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Subject: Re: TWL: RE: Cruisers/Military in Red Sea
From: Ron Rogers (rcrogers6@XXX.XXX)
Date: Wed May 08 2002 - 01:05:03 EDT
In general, it has been my experience that US Navy vessels do not respond to
civilian pleasure boat traffic. In other VHF communications, when stopping
ships for example, they do not give out the identification for our vessel.
Rather, they say "this is US Navy warship."
Essentially, they are at war - all the time. We know that they are in danger
all the time. It is nice that the French look after their citizens and that
the Brits are chatty. But our ships are targets and cannot afford to reveal
their positions or confirm their presence.
I would like to think that they would be willing and able to render
assistance in a Mayday, especially if any US flag vessel is under attack.
Perhaps a deep draft ship could request air support, or launch an armed
helo. Perhaps we have high speed inshore craft in the area. The point of
their SOP is that we will never know. Even when assistance is rendered, the
identity and location of our vessels is unlikely to be revealed until long
after that info has no tactical value.
Staying alive is more important than being perceived as friendly.
Ron Rogers
Annapolis, MD
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