BBC Box Completes Global Voyage

The BBC Box that commenced global voyage in September 2008 completed the mission and returned to Southampton, UK from Thailand on October 22. The project was launched to give details of the global trade and economy through television, radio and online audiences as experienced by the BBC Box , 40 feet/Dry with code number – NYKU8210506. Interestingly, the BBC Box is also a witness to the global recession.

Click the map below provided by BBC News, to trace the global voyage of the BBC Box in detail.

BBC_Box_Route_Map

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JMSDF Destroyer Kurama and MV Carina Star Collide Below Kanmon Bridge

Kanmon_Bridge_Japan Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) destroyer Kurama (DDH 144) and South Korean container ship Carina Star collided on October 27. Kurama was on her way back to Sasebo Base, after attending the fleet review.

Information available from the Press Conference by the Defense Minister, Japan:

  • Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) destroyer, 5,200-ton Kurama collided with South Korean cargo ship Carina Star which is about 7,400 tons.
  • The accident occurred around 7:56 P.M. on October 27 in the Kanmon Strait, almost right below the Kanmon Bridge. As a result of collision, fire broke out in both ships.
  • JMSDF destroyer Kurama
    • The crewmembers of the Kurama extinguished the fire that broke out in the bow.
    • Kurama came alongside a pier at Moji Port around 5:16 A.M. on October 28, and the fire was extinguished completely around 6:30 A.M.
    • Four crew members were treated in a hospital; one for a light injury and the other three for inhaling smoke.
    • Two more crew members who were involved in extinguishing the fire were treated for dehydration, but their conditions are very stable.
    • Investigation by Japan Coast Guard (JCG) is going on.
  • South Korean container ship Carina Star
    • Fire in Carina Star was extinguished and no injury was reported.
    • The cargo ship is reported to have a hole in the area under the anchor.

Here is the photograph of destroyer Kurama (DDH 144) from JMSDF.

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STX Europe Turku Delivers Oasis of the Seas to Royal Caribbean International

STX_Europe STX Europe, Turku has delivered ‘Oasis of the Seas’ the most revolutionary cruise ship to Royal Caribbean International on October 28. Oasis of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world. Oasis of the Seas will be unveiled on ABC’s “Good Morning America” during a special live broadcast on November 20. It is worth noting that the Oasis of the Seas and the Allure of the Seas projects have provided the shipyard and the maritime cluster with 12,000 man-years of labor.

Some interesting features of Oasis of the Seas and her joining the Royal Caribbean International are:

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India: 28th Coast Guard Commanders Conference Going On

28th_Indian_Coast_Guard_Commanders_Conference_1 The 28th Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference commenced at New Delhi on October 28. The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has said that the Government is making all out efforts to help Indian Coast Guard to be one of the finest Coast Guards in the world in a couple of years.

Some interesting information available from this three day 28th Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference are:

  • Government has sanctioned nearly 3,000 additional personnel at various levels and this is expected to be filled up on priority.
  • Coast Guard is in the process of acquiring 20 Fast Patrol Vehicles (OPVs), 41 Interceptor Boats, 12 Coastal Surveillance Aircraft (Dorniers) and 7 off-shore Patrol Vehicles(OPVs).
  • Work is in progress to set up a chain of 46 Coastal Radars spanning 9 Coastal Stations across the country.
  • Nine new Coast Guard Stations have been approved.
  • A new Regional Headquarters at Gandhinagar, Gujarat will facilitate synergy between the Coast Guard, State Government and other Central Government Organisations.
  • Steps are being taken to enhance the efficacy of Coast Guard surveillance and Search and Rescue operations.

Here are some photographs of 28th Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference from Press Information Bureau:

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Sea Port Security: U.S Navy Marine Mammals Join AUVs in NURC Experiment

NURC NATO Undersea Research Centre (NURC) in Italy conducted the CATHARSIS2 sea trial from October 5-20 in the waters near Elba Island, Italy to investigate underwater object detection technologies. On October 20, harbour security demonstration for local military and civilian authorities was conducted at La Spezia, Italy. For the first time, U.S. Navy’s Marine Mammal Fleet Systems participated in these exercises.

Some interesting features of U.S. Navy’s Marine Mammal Systems (MMS), NURC and CATHARSIS2 sea trial are:

  • U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Fleet Systems
    • Assigned to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group ONE (EODGRU ONE).
    • Uses dolphins and sea lions to find and mark the location of underwater objects.
    • Dolphins with their exceptional biological sonar can detect objects in the water column and on the sea floor.
    • Sea lions have very sensitive underwater directional hearing and exceptional vision in low light conditions.
    • MMS MK 4, MK 7 and MK 8 use dolphins.
    • MMS MK 5 uses sea lions.
    • MMS MK 6 uses both dolphins and sea lions.
    • MMS can be deployed rapidly within 72 hours of notice through ship, aircraft, helicopter, and land vehicles anywhere in the world and they regularly participate in major Fleet exercises.

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Chudamani Sea Port: Aditya Birla Group to Develop in Orissa

Aditya_Birla_group Chudamani in Bhadrak district Orissa is going to be developed as a sea port by Aditya Birla Group. MOU was signed between Shri Muralidharan, COO, Aditya Birla Group and Shri P.K. Jena, Commissioner-Cum-Secretary, Transport & Commerce Deptt in presence of Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik and other Cabinet Ministers of Orissa on October 22.

Some interesting features of Chudamani Port Project are: Chudamani_sea_port

  • To be developed on Build Own Operate (BOO) basis with an investment of INR 1,500 crore.
  • To be operational in four years with a projected capacity of 3 million tons per annum (MTPA) in the first phase with a provision to be expanded to 10 MTPA.
  • To be connected by a rail corridor from Markuna Station.
  • To have two berths to handle bulk cargo such as cement, aluminium, iron ore, thermal coal, limestone, gypsum, clinker and copper.
  • To provide directly or indirectly employment to about 5,000 people.
  • The state government is expected to get revenue of about INR 20 crore per annum.

Here is the photograph of MOU being signed between the Government of Orissa and Aditya Birla Group.

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Weekend View: Industrial Pollution in Mississippi River

Mississippi River flows through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana before joining into the Gulf of Mexico. Industrial pollution in this 3,779 km long river is increasing.

View a video clip from Al Jazeera: Fertilisers threaten Mississippi river

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October 24 is International Day of Climate Action

international_day_climate_action

October 24 is an international day of climate action.

Here is the message from 350.org.

Dear World—

This is an invitation to build a movement—to take one day and use it to stop the climate crisis.

We are a group of people from around the planet—young and old, scientists and writers and activists—who have one thing in common. We know the most important number on earth: 350. And we know how to use that number to finally get global action on the worst crisis humans have ever faced. But we can only do it if you help.

A year ago, our greatest climatologist—NASA’s James Hansen—and his team produced a landmark series of studies. They showed that if we let the amount of carbon in the atmosphere go above 350 parts per million, we can’t have a planet “similar to the one on which civilization developed and to which life on earth is adapted.”

The bad news: We’re already past that number—we’re at 390 parts per million, which is why the Arctic is melting, why drought is spreading across the planet, why people are already dying from diseases like dengue fever and malaria occurring in places where they’ve never been seen before.

The good news: that number gives us a target to aim for. When the world’s leaders meet in Copenhagen in December to reach agreement on a new climate treaty, we need them to go farther than they’ve planned to go: we need to make sure they’ll pay attention to the latest science and put forward a plan that gets us back to safety.

So here’s the plan. On October 24, we need you to organize an action in the place where you live, something that will make that most important number visible to everyone. People in more than 1000 communities around the globe have already announced plans—they’ll be school children planting 350 trees in Bangladesh, scientists hanging banners saying 350 on the statues on Easter Island, 350 scuba divers diving underwater at the Great Barrier Reef, and a thousand more creative actions like these. At each event, people will gather for a big group photo that somehow depicts 350—and upload that photo to the web 350.org. As actions take place around the world, we’ll link all the pictures together electronically via the web–by the end of the day, we’ll have a powerful visual petition linking together the entire planet that we can deliver to the media and world leaders.

So far more than 150 nations are taking part—it’s shaping up to be to be the biggest day of grassroots action on global warming ever. But we need it to be much larger—we need you, in your village or town or city, to take part. It’s not hard—we can help you with materials and ideas. But you need to take the first step, by registering an action and starting to let your friends and neighbors know about it.

Involve groups that you’re in—everything from your church, mosque or synagogue to your local bicycle group. People want to help, especially if they see the chance for something that might actually matter. This is even more important than changing your lightbulb—this is your chance to help change the way the whole world operates. October 24 comes six weeks before those crucial UN meetings in Copenhagen. It’s a great chance to take a stand—maybe the last great chance, given what the scientists tell us about the momentum of global warming.

It can only happen with the help of a global movement—and it’s starting to bubble up everywhere. Farmers in Cameroon, students in China, even World Cup skiers have already helped spread the word about 350. Churches have rung their bells 350 times; Buddhist monks have formed a huge 350 with their bodies against the backdrop of Himalayas. 350 translates across every boundary of language and culture. It’s clear and direct, cutting through the static and laying down a firm scientific line.

This is like a final exam for human beings. Can we muster the courage, the commitment, and the creativity to set this earth on a steady course before it’s too late? October 24 will be the joyful, powerful day when we prove it’s possible.

Please join us and register your local action today.

Onwards,

Bill McKibben – Author and Activist- USA Vandana Shiva – Physicist, Activist, Author – India David Suzuki – Scientist, Author, Activist – Canada Bianca Jagger – Chair of the World Future Council – UK Tim Flannery – Scientist, Author, Explorer -Australia Bittu Sahgal – Editor of Sanctuary magazine – India Andrew Simmons – Environmental Advocate, St. Vincent & The Grenadines Christine Loh – Environmental Advocate and Legislator – Hong Kong

P.S.—We need you to do something else, right away, that’s pretty easy. Please forward this message to anyone you know who is even remotely appropriate.

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China Commences 26th Antarctic Expedition

China_26th_expedition_Antarctica 26th scientific expedition to Antarctica by China commenced on October 11. China has two research stations in Antarctica and third station is being set up at Kunlun at Dome Argus.
Some interesting features of this 26th Antarctic expedition are:

  • Expedition team has left in Icebreaker Xuelong, or “Snow Dragon” from Shanghai, polar exploration vessel built by China.
  • Team is a group of 251 scientists, workers and logistics staff from China, Australia, Russia including three members from Taiwan for the first time.
  • Duration: six months, expected to return back on April 10, 2010.
  • Team will conduct 59 research projects including geological and biological research at the two stations of Changcheng and Zhongshan.

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Green Ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Ready for Commissioning

green_ship_USS_Makin_Island_LHD8 USS Makin Island is ready for commissioning on October 24 at Naval Air Station North Island.
USS Makin Island, the final amphibious assault ship built in the LHD-1 Wasp-class is considered as the green ship because

  • Makin Island is the first of the class built with both gas turbines and an electric drive as Auxiliary Propulsion System (APS).
  • The ship will be using APS for roughly 75 percent of the time the ship is underway and is expected to save nearly $250 million in fuel costs over the ship’s lifetime.
  • The ship has already saved more than $2 million in fuel costs during the ships transit from Pascagoula, Miss., to San Diego.
  • The ship has other environmentally-friendly equipments like
    • an electric plant to power auxiliaries thereby avoiding steam or associated chemicals.
    • reverse osmosis water purification systems to avoid the need for chemicals like bromine or chlorine.

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International Istanbul Boat Show Commences

International Istanbul Boat Show has commenced on October 21. Boat Show will go on till October 26. Fancy new 2010 model boats are on display. It is expected that over 200 companies will display approximately 600 local and international brands. More than 50,000 visitors are expected to attend.

International_Istanbul_Boat_Show

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Indian Navy and Indonesian Navy Launch Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT)

Indian Navy and Indonesian Navy have commenced Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) from October 18. handshake
Here is the press release from Press Information Bureau.

The 14th cycle of the Indian Navy-Indonesian Navy coordinated patrol codenamed ‘IND-INDO CORPAT’ is scheduled from 18 Oct to 05 Nov 09. The operation will be under the overall control of Vice Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi, Commander-in-Chief of Andaman Nicobar Command (CINCAN) and Commander of Indonesian Western Fleet Command (PANGARMABAR). The units operating will be under the tactical command of the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Andaman & Nicobar) at Port Blair and DANGUSKAMLABAR (Commander of Sea Security Group of Western Fleet) located at Tanjung Pinang.

India and Indonesia share an International Maritime Boundary of about 300 nm. In pursuance of navy to navy cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region the Indian Navy and the Indonesian navy conduct coordinated patrols of the International Maritime Boundary Line. The purpose of the coordinated patrols is to prevent Piracy, armed robberies, poaching, illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities.

The Indian Navy will be deploying one Landing Ship Tank (Medium) INS Mahish under the command of Cdr MVR Krishna and one Fast Attack Craft INS Trinkat under the command of Lt Cdr Pushkar Kumar. In addition there will be one Indian Naval Dornier. The Indonesian Navy will be deploying one corvette and a Dornier aircraft.
An opening ceremony for the CORPAT is scheduled on 19 Oct 09 at Belawan, Indonesia and the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Andaman & Nicobar) Cmde P Suresh, will lead the Indian delegation. The closing ceremony will be conducted on 04 Nov 09 at Port Blair.

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Maritime Security Expo 2009 to Discuss After Action Report on Mumbai Attack

maritime_security_expo_2009 The 8th Annual Maritime Security Expo (MSE) 2009 Conference is ready to commence on October 20.

Some interesting features of the two day MSE 2009 Conference are:

  • To be held at Long Beach Convention Center – Long Beach, CA
  • Over 80 speakers are to focus on: Weathering the Perfect Storm – Faltering Economies, Climate Change and Maritime Security Regulations – How do we improve the security and flow of maritime commerce in challenging times?
  • Topics to be discussed
    • Small Vessel Security: What have we learned? What’s next?
    • Underwater Security: Who can respond? What technology can help?
    • Maritime Fusion Centers: Preventing information overload – How do we cut through the clutter to see the threats?
    • Piracy: Prevention and Protection- Government provided or self-help? – What are the challenges and solutions and is the threat spreading beyond the littorals?
    • Anti-Piracy Training and Research: What are the current best practices and how can it be enhanced?maritime_security_expo
    • Piracy: Ship and Crew Captured- now what? Is paying ransom the best answer? - Challenges and solutions to a vexing problem
    • TWIC: Implementation has started- What’s been done, how is it working, does it improve security, and what can be done better?
    • Smuggling: Ensuring cargo integrity before loading and in transit- CSI and long-range vessel tracking – Where are we? What are the challenges? What are the risks and costs? What can technology do to help?
    • Traffic Management: Port closes, where to? – What are the issues, who makes the decisions, and are regulations required?
    • Persistent Surveillance Vehicles- New tool for Maritime Security?
    • Cyber Security & Technology: What are the maritime vulnerabilities? What are the protection strategies?
    • Northwest Passage: What’s happening in the Arctic?
    • Shipping LNG, LPG, Oil: What are future trends, risks, and mitigation options?
    • International Port/Facility Security: Are there too many security redundancies between U.S. and foreign ports? What can be done to create a more effective and efficient international security system?
    • Small and Medium Ports: How much security is required? What can be done to make it affordable?
    • Your Security Patrols- Are they really random? How do you maximize their deterrence value?
    • Security Intelligence: Information received, now what? How do you sanitize and distribute with a feedback loop?
    • After Action Report on Mumbai Attack

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Weekend View: Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing

Fishing Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing is taking place world wide. To conserve and manage the world’s fisheries, more than 17O Members of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) adopted the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries in 1995. The Code is voluntary and is applicable to all involved with fisheries. In 2001, the Members of FAO developed an International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU Fishing (IPOA-IUU) to address this problem.

IPOA-IUU defines

  • Illegal fishing as activities:
    • conducted by national or foreign vessels in waters under the jurisdiction of a State, without the permission of that State, or in contravention of its laws and regulations;
    • conducted by vessels flying the flag of States that are parties to a relevant regional fisheries management organization but operate in contravention of the conservation and management measures adopted by that organization and by which the States are bound, or relevant provisions of the applicable international law; or
    • in violation of national laws or international obligations, including those undertaken by cooperating States to a relevant regional fisheries management organization.
  • Unreported fishing as activities:
    • which have not been reported, or have been misreported, to the relevant national authority, in contravention of national laws and regulations; or
    • undertaken in the area of competence of a relevant regional fisheries management organization which have not been reported or have been misreported, in contravention of the reporting procedures of that organization.
  • Unregulated fishing as activities:
    • in the area of application of a relevant regional fisheries management organization that are conducted by vessels without nationality, or by those flying the flag of a State not party to that organization, or by a fishing entity, in a manner that is not consistent with or contravenes the conservation and management measures of that organization; or
    • in areas or for fish stocks in relation to which there are no applicable conservation or management measures and where such fishing activities are conducted in a manner inconsistent with State responsibilities for the conservation of living marine resources under international law.

View an interesting video clip: Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. FAO of the UN

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Worlds First Underwater Cabinet Meeting Held in Maldives

World’s first ever underwater cabinet meeting was held in Maldives on October 17. The underwater meeting is part of world wide campaign by international environmental NGO 350.org. to bring atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide to the safe threshold of 350 parts per million (ppm) from the present level of 387 ppm.

Some interesting features of the underwater cabinet meeting in Maldives are:maldives_underwater_cabinet_meeting_1

  • Meeting to draw global attention to the pressing issue of climate change.
  • Meeting held about four metres below sea level at Kaafu atoll, Girifushi.
  • President Mohamed Nasheed signed a declaration calling for global action on climate change. The statement will be presented at the landmark UN climate change talks in Copenhagen this December.
  • Prior to the meeting, ministers took scuba diving lessons from Divers Association Maldives (DAM). President Nasheed is already a PADI Advanced Open Water diver.
  • President Mohamed Nasheed and his ministers dressed in scuba suits used hand signals and slates to communicate underwater during the meeting.
  • The signed wet suits of the ministers are being auctioned to raise money for coral reef protection in the Maldives.

Here are some more photographs of the underwater cabinet meeting.

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