1/Yesterday, @SenateCommerce@commercedems heard from Max Vekich on his appointment to @FMC_gov. He is a former congressman (D-WA) 83-91 & has worked for @WestCoastPorts. As the name implies, it oversees all west coast ports & its board is made up of all the major ocean carriers.
2/The only story I have seen on this is from @JOC_Updates, with the title "FMC nominee gets rare Senate grilling amid US shipping disruption."
The @FMC_gov is the Federal agency charged with oversight of international shipping.
5/Vehick was pressed by @SenatorTester & @SenJohnThune concerning the issue of American exports sitting on the dock, in particular agriculture. As a senior supercharge for the @ilwulongshore he stated that he wanted the @FMC_gov to learn more about ocean carriers' practices?6
6/When queried by @SenatorFischer about this issue further, he dodged the question but said the least that can be done so to ensure there is "a can to put the products in." But, no guarantee that container will get on a ship and out of the terminals to be exported.
7/Next up will be RDML Ann Phillips for the position of @DOTMARAD. I am sure that right now she is underging a crash course in learning all things maritime so that she can be prepared for @commercedems@SenateCommerce to question her on the current shipping & supply crisis.
8/The issue at play here is that nominating politicians, industry advocates, or a generic military officer to fill key roles in @FMC_gov & @DOTMARAD demonstrate the low level of priority and concern the government has consistently shown toward the maritime sector...
9/In the midst of this crisis we need people on the @FMC_gov and @DOTMARAD who can step onto the job on day 1 (278 days since the new admin) & provide not just leadership, but new ideas.
If one has to first learn on the job, the best one can expect is to maintain status quo.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
1/The latest video release by the #Houthis is just amazing.
This was filmed after the large three explosions set off at night, as indicated by the fires on deck, and the recent photos by @EUNAVFORASPIDES as the bridge is still intact in this video.
2/This was the original video shown by the #Houthis and has three large explosions on deck.
It is believed that they removed some of the manhole covers on the main deck to start the fires off the cargo tanks.
3/This image from the new video shows the ship on fire via those ports.
Not the extent of damage is not as extensive as we see in the later @EUNAVFOR photos and the bridge is intact.
1/It is time to discuss a Tale of Two Carriers, @usnavy @CENTCOM Edition.
The @DeptofDefense just showcased the return of the @TheCVN69 strike group and the award of the Combat Action Ribbon to the ships (although they omitted the ships of the @MSCSealift.)
2/At the time of the #Houthi attacks on shipping, USS Ford Carrier Strike Group was in Med and IKE was in the Persian Gulf, with the destroyer USS Carney making its dramatic appearance by shooting down missiles and drones heading to Israel.
3/With the #Houthi seizure of MV Galaxy Leader (they still hold the ship and crew hostage), @CMF_Bahrain allocated reinforcements to plus up CTF 153 in the Red Sea and initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian.
1/I have been receiving a great deal of info on the #GazaPier and this is what I have been able to put together
1️⃣Weather was a major factor. A Sea State 5 storm necessitated the crews to evacuate to Benavidez and locally hired tugs. The offshore pier broke loose.
It took 5 hours to chase down the RRDF platform after it drifted 2 miles off.
2️⃣ Much of the equipment had not been fixed or refurbished from Exercise Talisman Saber 23. There was a dry run before the execution of Gaza and took 3 days. The test found deficiencies in the LSVs.
3️⃣ Most of the NCOs had little hands-on experience with the system beyond ops to resupply McMurdo Station since the cutback in the Army Watercraft program. Additionally, the Army Causeway Company lacks Warrant Officers. Many mid & junior officers lack similar knowledge.
1/The latest is that a portion of the Trident pier - the section that is grounded in #Gaza - broke loose while being towed to Israel due to high sea states.
2/ As I discussed in my video yesterday, if the US wanted to deliver aid to Gaza The best way to accomplish this 3was to use existing ports in Israel and Egypt and ship it overland into Gaza.
The least efficient is airdrops and then over the shore.
3/If the administration directed the @DeptofDefense @SecDef to conduct aid shipments by sea, there were several options available instead of a Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS) using the assets currently in place.