The new underground base for submarines and comfortable facilities that would attract technically proficient soldiers and sailors. Its location will allow China to exert greater dominance over disputed territories of the South China Sea; to place a much larger naval force closer to sea lanes crucial to Asia’s commercial lifeblood; and to exercise influence over the critical Straits of Malacca. (Source: Wall Street Journal – NPR Audio)

If you think that it is no big deal that China is building submarines at an alarming rate take a look at this video of an Australian Navy torpedo test.

And if you think the US Navy has the ability to protect Merchant Shipping against this kind of attack first ask: can they protect themselves?

If not can they at least protect the US Mainland and that of our allies against China’s new boomers?

Details:

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) sunk HMAS Torrens on June 14th 1999 with a single Mk48 wire guided torpedo fired from the Collins Class submarine Farncomb. Torrens was the last of six Australian ‘River Class’ Type 12 Destroyer-Escort, the others (Derwent, Parramatta, Stuart, Swan and Yarra) having been disposed of previously. Before the sinking Torrens had been thoroughly cleaned of all fuels, oils and potentially environmentally harmful substances. Her gun turret was donated to the South Western City of Albany. Torrens was then towed from Fleet Base West (HMAS Stirling) 90km out to sea, west of Perth. The submarine Farncomb fired the torpedo at the stationary target from a submerged position over the horizon . (Source: BTInternet)

For the science behind the explosion click HERE.

Video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

]]> http://gcaptain.com/australian-torpedo-test/?1560/feed/ 6 http://gcaptain.com/the-best-view-of-the-malacca-straight/?1536 http://gcaptain.com/the-best-view-of-the-malacca-straight/?1536#comments Wed, 07 May 2008 08:00:04 +0000 gCaptain Staff http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/?p=1536
Photo by Peter MacDonald

Here at gCaptain we are interested in all things we can drive our ships over, under or through… this includes bridges. Our friends at Deputy Dog bring us the world’s most interesting bridge. Ok, it’s not really a bridge but its location (map) at the north end of the Malacca Straight makes it of particular interest to mariners. Click HERE for more information and the video!

The IMB reports on a sharp increase in the number or piracy attacks. The BBC tells us:

The increase is in large part because of a jump in incidents off the west and east coasts of Africa – with Somalia again a key source of concern.

The IMB advises merchant ships to stay at least 200 nautical miles from the Somali coast.

The UK-based global watchdog, which comes under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce, says the pirates appear to be using “mother vessels” to launch smaller boats well out to sea. Read More…

The numeric rise in incidents is not the only problem. EagleSpeak reports on acts of cruelty being perpetrated by Somali pirates (LINK). What’s being done about the problem? NATO has considered active protection of ships near Somalia and France has offered to protect the Word Food Program’s ships in the area. Otherwise, not much.

Links;

• Piracy hotline and Google map of recent attacks.
• gCaptai’s Maritime Security Posts
• National Geographic Piracy Expose

Seajacking and phantom ships:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Related Video:

• Chinese Pirates (part 2 of above series)
• Maritime Security Roudtable