Hi CobaltBlue; Re the "activated" RRF. The government is running quite a good black program to hide the activation. Check out this US Coast Guard News report. You'd think that the Cape Kennedy and the Cape Knox really were moored alongside the Genmar Constantine (rather than busily toting guns to Kuwait):
Coast Guard Responds To Vessel Collision
update 2
...
The Cape Kennedy and the Cape Knox are part of the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Ready Reserve Force, a fleet of militarily-useful government and merchant ships that can be activated in four, five, 10, or 20 days. When activated, these ships come under the control of the Navy’s Military Sealift Command in support of the Department of Defense.
...
uscg.mil
uscg.mil
[Note: The USCG seems to be having trouble with "Co" today.]
Pretty good black bag operation, here's the Genmar Constantine's listing:
generalmaritimecorp.com
They got the "news" into quite a few places:
Loaded tanker makes contact with US Navy ship in Mississippi River
The Indian Mariner's News Desk, June 22, 2002
The Liberian-flagged tanker ‘Genmar Constantine’ carrying crude oil, made contact with the USNS ‘Cape Kennedy’, a Naval cargo ship, at approximately 7 a.m. yesterday, near the Poland Avenue Wharf at mile marker 92 on the Mississippi River.
...
indianmariner.com
Tanker Accident Raises Safety Questions
thisdayonline.com
OUT OF CONTROL FOC SHIP STRIKES RRF VESSEL
A Liberian-registered oil tanker lost control of its steering and banged into the MEBA-manned Ready Reserve Force vessel CAPE KENNEDY in New Orleans on Friday morning. No injuries were reported and the tanker managed to hold onto its oil. The 757-foot Flag-of-Convenience vessel, the GENMAR CONSTANTINE, dropped its anchor after its steering failed but evasive action failed to prevent the collision that did not appear to produce major damage. The roll-on/roll-off ship CAPE KENNEDY that normally carries military vehicles is homeported in New Orleans. Her MEBA crew includes Captain/Chief Mate John McNeilly and Chief Engineer Garrett Kearbey. The incident occurred just after 7 a.m. The CONSTANTINE narrowly missed hitting the CAPE KNOX, which was docked right next to the KENNEDY.
mebaschool.org
ekathimerini.com
-- Carl |
