance. Vice Admiral Crane is implementing them all. Three recommendations are already being implemented, including new crewing arrangements, local area networks on submarines and relocation of the Submarine Communication Centre from eastern Australia to Fleet Base West in Western Australia by the end of 2009.

“The changes will improve submariners’ conditions of service with better training systems, better respite at sea and ashore, and better incentives to remain in the submarine force.

“This program will safeguard the future capability of Australia’s submarine fleet,” Vice Admiral Crane said. “Our people must come first. This will be a key part of my New Generation Navy initiative, which I am about to roll out across Navy.”

An unclassified version of the Submarine Workforce Sustainability Review will be available from the 8 April 2009.


Online Now: http://www.defence.gov.au


MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ AUSTRALIA

Navy Band 'Band Call' Concert
Dates
Wednesday 15 April - featuring the Wind Orchestra
Wednesday 29 April - featuring the Commodores
Time
12.30pm - 1.30pm
Where
St Andrew's Cathedral, corner of Bathurst and George Streets, next to Town Hall.

The Royal Australian Navy Band Wind Ensemble will perform at St Andrew's Cathedral as part of the Church's weekly concert series.


Online Now: http://www.navy.gov.au/Navy_Band


MARITIME TOP STORIES

Coral Sea Memorial Service 2009
Date
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Time
TBC
Where
Blamey Square, Canberra
Contact
Mrs Belinda Pasfield on (02) 6265 2090 or belinda.pasfield@defence.gov.au

Coral Sea Memorial Service to be conducted in conjunction with the Australian American Association.


Online Now: http://www.navy.gov.au/


MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ U.K.

TAURUS Ships Transit Suez Canal


Wave Ruler Enters SuezThe ships of TAURUS 09 have transited the Suez Canal, marking the start of Phase Two of the deployment.

After a brief stop off at Port Said, the entrance to the canal where they waited patiently to be brought forward through this busy shipping lane, HMS Bulwark, HMS Ocean. HMS Somerset, HMS Talent, RFA Wave Ruler, RFA Lyme Bay and USS Mitscher began their voyage through the 192 km long waterway which opened in 1869.

The canal has no locks due to the flat terrain, and the minor sea level difference between each end is inconsequential.

There is one shipping lane with several passing areas. On a typical day, three convoys transit the canal, two southbound and one northbound. The first southbound convoy enters the canal in the early morning hours and proceeds to the Great Bitter Lake, where the ships anchor out of the fairway, awaiting passage of the northbound convoy. The northbound convoy passes the second southbound convoy, which moors in a bypass near El Qantara. The passage takes between 11 and 16 hours at a speed of around 8 knots (15 km/h). The low speed helps prevent erosion of the canal banks by ships' waves.

By 1955 approximately two-thirds of Europe's oil passed through the canal. About 7.5% of world sea trade is carried via the canal today.

While many travelled through the Canal for the first time, others, more than a hundred sailors in fact from HMS Bulwark and HMS Somerset took the opportunity to hop off at Port Said to travel to Cairo in Egypt for a whistle-stop visit of the Pyramids and Sphinx, picking up their ships again as they passed through the canal, out in to the Red Sea.

Online Now: http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/


MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ U.K.

Turkish Delight - HMS Talent


Turkish Delight - Andy and Trago with the crew of TCG BurkerisThe rain clouds could be seen clearly over the coast as we approached. The chilling wind blew and you could have been forgiven in believing the mountainous coastline shrouded in cloud was that of the west coast of Scotland. But no; this was Turkey on a March day in the Eastern Mediterranean.

HMS Talent was surfaced and closing a pre-determined position to conduct a boat transfer. At least two members of the Ship’s Company were nervous as they were to spend the next 12 days on a Turkish diesel electric submarine (SSK), TCG Burakreis. Their places were, in turn, to be taken by Turkish submariners. This x-pol was all the more exciting as it is believed to be the first of its kind between the Turkish and Royal Naval Submarine Services.

When Lieutenant Kubilay Koyuncu and Chief Ozan Orhan stepped on board they seemed in bewilderment at the size of HMS Talent. Their own submarine, at some 1000 tonnes is 4 times smaller and has almost 1/3 of the crew. Nevertheless, despite the language barrier Talent’s guests settled in quickly and were able to understand the routines and procedures common to all submarines. Kubi and Ozzy spent the next 11 days fully participating in the activities onboard, proving beyond all doubt that submariners the world over possess a common bond formed through adversity and challenge. Both men left Talent having enjoyed the experience and been impressed by the speed, flexibility and range of onboard sensors.

Conversely, when Lt Andy Beck and Leading Seaman ‘Trago’ Mills went onboard TCG Burakreis their experience was somewhat different. Expecting a compact vessel, they were not disappointed. She also, to Trago’s Mills surprise, has no junior ratings, the ships company being made up entirely of Officers and Artificer style Petty Officers. She is however an impressive bit of equipment; Burakries is a 2 year old German designed 209 Class armed with Anti-ship missiles, wire guided torpedoes and a very modern sonar.

During Ex EGEMEN, the major multi national amphibious exercise involving the Turkish Navy and TAURUS 09 Task Group, the Burakreis crew were keen to show the RN sailors what she could do. They handled their boat with the professionalism and skill and made Andy Beck and Trago Mills feel like one of the crew.

Andy and Trago thoroughly enjoyed there 10 days on TCG Burakries. The enjoyment of the constant supply of coffee and sweet cakes (in the control room no less!) made many wonder whether they would ever return to Talent. Especially as they also managed to fit in two runs ashore in their 12 days onboard. However they were on the jetty to welcome HMS Talent into Aksaz and to quote Leading Seaman Trago Mills; “Yeah it was a good experience with the sweet cakes and all that, but they don’t have steak night on a Saturday do they….”

Online Now: http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/


MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ U.K.

HMS St Albans Flying the Flag in Haifa, Israel


A view of Haifa as seen from the top of Mount CarmelWe’ve been alongside in Haifa for the last four days flying the “NATO” flag. The blue and gold NATO flag is a permanent feature on the starboard outer yardarm at the moment along with our NATO Funnel badges and whilst we are in port in Haifa it signifies that we are not just a visiting Royal Navy Warship but also attached to a NATO Task Group.

The whole ship has been working hard addressing the normal list of things to do once the ship gets alongside after a period at sea. Amongst this list there are defects to rectify, stores and provisions to embark, mail to process, personnel joining and leaving and an upper deck fresh water washdown to complete. The Marine Engineers (MEs) have been working especially hard with long hours in cramped conditions to rectify a defect with a pump. With specialist contractors flown out, some of them have had to sacrifice most of their run ashore in order to assist with the installation and we will be testing it at sea, hoping that all their hard work has paid off.

Those of us that stayed onboard have been busy either hosting or being hosted by the Israeli Navy. Mutual visits have been taking place with some members of our team touring an Israeli Corvette and a number of Israeli Defence Force (IDF) sailors being taken on a guided tour around our own ship.

Not only has this port of call been an opportunity to “fly the flag” for NATO, it has also given us the chance to visit a very interesting and historically important part of the world and to learn more about its history. Many of us over the last four days made the trip out to Jerusalem and to the Dead Sea- all were rewarded with some breath-taking sights and a fascinating tour.

The visit has also been a good one for our sportsmen. St Albans Rugby Team ran out very close winners in a fiercely fought match against Technion RFC, a strong local side. As usual the golfers enjoyed a round on the local course, but more unusually St Albans’ Hash Runners made their first outing of the season. This event involved running around a course through the streets of downtown Haifa. Each crossroad or junction in the road is marked with arrows laid down with flower suggesting a number of possible routes to follow- one being the correct way and the others leading to dead ends. Those that follow the correct path will signal to the other runners with the call “On, On”. Forty sailors from our ship and the USS Laboon ran the route and were cheered on by many of the locals. Some enthusiastic Israeli Hash Runners from a club in Tel Aviv joined our sailors for the event. After all the sporting events the sailors enjoyed a social drink with our Israeli hosts.

We are back to sea today and conducting a series of Exercises with the Israeli Navy. These are known as PASSEXes. On completion of the PASSEX we will be transiting north conducting a Maritime Security Sweep as a continuation of Operation Active Endeavour, re-enforcing NATO’s presence in this part of the Mediterranean.

Online Now: http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/


MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ U.K.

HMS Manchester Visits the Snow and Ice of South Georgia and Provides Support to Royalty


HMS Manchester in South GeorgiaHMS Manchester, in company with RFA Black Rover, has recently visited the Antarctic Island of South Georgia. The patrol of this remote island included a visit to the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) station at King Edward Point (KEP) close to the disused whaling station at Grytviken. During their time anchored at KEP, Manchester and Black Rover were able to land over 200 of their Ships’ Companies to take in the astoundingly beauty of this Antarctic paradise, as well as witness the abundant wildlife including, Fur Seals, Elephant Seals and King Penguins.

The remote island of South Georgia is home to a handful of researchers and government personnel. Many of the crew visited the museum at the whaling station which includes memorabilia from the numerous explorers that passed through the island. The most famous being Sir Ernest Shackleton whose final resting place is in a small graveyard overlooking Grytviken, while a cross at KEP marks the spot where he died on his final Antarctic expedition.

Manchester’s time in South Georgia coincided with a visit by HRH the Princess Royal, who was on the Island to open a hydroelectric plant used to provide renewable energy to the BAS Station.

All onboard Manchester and Black Rover found the natural beauty of the landscape, the variety and quantity of wildlife, and memories of Shackleton’s feat of extreme endurance an inspiration.

Manchester and Black Rover are now safely clear of the ice fields surrounding the Island and are now heading for warmer climes whilst keeping a watchful eye on the South Atlantic.

Online Now: http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/


MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ BUSINESS WIRE REPORTS WORLDWIDE

April 09, 2009 05:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time

KCS Announces First Quarter 2009 Earnings Release and Conference Call


KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kansas City Southern (KCS) (NYSE:KSU) will release its financial results for first quarter 2009 on Thursday April 30, 2009, before the opening of trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

KCS will also hold its first quarter 2009 earnings conference call on Thursday April 30, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time. Shareholders and other interested parties are invited to participate via telephone or live webcast. To join the teleconference, please call (877) 407-9205 (U.S. and Canada), or (201) 689-8054 (International). To participate in the live webcast and to view accompanying presentation materials, please log into the KCS website at www.kcsouthern.com immediately prior to the presentation.

A replay of the presentation will be available by calling (877) 660-6853 (U.S. and Canada) or (201) 612-7415 (International) and entering account 286 and conference ID 319733. The replay will be available through May 15, 2009. The webcast will also remain available at
www.kcsouthern.com for two weeks after the earnings release.

Headquartered in Kansas City, MO, Kansas City Southern is a transportation holding company that has railroad investments in the U.S., Mexico and Panama. Its primary U.S. holding is The Kansas City Southern Railway Company, serving the central and south central U.S. Its international holdings include Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., serving northeastern and central Mexico and the port cities of Lázaro Cárdenas, Tampico and Veracruz, and a 50 percent interest in Panama Canal Railway Company, providing ocean-to-ocean freight and passenger service along the Panama Canal. Kansas City Southern's North American rail holdings and strategic alliances are primary components of a NAFTA Railway system, linking the commercial and industrial centers of the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

Online Now: www.kcsouthern.com


MARITIME TOP STORIES

April 09, 2009 04:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time 

GATX Corporation Sets Date for 2009 First Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GATX Corporation (NYSE:GMT) today announced that it will report results for the 2009 first quarter on Thursday, April 23, 2009. Investor teleconference information is as follows:

Live Teleconference

          Date:           Thursday, April 23, 2009
          Time:           11:00 AM (Eastern)
          Domestic Dial-In:           1-877-852-6575
          International Dial-In:           1-719-325-4758
          Live Webcast:           www.gatx.com

Please dial in approximately 15 minutes prior to the start time and reference the GATX conference call.

Replay Information

          Time:           Starting at 2:00 PM (Eastern), Thursday, April 23, 2009
          Domestic Dial-In:           1-888-203-1112
          International Dial-In:           1-719-457-0820
          Access Code:           1951249
          Web Access:           The replay will also be available at www.gatx.com

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

GATX Corporation (NYSE:GMT) provides leasing and related services to customers operating rail, marine and other targeted assets. GATX is a leader in leasing transportation assets and controls one of the largest railcar fleets in the world. Applying over a century of operating experience and strong market and asset expertise, GATX provides quality assets and services to customers worldwide. GATX has been headquartered in Chicago, Illinois since its founding in 1898 and has traded on the New York Stock Exchange since 1916. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.gatx.com.

Investor, corporate, financial, historical financial, photographic and news release information may be found at www.gatx.com.


Online Now: www.gatx.com


MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ BUSINESS WIRE REPORTS WORLDWIDE

April 09, 2009 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

NOAA Takes Principal Membership in the OGC®


WAYLAND, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc. (OGC) at:

http://www.opengeospatial.org

...has announced that the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at:

www.noaa.gov/

...has become a Principal Member of the OGC.

Principal Members evaluate and provide guidance on market direction and Consortium focus, and have authority over the development, release and adoption of OpenGIS® Specifications through their voting rights in the OGC Planning Committee (PC). Principal Members also have approval authority for OGC policies and procedures.

Mark Reichardt, President, OGC, said “NOAA’s move to Principal Membership in the OGC reflects the significant value the Agency places on the OGC international standards and programs as a means of improving information sharing and reducing costs. By becoming a Principal Member, NOAA increases its leadership role among the OGC’s government, industry, academic and research members, who are working worldwide to tackle interoperability challenges related to monitoring, forecasting and predicting of weather, climate, and ocean processes.”

Ken McDonald, Data Management Architect of NOAA’s Satellite and Information Service, Technical, Planning & Integration (TPI) Program Office, said, “the motivation to raise our level of membership was really driven by the widespread and growing interest in OGC specifications and activities found in numerous NOAA programs and projects from across the agency. As a Principal Member, we look forward to becoming more engaged with OGC’s many relevant and important initiatives.”

About NOAA

From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA’s products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product. NOAA’s dedicated scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need when they need it.

NOAA's roots date back to 1807, when the Nation’s first scientific agency, the Survey of the Coast, was established. Since then, NOAA has evolved to meet the needs of a changing country. NOAA maintains a presence in every state and has emerged as an international leader on scientific and environmental matters.

About The OGC

The OGC(R) is an international consortium of more than 370 companies, government agencies, research organizations, and universities participating in a consensus process to develop publicly available geospatial standards. OpenGIS® Standards support interoperable solutions that "geo-enable" the Web, wireless and location-based services, and mainstream IT. OGC Standards empower technology developers to make geospatial information and services accessible and useful with any application that needs to be geospatially enabled. Visit the OGC website at
http://www.opengeospatial.org.

Online Now: http://www.opengeospatial.org

www.noaa.gov/


MARITIME TOP STORIES

April 09, 2009 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

ORBCOMM and General Electric Asset Intelligence, LLC Enter Settlement and Services Agreements

- New Agreement Provides ORBCOMM Opportunity to Expand and Extend Scope of Relationship with General Electric Asset Intelligence, LLC Through 2013 -


FORT LEE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ORBCOMM Inc. (Nasdaq: ORBC), a global satellite data communications company focused on providing Machine to Machine (M2M) solutions, with its subsidiary, Stellar Satellite Communications Ltd., today announced the entering into several agreements with General Electric Asset Intelligence, LLC (GEAI). ORBCOMM will be the sole provider to GEAI of telematics and M2M data communications on all subscriber communicators sold or managed by or on behalf of GEAI, whether satellites, cellular, or dual mode (cellular plus satellite), generally as long as ORBCOMM provides competitive services at competitive rates with appropriate regulatory approvals, subject to the terms of the agreement.

Pursuant to the settlement agreement, GEAI paid a one-time settlement fee associated with the prior hardware agreement between GEAI and Stellar dated October 10, 2006. ORBCOMM and GEAI have concurrently entered into a services agreement, which will expand the scope of services provided by ORBCOMM to GEAI. The new services, in addition to ORBCOMM’s low-earth-orbit satellite-based data communications services, may include network services for M2M applications using other satellite, cellular or dual mode (cellular plus satellite) data communications services thereby focusing on subscriptions rather than hardware sales. The services agreement, whose term coincides with the amended International Value Added Reseller (IVAR) agreement, is for five years through December 31, 2013.

“We are pleased to have this new agreement with General Electric in place,” said Marc Eisenberg, Chief Executive Officer of ORBCOMM. “The new agreement focuses on subscriber additions as opposed to hardware sales, further embedding ORBCOMM into GEAI’s go-to-market strategy. As a result, this allows ORBCOMM to leverage the satellite network and terrestrial reseller agreements we have been establishing. This agreement strengthens ORBCOMM’s relationship with GEAI through December 31, 2013.”

About ORBCOMM Inc.

ORBCOMM is a leading global satellite data communications company, focused on Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications. Its customers include Caterpillar Inc., Doosan Infracore America, General Electric, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Komatsu Ltd., and Volvo Construction Equipment among other industry leaders. By means of a global network of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites and accompanying ground infrastructure, ORBCOMM’s low-cost and reliable two-way data communications products and services track, monitor and control mobile and fixed assets in four core markets: commercial transportation; heavy equipment; industrial fixed assets; and marine/homeland security. The Company's products are installed on trucks, containers, marine vessels, locomotives, backhoes, pipelines, oil wells, utility meters, storage tanks and other assets. ORBCOMM is headquartered in Fort Lee, New Jersey and has a network control center in Dulles, Virginia. For more information, visit
www.orbcomm.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements discussed in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally relate to our plans, objectives and expectations for future events and include statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements, including those concerning the Company’s expectations, are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results, projected, expected or implied by the forward-looking statements, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: the impact of global recession and continued worldwide credit and capital constraints; substantial losses we have incurred and expect to continue to incur; demand for and market acceptance of our products and services and the applications developed by our resellers; loss or decline or slowdown in the growth in business from the Asset Intelligence division of General Electric Company (“GE” or “General Electric” or “AI”), other value-added resellers or VARs and international value-added resellers or IVARs; loss or decline or slowdown in growth in business of any of the specific industry sectors the Company serves, such as transportation, heavy equipment, fixed assets and maritime; litigation proceedings; technological changes, pricing pressures and other competitive factors; the inability of our international resellers to develop markets outside the United States; market acceptance and success of our Automatic Identification System (“AIS”) business; the in-orbit satellite failure of the Coast Guard demonstration or the quick-launch satellites, satellite launch and construction delays and cost overruns and in-orbit satellite failures or reduced performance; the failure of our system or reductions in levels of service due to technological malfunctions or deficiencies or other events; our inability to renew or expand our satellite constellation; political, legal regulatory, government administrative and economic conditions and developments in the United States and other countries and territories in which we operate; and changes in our business strategy; and the other risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Online Now: www.orbcomm.com


MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ BUSINESS WIRE REPORTS WORLDWIDE

April 08, 2009 04:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Webcast of Alexander & Baldwin’s 2009 First Quarter Earnings Call
Live at 3 p.m. EDT, Friday, May 1, 2009

HONOLULU--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. (NYSE:AXB) will host a live webcast of its regular quarterly conference call with financial analysts and professional investors on Friday, May 1 at 3:00 p.m. EDT.

The webcast and call will feature a presentation on operating and financial performance, followed by questions from investors invited to participate in the interactive portion of the discussion. Parties listening via the webcast will be in a “listen-only” mode.

Company participants in the call will be: Allen Doane, chairman and chief executive officer; Stanley M. Kuriyama, president; Christopher J. Benjamin, senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer; Matthew J. Cox, president, Matson Navigation; and Kevin L. Halloran, vice president of corporate development and investor relations.

Access to the call will be via a link called “2009 First Quarter Earnings Call” at that date and time on the home page in addition to the investor relations page of A&B’s corporate website at www.alexanderbaldwin.com. Slides that will provide a background for the comments on the call will be available for download at 8:40 a.m. EDT. Approximately three hours after the call, an archived replay will be available on the A&B site. The replay will remain available through May 8, 2009.

The Company plans to release its earnings after the market closes on Thursday, April 30. Upon confirmation that the earnings have been made public, the earnings release also will be available at the A&B website.

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., headquartered in Honolulu, is engaged in ocean transportation and logistics services through its subsidiaries, Matson Navigation Company, Inc. and Matson Integrated Logistics, Inc. and Matson Global Distribution Services; in real estate, through A&B Properties, Inc.; and in agribusiness, through Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company and Kauai Coffee Company, Inc. Additional information about A&B may be found at its web site:
www.alexanderbaldwin.com.

Online Now: www.alexanderbaldwin.com


MARITIME TOP STORIES

April 08, 2009 09:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Examine the US Rigid Bulk Packaging Market

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue.

US Rigid Bulk Packaging Market

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0109983/US-Rigid-Bulk-Packaging-Market.html

US demand to reach $7 billion in 2013

Demand for rigid bulk packaging is projected to increase 2.1 percent per year to $7.0 billion in 2013. Gains will be bolstered by an expansion of manufacturing activity as well as a shift in the product mix toward larger, higher-value containers that offer enhanced performance and cost effectiveness. In addition, demand will be aided by the ongoing need for containers that comply with various regulatory requirements, particularly those involving the transport and handling of hazardous substances and the management of hazardous waste. Demand will be limited by the increasing number of chemical manufacturers that are shifting basic production and related packaging to developing countries with lower labor costs.

RIBCs, material handling containers to lead gains

Rigid intermediate bulk containers (RIBCs) will register the fastest gains, with demand increasing 4.2 percent annually through 2013 as a result of cost and performance advantages vis-à-vis smaller, single-use or shorter life packaging. Material handling containers will also see above-average growth, driven by increased use of returnable and reusable containers in the production of durable and other goods to boost manufacturing efficiency and achieve cost savings. Gains will also be supported by a continuing shift to reusable bulk containers in food and agricultural applications. Drum demand will advance less than one percent annually through 2013 as a result of the maturity of steel and fibre drums and a moderation in raw material pricing. In addition, competition from both rigid and flexible intermediate bulk containers will restrain drum sales. However, drums will continue to be the leading rigid bulk packaging product type based on their relatively low cost, reusability and amenability to shipping hazardous materials. Demand for pails will expand in line with the rigid bulk packaging average, with plastic types continuing to dominate based on their light weight, low cost, and corrosion and impact resistance.

Durable goods market to outpace nondurables

Nondurable goods markets such as chemicals, food, plastics, rubber, fiber, petroleum, lubricants, and agricultural and horticultural products accounted for more than 80 percent of demand in 2008. Chemicals, by far the leading rigid bulk packaging market, will advance at a below-average pace as a result of the maturity of many chemical product segments, the increased presence of imports and the movement of key customers to developing regions. Among the other nondurable goods markets, the fastest gains are expected in agricultural and horticultural products, petroleum and lubricants, and food. The durable goods market will outpace nondurables due to increasing efforts aimed at improving manufacturing efficiency and lowering costs through the use of returnable, reusable material handling containers. Plastic to remain fastest growing packaging material Plastic is the leading rigid bulk packaging material, with steel and paperboard also significant. Through 2013, virtually all material consumption growth will be concentrated in plastic as a result of good prospects for all plastic rigid bulk packaging product segments, particularly heavier containers like RIBCs and material handling crates. Steel consumption will decline while paperboard use will increase marginally.

Study coverage

This new industry study, Rigid Bulk Packaging presents historical demand data (1998, 2003 and 2008) and forecasts for 2013 and 2018 by material, product and market. The study also considers market environment factors, details industry structure, evaluates company market share and profiles industry competitors.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ix

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1

II. MARKET ENVIRONMENT 4

General 4

Macroeconomic Outlook 5

Demographic Trends 9

Manufacturing Outlook 12

Packaging Trends 15

Competitive Bulk Packaging 19

Historical Market Trends 21

Pricing Trends 23

Environmental Issues 26

Regulatory Considerations 30

Transport & Handling 30

Other Regulations 33

Foreign Trade 34

International Activity 36

III. MATERIALS 39

General 39

Plastic 42

Steel 47

Paperboard & Wood Panels 50

V. PRODUCTS 54

General 54

Drums 58

Fibre Drums 60

Recycling 64

Markets 65

Producers 68

Steel Drums 69

Liners & Coating Technologies 73

Reconditioning & Recycling 74

Markets 76

Producers 79

Plastic Drums 80

Reconditioning & Recycling 83

Markets 84

Producers 88

Pails 90

Plastic Pails 91

Markets 93

Producers 96

Steel Pails 97

Markets 100

Producers 102

Material Handling Containers 103

Plastic Totes & Crates 107

Steel Material Handling Containers 110

Markets 113

Producers 117

Bulk Boxes 119

Markets 122

Producers 125

Rigid Intermediate Bulk Containers 128

Plastic Body RIBCs 131

Plastic RIBC Producers 134

Metal Body RIBCs 135

Metal RIBC Producers 138

Other RIBCs 139

Producers of Other RIBCs 142

Markets 143

V. MARKETS 148

General 148

Nondurable Goods 151

Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals 153

Chemical & Pharmaceutical Industry Outlook 154

Rigid Bulk Packaging Demand by Type 158

Drums 161

Pails 163

RIBCs & Other 164

Rigid Bulk Packaging Demand by Chemical Type 165

Industrial Chemicals 167

Paints & Coatings 170

Detergents & Cleaners 172

Pharmaceuticals 174

Agricultural Chemicals 177

Other 180

Food & Beverages 183

Food & Beverage Industry Outlook 184

Rigid Bulk Packaging Demand 186

Plastic, Rubber & Fiber 192

Plastic, Rubber & Fiber Outlook 193

Rigid Bulk Packaging Demand 195

Petroleum & Lubricants 197

Petroleum & Lubricant Outlook 198

Rigid Bulk Packaging Demand 199

Agricultural & Horticultural Products 202

Agricultural & Horticultural Industry Outlook 203

Rigid Bulk Packaging Demand 205

Durable Goods 209

Durable Goods Outlook 209

Rigid Bulk Packaging Demand 212

Other Markets 215

VI. INDUSTRY STRUCTURE 218

General 218

Industry Composition 219

Market Share 223

Greif 224

MAUSER 225

BWAY 226

International Paper 226

Menasha 227

Letica 227

Other Leaders 228

Acquisitions & Divestitures 228

Competitive Strategies 232

Manufacturing & Development 235

Marketing & Distribution 237

Cooperative Agreements 241

Company Profiles 243

Akro-Mils, see Myers Industries

American Fiber Drum, see MAUSER

Atorka Group hf 244

Ball Corporation 246

Berenfield Containers Incorporated 247

Berry Plastics Corporation 248

Buckhorn, see Myers Industries

BWAY Corporation 249

Chem-Tainer Industries Incorporated 251

Cleveland Steel Container Corporation 253

Containers America, see General Steel Drum and North

Coast Container

General Steel Drum Corporation 254

Georgia-Pacific, see Koch Industries

Greif Incorporated 255

Hedwin Corporation 260

Hoover Materials Handling Group Incorporated 261

IBC North America Incorporated 263

International Paper Company 264

IPL Incorporated 267

Koch Industries Incorporated 269

Letica Corporation 271

LINPAC Group Limited 272

Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging Incorporated 273

MAUSER AG 275

Menasha Corporation 278

Molded Fiber Glass Companies 281

Myers Container LLC 282

Myers Industries Incorporated 284

NAMPAC, see BWAY

Nashville Wire Products Manufacturing Company 288

Norseman Plastics Holdings, see Menasha

North American Container Corporation 289

North Coast Container Corporation 290

ORBIS, see Menasha

Packaging Corporation of America 291

Plastican Incorporated 293

Promens North America, see Atorka Group

Protexic Brands, see Tegrant

Ropak Packaging, see LINPAC Group

Schoeller Arca Systems Group BV 294

SCHUETZ GmbH & Company KGaA 295

Sharpsville Container Corporation 297

Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation 298

Snyder Industries Incorporated 300

Tegrant Corporation 302

Temple-Inland Incorporated 304

ThermoSafe Brands, see Tegrant

Trilla Steel Drum, see Greif

Weyerhaeuser Company 305

Other Companies Mentioned in Study 307

LIST OF TABLES

SECTION I -- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Summary Table 3

SECTION II -- MARKET ENVIRONMENT

1 Macroeconomic Indicators 9

2 Population & Households 12

3 Manufacturers’ Shipments 15

4 Packaging Supply & Demand 19

5 Rigid Bulk Packaging Market, 1998-2008 22

6 Rigid Bulk Packaging Prices 26

7 Foreign Trade in Rigid Bulk Packaging 36

SECTION III -- MATERIALS

1 Raw Material Use in Rigid Bulk Packaging 41

2 Plastic Use in Rigid Bulk Packaging by Product 46

3 Steel Use in Rigid Bulk Packaging by Product 49

4 Paperboard & Wood Panel Use in Rigid Bulk Packaging

by Product 53

SECTION IV -- PRODUCTS

1 Rigid Bulk Packaging Demand by Type 57

2 Drum Shipments by Type 60

3 Fibre Drum Shipments 64

4 Fibre Drum Demand by Market 67

5 Steel Drum Shipments by Type 73

6 Steel Drum Demand by Market 78

7 Plastic Drum Shipments 82

8 Plastic Drum Demand by Market 87

9 Pail Shipments by Type 91

10 Plastic Pail Shipments by Type 93

11 Plastic Pail Demand by Market 95

12 Steel Pail Shipments by Type 99

13 Steel Pail Demand by Market 101

14 Material Handling Container Shipments by Type 107

15 Plastic Tote & Crate Shipments by Type 110

16 Steel Material Handling Container Shipments 113

17 Material Handling Container Demand by Market 116

18 Bulk Box Shipments 122

19 Bulk Box Demand by Market 124

20 Rigid Intermediate Bulk Container Shipments by Type 131

21 Plastic Body RIBC Shipments 133

22 Metal Body RIBC Shipments 138

23 Other RIBC Shipments by Type 142

24 Rigid Intermediate Bulk Container Demand by Market 146

SECTION V -- MARKETS

1 Rigid Bulk Packaging Demand by Market 150

2 Nondurable Goods Market for Rigid Bulk Packaging 153

3 Chemical & Pharmaceutical Product Shipments 158

4 Chemical & Pharmaceutical Products Market for

Rigid Bulk Packaging by Type 160

5 Chemical & Pharmaceutical Products Market for

Rigid Bulk Packaging by Chemical 166

6 Industrial Chemical Market for Rigid Bulk Packaging 170

7 Paints & Coatings Market for Rigid Bulk Packaging 172

8 Detergent & Cleaner Market for Rigid Bulk Packaging 174

9 Pharmaceutical Market for Rigid Bulk Packaging 177

10 Agricultural Chemical Market for Rigid Bulk Packaging 180

11 Other Chemical Markets for Rigid Bulk Packaging 183

12 Food & Beverage Shipments 186

13 Food & Beverage Market for Rigid Bulk Packaging 188

14 Plastic, Rubber & Fiber Shipments 195

15 Plastic, Rubber & Fiber Market for Rigid Bulk Packaging 197

16 Petroleum & Lubricant Product Supply & Demand 199

17 Petroleum & Lubricants Market for Rigid Bulk Packaging 202

18 Agricultural & Horticultural Indicators 205

19 Agricultural & Horticultural Market for Rigid

Bulk Packaging 208

20 Durable Goods Shipments 212

21 Durable Goods Market for Rigid Bulk Packaging 215

22 Other Markets for Rigid Bulk Packaging 217

SECTION VI -- INDUSTRY STRUCTURE

1 US Rigid Bulk Packaging Sales by Company, 2008 221

2 Selected Acquisitions & Divestitures 231

3 Selected Cooperative Agreements 242

LIST OF CHARTS

SECTION II -- MARKET ENVIRONMENT

1 Rigid Bulk Packaging Market, 1998-2008 23

SECTION III -- MATERIALS

1 Raw Material Use in Rigid Bulk Packaging, 1998-2018 42

2 Plastic Use in Rigid Bulk Packaging by Product, 2008 46

3 Steel Use in Rigid Bulk Packaging by Product, 2008 50

SECTION IV -- PRODUCTS

1 Rigid Bulk Packaging Demand by Type, 2008 58

2 Fibre Drum Demand by Market, 2008 68

3 Steel Drum Demand by Market, 2008 79

4 Plastic Drum Demand by Market, 2008 88

5 Plastic Pail Demand by Market, 2008 96

6 Steel Pail Demand by Market, 2008 102

7 Material Handling Container Demand by Market, 2008 117

8 Bulk Box Demand by Market, 2008 125

9 Rigid Intermediate Bulk Container Demand by

Market, 2008 147

SECTION V -- MARKETS

1 Rigid Bulk Packaging Demand by Market, 2008 151

2 Chemical & Pharmaceutical Products Market for

Rigid Bulk Packaging by Type, 2008 161

3 Chemical & Pharmaceutical Products Market for

Rigid Bulk Packaging by Chemical, 2008 166

SECTION VI -- INDUSTRY STRUCTURE

1 US Rigid Bulk Packaging Market Share, 2008 224

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April 08, 2009 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Dr. Alan Greenspan to Give Keynote Address at Rodman & Renshaw's Annual Global Investment Conference on September 9, 2009


Rodman & Renshaw Annual Global Investment Conference 2009

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rodman & Renshaw, LLC, a subsidiary of Rodman & Renshaw Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: RODM), today announced that former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Dr. Alan Greenspan will present the keynote address at Rodman's Annual Global Investment Conference on Wednesday, September 9, 2009. The Conference will be held at the New York Palace Hotel on September 9-11. Following Dr. Greenspan’s address, it is expected that more than 500 companies from across the globe will present to more than 3,500 attendees. The conference will feature tracks devoted to Health Care, Metals & Mining, Energy, Cleantech, Maritime, Community & Regional Banks, Asia and Growth Companies.

Dr. Greenspan’s address will be closed to the press and only those registered for the Rodman & Renshaw Annual Global Investment Conference may attend. To register for the conference, please visit:
http://www.rodm.com/conferences.

About Rodman & Renshaw Capital Group, Inc.

Rodman & Renshaw Capital Group, Inc. is a holding company with a number of direct and indirect subsidiaries, including Rodman & Renshaw, LLC.

Rodman & Renshaw, LLC is a full service investment bank dedicated to providing investment banking services to companies that have significant recurring capital needs due to their growth and development strategies, along with research and sales and trading services to investor clients that focus on such companies. Rodman is a leading investment banking firm with particular emphasis on "essential" industries with significant capital needs, including health care (especially life science), energy (especially upstream oil and gas), and metals/mining, as well as a leader in the PIPE (private investment in public equity) and RD (registered direct placements) transaction markets.

MEMBER FINRA, SIPC


Online Now: http://www.rodm.com/conferences


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April 07, 2009 04:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Twin Disc, Inc. Announces Fiscal 2009 Third-Quarter Earnings Conference Call and Press Release


RACINE, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Twin Disc, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWIN), today announced that it will release its fiscal 2009 third-quarter financial results before the market opens on April 21, 2009. In conjunction with the earnings release, Twin Disc will be hosting a conference call to discuss these results and to answer questions at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, April 21, 2009. To participate in the conference call, please dial 800-762-8779 five to 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin. A replay will be available from 5:00 p.m. April 21, 2009 until midnight April 28, 2009. The number to hear the teleconference replay is 800-406-7325. The access code for the replay is 4055769.

The conference call will also be broadcast live over the Internet. To listen to the call via the Internet, access Twin Disc’s website at
http://www.twindisc.com/companyinvestor.aspx and follow the instructions at the web cast link. The archived web cast will be available shortly after the call on the Company’s website.

Twin Disc, Inc. designs, manufactures and sells marine and heavy-duty off-highway power transmission equipment. Products offered include: marine transmissions, surface drives, propellers and boat management systems, as well as power-shift transmissions, hydraulic torque converters, power take-offs, industrial clutches and control systems. The Company sells its products to customers primarily in the pleasure craft, commercial and military marine markets, as well as in the energy and natural resources, government and industrial markets. The Company’s worldwide sales to both domestic and foreign customers are transacted through a direct sales force and a distributor network.

This press release may contain statements that are forward looking as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations regarding important risk factors including those identified in the Company’s most recent periodic report and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, and the making of such statements should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the results expressed therein will be achieved.

Online Now: http://www.twindisc.com/companyinvestor.aspx


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April 07, 2009 10:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Texas Outlaw Challenge High-Performance Boat Competition
April 16-18 at Kemah Boardwalk


HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The second annual Texas Outlaw Challenge performance boat competition, presented by Fast Trac Transportation of Houston, will be held April 16-18 at the Kemah Boardwalk in Clear Lake, Texas.

Proceeds from the Texas Outlaw Challenge will benefit local aquatic conservation charities and volunteer maritime support organizations.

The Challenge will feature an “Outlaw Stampede” Street Party welcome event on Thursday evening, April 16, with team registrations, a boat parade and sponsor displays located across from the Aquarium Restaurant on the Kemah Marina channel.

Spectators may participate with a Thursday-night admission at the gate for $20 for adults (children free), and enjoy the boats up close while talking to the teams about what 2500 horse power at 150+ miles per hour feels like, as well as enjoying bands and barbecue under the “Outlaw” tent throughout the evening.

Friday’s schedule will find the teams powering their machines in and around Galveston Bay and Clear Lake participating in the “Gambler Run” which terminates at Lance’s Turtle Club on Friday night. Activities that night include waterfront viewing of the most impressive high-performance entries that have travelled to the Challenge, live entertainment, the “Miss Outlaw” bikini contest, on-site barbecue cooking and the dealing of the winning cards from the day’s “Gambler Run” event.

The main event on Saturday is the “Outlaw Shoot-out” where 32 classes of high-performance race- and extreme-pleasure boats compete on radar as they accelerate through a one-mile speed course for the “Big Gun” top speed prize. Last year’s event included teams representing seven U.S. states and Canada, all vying for the coveted “Gunslinger” awards. Teams posting speeds of over 165 miles per hour have already pre-registered for this year’s event. Free viewing areas for Saturday’s speed runs include the Kemah Boardwalk and Bayshore (Spillway) Park in Bacliff, south of Kemah.

The main sponsor of the Texas Outlaw Challenge is Fast Trac Transportation of Houston, a rapidly growing industrial trucking, air cartage and delivery company whose president, Bob Cummins is a speedboat enthusiast.

“This is the biggest high-performance speedboat event on the Gulf Coast,” Cummins said. “It’s also a great opportunity to show that Kemah and Clear Lake are back in business after Hurricane Ike. Families and sporting enthusiasts will be able to watch the Challenge from the Boardwalk and from many of the fine restaurants in the area.”

Online Now: http://www.texasoutlawchallenge.com/


MARITIME TOP STORIES

April 07, 2009 08:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Transport Expert Joins Purfresh Advisory Board

Peter Wade Brings 30 Years of Shipping Management Expertise to Esteemed Advisory Board


FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Purfresh, Inc., provider of clean technologies that purify, protect, and preserve our food and water, today announced ocean transport expert Peter Wade has joined the company’s Advisory Board. With extensive experience managing shipping operations for numerous global firms, Mr. Wade will advise on the ongoing development of the Purfresh Transport™ family of shipping solutions to accelerate widespread adoption in the expanding global market for fresh commodities.

“Adding someone to the Purfresh team like Peter with such a strong background in transport operations and management marks a pivotal step for us as we move to expand into new markets with our shipping solutions,” said David Cope, president and CEO of Purfresh. “Peter’s intimate knowledge of the industry will help us formulate and refine effective solutions for shippers and shipping lines for the safe transportation of perishable and high-value commodities.”

With a career in the ocean transportation business spanning 30 years, Mr. Wade has taken a leading role in all facets of container operations and vessel planning including management experience at Hapag-Lloyd, Lykes Lines, PM&O and Australia New Zealand Direct Line (ANZDL). In his previous position at ANZDL, Mr. Wade served in a variety of roles, including operations manager, import manager responsible for refrigerated cargoes, as well as claims manager. As the founder and current president of LA Marine, an independent cargo surveying and consulting business, Mr. Wade has managed service operations for APL, Matson and U.S. Lines, in addition to various P&I Clubs and law firms. Mr. Wade has a bachelor’s degree in general business and finance from the University of Massachusetts.

“By enabling new routes and longer traveling distances, Purfresh Transport is poised to make a significant impact on the way we deliver fresh commodities to customers around the world,” explained Mr. Wade. “Consumer and industry concerns over the safety of our food supply are leading the transport industry to a pivotal point, where sustainability and quality assurance tools converge. I’m looking forward to helping Purfresh capitalize on the enormous opportunity to safeguard food transport and become the driving force behind quality management.”

Purfresh Transport is the shipping industry’s only active atmosphere management technology to control ripening, prevent decay without residue and enhance safety during short and long-haul shipments of fresh produce. By actively monitoring and managing the environment inside the reefer, Purfresh Transport ensures the safe arrival of even the most sensitive fruits and vegetables.

Wade joins Dr. Eric Wood, Dr. Paul A. Hall and Dr. D. M. Graham on the Purfresh Advisory Board.

About Purfresh

Purfresh offers a range of clean technology solutions that purify, protect and preserve our food and water. Purfresh’s innovative crop applications, food wash systems and cold chain technologies effectively safeguard fresh produce before and after harvest. Our water technologies purify and disinfect bottled, pharmaceutical and consumer products. Over 300 customers in 32 countries rely on Purfresh to boost yields, control costs and improve the safety and quality of their products, including Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, Safeway, Orchard View Farms and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

Online Now: www.purfresh.com


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April 07, 2009 08:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Private Terminal in Argentina is the First to Go Live with Navis™ SPARCS N4 in South America

Terminal Zarate Replaces Its Original System with the Navis Solution


OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zebra Enterprise Solutions, a division of Zebra Technologies (Nasdaq: ZBRA), today announced that Terminal Zarate in Argentina replaced its original terminal operating system (TOS) of eight years with Navis™ SPARCS N4 making it the first terminal in South America to implement the industry-leading, proven solution.

A small, privately-owned facility that sits on the Parana´ River upstream from Buenos Aires, Terminal Zarate decided after three years of consideration to replace its COSMOS terminal operating system implemented in 2001 with SPARCS N4 to reduce cost and increase flexibility.

“We think that the Navis solution was the best one for our start-up terminal,” said Oliver Gustavo, Container Division Manager at Terminal Zarate, which opened in 2001. “We’ve already handled our very first vessel with SPARCS N4. It was a very smooth implementation, and we are growing quite fast now.”

Even during this global recessionary economy, Gustavo said SPARCS N4 will help Zarate increase its growth by controlling cost and monitoring terminal operations. Zarate currently moves only 35,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs - a standard measure in intermodal transport).

“The terminal has the potential to handle 500,000 TEUs with future expansion,” Gustavo said. “We usually change our internal procedures to adapt to growth and SPARCS N4 is flexible enough to support the changes. For example, we can change procedures on how we deliver and receive cargo without a problem. This is something that would have been quite expensive with our previous TOS and would have taken a lot of time. We can change procedures within a week with SPARCS N4. With our old system, it would take at least a month.”

The web-based SPARCS N4 operating system governs the movement of all container logistics and operations from gate to yard to vessel and offers users improved customer support, lower operating costs and increased stacking yard capacity. It enables greater control over resources for operations to quickly and intelligently respond to changes or disruptions in the flow of cargo.

“Our customers have told us that the ability to adapt the TOS to their specific operation, combined with low total cost of ownership, scalability and advanced optimization methods are the core drivers of ROI that they look for in a terminal operating system,” said Bill Walsh, General Manager at Zebra Enterprise Solutions. “No other vendor has anything close to what the Navis SPARCS N4 TOS delivers in these key areas. SPARCS N4 will provide Terminal Zarate the low-cost, low-risk economics of packaged software, without sacrificing the flexibility of a custom solution.”

About Zebra Enterprise Solutions

Zebra Enterprise Solutions, a division of Zebra Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: ZBRA), offers world-class solutions to optimize the flow of goods and manage assets across the global supply chain. Whether tracking containers through a port, optimizing parts for manufacturing, or managing ground support equipment at an airport, the automated solutions from the combination of Navis, WhereNet, proveo, and Multispectral Solutions provide complete visibility and greater velocity to deliver measurable business improvement. Customers benefit by increasing productivity, lowering costs, and strengthening safety and security. In addition, Zebra Enterprise Solutions uses UWB, RFID, GPS, and emerging wireless technologies to provide proven, end-to-end solutions for dynamic environments. For more information, please visit
www.zebra.com/zes.

About Zebra Technologies

Zebra Technologies Corporation improves customers’ business performance through products and solutions that identify, track and manage assets, transactions and people. In more than 100 countries around the world, more than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use innovative and reliable Zebra printers, supplies, RFID products and software to increase productivity, improve quality, lower costs, and deliver better customer service. Information about Zebra and Zebra-brand products can be found at
www.zebra.com.

Online Now: www.zebra.com

www.zebra.com/zes


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April 06, 2009 06:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time

New Notification System Promotes Safe Practices for Gulf Region's Offshore Interests

GulfSafe Maps Locations of Submerged Pipelines, Telecommunications Cables and Environmental Concerns in Gulf of Mexico and Straits of Florida


DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Launched in February, GulfSafe is a member-funded notification system developed for oil, gas and telecommunications companies, as well as state and federal government agencies, operating in the Gulf of Mexico and the Straits of Florida. This free, Web-based system is designed to keep subsurface infrastructure, workers and environmental interests in the region safe from damage due to offshore drilling, construction and repairs. This public service initiative is run by Dallas-based Texas Excavation Safety System, Inc. (TESS), which has more than 20 years experience operating one of the largest land-based notification systems in the United States.

The Gulf region is home to the United States’ largest producers of oil and gas. Infrastructure in this area is expanding and vital to both the Gulf States’ and the nation’s economies. There are 4,000 platforms, 33,000 oil wells, 35,000 miles of gas pipelines and a vast telecommunications network at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. In the near future, this area will accommodate wind turbine electric generation, wave energy and offshore oil ports.

Submerged pipelines and cables are constantly moving due to currents, storms and other geological conditions. This movement has made it difficult for those working in the Gulf to identify areas free of infrastructure. As a result, gas pipelines can be damaged, telecommunications lines broken and water and sewer lines can be shut down for nearby islands. In addition, hydrocarbons can be released which could threaten the maritime environment. Data shows there has been one incident resulting in a damage for every 4,300 miles of pipeline annually.

“The infrastructure in the Gulf region is critical to national security, and GulfSafe will aid that effort by improving the safety of workers and dive teams operating in the area,” said Jack Garrett, Director of Regulatory Services, GulfSafe. “GulfSafe also helps protect the investment made in developing the region’s abundant energy and environmental resources. All oil, gas, and telecommunications operators as well as government agencies with interests in the Gulf are encouraged to join this important safety effort.”

Members, which include energy companies and government agencies, are the core of GulfSafe’s operations. These organizations provide GulfSafe with data on the location of their submerged structures, which are then entered into the notification system’s Web-based software. Anyone planning on working in the Gulf region should notify GulfSafe seven days in advance so members’ facilities can be identified by the software’s geospatial technology and work can be completed safely.

“We joined GulfSafe because El Paso Pipeline Group has more than 2,500 miles of pipeline in the Gulf and this new notification system will help us mitigate risk and guarantee the safety of our workers and resources in this region,” said Patrick Carey, Director of DOT Compliance at El Paso Pipeline Group. “GulfSafe will help us deliver on our corporate promise to be a good neighbor and a good, safe place to work.”

GulfSafe is the only notification system functioning beyond sight of land. TESS operates one of the largest one-call notification centers in the United States, processing over two million incoming notifications annually from professional excavators and the general public planning to dig on land. GulfSafe will share notification requests with five land-based one-call centers on the Gulf coast. Sharing information will ensure continuity between onshore and offshore operations. For more information about GulfSafe, visit
www.gulfsafe.com.

Online Now: www.gulfsafe.com


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April 06, 2009 03:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Deutsche Bank Joins Forces with Ocean e-Commerce Leader – INTTRA – to Provide an Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment (EIPP) Solution to the Industry
Targets $500 million in industry cost savings with EIPP solution

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Deutsche Bank and INTTRA today announced the launch of a joint partnership to drive new efficiencies and cost savings in the $260 billion ocean container shipping industry. INTTRA, a leading global provider of e-commerce solutions to ocean carriers and their customers, will expand its e-commerce services in the 4th Quarter, 2009 to offer carriers the ability to automate inefficient invoicing processes. The partnership includes leveraging eBills, Deutsche Bank’s electronic invoice presentment and payment (EIPP) platform. This joint service will combine the connectivity of INTTRA’s multi-carrier platform which hosts the largest global network of shippers with Deutsche Bank’s db financial supply chain solutions.

Invoicing, dispute resolution and payment processes represent a significant area of inefficiency and cost for the industry. There are an estimated 150 million invoice transactions processed a year for ocean shipping with average costs ranging from $20 – $60 per invoice depending on the processes used. Implementing an electronic solution can cut average transaction processing costs by more than half. Carriers also benefit from accelerated collection of their accounts receivable and improved working capital, making cash available sooner. Shippers and logistics providers profit from having a standardized accounts payable process for receiving, processing and paying all of their invoices, improving visibility of their cash liabilities and providing a transparent dispute resolution process, all of which create efficiencies and save time for their staff. Additionally, digitization of the invoices within the ocean freight industry could preserve approximately 75,000 trees per year, a significant contribution to environmental conservation.

Daniel Rosenstein, Americas Head of Business Expansion & Treasury Solutions Sales, Global Transaction Banking, Deutsche Bank, said, “We are excited to have the opportunity to partner with INTTRA and to expand our relationships with billers and payers through our global financial supply chain management services. This is consistent with our strategy to form alliances with ‘best in class’ e-commerce solution providers. We look forward to working with INTTRA and its customers to provide significant cost savings and efficiencies.”

Ken Bloom, Chief Executive Officer, INTTRA, “With more than 260,000 container orders initiated on the INTTRA platform each week, representing over 10% of global ocean container trade, we look forward to offering all carriers and their shippers the added benefits of an online electronic invoicing solution. Deutsche Bank’s proven technology, experience, global reach, and alignment with INTTRA’s strategy will help to create new efficiencies and cost savings in the ocean container shipping industry.”

About Deutsche Bank

Deutsche Bank is a leading global investment bank with a strong and profitable private clients franchise. A leader in Germany and Europe, the bank is continuously growing in North America, Asia and key emerging markets. With 80,456 employees in 72 countries, Deutsche Bank competes to be the leading global provider of financial solutions for demanding clients creating exceptional value for its shareholders and people.

About INTTRA

INTTRA is a leading global provider of e-commerce solutions to the ocean freight industry. INTTRA professionals work with over 30 leading carriers to streamline and standardize their shipping processes worldwide through a network of over 20,000 corporate locations. Over 260,000 container orders are initiated on the INTTRA platform each week, representing more than 10 percent of global ocean container trade. For further information, visit
www.inttra.com.


Online Now: www.inttra.com


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April 06, 2009 03:01 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Florida’s Seaports Continue Legacy of Generating Jobs, Economic Benefit for State, New Study Shows

Job-producing Maritime Industry Seen as Key Economic Stimulus


TALLAHASSEE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cargo activity at Florida seaports last year continued to generate strong job growth and economic activity, according to a new study released today by the Florida Ports Council and the Florida Maritime Leadership Coalition.

Cargo of all kinds passing through Florida’s 14 deepwater ports was responsible for generating more than 550,000 direct and indirect jobs and $66 billion in total economic value, according to the findings of Martin Associates, an internationally renowned maritime economic analysis firm.

The study, which measures economic impacts in terms of jobs, personal earnings, business revenue, and state and local taxes, found that maritime cargo at Florida seaports contributed $1.7 billion in state and local taxes in 2008. All told, cargo activity at the state’s 14 public seaports accounted for 9% of the 2008 Florida Gross Domestic Product of $734.5 billion.

U.S. trade data recently cited by Governor Charlie Crist found that Florida’s international trade reached a record $130.5 billion in 2008, of which $82.5 billion flowed through the state’s seaports.

“Together, these figures clearly illustrate just how important our seaports are to Florida’s economy and standard of living,” said Bruce Brecheisen, vice president of Seaboard Marine, the Port of Miami’s largest cargo shipping line, and a director of the Florida Maritime Leadership Coalition. “Not only do our 14 ports provide hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs at businesses throughout the state and nearly $2 billion in tax revenues, but they also play a pivotal role in delivering the consumer goods and raw materials that keep Florida operating.”

Almost everything Floridians wear, eat, or use in their daily lives flows through our seaports. Goods include automobiles, lumber, cement, steel, t-shirts, blue jeans, coffee, fertilizer, melons and bananas, orange juice, furniture, household appliances, gasoline and other petroleum products, computer equipment, cell phones, and the list goes on.

The Martin Associates cargo study did not include economic impact of cruise operations, which are significant in Florida, the cruise capital of the world. According to the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), 54% of all U.S. cruise passengers boarded cruises from one of Florida’s cruise ports. The cruise industry generates 126,546 jobs and $5.2 billion in wages in Florida.

“When you add the cargo and cruise industries together, you get steady, good-paying jobs for Florida workers,” said Darryl “Mike D.” Payne, president of ILA Local 1526, in Fort Lauderdale and a director of the Florida Maritime Leadership Coalition. “Florida’s seaports make it possible to support our families and provide for our children’s future.”

Despite the seaports’ proven impact on Florida’s economy, the state invests less than 2% of its transportation funds on seaport infrastructure projects. That’s why Florida maritime leaders are advocating for more port funding this Legislative session as part of the state’s economic stimulus efforts.

Port infrastructure improvements yield a $6.90 return in economic activity for each $1 of state investment, according to studies sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation.

“We are challenging the Governor and the Legislature to invest in our state’s seaports to quicken Florida’s economic revival,” said Phillip C. Allen, port director of the Port Everglades. “We are pledging to match state funding on a 50-50 basis, as we have consistently done in the past, to facilitate our ports’ continued competitiveness in the global economy. Right now, we have 1,865 construction jobs at Port Everglades and more than 3,000 across the seaports. Those steady, well-paying jobs depend on it.”

The Florida Ports Council is a nonprofit organization that represents the interests of Florida’s 14 public seaports. For more information, visit
www.flaports.org.

The Florida Maritime Leadership Coalition, based in Tallahassee, was recently created as a nonprofit organization to advocate for the entire maritime industry. FMLC members include cargo shipping companies, port tenants, cruise lines, the International Longshoremen’s Association, trucking companies and the seaports. For more information, visit
www.floridamaritimeleaders.com.

Online Now: www.flaports.org

www.floridamaritimeleaders.com


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April 06, 2009 10:18 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Proskauer Rose Creates Infrastructure Group to Address Burgeoning Area and Formalize Existing Interdisciplinary Practice Capabilities


NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To better address the needs of clients in the burgeoning area of infrastructure, Proskauer Rose LLP has announced the formation of an interdisciplinary group of lawyers to address the public, private, financial and legal aspects of new projects around the world. The firm’s Infrastructure Group brings together lawyers from its U.S., Latin America, European and Asian offices.

With extensive expertise in the planning, structuring, development, acquisition, financing, operation and disposition of infrastructure assets in the United States and around the world, Proskauer serves clients in the public and private sectors in asset class areas that include: airports; energy; hospitals; maritime and ports; metals and mining; oil and gas; prisons; roads and rail; stadiums and arenas; telecommunications; water, waste and sewage; and wind power.

According to James Gerkis, co-head of the new practice group, the policy goals of the Obama administration and an emphasis on infrastructure projects around the world served as the impetus for the firm to organize its related capabilities in one group.

“Infrastructure is a key stimulus for economic growth and a measure of global competitiveness. The creation of a formal group to house our existing expertise in this vital area will allow us to better serve our clients as they address the range of issues that arise in all aspects of these projects, from the development, financing and acquisition of projects to assisting private equity sponsors in raising infrastructure-target investment funds, to labor relations matters,” he said.

Joshua Thompson, a fellow co-head of the practice group, concurs, emphasizing: “Public and private partnerships for infrastructure projects require integrated and customized legal solutions. Our team has a thorough understanding of risk allocation, tax structuring and transaction delivery in this sector. We engage with clients to engineer solutions for complex deals.”

While Proskauer lawyers regularly assist clients with infrastructure matters, what truly distinguishes the firm is its ability to handle the multitude of issues arising in the context of each engagement. The firm’s Infrastructure Group platform encompasses practitioners from a range of relevant disciplines, including finance, mergers and acquisitions, investment funds, sports, health care, capital markets, labor, government relations, litigation, environmental, insurance coverage, lodging and gaming, real estate and tax.

About Proskauer Rose

Proskauer Rose, founded in 1875, is an international law firm providing a wide variety of legal services to clients worldwide from offices in Boca Raton, Boston, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Paris, São Paulo and Washington, D.C. The firm, which has wide experience in all areas of practice important to businesses, not-for-profit institutions and individuals, can be found online at
www.proskauer.com.


Online Now: www.proskauer.com


MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ BUSINESS WIRE REPORTS WORLDWIDE

April 06, 2009 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Global Security Solutions Awards an Order to Electronic Sensor Technology for Security Application in Mexico


NEWBURY PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electronic Sensor Technology (EST) (OTCBB: ESNR), a leading provider of innovative homeland security, environmental and healthcare solutions, announced the receipt of an order for 35 units of zNose® Model 4500 to be delivered to Mexico through EST’s distributor, Global Security Solutions/Camouflage, for their use in homeland security applications. It is anticipated that this initial order is a precursor to additional follow on orders.

"We are very pleased with this initial order and I believe that EST through Camouflage can open the security market in Mexico for EST," said Dr. Teong Lim, Chairman and CEO of EST. "We expect Camouflage to setup a depot for training the security personnel and to provide after sales service, thus strengthening Mexico’s security positions in the near future."

More information on the use of the zNose® Model 4500 for security applications can be obtained by clicking the following link:

http://www.estcal.com/download/Model%204500%20Demo%20-%204.wmv

About Electronic Sensor Technology:

Founded in 1995, Electronic Sensor Technology has developed and patented a chemical vapor analysis process. We believe that the Company's product line is positioned to eliminate key vulnerabilities in the homeland security market, specifically in maritime port, airport and border security applications.

SEC Filings and Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements, including the Company's expectations regarding its ability to develop and access capital markets and its ability to achieve expected results in the chemical detection and analysis industry. The forward-looking statements are identified through use of the words "potential," "anticipate," "expect," "planned" and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements may be affected by the risks and uncertainties inherent in the chemical detection and analysis industry and in the Company's business. The Company cautions readers that certain important factors may have affected and could in the future affect the Company's beliefs and expectations, and could cause the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by or on behalf of the Company. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

Online Now:

http://www.estcal.com/download/Model%204500%20Demo%20-%204.wmv


MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ BUSINESS WIRE REPORTS WORLDWIDE

Marine's 42-foot Ultimate makes her debut during the Poker Runs America Season Opener in St. Petersburg, FL

Photo: Business Wire


MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ BUSINESS WIRE REPORTS WORLDWIDE

April 06, 2009 07:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

STATEMENT! Marine’s 42 “Ultimate” On-Water Debut Makes a Statement!


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Neither six-foot seas nor rough economic waters could hinder the on-water debut of STATEMENT! Marine’s new 42 “Ultimate,” the newest entry into the custom high-performance V-bottom market. The boat was launched during the Poker Runs America season opener in St. Petersburg, FL, the location of STATEMENT’s manufacturing facility.

According to spokesman Gene Weeks, the gnarly water conditions during the recent St. Petersburg event were perfect for showing off the new boat’s exclusive design features. The 42 Ultimate exceeded all expectations; “We knew she was a good boat, but we did not know she was THAT good,” Weeks stated with pride.

Of 82 boats that left St. Petersburg marina, only eight boats and three of them V-bottoms, were bold enough to take on the Gulf of Mexico and travel 20 miles to the planned lunch stop. Most of the fleet turned back instead of challenging the 6-8-foot seas in the mouth of Tampa Bay.

“Hats off to Mark Spates, who designed the aerodynamic hull!” Weeks continued. “The boat is far more efficient than it should be for its weight, and the air-cushioned cockpit really works well.” The entire helm and seating area of the 42-foot powerboat rides on an exclusive patent pending shock absorbing system; it mitigates the jarring impact typically experienced by V-bottom hulls in rough seas.

Atypical of some maiden voyages, the fit, finish and rigging of the vessel held up well. “When we pulled into port we had just two loose audio speaker covers — otherwise we were in perfect shape and were very pleased!” Weeks added, “The Mercury Racing 1075 SCi engines were strong and smooth and provided ideal power.”

Dozens of performance boaters experienced the 42 Ultimate first-hand in a series of demo rides and, according to Weeks, the reaction was singular. “Everyone who rode the boat had a one word reaction when they returned, ‘WOW!’” he said.

Weeks proudly described the boat’s performance, “At 137+ [mph], the boat is VERY stable and requires almost no wheel input. At 125 [mph] with five people in the boat, it was like driving a luxury car straight down an interstate at 100 [mph]. The boat is extremely friendly — not a hint of chine-walk or porpoising, and the nose doesn’t dive when you chop the throttles,” he said, itemizing maladies that are the bane of most V-bottom performance boats.

Despite troubled waters in boat sales in what has been called the worst economic down-turn in marine history, STATEMENT! Marine introduced two new vessels at the 2009 Miami International Boat Show in February, a 50-foot Catamaran and the 42 V-bottom. The company’s management team of Nick Buis, Todd Werner, Mark Spates and Weeks believe that building approximately 4-6 boats annually will provide for reasonable growth and profit. “This is a passion-driven organization,” Weeks explained. “The team is making decisions based on engineering and customer satisfaction first, then marketing and sales. We want to do what’s best for the customer, and so far that seems to be working!”

Online Now: www.statementmarine.com


MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ BUSINESS WIRE REPORTS WORLDWIDE ~ SWEDEN / AUSTRALIA

April 03, 2009 09:43 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Cavotec MSL Seals Largest Mooring Deal to Date with Port Headland Port Authority, Australia


STOCKHOLM, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Maritime systems innovator, Cavotec MSL (OTCBB:CVMLF), has received the largest order to date for the vacuum-based automated mooring solution, MoorMaster™, from the Port Headland Port Authority (PHPA) in Western Australia.

“We have developed this entirely unique solution to meet the PHPA’s specific requirements. This project represents a bold product design evolution based on 10 years of research and development, and demonstrates how adaptable this technology is,” says Cavotec MSL CEO, Ottonel Popesco.

MoorMaster™ is a vacuum-based automated mooring technology that moors vessels in seconds, eliminating the need for conventional mooring lines. The system counteracts vessel surge in port caused by changes in wave dynamics.

Under the contract, Cavotec will supply 14 MoorMaster™ 200B units for the PHPA’s iron ore facility. The systems will service vessels at the port’s Utah Point berth. Cavotec will also provide commissioning and on-site training support. If the initial 14 units prove successful, additional MoorMaster™ systems could be installed in PHPA’s no. 1 berth.

“We face particularly exacting requirements at Port Headland as operating conditions are especially severe. We believe this version of MoorMaster™ will be able to handle these challenges while providing significant time savings and increased safety for personnel compared to traditional mooring techniques,” says PHPA CEO, Andre Bush.

Featuring enhanced sealing properties; the 200B’s vacuum pads are designed to cope with the especially abrasive and viscous nature of iron ore dust. The units are engineered to withstand heavy impact from iron ore ship-loaders, and will also be embedded into the quayside rather than positioned on the dock in contrast to most other existing MoorMaster™ installations. Similar to current units in the MoorMaster™ range, the PHPA’s version will be able to secure a vessel in under 20 seconds, and release in less than seven seconds.

“We always strive to develop a close working relationship with our customers to better meet their specific needs. With this project, we have created an entirely new version of one of our existing systems,” says Popesco.

The 200B units are designed to handle any tidal level at the port, and moor vessels of up to 120,000dwt at 14.0m draft (295m LOA and 41m beam).

The PHPA deal follows the recent announcement that Canada’s St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) placed a follow-up order for two additional MoorMaster™ systems. The systems for the SLSMC were also specially designed for use in the Seaway where the units will deal with water level variations of up to 14m.

MoorMaster™ has already been installed by Searoad Shipping Australia, Toll in New Zealand, at the APM Terminals container facility at the Port of Salalah in Oman, and will be used on three high frequency fast ferry routes in Denmark, operated by Nordic Ferry Services A/S.

Cavotec MSL is a leading global engineering group, supplying innovative and environmentally friendly systems to the maritime, airport, mining, and general industry sectors. To find out more about the Cavotec group, please visit our website at
www.cavotec.com.

This information was brought to you by Cision
http://www.cisionwire.com

Online Now: www.cavotec.com

http://www.cisionwire.com


MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ BUSINESS WIRE REPORTS WORLDWIDE ~ U.S.A. / U.K.

April 02, 2009 02:16 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Rapiscan Systems to Provide Advanced Cargo Screening Technology to UK Customs

Contract for Eagle Mobile Systems Follows Competitive Global Tender


TORRANCE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rapiscan Systems, Inc., a leading global supplier of security inspection systems, announced today that following a competitive global tender, it has been awarded a contract to provide Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) with multiple Rapiscan Eagle® Mobile high energy X-ray cargo screening systems. The new Rapiscan Eagle® Mobile 4500 series units will be deployed to strategic entry ports in the United Kingdom as part of a process of technology modernisation and upgrade of HMRC’s older screening systems. The contract also provides for operator training, technical support and maintenance of the systems.

The Rapiscan Eagle® M4500 mobile cargo and vehicle inspection system is mounted on a road-worthy commercial truck platform. The system can be deployed to scan shipping containers and trucks in less than 20 minutes while also being capable of penetrating dense cargo at increased inspection rates without impeding the flow of commerce. The system is part of Rapiscan’s Eagle® product line of High Energy X-ray Cargo inspection systems that features mobile, gantry, portal and fixed deployment configurations. The products have been installed internationally for use by military, customs and border protection agencies.

In the past year, Rapiscan Eagle® M4500 systems have been commissioned for the US Government, and for several government organisations in the European Union, including Poland, Hungary and for the EU Border Assistance Missions to frontier countries. These accomplishments have helped establish Rapiscan Systems’ reputation as one of the world’s leading providers of cargo screening solutions.

The HMRC order will be built in Rapiscan’s UK production facility near Manchester, where, since its opening in April 2007, more than 50 high energy cargo systems have been manufactured and shipped to twelve countries on three continents. Rapiscan Systems employs more than 150 sales, engineering and production staff in the United Kingdom, and its UK engineering and manufacturing team played a key role in the contract win.

Terry Whittock, Managing Director of Rapiscan’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region said: “UK Customs is a leader in the deployment of advanced cargo screening technologies. We are honoured they have placed their confidence in Rapiscan. That we were selected following a tender that included multiple competitors, including the incumbent supplier, further demonstrates that Rapiscan’s cargo inspection systems meet the highest standards for technical performance, reliability and overall value.”

About Rapiscan Systems

Rapiscan Systems, a division of OSI Systems, Inc. is a leading supplier of high quality security inspection solutions utilizing X-ray and gamma-ray imaging, and advanced threat identification techniques such as neutron and diffraction analysis. The company's products are sold into four market segments: Baggage and Parcel Inspection, Cargo and Vehicle Inspection, Hold Baggage Screening, and People Screening. The company has an installed base globally of more than 70,000 security and inspection systems. The Rapiscan Systems product line is manufactured at four locations and supported by a global support service network. For more information on Rapiscan Systems, please visit
www.rapiscansystems.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include information regarding the company’s expectations, goals or intentions about the future, including, the Company’s contract with HMRC to provide cargo and vehicle inspection systems. The actual results may differ materially from those described in or implied by any forward-looking statement. Other important factors are set forth in the Securities and Exchange Commission filings OSI Systems, Inc. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Online Now: www.rapiscansystems.com


MARITIME TOP STORIES

April 02, 2009 11:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Deutsche Welle Renews Distribution Deal with SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES

German Broadcaster Taps Trusted Satellite Fleet to Deliver News to Millions around the U.S.


PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Extending a distribution agreement built on more than a decade of trust, SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES, a division of SES S.A. (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG), today announced Deutsche Welle has signed a new three-year contract for U.S. delivery of its highly acclaimed news coverage from around the world.

As part of the multi-year agreement, Deutsche Welle is utilizing 4.5 Mbps of satellite capacity aboard SES AMERICOM’s Digital C® platform to distribute television and radio news content from the German government-sponsored broadcaster. The widely watched Deutsche Welle programming is then delivered to cable headends and ultimately millions of German, Spanish and English-speaking television viewers and radio listeners over the AMC-1 satellite. It is the latest milestone in a long-term alliance between SES and Deutsche Welle, which relies on SES satellites for content delivery throughout much of the world.

“Deutsche Welle viewers have come to rely on the informative and reliable news and feature coverage we deliver from every corner of the globe. Our programming is there whenever they want to watch, in large part because SES satellites have the reach and reliability we need to deliver our television and radio content virtually anywhere, anytime,” said Guido Baumhauer, Deutsche Welle’s Managing Director of Strategy, Marketing and Distribution. “An incredibly diverse U.S.-based and global audience depends on Deutsche Welle for their view into world news, and Deutsche Welle has found trusted partners in SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES and SES ASTRA to help us meet a growing demand for real-time global information.”

“Deutsche Welle provides a global news source for millions of people living and working across America. SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES is extremely honored as we extend a long-term relationship focused on delivering top news to diverse audiences across the U.S. and other regions of the world,” said Bryan McGuirk, Senior Vice President Media Services at SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES. “By meeting Deutsche Welle’s national and global requirements, SES continues to demonstrate the strength of a seamless worldwide delivery platform. The real winners are the vast audiences tuning in from virtually everywhere around the world.”

Deutsche Welle is leveraging SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES’s AMC-1 satellite for U.S. distribution and other SES spacecraft for coverage across other regions of the world. The leading broadcaster also relies on SES ASTRA satellites to reach audiences throughout Europe.

With one of Europe’s most advanced broadcast centers at company headquarters in Bonn, Germany and offices in Washington, DC, Brussels, and Moscow, Deutsche Welle is one of the leading producers of international news and analysis in the world.

About AMC-1

Launched in 1996, AMC-1 is a hybrid C- and Ku-band satellite, distributing some of the world’s best cable programming and services. Located at 103-degrees west longitude, the Ku-band transponders aboard AMC-1 serve a variety of broadcast, mobile, educational, private business and government applications.

About Deutsche Welle

Deutsche Welle is Germany’s international broadcaster: online, on-screen and over the air. It provides a European perspective to audiences around the world and promotes intercultural dialogue. For more information, visit
www.dw-world.de

About SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES

SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES is the newly combined SES division that brings together SES AMERICOM, the leading supplier of satellite services in the U.S., with the strategic global satellite services of SES NEW SKIES. SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES is a global leader that serves broadcasters, cable programmers, telecommunications companies and networks, governments, aeronautical and maritime communications integrators, Internet service providers, and educational institutions with efficient communications and content distribution solutions. Recognized as a major innovator of advanced satellite communications services, the division operates a fleet of 25 satellites in key orbital positions capable of providing coverage and service throughout the Americas and around the world.

SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES also has four spacecraft under construction as well as global ground facilities. SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES has offices in Princeton, The Hague, Washington, D.C., Johannesburg, Sao Paulo, Singapore, and Sydney. For more information, visit www.ses-americom.com or
www.ses-newskies.com.

Online Now: www.ses-newskies.com

www.dw-world.de


MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ BUSINESS WIRE REPORTS WORLDWIDE

April 02, 2009 09:55 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Pioneer Consulting Supports the Main Route Survey Operation for the MainOne Cable System


BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pioneer Consulting, Project Managers of the MainOne Cable System Implementation working for Main Street Technologies, announce that the main route survey operations have commenced. Phase I of the 1.92 Tbit/s MainOne Cable System covers the route from Portugal to Nigeria with a spur to Ghana.

Following completion of the 27 kilometers inshore survey operation near Portugal last month, Pioneer’s shipboard representative joined the GEMS main route survey vessel “Kommander Jack” on March 26, 2009. In the coming two-month operation, while en route, a number of additional spurs will be evaluated as the vessel charts the undersea terrain from Europe to Nigeria.

Setting the trend for program achievement, Pioneer’s Project Director Keith Schofield confirmed that the inshore survey had commenced in January ahead of schedule, and that manufacturing of both cable and sophisticated electronics within the submerged repeaters were also proceeding ahead of plan. Schofield added “All the organizations are working as one team with one goal—a successful project.”

Pioneer’s Managing Partner and MainOne Lead Systems Engineer Howard Kidorf commented, “The MainOne Cable is benefiting from the latest proven technology from a world-class system supplier, including low-loss fiber and the option to add and drop traffic on a number of additional landings. This route survey will demonstrate the security and viability of the route for a 25 year design life.”

CEO of Main Street Technologies, Funke Opeke, advised that progress on the terrestrial infrastructure is matching the progress on the submarine system, with the terminal station in Portugal already in place and new construction in Nigeria and Ghana passing through local planning and construction preparations many months ahead of the required implementation date.

Asked why she had contracted Pioneer Consulting to oversee implementation of the project, Opeke stated, “The MainOne project is being implemented to the very highest global standards. This includes the selection of an experienced team, such as Pioneer Consulting to lead the implementation. Pioneer is allowing MainOne to focus on operational preparation. When it comes to inspiration, guidance and delivery, it’s worth going to an organization totally familiar with carrier’s needs.”

For more information on Pioneer Consulting please visit
http://www.pioneerconsulting.com. For further information on MainOne Cable Company visit: www.mainonecable.com.

Online Now: http://www.pioneerconsulting.com

www.mainonecable.com


MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ BUSINESS WIRE REPORTS WORLDWIDE

April 02, 2009 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

ORBCOMM and Telenor Connexion Announce Agreement To Enable Global Low-cost Connectivity Solutions For M2M Communications

Offer to Include Dual-mode M2M Wireless Services That Combine GSM And Satellite Networks


STOCKHOLM, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ORBCOMM Inc. (Nasdaq: ORBC), a global satellite data communications company focused on providing Machine to Machine (M2M) solutions and Telenor Connexion, a leading global connectivity provider, today announced an agreement that will enable ORBCOMM to offer an innovative satellite/GSM-based M2M solution.

The unique combination of satellite and GSM technology provides customers with a low-cost, flexible and reliable connected service. The service will be available to some of the world’s most demanding users. Customers benefiting from the solution are found in both fixed site and mobile applications.

“The agreement with ORBCOMM is a step forward in Telenor Connexion’s goal to supply customers throughout the world with connectivity tailored to their specific business needs. Both companies benefit from complimenting each other's expertise in M2M enabling us to offer a valuable service for customers in need of global solutions”, says Per Simonsen, CEO of Telenor Connexion.

“The joint product offering is expected to give M2M customers considerable operating advantages, including increased safety, higher productivity, greater availability, and better control of remote assets. Telenor Connexion’s partnering with ORBCOMM further validates our position as the leading satellite network for M2M applications”, says Marc Eisenberg, CEO of ORBCOMM.

About Orbcomm Inc.

ORBCOMM is a leading global satellite data communications company, focused on Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications. Its customers include Caterpillar Inc., Doosan Infracore America, General Electric, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Komatsu Ltd., and Volvo Construction Equipment among other industry leaders. By means of a global network of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites and accompanying ground infrastructure, ORBCOMM’s low-cost and reliable two-way data communications products and services track, monitor and control mobile and fixed assets in four core markets: commercial transportation; heavy equipment; industrial fixed assets; and marine/homeland security. The Company's products are installed on trucks, containers, marine vessels, locomotives, backhoes, pipelines, oil wells, utility meters, storage tanks and other assets. ORBCOMM is headquartered in Fort Lee, New Jersey and has a network control center in Dulles, Virginia. For more information, visit
www.orbcomm.com.

About Telenor Connexion

Telenor Connexion is a leading global provider of M2M connectivity solutions. Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication is a rapidly expanding market. Companies in industries as diverse as automotive, security, utilities and fleet management are implementing M2M solutions to achieve productivity gains, cost management, environmental improvement and to expand customer services. With more than 10 years of experience and over 1 million active SIM-cards Telenor Connexion is an experienced and reliable partner. We are dedicated to our customers’ business and understand their needs. Telenor Connexion has provided international, cost-effective M2M communication solutions to a number of global customers such as Volvo, Daimler and Securitas Direct. According to leading industry analyst Bergh Insight Telenor is “the most advanced mobile operator in the area of M2M” and also “the dominant provider of wireless M2M connectivity”.

Telenor Connexion is wholly owned by Telenor Group, an international provider of high quality mobile communications services to customers in 12 markets across Asia and Europe.

For more information please visit
www.telenorconnexion.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements discussed in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally relate to our plans, objectives and expectations for future events and include statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements, including those concerning the Company’s expectations, are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results, projected, expected or implied by the forward-looking statements, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: the impact of global recession and continued worldwide credit and capital constraints; substantial losses we have incurred and expect to continue to incur; demand for and market acceptance of our products and services and the applications developed by our resellers; loss or decline or slowdown in the growth in business from the Asset Intelligence division of General Electric Company (“GE” or “General Electric” or “AI”), other value-added resellers or VARs and international value-added resellers or IVARs; loss or decline or slowdown in growth in business of any of the specific industry sectors the Company serves, such as transportation, heavy equipment, fixed assets and maritime; litigation proceedings; technological changes, pricing pressures and other competitive factors; the inability of our international resellers to develop markets outside the United States; market acceptance and success of our Automatic Identification System (“AIS”) business; the in-orbit satellite failure of the Coast Guard demonstration or the quick-launch satellites, satellite launch and construction delays and cost overruns and in-orbit satellite failures or reduced performance; the failure of our system or reductions in levels of service due to technological malfunctions or deficiencies or other events; our inability to renew or expand our satellite constellation; political, legal regulatory, government administrative and economic conditions and developments in the United States and other countries and territories in which we operate; and changes in our business strategy; and the other risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Online Now: www.orbcomm.com

www.telenorconnexion.com


MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ BUSINESS WIRE REPORTS WORLDWIDE

April 01, 2009 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

CoreStreet and MaxID Announce Partnership

-- Leading Provider of Biometric Handheld Devices to Support CoreStreet PIVMAN Solutions and Expand Market Reach --


ISC West 2009
MaxID Booth (#9149)

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. & PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CoreStreet, the leader in credential validation solutions, and MaxID, the rugged handheld technology group, today announced they have formed a partnership to market the CoreStreet PIVMAN Solution on MaxID’s iDLMax biometric handheld device which targets the Identity Management and Access Control industry.

The iDLMax integrates enhanced features for the widest range of identity management applications. Additional card reading capabilities are provided by the combined contactless and smart card reader, which is FIPS-201 compliant and has iClass® capabilities with optional magnetic swipe. This allows the operator to screen credentials including passports, e-passports, Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC), Common Access Cards (CAC), First Responder Authentication Cards (FRAC), Personal Identity Verification (PIV), drivers’ licenses and other documents. The latest digital camera technology offers fast acquisition of FIPS-201 compliant facial images, even under low-light levels.

The CoreStreet PIVMAN Suite of software products provides solutions for several of today’s most critical identity and access management challenges in the area of homeland security. Whether providing improved maritime and transportation security through the TWIC program, enhanced emergency management response through the DHS FEMA FRAC program, or simply expanding access to military facilities by linking existing Physical Access Control Systems (PACS) to the DoD’s CAC cards, the CoreStreet PIVMAN Suite provides the solution based on field-proven, massively scalable and secure technology.

“MaxID believes in developing rugged handheld products which are specifically designed to achieve our end customers’ needs. We aspire to be the solution of choice and market leader within our chosen sectors of the mobile technology market,” said Steve Bowen, Director of Product Engineering and Support, MaxID. “As such, we are delighted to join forces with CoreStreet to offer our customers access to the market leading mobile identity verification software in the CoreStreet PIVMAN Suite.”

“The CoreStreet PIVMAN Software offers unique functionality for mobile authentication and validation of PIV, CAC, FRAC and TWIC cards – even in lights-out and comms-out situations,” said John Bys, Executive Vice President, CoreStreet. “Combining our software with MaxID’s multimodal handheld devices provides customers with a preeminent, robust solution.”

Come see the CoreStreet PIVMAN Solution running on the iDLMax at ISC West 2009 in Las Vegas, NV, April 1-3, 2009 in the MaxID Booth (#9149).

About MaxID Corp.

Headquartered in the United States, MaxID Corp. is a privately held technology company that designs, manufactures and sells rugged mobile computing equipment. With offices in four continents, MaxID maintains a global research and development team that has more than 20 years experience introducing new technologies. The company's most advanced biometric handheld devices are manufactured in the United States and are distributed worldwide. MaxID's product range includes specially designed handheld devices for the Identity Management, Mobile Payment, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), and Parking Enforcement markets. Read more about MaxID on the company's website:
www.MaxID.net or contact them at info@maxid.net.

About CoreStreet

Every day, the world’s most demanding government and commercial enterprises rely on CoreStreet technology to authorize critical events, ranging from signed communications and transactions to physical access. More information, including technical whitepapers, industry solution studies and a list of the patents awarded to the company is available at
www.corestreet.com.


Online Now: www.corestreet.com

www.MaxID.net


MARITIME TOP STORIES ~ BUSINESS WIRE REPORTS WORLDWIDE

Reportlinker Adds World Radars Market Report

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue.

World Radars Market

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0109905/World-Radars-Market.html

This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Radars in US$ Millions. The specific end-use segments analyzed are Land Based Surveillance, Air Defense Surveillance, Naval Surveillance, Air Traffic Control, and Weather Surveillance. The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for North America, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of World. Annual forecasts are provided for each region for the period of 2006 through 2015. A five-year historic analysis is also provided for these markets. The report profiles 95 companies including many key and niche players worldwide such as Applied Radar, Inc., BAE Systems plc, Cambridge Consultants Limited, DRS Technologies, Inc., European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V., Euroradar Consortium, Galileo Avionica S.p.A, Honeywell International, Inc., ICx Technologies, Inc., Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Lockheed Martin Corporation, M/A Com - Cobham plc., MEADS International, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Northrop Grumman Corporation, Raytheon Company, Raytheon Systems Limited, Rockwell Collins, Telephonics Corporation, Terma A/S, Thales Group, and The Boeing Company. Market data and analytics are derived from primary and secondary research. Company profiles are mostly extracted from URL research and reported select online sources.

RADARS A GLOBAL STRATEGIC BUSINESS REPORT MCP-1753

CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION, METHODOLOGY & PRODUCT DEFINITIONS

Study Reliability and Reporting Limitations I-1 Disclaimers I-2 Data Interpretation & Reporting Level I-2 Quantitative Techniques & Analytics I-3 Product Definitions and Scope of Study I-3 Land Based Surveillance I-3 Air Defense Surveillance I-4 Naval Surveillance I-4 Air Traffic Control I-4 Weather Surveillance I-4

II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. Market Overview II-1 Technological Advancements and AESA Propel Radar Industry II-1 Europe's ISTAR Radar Market Poised for Strong Growth. II-1 Hike in Defense Spending Expected to Trigger Asia-Pacific Market for ISR Radars. II-2 Global Market Analysis II-3

2. Product Overview II-4 Introduction II-4 Principles of RADAR II-5 Reflection II-5 Radar Equation II-6 Polarization II-7 Interference. II-7 Noise II-7 Clutter. II-7 Jamming II-8 Radar Signal Processing II-9 Distance Measurement II-9 Transit Time II-9 Frequency Modulation II-10 Speed Measurement II-10 Minimizing Interference Effects II-10 Radar Engineering II-10 Antenna Design. II-10 Parabolic Reflector II-11 Slotted Waveguide II-11 Radar Modulators II-11 Radar Frequency Bands II-11 Radar Roles and Functions II-13 Weather-Sensing Radar Systems II-13 Air Traffic Control and Navigation II-13 Detection and Search Radars. II-13 Threat Radars. II-14 Battlefield and Reconnaissance Radar II-14 Missile Guidance Systems. II-14 Space and Range Instrumentation Radar Systems II-14 PC Radar Technology II-15 Radar Types. II-15 3D Radar. II-15 Millimeter Cloud Radar II-15 Imaging Radar II-15 Incoherent Scatter II-15 SCR-270 Radar II-16 Multistatic Radar. II-16 Planar Array Radar. II-16 Precision Approach Radar II-16 Low Probability of Intercept II-17 HF Radar II-17 Passive Radar II-18 X-Band Radar II-19 Continuous-Wave Radar II-20 Radar Gun. II-20 Doppler Radar. II-21 Basic Concept. II-21 Application in Weather Radar. II-22 Doppler Radar Tower II-22 Pulse-Doppler Radar. II-23 Signal Demodulation. II-23 Underlying Principle II-23 Range Ambiguity II-24 Application Considerations II-24 Moving Targets II-24 Phased Array Radars (PAR) II-24 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) II-25 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) II-26 AESA Vs PESA II-26 AESA Radars II-26 Airborne Systems II-26 Sea and Ground-based Systems II-27

3. End-Use Industry Analysis II-28 Radar Uses II-28 Search Radars. II-28 Marine Radars. II-28 Navigational Radars II-28 Targeting Radars. II-28 Weather Radars II-28 Radar Proximity Fuzes II-28 Wearable and Miniature Radar Systems II-29 Radar Altimeters. II-29 Mapping Radars II-29 Primary and Secondary Radars II-29 General Purpose Radars II-29 End-Use Applications - Scope of Coverage II-29 Land Based Surveillance. II-29 Air Defense Surveillance II-30 Naval Surveillance II-30 Air Traffic Control II-30 Weather Surveillance II-31

4. Product Innovations/Introductions II-32 BAE Releases ARTISAN 3D Radar for Export Market II-32 Curtiss-Wright Launches New Receiver Card, XMC-E220 II-32 Cambridge Consultants Introduces Prism 200 in USA. II-32 University of Hawaii Develops Heart Sensing Radar II-33 New Pulsed Radar Application Antennas II-33 HVVi Launches New RF Power Transistors II-33 Lightcast Unveils Economical Radar Speed Monitors. II-33 Freescale Rolls Out 50-Volt LDMOS RF Power Transistors. II-34 Applied Radar Introduces Titan V5 Signal Processor II-34 RFMD Releases 400W HPA. II-34 Northrop Grumman Releases VisionMaster FT™ 250 II-35 MPH Rolls Out BEE™ III ASD™ Radar II-35 Rockwell Rolls Out RTA-4100 MultiScan™ II-35 Microsemi Launches New L-Band Pulsed Radar Power Solution Modules. II-36 New Continuous-Wave Radar Determines Projectile Range II-36 Microsemi Launches High-Performance Transistor, 0405-500L II-36 Toshiba Unveils New X-Band Transistors II-36 Microsemi Unveils New Pulsed Radar Application Power Solution Modules. II-37 Galileo Avionica Unveils Gabbiano Radar Line II-37 ICx Launches the STS-1400 Radar II-38 New Method for Determining Interference II-38 New Pulse Wave Radar System II-38 Thales Unveils Coastmaster II-38 SAR Imaging Autofocus Technique Developed by Californian Inventors II-38 New Beamless Emission Radar System II-39 Raymarine Releases New Radar Domes II-39 Sumitomo Develops New LQ Series Wind Profiler Radar II-39 Garmin Introduces New Radar Scanners. II-39 Essex Unveils MB-SAR II-40 New Pulse Wave Radar Developed by Japanese Inventors II-40

5. Recent Industry Activity II-41 Finmeccanica Acquires DRS. II-41 Cobham Concludes M/A-COM Acquisition II-41 Lockheed Martin Acquires Aculight II-41 Teledyne Acquires Defense Electronics Business of Filtronic II-42 Lockheed Martin to Acquire Remaining Stake in RLM Holdings II-42 Israel Aerospace and Synergy Group to Partner in Brazilian JV. II-42 TASL and IAI Ink JV Agreement II-42 EADS and Thales Partner for Passive Radar II-43 4C Controls Inks Exclusive Licensing Agreement II-43 EADS to Equip Radar Systems on Germany's Military Airfields II-43 Sensis and Saab Ink Marketing and Support Agreement for GIRAFFE AMB Radar II-44 SELEX GALILEO and RFMD Enter Strategic Supply Arrangement II-44 Royal Navy to Get BAE Systems' ARTISAN 3D II-44 Thales, Furuno Ink Collaboration Agreement for Surveillance Radar II-45 US and Czech Ink Agreement on Ballistic Missile Defense II-45 Mercury Bags Orders to Enhance Computing Performance and Surveillance Radar II-45 Honeywell Bags IntuVue Weather Radar Contract from Airbus. II-46 EADS Secures TRS-3D Radar Supply Contract from Lockheed Martin II-46 US FAA Awards Contract to Vaisala II-46 Griffon's TRS Division Bags US$ 71.5 million Radar Technology Contract. II-47 IAF Receives Rohini, a 3-D Acquisition Radar, from BEL II-47 DRS Wins Contracts for MSTAR Systems II-47 US Army to Acquire More EQ-36 Radar Systems from Lockheed. II-47 Boeing Bags Radar Upgrade Contract from Saudi Arabia II-48 India Plans to Install 45 Doppler Radars II-48 Philippine Port Authority Installs Vessel Monitoring System II-48 TRS Bags Upgrade Contract from Malaysian Ministry of Defense II-48 Pakistan Purchases Surveillance Radars from Lockheed Martin II-48 Saab Inks GIRAFFE AMB Supply Contract II-49 Estonia Procures Radar Systems II-49 ManTech Bags SRS Technologies. II-49 ECI Acquires Kelvin Hughes II-49 Mitec Lands Keragis II-50 WSI Takes Over Enterprise Electronics. II-50 Endwave Acquires ALC II-50 Teledyne Cougar Takes Over Tindall Technologies II-51 VMETRO to Buy 3-D Radar II-51 Aeroflex Plans Radar Business Sale. II-51 WSI and EEC Tie Up II-51 India and Israel Ink Radar Co-development Agreement II-51 VIASPACE and DMT Expand Radar Agreement. II-52 Raytheon Delivers Two MFRFS Radars II-52 Lockheed Secures US$40 Million TRACER Contract from US Army II-52 India to Purchase Next-Generation Maritime Surveillance and ATC Radars II-53 Pakistani Meteorological Department Commissions Modern Weather Radar. II-53 Raytheon Secures Silent Knight Radar Contract II-53 Odfjell to Source Radars from Northrop Grumman II-53 Raytheon Commences Production of AESA Radar for the F-15C II-54 Australia Awards Radar Maintenance Contracts to BAE and RLM. II-54 Raytheon Secures Subcontract from Boeing. II-54 EADS to Supply Radar System to Qatar II-54 Lockheed to Upgrade Japanese F-15 Fleet Radars II-55 Raytheon Secures US$29 Million Radar Sustainment Contract from Boeing. II-55 Phazotron-NIIR Plans Radar for Improved MiG-29. II-55 Northrop Grumman Bags US$256.6 Million Contract for G/ATOR II-55 BAE Wins Contract to Supply Radar Warners to Marines and Air Force. II-56 Raytheon to Supply AN/TPY-2 Radar to Missile Defense Agency II-56 Raytheon Wins Radar Warning System Order Worth US$77.8 Million from Navy II-56 Lockheed Martin Wins US$59.4 Million Order from US Navy II-56 Northrop Bags US$29 Million Contract II-56 Bay News 9 Installs Dual-pole Doppler Radar II-57 Germany Launches SARLupe Radar Satellite II-57 EADS in Negotiations for MiSAR II-57 Raytheon to Supply Radar Equipment Worth US$184 Million II-57 DMIA to Install TRACON II-57 Germany Launches TerraSAR-X Radar Satellite II-58 Raytheon and Mitsubishi Partnership II-58 Raytheon's THAAD Flight Tested Successfully II-58 Northrop Grumman's AN/APG-77V Boosts Capabilities of F-22 Raptor II-58 Shootdown Simulation Successfully Completed by Boeing's SBX II-58 Raytheon Systems to Equip UAE's RAK Airport with MSSR System II-58 BAE to Enhance UK Airspace Security with Commander Systems II-59 EADS to Supply T/R Modules and Other Equipment for MEADS II-59 WHIO-TV Deploys New Live Doppler 7 Radar II-59 BAE Syxtems Secures SBX-1 Maintenance Contract II-59 Raytheon Successfully Tests Its HDAM Missile II-59 Lockheed's S4R EDM Successfully Completes Tracking II-60

6. Strategic Corporate Developments in Recent Past II-61 Northrop Buys Interest in CEA II-61 ThalesRaytheonSystems to Spruce Up Firrefinder Radar Line. II-61 Northrop Grumman's Marine Radars Obtain Type Approval. II-61 EADS to Supply Innovative Land Based Surveillance Radar, BUR, to Germany's Armed Forces. II-61 Northrop Wins Twin Contracts Valued At US$254 Million from Air Force. II-62 DRS Wins Radar Supply Contracts Worth US$10 Million II-62 RSIS Concludes Upgrade of 158 Doppler Radars II-62 Raytheon Bags Major FAA Contract II-62 Lockheed Martin Secures US$120 Million Radar Contract from the US Army II-62 Raytheon Concludes Delivery of AESA Radars II-63 Lockheed and University of Oklahoma to Jointly Develop Enhanced Weather Radar II-63 Lockheed Inks Deal With Remmele for Supply of Vital Radar Components II-63 Raytheon Wins US$114 Million Radar Upgrade Contract. II-63 CSP Supports RSG Program With FastCluster 2000 SERIES. II-63 EDO Gets US$11.7 Million Radar Supply Subcontract from Lockheed Martin II-64 Raytheon Bags US$10.5 Million Radar Contract from Canadian Department of National Defence II-64 Estonia Receives Coastal Surveillance Radar from EADS II-64 Vaisala Acquires Sigmet. II-64 Charys Acquires CCI II-65 EMS Takes Over Multitech. II-65

7. Focus on Select Global Players II-66 Applied Radar, Inc. (USA) II-66 BAE Systems plc (UK) II-66 Cambridge Consultants Limited (UK) II-66 DRS Technologies, Inc (USA) II-67 European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V. (The Netherlands) II-67 Euroradar Consortium (UK) II-68 Galileo Avionica S.p.A (Italy) II-68 Honeywell International, Inc. (USA) II-69 ICx Technologies, Inc. (USA) II-69 Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (Israel) II-70 Lockheed Martin Corporation (USA) II-70 M/A Com - Cobham plc (UK) II-70 MEADS International (USA) II-71 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Japan) II-71 Northrop Grumman Corporation (UK) II-72 Raytheon Company (USA) II-72 Raytheon Systems Limited (UK) II-73 Rockwell Collins (USA) II-73 Telephonics Corporation (USA) II-74 Terma A/S (Denmark) II-74 Thales Group (France) II-74 The Boeing Company (USA) II-75

8. Global Market Perspective II-76

Table 1: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Radars by Geographic Region - North America, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in US$ Million for Years 2006 through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-76

Table 2: World Historic Review for Radars by Geographic Region - North America, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in US$ Million for Years 2001 through 2005 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-77

Table 3: World 10-Year Perspective for Radars by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Dollar Sales for North America, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), and Rest of World Markets for Years 2006, 2009 & 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-78

Table 4: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Radars by End-Use Segments -Land Based Surveillance, Air Defense Surveillance, Naval Surveillance, Air Traffic Control, and Weather Surveillance Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in US$ Million for Years 2006 through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-79

Table 5: World Historic Review for Radars by End-Use Segments - Land Based Surveillance, Air Defense Surveillance, Naval Surveillance, Air Traffic Control, and Weather Surveillance Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in US$ Million for Years 2001 through 2005 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-80

Table 6: World 10-Year Perspective for Radars by End-Use Segments - Percentage Breakdown of Dollar Sales for Land Based Surveillance, Air Defense Surveillance, Naval Surveillance, Air Traffic Control, and Weather Surveillance Markets for Years 2006, 2009 & 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-81

III. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

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090401-N-9985W-057

NORFOLK (April 1, 2009) The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departs from Naval Station Norfolk for a four-month deployment to the U.S. Southern Command area of focus in support of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. Fourth Fleets Continuing Promise 2009 (CP09). Comfort provides the region a mobile, flexible and rapidly responsive afloat medical capability for a number of missions and training opportunities in the Caribbean, Central and South America.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tyler J. Wilson/Released


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Comfort Crew Treats First Patients in Haiti

Release Date: 4/11/2009 7:19:00 PM


By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Marcus Suorez, Continuing Promise Public Affairs

PORT-au-PRINCE, Haiti (NNS) -- After a month of preparation, medical personnel from hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) saw their first patients of the four-month humanitarian mission Continuing Promise 2009 in Haiti April 10.

Comfort medical staff began treating patients at approximately 9:45 a.m. in Killick, one of two clinical areas the Comfort crew set up in Haiti.

"There was like a sea of people at the gates in the morning," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW/AW) Jodi Snider, who works in surgical administration.

Capt. Dominik Rudecki, a dentist in the Canadian Army, said team members were doing everything they could to see as many Haitians as possible.

"They were very grateful to us for the smallest things that we back at home take for granted," Rudecki said. "A lot of these people have never seen a dentist and are seeing one for the first time now. They are happy to be here, and it feels good to help them."

Many of the patients who came through Killick traveled a long way to see doctors, said Ensign Kathleen Kostka. Some of the patients had serious injuries; others were there for routine check-ups, and some just wanted to see a physician and know that someone cares about them, she explained.

"One of the best parts of the day was seeing one of the kids running around with my hat on and the biggest smile in the world," she said. "It was a priceless moment I'll never forget."

For more news from USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), visit
www.navy.mil/local/tah20/.


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The U.S.S. Bainbridge

Photo: USN


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Navy Crew Arrives to Assess Pirate Situation


Release Date: 4/9/2009 10:27:00 PM


By Jim Gilmore, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Pirates still hold the captain of the Maersk Alabama on the waters off Somalia, but the Navy destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) has arrived on the scene, a Defense Department spokesman said April 9.

"There's intense interest in this, and I appreciate that, but I must ask that you appreciate the fact that this is an on-going and unfolding situation," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said to reporters at the Pentagon today. "For those reasons, I will not talk in any detail of what the military aspect of this may or may not be."

Somali pirates assaulted the American ship April 8. They briefly took the vessel, but the 21-member crew took it back and captured one of the pirates in the process. News reports say the remaining pirates kidnapped the American captain of the ship. The American crew reportedly attempted a trade with the pirates, and the effort failed.

U.S. Navy assets have arrived in the vicinity and are assessing the situation, Whitman said.

"This is something that more than the United States Defense Department is interested in working on," he said. Stopping piracy off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden requires interagency and international responses, he said.

Pirate attacks in the region have spiked during the last few weeks. Part of this is because the pirates are responding to pressure placed on them by Task Force 151, a U.S. 5th Fleet unit combating piracy in the region, officials said. Also, officials added, improved weather in the region has allowed pirates to operate farther off shore. The Maersk Alabama was 300
miles off the coast when the pirates boarded.

Task Force 151 operates in a 1.1-million-square-mile region.

"That is part of the challenge," Whitman said. "It is a large area, and you can't be everywhere at once."

Previously, Whitman cited economic problems as the driving factor for Somali pirates. They live in a failed state, he explained, and piracy is a way to feed their families. While Somalia does have an al-Qaida presence, the ship hijackings do not appear to be part of the terror network, Whitman said.

Defense Department officials are in almost constant contact with officials aboard Maersk Alabama, Whitman said.

Online Now: www.navy.mil


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090213-N-5658B-014 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Feb. 13, 2009) Senior Chief Quartermaster Perry Everix plots the ship's course aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) as the ship makes her way out of port for Builder's Sea Trials.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan A. Bailey/Released


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Navy's Newest Carrier Successfully Completes Acceptance Sea Trials


Release Date: 4/9/2009 3:41:00 PM


By Program Executive Office Carriers

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) successfully completed acceptance sea trials April 7-9 off the Virginia Capes and is in final preparation for delivery. Acceptance sea trials are the final test of the ship's readiness to begin fleet service.

Navy representatives from the U.S. Navy Board of Inspection and Survey tested and evaluated the ship's systems and performance. Acceptance trials will formally conclude April 10.

George H.W. Bush is the nation's 10th, and final, Nimitz-class carrier. The ship is designed to carry all current and future aircraft in its embarked air wing until the completion of her service life in approximately 2,059.

George H. W. Bush incorporates numerous design improvements to reduce operating cost, enhance operational effectiveness and protect the environment. These include newly designed propellers, a new underwater hull-coating system, advanced waste disposal systems, a new JP-5 (jet propellant) distribution system, and modernized aircraft launch and recovery equipment. Improved medical and dental facilities have been included in the ship to enhance quality of life. George H.W. Bush also has a new composite mast that reduces topside weight and maintenance.

George H.W. Bush incorporates a modernized island, bulbous bow design and three-wire arresting gear configuration, first introduced on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

The ship's keel was laid Sept. 6, 2003, at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News. Ms. Dorothy Bush Koch, daughter of former President George H.W. Bush, served as the ship's sponsor during its christening on Oct. 7, 2006. The ship was commissioned Jan. 10, 2009, at Norfolk Naval Base. USS George H.W. Bush is commanded by Capt. DeWolfe H. Miller III, USN. Upon delivery to the Navy, the ship will conduct post delivery maintenance before commencing training for operational deployment in 2010.

For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit
www.navy.mil/local/navsea/

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090401-N-6639M-689 GULF OF ADEN (April 1, 2009) The amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) transits the Gulf of Aden. Boxer is the flagship for Combined Task Force 151, a multinational task force conducting counter-piracy operations to detect and deter piracy in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Red Sea. CTF 151 was established to create a lawful maritime order and develop security in the maritime environment.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Laura A. Moore/Released


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Combined Maritime Forces Issues New Alert to Mariners

Release Date: 4/7/2009 4:48:00 PM


From Commander, Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Following a series of attacks off the eastern coast of Somalia, Combined Maritime Forces issued an updated special maritime advisory message.

The message highlights several recent attacks that occurred hundreds of miles off the Somali coast and states that merchant mariners should be increasingly vigilant when operating in those waters.

"We continue to highlight the importance of preparation by the merchant mariners and the maritime industry in this message," said Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, Combined Maritime Forces. "We synchronize the efforts of the naval forces deployed to the region. However as we have often stated, international naval forces alone will not be able to solve the problem of piracy at sea.

"Piracy is a problem that starts ashore."

While the majority of attacks during 2008 and early 2009 took place in the Gulf of Aden, these recent attacks off the eastern coast of Somalia are not unprecedented. An attack on the large crude tanker Sirius Star in November 2008 occurred more than 450 nautical miles off the southeast coast of Somalia.

The notice also reiterates the fact that despite an increased naval presence in the region, ships and aircraft are unlikely to be close enough to provide support to vessels under attack. The scope and magnitude of the problem can not be understated.

The area involved off the coast of Somalia and Kenya as well as the Gulf of Aden equals more than 1.1 million square miles (2.5 million square kilometers), roughly four times the size of Texas or the size of the Mediterranean and Red Seas combined. The length of the Somali coastline is roughly the same length as the entire Eastern Seaboard of the United States.

Ships and aircraft of Combined Task Force 151, the European Union, NATO and a number of international navies continue to patrol the region, but the closest military ship could be days away from a merchant vessel sailing hundreds of miles off the coast. While maritime patrol aircraft from a number of nations fly counterpiracy missions, the same aircraft are also providing critical support to coalition forces operating throughout the region.

Despite the recent successful attacks, merchant mariners have proven successes as first-line defenders against pirates. A number of merchant vessels have employed evasive maneuvering and other defensive measures to protect their ships and their cargoes.

Recent examples of proactive measures include the crew of Panamanian-flagged motor vessel Protector evasively out-maneuvering pirates and repelling their would-be attackers with fire hoses; the crew of Motor Vessel Sea Green firing several warning flares at suspected pirates as they approached, successfully warding off an attack; and the merchant mariners aboard Motor Vessel Africa Star rigging barbed wire along the sides of the ship to prevent pirates from boarding.

In all three examples, merchant mariners were able to prevent the theft of their vessels via methods they undertook to secure their ships and protect their crews.

CTF 151 is a multinational task force that conducts counterpiracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea and was established to create a lawful maritime order and develop security in the maritime environment.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet, visit
www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.

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U.S. Naval Forces inspect a Dhow

U.S. Navy file photo


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A&M USA In Profile

16 April 2009
HMA Ships CHILDERS and ALBANY


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NUSHIP CHILDERS leaves HMAS COONAWARRA

(Date taken: 26 April 2007)

Photo: Australia MoD


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20081118ran8107930_130

Armidale Class Patrol Boats HMA Ships GLENELG, MARYBOROUGH and ALBANY with Landing Craft Heavy HMAS BETANO sail in company from Darwin Harbour.

(Date taken: 18 November 2008)

Photo: Australia MoD


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20081120ran8107930_012

Armidale Class Patrol Boats HMA Ships ALBANY, MARYBOROUGH and GLENELG conduct Officer of the Watch Manoeuvres.

(Date taken: 20 November 2008)

Photo: Australia MoD


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20081121ran8107930_056

Armidale Class Patrol Boat HMAS ALBANY steams into Darwin Harbour after the conclusion of the Minor War Vessel Concentration Period.

(Date taken: 21 November 2008)

Photo: Australia MoD


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20081121ran8107930_119

Armidale Class Patrol Boat HMAS ALBANY steams into Darwin Harbour after the conclusion of the Minor War Vessel Concentration Period.

(Date taken: 21 November 2008)

Photo: Australia MoD


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Photo: Australia MoD


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090408-N-2610F-340 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 8, 2009) Lightning strikes behind two F/A-18C Hornet strike fighters from the "Blue Diamonds" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elliott Fabrizio/Released


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090408-N-2610F-293 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 8, 2009) Lightning strikes behind an F/A-18C Hornet from the "Blue Diamonds" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 on the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elliott Fabrizio/Released


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090407-N-5735P-037 ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 7, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is underway from Naval Station Norfolk conducting acceptance trials and the Board of Inspections and Survey to test the ship's material conditions and readiness.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st class Demetrius L. Patton/Released


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090409-N-8907D-233 NORFOLK, Va. (April 9, 2009) Lt. j.g. Matt Johnson, from the guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72), embraces his wife during the ship’s homecoming at Naval Station Norfolk. Mahan returned after a six-month deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility as part of Combined Task Force 151, a multinational task force conducting counter-piracy operations to detect and deter piracy in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Red Sea.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David Danals/Released


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L090408-N-8157C-001 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 8,2009) An F-18 Hornet departs the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Denny Cantrell/Released


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L090408-N-8157C-001 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 8,2009) Distinguished visitors from Thailand watch flight operations from Vultures Row aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) as an EA-6B Prowler from the "Yellowjackets" of Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 138 lands on the flight deck . John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Denny Cantrell/Released


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090407-N-6538W-132 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 7, 2009) Sailors on flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) prepare two MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters from the "Eightballers" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) for flight operations. John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Walter M. Wayman/Released


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090407-N-9849P-140 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (April 7, 2009) Chief Boatswain's Mate Ryan J. Lamkin directs an Armed Forces of Malta Alouette helicopter to a landing aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) during flight operations. The ship will visit Malta for a theater security cooperation mission to strengthen the maritime partnership between the U.S. and Malta.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Whitfield M. Palmer/Released


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L090408-N-3714M-289 KODIAK, Alaska (April 8, 2009) A SEAL Qualification Training candidate looks out from a two-man tent during a re-warming exercise in which he spent five minutes in near freezing water. Candidates completed the re-warming exercise after spending 48 hours in the Alaskan mountains learning how to navigate through the rugged terrain and survive the frigid conditions. The 28-day cold-weather training course, taught in Kodiak, is part of a yearlong process to become a U.S. Navy SEAL.

U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Erika N. Manzano/Released


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090408-N-9552I-044 SIGONELLA, Sicily (April 8, 2009) Aviation Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Kevin Quinn hooks a lift onto the dome of a propeller from a P-3C Orion at Naval Air Station Sigonella. NAS Sigonella provides logistical support for commander, 6th Fleet and NATO forces in the Mediterranean area.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan P. Idle/Released


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090407-N-8273J-109 SIMON'S TOWN, South Africa (April 7, 2009) Sailors stand ready for inspection during a Guard of Honor ceremony for Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead during a visit to Simon'S Town Naval Base. As the first CNO to visit South Africa, Roughead met with senior leadership to continue to build coalition partnerships and discuss training and maritime security cooperation in the region.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini M. Jones/Released


MARITIME TOP STORIES

090408-N-3714M-045 KODIAK, Alaska (April 8, 2009) A cold weather training instructor monitors SEAL Qualification Training candidates while they spend five minutes in near freezing water during a re-warming exercise. Candidates completed the re-warming exercise after spending 48 hours in the Alaskan mountains learning how to navigate through the rugged terrain and survive the frigid conditions. The 28-day cold-weather training course, taught in Kodiak, is part of a yearlong process to become a U.S. Navy SEAL.

U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Erika N. Manzano/Released




 

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