Knickers in a twist about Chinese warships in International waters ?

[j.sabourn]

Just watching this evenings news and once again our media show their ignorance about nautical affairs.There are 3 emergency voice Radio calls and in order of precedence they are Mayday , Pan, and Securitay, and not Security as our keepers and stop press news would have the gullible public believe. It really gets up my nose when those who impart the news do so without checking their facts first. JS.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Just watching this evenings news and once again our media show their ignorance about nautical affairs.There are 3 emergency voice Radio calls and in order of precedence they are Mayday , Pan, and Securitay, and not Security as our keepers and stop press news would have the gullible public believe. It really gets up my nose when those who impart the news do so without checking their facts first. JS.

Should be used to it by now John, its surprising how many people who live on islands, regardless of size, know so little about what keeps them alive and functioning on a daily basis.

In our cold war days at sea, we received live firing warnings on all trade routes and coasts on nearly every passage. It was par for the course, we didn't live in bubbles then.

[j.sabourn]

Ivan before handing over to the RN I took a converted supply vessel for trials in the Bristol Channel , part of the 3 days trials was firing the bofors guns at towed Air targets , there was no kick back we put out the usual Securitay calls and everything went off ok . Out here at the moment you have Admirals sitting before panels of judges being asked why the authority’s weren’t informed. For goodness sake these ships were in international waters and believe they gave out the required warnings. The trouble out here is no shortage of men we have admirals ,Vice Admirals, Rear Admirals , Commodores, it a definite shortage of ships and Indians. And every man and his dog is a so called expert and unfortuanetley they are in short supply. The media has its usual field day pretending to be the experts. Cheers JS.

[Les Woodard]

Recall years ago when on the Port Maquarie of America I was on the 12-4 watch on the wheel. Lookout reported flashing lights of to Port and the Third mate decided to change course to check it out. Cut a long story short. We found ourselves in the middle of USA naval manouvers. He tried to raise them as to directions but they would not reply. We where being buzzed by aircraft as well. He sent out the message that we where going to stay on this course until we where clear of them. As for this latest fiasco which is a storm in a teacup. Our PM said that they are in international waters and it is no different to our lot along with America, Japan and others doing the same in the South China seas. Reason for this post is the BS about being informed when with my experience that was not forthcoming. Mind you the Mate was not impressed to be left with that mess to sort out when he came on watch lol.

[j.sabourn]

We have in Australia what is called Coast Watch. Its success and failures I wouldn’t really know , but an example of its efficiency I have my own experience to quote. I was tow master shifting a rig off Ashmore Reef , Australian vessels were asked to,report all suspicious shipping movements to Canberra. I reported by radio phone to the special number 3 lookalike fishing vessels proceeding at speed with many people on board towards the Australian coastline. I got a recorded message “ please note this office is closed until 0900 hours on Monday morning , this was on a Friday afternoon.If the Australian government was serious about raising the standards of Coastwatch why don’t they put small naval party’s on all structures with long range radars ?? Especially as they don’t have sufficient tonnage in the shipping world. I wonder how many illegal immigrants were ensconced in Australia before the guardians of the people got out of their beds on the Monday morning ? JS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

John
As you know thy keep finding little groups of men up in the remote part of the Westren top end, no one knew thy where there until some Aboriginal men came across them, their boat was tied up there , I thought all the North coastal areas were under coastal watch. I suppose that we where lucky the Chinese warships gave a live fire warning , as I don't know if the Navy even knew they where there, one of our frigates may have a look when it gets out of dry dock in six months.
An election coming up who does one vote for these days? they are all W564ers. I am waiting to see what the CMFEU springs on the Labour Party.
Des

[happy daze john in oz]

After much carry on with a scare campaign, it could be nothing else, the media now have put out a statement from the minister of defense.

'We are aware of the actions being taken by China, but they are in international waters and as such are doing nothing wrong'

Initial problem was that according to the ministry they knew but did not inform the Pm for a day or so.

[j.sabourn]

Erase.

[j.sabourn]

#7 maybe they thought the P.M. suffered from seasickness and put off bothering him for nothing special.JS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi John
They are coming your way, either to sail right around Aus, or to take a look at that American Nuclear submarine that has just slid into Freemantle, Don't know if they have supply tankers, they may call in to see you and ask for some oil.
Des