Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…Cavas traveled to Mobile, Alabama last week for an up-close look at what Austal USA’s shipyard is working on – and the scope of their projects is impressive. He spoke with shipyard president Michelle Kruger about where the shipyard is now, where it’s headed and what challenges she’s dealing with.
Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email chriscavas@gmail.com or cservello@defaeroreport.com.
This Week’s Naval News:
Shipbuilders Austal USA on August 27th agreed on a $24 million settlement with the US Justice Department and the Security Exchange Commission to settle an accounting fraud case. Three former Austal USA executives were indicted in 2023 on charges of misreporting work progress from 2013 to 2016, particularly on the littoral combat ship program. As part of the settlement agreement, an independent monitor will ensure the company is adhering to the plea deal and applying correct compliance procedures.
Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro has been found to have violated the Hatch Act earlier this year when, during an interview that took place during a visit to the United Kingdom, he responded to a question about the upcoming presidential election by supporting President Biden for a second term. Del Toro self-reported the incident and, after an investigation, the federal Office of Special Counsel said September 5th the secretary had violated the act saying, quote, “he crossed a legal line.” The OSC said Del Toro did not mention any other candidate. It’s now up to President Biden to decide whether Del Toro receives any disciplinary action.
Houthi attacks against merchant shipping are continuing. On September 2, the Greek-operated tanker BLUE LAGOON I and the Saudi tanker AMJAD were each hit by ballistic missiles and a suicide aerial drone. No casualties were initially reported. Meanwhile salvage efforts are continuing for the disabled tanker DELTA SOUNION, struck by Houthi missiles on August 21. The abandoned, fully-loaded tanker threatens the possibility of a major environmental disaster. US Central Command also reported that at least three Houthi missile systems were destroyed on the ground in Yemen between September 1st and the third.
A British Royal Navy service member died September 4th when a Merlin Mark 4 helicopter ditched in the English Channel during a night training exercise while flying from the aircraft carrier QUEEN ELIZABETH. Two other crewmember survivors were rescued without serious injuries.
The US Navy dry cargo and ammunition ship WALLY SCHIRRA arrived at the Hanwha Ocean shipyard in Geoje, South Korea September 2nd for a regular overhaul. The work on the SCHIRRA, crewed by civilian mariners and operated by the Military Sealift Command, is the first in a series of in-theater overhauls to be done on US Navy ships in Korea following a Master Ship Repair Agreement.
The 65th iteration of UNITAS exercises began with an opening ceremony September 2 at Valparaiso, Chile. The world’s longest-running multinational maritime exercise includes US Navy and Marine Corps units and maritime forces from multiple Latin American countries. This year’s UNITAS, hosted by Chile, will feature 17 warships, 2 submarines and more than 4,300 personnel from 24 partner nations. US Navy forces include the submarine HAMPTON, littoral combat ship SAINT LOUIS, amphibious ship GERMANTOWN and Patrol Squadron FIVE.
In new ship news, a start of fabrication ceremony for the US Coast Guard offshore patrol cutter PICKERING WMSM-919 was held August 29th at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama. PICKERING is the first OPC to be built at Austal, which has contract options for 10 more Heritage-class OPC cutters. The first four ships of the class are under construction at Eastern Shipbuilding in Panama City, Florida. Also at Austal, the fast expeditionary transport POINT LOMA T-EPF 15 was launched on September 3rd.
At General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, a keel ceremony for the new Arleigh Burke-class destroyer WILLIAM CHARETTE DDG130 was held on August 29th, while a keel plate signing for the destroyer THOMAS G. KELLEY DDG140 took place the following day.
Virginia-class attack submarine NEW JERSEY SSN 796 is to be commissioned September 14 at Naval Weapon Station Earle in New Jersey. The submarine is notable for being the first US Navy submarine designed from the start to accommodate both men and women in its crew. According to the Navy, as of August 2024 730 female officers and sailors are assigned to 38 individual operational submarines.
And the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock RICHARD M McCOOL JUNIOR LPD 29 will be commissioned September 7 in a ceremony at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.
