World News Thread & Breaking News!!

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TEXAS CITY, Texas (Reuters) - The closure of the vital Houston Ship Channel looked set to extend to a fourth day after the Coast Guard struggled to finish cleaning up after an oil barge spill on Monday, threatening to force deeper production cuts at local refiners.

Earlier on Monday, the Coast Guard had told ship operators that it should be able to reopen the waterway later in the day, resuming at least some supply of crude oil to more than one-tenth of the nation's refining capacity.

"We will begin the process of a tapered ... not a floodgate resumption of marine traffic," Captain Brian Penoyer, commander of U.S. Coast Guard sector Houston-Galveston and captain of the Port of Houston, told reporters on Monday.

"We anticipate re-opening the Houston Ship Channel as soon as we can," he said.

However the Port of Houston was still shut by evening, officials said, with the queue of waiting vessels growing to more than 90.

Penoyer explained that traffic can't move again until there's no more oil in the water to cling to ships and be carried further. Also, any ships that were touched must be cleaned before moving through water deemed sufficiently clean.

The closure of the channel on Saturday has led to a queue of more than 90 vessels trying to move into or out of the Gulf of Mexico. Shipping delays forced Exxon Mobil Corp to cut production at the nation's second-largest refinery.

Exxon said production at its 560,500 barrel per day Baytown, Texas, refinery had been cut on Monday due to the closure of the Houston Ship Channel. The company expects further production cuts by mid-week if the channel remains shut.

INVENTORIES CONSIDERED AMPLE

Analysts on Monday were largely unconcerned, noting that ample inventories in the region provide a cushion for refiners.

But a senior engineer at a Houston-area refinery that depends on crude deliveries through the ship channel was concerned about the requirement that the water be cleaned of any thick fuel oil before ships run back and forth to ensure they don't track it further upstream or into the Gulf.

"We're toast," the engineer said. "I would say this is a big problem. Any delay is bad, but three days or more is really bad because we use the channel to bring crude and products in and out."

The ship channel was shut on Saturday after a collision between a Kirby Inland Marine oil barge and a cargo ship, spilling some 4,000 barrels, or 168,000 gallons (636,000 liters), of residual fuel oil. The channel allows oil barges and cargo ships to sail from the Gulf Coast to refiners and terminals further inland.

Penoyer said the thick viscosity of the oil made it recoverable by skimmers.

A total of 46 ships were waiting to leave the port of Houston and 47 ships were waiting to come in, the Coast Guard said on Monday afternoon. Penoyer said a typical day in the channel includes movement of 60 to 80 large ships - tankers, freighters, containers and cruise ships - and 300 to 400 tug and barge movements.

A warning to mariners issued by the Coast Guard on Sunday said portions of the Houston channel and its offshoots to Texas City and Galveston, Texas, along with a portion of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, could be closed through March 29 or longer, depending on the requirements of a cleanup.

Five ships waited to come into the ports of Texas City and Galveston, Texas, and 12 ships waited to leave the ports, the Coast Guard said.

Kirby Inland Marine is operated by Kirby Corp.

Penoyer said Kirby "immediately" stepped forward to take responsibility for the response costs by hiring the cleanup crews.

Cleanup crews have pumped all of the remaining fuel oil from the barge, which has been refloated and moved to a different position near the site of the collision in the channel.

Marathon Petroleum Corp. declined on Monday to discuss operations at its 451,000-bpd Galveston Bay Refinery and 80,000-bpd Texas City refinery. Royal Dutch Shell's joint-venture 327,000 bpd Deer Park refinery was evaluating supply impacts and had contingency plans to mitigate them, a spokeswoman said.

Fewer than 10 oil-covered birds have been recovered for cleaning, according Texas wildlife agencies

Cancel your fishing trip if you're around the Galveston Bay and Houston Ship Channel area, that includes oysters and crab fishing.

 

[Jeff Head]

This is tragic news, my condolences to all the victims families.

Death toll now at 24. Many still missing. I expect the death toll will get quite a bit higher...but it will become more and more difficult to find them all.

Ultimately, they will dig out as much as they can. Some of the missing though may well be left missing, presumed dead and entombed.

I live in the intermountain west. When a large slide happens, there is nothing that can stop it, and they can come down so fast (because the mountains are so steep) that you cannot get out of their way unless you are lucky enough to be on the edge of it.

It's a wall (sometimes 50 feet tall or more) of boulders, dirt, fully grown pine trees (or pieces of them), roots, and all of the debris they wipe off the earth and pile up in front of it, and can come at you, for cataclysmic slides like this one, and 40 or more miles an hour.

In 1983, the small town of Thistle Utah was destroyed by a large slide that ultimately piled up more than 200 feet deep. Luckily, it was what is known as a "slump," and did not come all at once. This saved lifes because it was noticed and watched for 2-3 weeks as it spread. They tried to save the railways and roads, and ultimately the small town...all to no avail. The twon was evacuated, and the river was completely damned up creating a very ddangoerous lake. The Corp of Engineers bored through the slide dam to relive the water, but it had gotten almost 160 feet deep before they did and a lot of upstream damage was done. Ultimately they built a new US Highway and Railroad around the slide. It is a very ointeresting place to visit. south of Slat Lake City about 55 miles on I-15 and then about 20 miles south on US 6.

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[bd popeye]

Re: UK Military News Thread

Rest in Peace shipmate.. rest in Peace.

Recruit training photo

WASHINGTON (March 26, 2014) An undated file photo of Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Mark A. Mayo. Mayo, 24, was killed during a shooting incident at Naval Station Norfolk Monday, March 24. Mayo was assigned to Naval Security Forces at Naval Station Norfolk. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

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Release Date: 3/26/2014 3:36:00 PM

From Naval Station Norfolk Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Mark A. Mayo, 24, was killed during a shooting incident at Naval Station Norfolk March 24.

Mayo was assigned to Naval Security Forces, Naval Station Norfolk. A Hagerstown, Md. native, Mayo enlisted in the Navy in October 2007 and reported to Naval Station Norfolk in May 2011.

"Petty Officer Mayo's actions on Monday evening were nothing less than heroic. He selflessly gave his own life to ensure the safety of the Sailors on board USS Mahan (DDG 72)," said Capt. Robert E. Clark, Jr., commanding officer, Naval Station Norfolk. "Petty Officer Mayo's family has endured a tremendous loss, as have the men and women of Naval Station Norfolk, in the loss of a shipmate and friend."

The events of Monday evening are under investigation but it is known at approximately 11:20 p.m. there was a shooting on board Mahan at Pier 1. The suspect approached the Mahan's quarterdeck and was confronted by the ship's petty officer of the watch. A struggle occurred and the suspect was able to disarm the Sailor. Mayo, serving as the chief-of-the-guard, rendered assistance after seeing the suspect board the ship. Mayo put himself between the gunman and the petty officer of the watch and as a result was fatally wounded.

John 15:13 King James Bible

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

 

[bd popeye]

Re: Today's US Navy Photos, Videos & News!

More information on the tragic shooting of this young shipmate.

Follow the link for the whole story.

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By Corinne Reilly
The Virginian-Pilot
© March 26, 2014
NORFOLK

He was a good kid from a humble family who seemed always to want to please his teachers and coaches. He got decent grades and played football and wrestled while in high school in Hagerstown, Md. He wanted to be a cop.

After graduation, Mark Mayo chose his path. He enlisted in the Navy, left home and trained to become a master-at-arms - a military police officer.

Soon he was in Bahrain, then Spain, then Norfolk.

He died here, at age 24, doing a job he loved.

The Navy on Wednesday identified Mayo as the sailor who was killed late Monday by a civilian truck driver who passed through security at Norfolk Naval Station, boarded the pierside destroyer Mahan, and wrested a gun from a female sailor standing guard on the deck.

Mayo, who was assigned to the base's security department, saw the struggle and rushed to intervene. He was shot while pushing the guard to the ground in an effort to protect her, said Capt. Robert Clark, Norfolk Naval Station's commanding officer.

"It was incredibly extraordinary," Clark said. "He gave his life for hers."

As other sailors came to help, the civilian was shot and killed.

"Petty Officer Mayo's actions were nothing less than heroic," Clark said. "He selflessly gave his own life to ensure the safety of the sailors on board."

Among other new information, Clark said the assailant - whom officials have identified but not named publicly - should not have been on the base that night. At the gate driving a tractor-trailer cab, he used a valid credential called a TWIC card, issued to transportation and maritime workers. But Mayo's shooter also should have had a legitimate business reason for coming in, and Clark suggested he didn't.

"On this particular evening," Clark said, "he did not have authorization to be on my base."

Clark said the Navy is launching a second investigation - on top of one being conducted by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service - that will examine how the shooter made it through the gate as well as another checkpoint before the pier.

 

[Jeff Head]

Re: Today's US Navy Photos, Videos & News!

More information on the tragic shooting of this young shipmate.

Follow the link for the whole story.

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God rest this young American hero, US Navy Petty Officer, Mark Mayo, age 24..

God comfort his family, friends, and loved ones.

I thought it was something like this. He rushed to the sound of the battle, then pushed the girl PO down to the deck and took the round(s) for her. A true hero. "Greater love hath no man than this, that he giveth his life for his friends."

Now, it should be obvious IMHO, that a single woman at that point on watch, where any intruder has to go through when accessing the ship, should 1st, not be there alone, and 2nd, they better make damn sure that they are making all recruits, male or female, live up to physical strength and self-defense standards necessary to be able to have a chance of resisting and combatting this.

Anyhow, that's jst my opinion at 1st blush.

But the watch did their duty. They first stopped the intruder, then contended with him when he used force, and ultimateluy used deadly force against him when it becamse obviouse it was necessary.

 

[bd popeye]

Re: Today's US Navy Photos, Videos & News!

Amen! ^^^

Now, it should be obvious IMHO, that a single woman at that point on watch, where any intruder go through when accessing the ship, should 1st, not be there alone, and 2nd, they better make damn sure that they are making all recruits, male or female, live up to physical strength and self-defense standards necessary to be able to have a chance of resisting and combating this.

Jeff, In my opinion you are absolutely correct. The USN needs to take a deep look at what you have described. I know aboard a carrier on the Quarterdeck or after brow(enlisted) there are usually 3-4 persons standing watch.

 

[Jeff Head]

Re: Today's US Navy Photos, Videos & News!

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PORTSMOUTH -- The civilian gunman believed to have killed a sailor aboard the destroyer Mahan on Monday night before being fatally shot is Jeffrey Tyrone Savage, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service said Thursday.

Navy identifies civilian shooter

Savage, 35, from Portsmouth, drove his 2002 Freightliner through Gate 5 just after 11 p.m., proceeded to Pier 1, left his truck and attempted to board USS Mahan (DDG 72), the Navy said in a press release.

He was confronted by ship security personnel who ordered him to stop. A struggle occurred and Savage was able to disarm the petty officer of the watch. Savage then used the weapon to fatally shoot Mayo and attempted to fire at other nearby security personnel.

Mayo was serving as Chief of the Guard at Naval Station Norfolk and was in the vicinity of the Mahan. Mayo immediately came to render assistance to personnel on Mahan and engaged in gunfire with Savage. Other security forces shot and killed Savage.

Grieving family of fallen USS Mahan sailor wants answers

The Navy says Savage, an employee of Majette Trucking, did have a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential. A TWIC alone does not authorize base access, it must be used in conjunction with other documents to gain authorized entry. The NCIS investigation has confirmed that Savage had no reason or authorization to be on Naval Station Norfolk. The chain of events that allowed Savage entry to the installation and the ship are under investigation.

13News Now Investigation: Security access at Naval Station Norfolk

Savage did not appear to have served in the Navy and his motivation for storming the Mahan’s quarterdeck and attacking the petty officer of the watch remains unclear, two sources said.

Savage had been in and out of jail, court records show. In 2008, he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to a minimum of 46 months in a prison. He was released Dec. 30, 2009, according to North Carolina’s Department of Public Safety. Previously, Savage served for five years at the Federal Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Md., on a felony conviction for selling crack cocaine.

Senator Mark Warner says he plans to ask some "tough questions" of the U.S. Navy following the incident.

Warner told 13News Now he's concerned abut the use fo the TWIC card and he thinks there should be increased scrutiny of people who have access to military installations.

So, this guy DID NOT HAVE all of the credential necessary to be on base. Somone at the front gate screwed up badly, because he was let on base anyway.

Some heads are going to roll over this. Have to wonder if drugs were involved, or something.

But this:

Savage had been in and out of jail, court records show. In 2008, he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to a minimum of 46 months in a prison. He was released Dec. 30, 2009, according to North Carolina’s Department of Public Safety. Previously, Savage served for five years at the Federal Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Md., on a felony conviction for selling crack cocaine.

What the hell! How can a guy with this type of record get any access to a US Naval base. Manslaughter, crack cocaine, etc. Sounds like he has a rap sheet a mile long! More heads should roll and they better very quickly do a complete review on the background checks and policies that allowed this to happen.

And look at the pic of this guy at the link. He looks to be one big, strong guy. No wonder he overpowered the female PO of the watch. Needed two people there...and there probably were supposed to be more.

It is interesting because Mark Mayo was the Cheif of the Guard for the Base! and saw this happening from apparently off of the ship and rushed there to help. A really observant and very dedicated youg man!

This cost a VERY GOOD, DEDICATED US SAILOR his life!

 

[bd popeye]

Re: Today's US Navy Photos, Videos & News!

Jeff this is tragic.. all sorts of foul ups..all the way from who ever issued this person an ID and the persons on watch at the gate at NAVSTA Norfolk.

Petty Officer Mayo is a hero in my book. And should have a ship named afterhim..

..in another forum an retired USN Captain wrote this.

This is in response to myself and others stating a ship should be named after Petty Officer Mark Mayo.

I'd buy that, but personally, if I had my way, I'd rename USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) after Petty Officer Mayo. With regard to the accepted naming conventions for surface combatants of DDG displacement and under, Petty Officer Mayo earned it by every measure extant. Meanwhile, as tragic as her situation was, she's just a politician who had no standing in the Congress with regard to DoD issues, and was simply unfortunate to be in the wrong place when a certifiable nut job obeyed the voices in his head. No more, no less. Meanwhile, that young man is the very definition of "hero."

I agree 100%.

 

[Jeff Head]

Re: Today's US Navy Photos, Videos & News!

Jeff this is tragic.. all sorts of foul ups..all the way from who ever issued this person an ID and the persons on watch at the gate at NAVSTA Norfolk.

Petty Officer Mayo is a hero in my book. And should have a ship named afterhim..

..in another forum an retired USN Captain wrote this.

This is in response to myself and others stating a ship should be named after Petty Officer Mark Mayo.

I agree 100%.

AMEN and AMEN! to every bit of that, popeye. both your comments and the retired Captain's.

Another one they should change ASAP is the USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE-14), named after a man who hated this country, and voiced his hatred for the US Navy too after he served a few years. Pure political BS got a critical supply ship named for that individua;l and it should never have happened.

I feel pretty similar about the USS John Murtha, LPD-26. Yes he was a Veitnam Vet, but his entire political career was spent in downsizing the US Military and showing his disdain for it. All other ships of the San Antonio Class have been named for American cities; however, two months after Murtha's death, US Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, a liberal Obama appointee, signed an official memo to the Chief of Naval Operations, designating the naming of LPD-26 as the John P. Murtha. Pure politics where it does not belong.

Oh well...now I have said my piece.

 

[bd popeye]

Re: Today's US Navy Photos, Videos & News!

Oh Jeff we are on the same page.. Cesar Chavez was quoted as stating his two years with the USN were the worst years of his life.

from wiki;

In 1944 he joined the United States Navy at the age of seventeen and served for two years. Chavez had hoped that he would learn skills in the Navy that would help him later when he returned to civilian life.[8] Later, Chavez described his experience in the military as “the two worst years of my life”

As for John Murtha....after what he stated about his Purple Hearts some years ago his name should also be stricken off that ship. He is quoted by some as stating he did not deserve them.

from wiki;

Former Democratic Congressman and political rival of Murtha, Donald A. Bailey said Murtha had confessed to him that he had done nothing to deserve his purple hearts and demanded an apology for being called a liar. He added that documents containing the considerations behind the awards should be easy to get, and urged him to release his full military records in order to clear up the controversy. Murtha, however, declined to do that.