Drug Subs Pose New Challenge for Navy and Coast Guard
DRUG BUST: The crew of a semi-submersible drug-trafficking vessel prepares to abandon ship before being intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard northwest of the Colombian-Ecuador border this past January. A dozen suspected drug smugglers were apprehended (U.S. Navy photo)
The first time they found one, US military authorities dubbed it “Big Foot.” They had heard rumours that such things existed, but nobody had actually seen one. It was late 2006, and Big Foot was not lurking in a forest, but at sea, 145 kms southwest of Costa Rica. And it was not an ape-like creature, but a hulking, blue vessel resembling a submarine and carrying several tons of cocaine.
Nor was it a solitary beast. Authorities say they are detecting more and more vessels like Big Foot — known as self-propelled semi-submersibles (SPSS)– carrying larger and larger loads of drugs.
Chugging around the southern curve of Central America and up towards the United States, they have formed a kind of illicit fleet and become a major drug trafficking tool. In recent years, SPSS vessels have become more advanced in range and capacity and are increasingly being used to smuggle large quantities of cocaine from South and Central America to North America. U.S. officials estimate that SPSS vessels are used in 32 percent of all narcotics shipments in the Western Hemisphere Transit Zone, which includes the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
Colombian Navy chief Admiral Guillermo Barrera told a counterterrorism conference in Bogota last week that 23 semi-submersibles capable of carrying between 4 and 10 metric tonnes of drugs each have been seized in the past three years. In addition, the U.S. has nabbed 11 such semi-submersibles in 2008 in the Pacific. However, military officials estimate that another 60 semi-submersibles successfully delivered their cargo (presumably to North America or to another ship for transit to the U.S. or Canada).
Drug cartels started looking for alternative ways to transport their cargo several years ago, when drug enforcement officials cracked down on trafficking by fishing vessels. One answer was the “go fast,” a powerful speed boat that blasts across the water so fast that authorities have to use helicopters to give chase. Another was the self-propelled semi-submersible.
Unlike speedboats though, semi-subs have a low profile. They travel just beneath the ocean’s surface, making them difficult to find on radar screens. They also use lead shielding to minimize its “heat signature” and throw off infrared sensors. More recently, traffickers have started outfitting semi-subs with a scuttle valve so crews can quickly sink the vessels if authorities get close enough to board and collect evidence.
On January 15, 2009 a Canadian Forces Aurora long-range patrol aircraft helped the U.S. Coast Guard identify and track a self-propelled semi-submersible vessel in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of South America. The vessel was carrying seven metric tonnes (about 7,000 kilograms) of cocaine worth $242 million.
The mission was part of Operation Caribbe, the Canadian Forcers’ codename for its participation in an international partnership that aims to reduce drug trafficking and other illegal activities in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. In the partnership, Canada works with the U.S., U.K., France, Spain, and the Netherlands under the U.S.-led Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S), an organization led by the U.S. Southern Command within the U.S. Department of Defense.
Operation Caribbe was led by Canada Command, a Canadian Forces organization responsible for routine and contingency operations in Canada and North America.
Vice Admiral Dean McFadden, head of Canada Command, said in a recent interview that the skills the military developed to track submarines came into play in hunting down the what layman often refer to as a “drug sub.” The engines require air to function and for that drug smugglers have installed pipes sticking out of the semi-submersible, McFadden said. Those pipes, he noted, are similar to periscopes, something navy crews involved in anti-submarine warfare are trained to detect.
With their hull rising only about half a metre (18 inches) above the waterline, these low-profile vessels are hard to see from a distance, leave little wake, and are difficult to detect with radar.
While operating in the Caribbean in January, HMCS Montréal became the first naval ship to conduct trials with SPSS vessels. The trials were a first step toward developing tactics and procedures that will help in the detection and tracking of SPSS vessels.
SPSS vessels range from 12 to 30 metres (40 to 100 feet) in length, can carry several crew members and over ten metric tonnes of cocaine. Some can cover up to 4,000 kms during a non-stop two week voyage. A growing concern is that these vessels can potentially be used by criminal organizations and even terrorists to carry other kinds of illicit cargo.
“What worries me [about the SPSS] is if you can move that much cocaine, what else can you put in that semi-submersible? Can you put a weapon of mass destruction in it?” said Navy Admiral Jim Stavridis, Commander of the U.S. Southern Command.
While cocaine is the largest type of trafficking that JIATF-S deals with, the organization is also responsible for coordinating efforts to stem other illicit activities such as piracy, the smuggling of humans, money, and weapons, and terrorism.
Robotic subs monitor Antarctic climate change
Robotic mini submarines using sonar were used during the International Polar Year (IPY) that aimed to investigate the effects of global warming in polar regions.
The fourth IPY, which began in March 2007 and actually covered two full years, ended last month, after 160 scientific projects were undertaken by researchers from over 60 countries.
A joint project by the International Council for Science (ICSW) and World Meteorological Organization. (WMO), the IPY hoped to spearhead efforts to better monitor and understand the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The project had international funding of about US$ 1.2 billion over the two-year period.
“The International Polar Year 2007/2008 came at a crossroads for the planet’s future,” said Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of WMO in a press statement. “The new evidence resulting from polar research will strengthen the scientific basis on which we build future actions.”
Researchers found that in the Arctic during the summers of 2007 and 2008, the minimum extent of year-round sea ice decreased to its lowest level since satellite records began 30 years ago. According to a report published by the IPY organizing committee in February, their research indicates that global warming is affecting Antarctica in ways not previously identified.
Other evidence of climate change came from IPY research vessels that found warming waters in the Southern Ocean and an increase in melting ice that is creating fresher bottom water around the coast of Antarctica.
A project to study the underside of an Antarctic glacier deployed an autonomous robot submarine. The team from the U.S. and British Antarctic Survey sent the “Autosub” on six missions to study the Pine Island Glacier and how changes in ocean temperature were affecting the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Using sonar, the submarine picked its way around the glacier and sent back data that created three-dimensional maps that scientists used to determine where and how the warmth of the ocean waters was melting the glacier’s base.
“If the West Antarctic Ice Sheet were to melt completely, global sea levels would rise by as much as 5 meters,” said Stan Jacobs, the U.S. lead scientist on the project. Because so little is known about ice-sheet behavior, this research will take us a step further in understanding how ice sheets will contribute to sea-level rise.”
Marport Maritime Mania
Marport’s 2009 Dealer Conference 2009 was held at the beautiful Hyatt Grand Cypress Hotel & Resort in Orlando, Florida from April 2 – 5, 2009. During the 3 day event, the conference brought together over 70 delegates from around the world to learn about Marport’s Software Defined Sonar technology.
On Friday evening, Marport hosted an Appreciation Dinner for delegates (covered in yesterday’s blog).
Saturday’s workshops commenced at 1000 and during lunch, Elias Olafsson from DanTrawl gave an interesting presentation regarding developments of pelagic and bottom trawl technology. A special thanks to Elias for his presentation.
Saturday workshops ended at 1530 – giving the delegates time to prepare for the team-building event known as Marport Maritime Mania.
The challenge was to design and build a 2-person powered cardboard boat capable of racing a designated swimming pool course in the best time. Each team was given corrugated cardboard sheets, duct tape and a plastic sheet to create a boat that holds 2 people! No other items were permitted to be used for building the boat.
Each team named and decorated their boat, designated a Captain and First Mate, introduced their creation, and then participated in the “boat parade”. Teams had one hour to design and build their boat.
Motivational music and lots of free-flowing beer helped the event along – as you can see in the pictures below. It was a hilarious event, and all participants really enjoyed behaving like little kids for a couple of hours!!
Team Blue listens intently to the rules and regulations. Petter and Tor are quite keen on winning this the race!
Team Orange at their “shipyard” with their “boat-building” materials
Team Yellow in their “shipyard” – looking quite colourful!
Team Black start building their boat.
Team Green use all available hands on deck for boat construction. Perhaps the other team members were using their hands to hold a cold beer 
Team Black proudly display their creation – Black Mamba
Team Orange’s creation – Yellow Duck – complete with cardboard “paddles”
Team Green’s catamaran design – Mondai-Nai (translates to “No Problem” in English)
Team Blue’s masterpiece – Tru Krawl (notice the beer holders located near the bow)
Team Yellow launches their vessel – Naughty Children – with Erin as First Mate and Robert as Captain
The Admiral of the Fleet – Birgir Sverrrisson – prepares to inspect his cardboard flotilla prior to the start of the race!
1st Heat – Complications arise in the race between Yellow Duck and Naughty Children. It seems that the Yellow Duck doesn’t like getting wet and Naughty Children had a little “stability” problem
Frank and Peter power the Mondai-Nai around the course
Loic and Juan provide propulsion for the Black Mamba
2nd Heat – Black Mamba wins as it seems that one of the watertight bulkheads in Mondai-Nai was not so watertight
Final Race – the Grand Winner was Tru Krawl – with Darren as First Mate and Petter as Captain.
Tru Krawl continued to stay afloat for 15 more minutes after the race – much to the delight of the children who paddled it around the pool for several Winning Laps!
The Winning Team with Marport laptop bags and assorted trinkets from Disneyland.
Thomas, Tor and Darren share a laugh after their team’s award-winning exploits.
Loic and Gilles from Marport France show off some of the catwalk skills that made Paris famous!
Anthony and Robert (software engineers from Marport Canada) are trying to figure out what went wrong – “it worked on my computer”…
Pat does his impression of “Popeye the Sailor Man”….in a strange way he kinda does look like Popeye
After the Marport Maritime Mania event, all delegates were served a delicious BBQ of steak, chicken and ribs on the poolside decks.
Marport’s 2009 Dealer Conference was a rousing success. We extend our sincere appreciation to all delegates for attending. We also thank the Marport team members that organized the event (with special mention to Glenda, Joy and Patrick).
And finally, we thank the management and staff at the Hyatt Grand Regency for their exceptional service and support.
Thanks again, we look forward to seeing you all soon. And in the meantime, remember the following:
Marport Dealer Conference – 2009
Marport’s 2009 Dealer Conference 2009 was held at the beautiful Hyatt Grand Cypress Hotel & Resort in Orlando, Florida from April 2 – 5, 2009.
The conference brought together over 70 delegates from around the world to learn about Marport’s Software Defined Sonar technology platform for commercial fishing applications. The delegates received sales, marketing and technical training, shared their experiences and made feature recommendations for new products currently under development. The conference also offered delegates the opportunity to interact with Marport’s sales and product engineering team. The group discovered Marport’s vision for future products and discussed ideas for specific market enhancements for those products.
Karl Kenny, Marport’s President and CEO said, “This event was a significant marketing opportunity for our company. It also provided a hand-on forum for our customers to have an in-depth review of our technology innovations and to provide direction on how we can meet their future market requirements. The 2009 conference was a unique opportunity for delegates to work and socialize in a superb environment. The delegates generously shared their experiences and provided guidance for our future product development. We really appreciate the excellent turnout and are very grateful for their advice and continued support.”
Delegates attended from around the world including Argentina, Canada, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Iceland, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain and the United States.
On Friday evening, Marport hosted an Appreciation Dinner and awarded delegates in several categories:
Partner of the Year – Koden Electronics Co. Ltd.
Peter Ito from Koden accepts the award from Oskar Axelsson, Marport’s Executive Vice President and General Manager, Commercial Fisheries.
Supplier of the Year – Airmar Technology Corporation
Steve Boucher, President of Airmar, accepts the award from Oskar Axelsson.
Customer of the Year – Katla Seafoods, Iceland
Due to a schedule conflict, representatives from Katla Seafoods were unfortunately unable to attend the event. The award was accepted on their behalf by Oskar Axelsson.
Captain of the Year – Captain Birgir Thor Sverrrisson, F/V Vestmannaey VE 444
Captain Sverrrisson accepts the award from Oskar Axelsson.
Dealer of the Year: Service – Lunde Marine Electronics / TNT, Seattle, Washington
Tor Tollessen, President of Lunde Marine enthusiastically accepts the award on behalf of Lunde and TNT from Oskar Axelsson.
Dealer of the Year: Revenue – Inter-Trade Electronics, St. Petersburg, Russia
Alexander Olkhovitch, accepts the award and a $5000 prize as Dealer of the Year with Top Revenue from Oskar Axelsson. Congratulations, Alexander!!
We will have additional news about the hilarious Marport Maritime Mania event on tomorrow’s blog.
Canadian warship thwarts suspected pirates
Warding off suspected pirates and coming to the aid of a boatload of fleeing Somali refugees is all in a day’s work for the crew of HMCS Winnipeg.
Last week the Canadian warship sent its Sea King helicopter after several skiffs that were shadowing a commercial vessel, using a large red “STOP” sign to tell the speedboat crews to get lost.
Commander Craig Baines says the suspected pirates did just that when they saw the sign, written in Somali, hanging out the chopper’s door – along with the aircraft’s machine-gun.
The Pacific Opal vessel had earlier radioed for help.
Commander Baines adds that today the Winnipeg saw more action when it spotted a boatload of Somalis, trying to get from Somalia to Yemen. He said the Somalis had been at sea for two days and were hungry and thirsty, so crew from the Winnipeg were able to get supplies to them.
The Winnipeg is currently participating in a NATO-led counter-piracy mission known as Operation Allied Protector. With a crew of approximately 240 officers and non-commissioned members, the warship has been at sea since early February, and won’t return to Victoria until August.
Antarctic ice bridge snaps
A view of the leading edge of the remaining part of the Larsen B ice shelf that extends into the northwest part of the Weddell Sea is seen in this photo taken in March, 2008.
One Antarctic ice shelf has quickly vanished, another is disappearing and glaciers are melting faster than anyone thought due to climate change, U.S. and British government researchers reported last week.
They said the Wordie Ice Shelf, which had been disintegrating since the 1960s, is gone and the northern part of the Larsen Ice Shelf no longer exists. More than 3,200 square miles (8,300 square km) have broken off from the Larsen shelf since 1986.
On Saturday, an ice bridge connecting a vast Antarctic ice shelf to two islands shattered. Satellite images from the European Space Agency show a 40-kilometre-long strip of ice, linking the Charcot and Latady islands to the Wilkins Ice Shelf, snapped at its narrowest point.
Scientists fear the collapse will allow ocean currents to wash away more and more of the shelf. They speculate the northern half of the shelf, which is roughly the size of Jamaica, could eventually break free of the Antarctic Peninsula and become a giant iceberg.
The Wilkins Ice Shelf has been moving since the 1990s, but experts say this is the first time one of the links apparently keeping it in place has crumbled. They suspect climate change is responsible for the collapse of the bridge.
“The rapid retreat of glaciers there demonstrates once again the profound effects our planet is already experiencing — more rapidly than previously known — as a consequence of climate change,” U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a statement.
“This continued and often significant glacier retreat is a wakeup call that change is happening … and we need to be prepared,” USGS glaciologist Jane Ferrigno, who led the Antarctica study, said in a statement. “Antarctica is of special interest because it holds an estimated 91 percent of the Earth’s glacier volume, and change anywhere in the ice sheet poses significant hazards to society,” she said.
In another report published in the journal Geophysical Letters, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that ice is melting much more rapidly than expected in the Arctic as well, based on new computer analyses and recent ice measurements.
The U.N. Climate Panel projects that world atmospheric temperature will rise by between 1.8 and 4.0 degrees Celsius because of emissions of greenhouse gases that could bring floods, droughts, heat waves and more powerful storms.
As glaciers and ice sheets melt, they can raise overall ocean levels and swamp low-lying areas.
Congratulations!
Marport extends sincere congratulations to our industry colleagues at Simrad for this impressive contract win! It helps strengthen our industry.
It’s too bad that Marport didn’t have a trawl positioning system ready in time to competitively bid on this contract.
But we’re workin’ on one…..
Simrad receives historic order for trawl systems
2 April 2009
Extensive trawl systems package for vessels operating close to new Enagas pipeline in the Mediterranean
The Simrad office in Spain, Simrad Spain SL, received a record order for 118 ITI systems on 25th March 2009. The ITI systems shall be used by the trawler fleet operating around a new gas pipeline, which is currently under construction between Denia, on the east coast of Spain, and Mallorca, passing through Ibiza. The ITI trawl systems are part of a complete package developed by Simrad Spain SL on request of the pipeline owner, the Spanish gas giant Enagas.
The extensive package is Simrad’s largest ever single trawl systems order. In addition to the 118 ITI trawl systems, the order includes the same quantity of Olex seabed mapping systems, Black Box recorders, JRC GPS gyros and Thyboron trawl door pairs. The Black Box recorders will log and transmit vessel and trawl data on a daily basis through the GSM network to a server based at Simrad. The total value of the package is close to Euro 8,5 million. A 30 year service contract has also been agreed as part of the package.
The route of the new Enagas pipeline takes it through valuable fishing grounds to the south of Valencia and the North of Alicante. As a result of this the fishermen require equipment in order to avoid causing damage to the infrastructure and their trawls, whilst maintaining an efficient and profitable fishery. Enagas also require daily reporting of the movements of every fishing vessel in the area around the pipeline. These requirements together are the reason for Enagas supplying the packages to the local vessels.
The trawl system will be used to avoid causing damage to the infrastructure and their trawls, whilst maintaining an efficient and profitable fishery. (Illustration by Thyborøn)
“Simrad Spain SL is the company best positioned to meet the wide scope of Enagas’ and the local fishery’s needs,” comments Agustin Mayans, General Manager, Simrad Spain. “The best way to provide the protection required is to know the exact position of the pipeline and have an accurate map of the bottom topography. At the same time, you must know the exact position and depth of the trawl and trawl doors. The only system that can provide this is the Simrad ITI positioning system interfaced to the Olex sea bed mapping system. This way each skipper will have full control of the net in a 3D environment.”
To control the lift and landing of the trawl over the pipeline a set of Thyboron trawl doors was included as a part of the package. The stability of these doors is vital to make the ‘jump’. A reporting system and help desk has been established at Simrad Spain for the administrative work. This office will collect vessel data and send reports to Enagas on a regular basis.
“To my knowledge, this is the largest single order for trawl systems ever, anywhere in our industry,” says Mads Dahl, Sales and Marketing Director, Simrad. “The crew at Simrad Spain has been working day and night to get this package together against some strong competition. In my opinion Enagas has made the right decision not only based on products but also because Simrad Spain is the most experienced and professional trawl organization anywhere. They are therefore able to provide the ongoing services and support that the contract requires.”
Approximately five to seven systems will be delivered and installed immediately with further deliveries every week until all vessels have the complete systems installed. The crew of each vessel will be trained and serviced by the highly experienced Simrad Spain team, adding further value to the whole package. Also, as part of the KONGSBERG Group, Simrad can provide even further value through its relation to the Oil & Gas industry, making the company a very strong partner with Enagas throughout the 30 year horizon of the project.
Canadian Government Seeks Bids for Mid-Shore Patrol Vessels
GATINEAU, Quebec — The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, as well as the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, today announced that the Government of Canada has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to obtain mid-shore patrol vessels on behalf of the Canadian Coast Guard.
The government plans to procure up to twelve new mid-shore patrol vessels to provide support for the Fisheries Conservation and Protection Program, as well as maritime security.
“This government will ensure that the Coast Guard receives the vessels they need, that Canadian taxpayers receive the best value for their money, and that Canadian industry benefits from this procurement,” said Minister Paradis.
Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) issued a draft RFP on Merx on February 26, 2009, in order to give industry the opportunity to provide feedback. As a result of this draft, PWGSC received comments from nine companies. This input was taken into account in drafting the RFP now posted.
“The acquisition of new mid-shore patrol vessels is a priority for the Canadian Coast Guard,” said Minister Shea. “With this investment, the Coast Guard will continue to focus on what it does best, that is, provide valuable services to mariners in Canadian waters.”
Under the Canadian Shipbuilding Policy, the government’s commitment to procure, repair and refit vessels in Canada, subject to operational requirements and the continued existence of a competitive domestic marketplace, remains unaltered.
Canada’s Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy also applies to this project and will require the winning bidder to undertake high quality and advanced-technology business activities in Canada in an amount equal to 100% of the contract value.
“The government is fulfilling an important need with this purchase,” said Minister Clement. “The application of the Shipbuilding and IRB policies will bring direct benefit to the Canadian economy.”
BACKGROUNDER
The government plans to procure up to twelve new mid-shore patrol vessels (MSPVs) to provide support for the Fisheries Conservation and Protection Program, as well as maritime security.
PWGSC launched this process by issuing a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) on Merx on February 26, 2009. This provided industry with the opportunity to provide input into the RFP now posted.
As a result of the draft, PWGSC received comments from nine companies. This input was taken into account in drafting the final RFP. As part of a fair, open and transparent process the RFP is posted on Merx™ for 45 days. Once the RFP has closed, the government will examine all bids received to ensure that Canadian taxpayers receive the best value for their money and will seek the best possible benefits for Canadian industry.
The contract will ensure that the twelve new MSPVs will be built in Canada as per the Canadian Shipbuilding Policy and delivered to Canada’s west and east coasts and the Great Lakes. These vessels are critical to the Canadian Coast Guard, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canada’s international maritime partners. They will ensure that the Canadian Coast Guard can provide a presence in Canadian waters that discourages threats and illegal activities.
The contract award is anticipated for the fall of 2009.
