When men were men-and women were ashore.
Don’t say “Littoral” to me-Say Blue Water Navy!
Say what you want about it-at least kicking Libyan ass did not come with General Order #1 and port visits to fun Mediterranean ports were the order of the day.
I’m in this video-I’m the guy in his rack on the smaller carrier you see. The one with no Tomcats, A-7’s or S-3’s.
Power projection and presence were words with meaning. H/T to Phib!
Since the only time I have ever been near on in a Carrier group I was flown in on a US Navy Helo I have a real question.
If in International Waters (or any waters not said to be US Territorial Waters) how much space are you supposed to give a carrier group. If I am “putting” along or sailing along for that matter and a carrier group comes steaming towards me am I expected to “get out of the way” and honour the integrity of frigate line, or is it a case as long as I don’t get too close and don’t look like I am doing anything “wrong” that I just keep going on my way even if I enter the group?
The answer is: “Obey the rules of the road”.
In your sailboat example, if you are the “burdened” vessel you are obligated to get out the way. If not the carrier is.
There are two problems though. One is the law of gross tonnage, and the other is that many times ( like when launching aircraft) the carrier is a vessel “restricted” in its ability to maneuver-so it has the right of way so to speak.
There are treaties that govern the rules of the sea. In your example you would not be doing anything wrong-but you might be placing your self at risk for no reason.
This exercise was conducted in the West Mediterranean Sea, West of Sardinia. Not a lot of extra sea traffic over there.
I was not thinking about being within metres of a Carrier…but usually a carrier group covers a broad area…so I could sail between a Frigate and a Carrier in the same group and have 100’s of metres clearance, right? I was just curious whether they would try to stop you?
I would think after the USS Cole if you got too close you would be warned away…but was just curious?
Yes and no. By international law they cannot stop you. They will try to contact you on bridge to bridge radio to determine you intentions. Usually the ships of the battle group are spread all over the place though-with miles and miles between them. Big seas little ship theory.
If you display hostile intent, or uncover a weapon-stand the fuck by- you’re going away……….
Cool. Thanks for clearing that up 🙂
NTS: Do not point weapons at the big ships with all the guns and rockets.
It’s a good time for a nav check though so go ahead and ask them for their Whiskey. If the carrier answers, ask for somebody else to corroborate since the navigators on carriers are usually drunk.
Skippy,
Big Seas, Little ship theory…….CV-43 vs the SS Napo. Got 2 days in G’tmo drinking beer for that little traffic accident. The good old days really were good.
stein
Nazareth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On the 30th of June of 1987, embarked in USS Kitty Hawk, we headed up the channel to NOB Norfolk to complete our circumnavigation. Somewhere Little Creek, we met Iowa heading out for the Med. As is custom, Kitty Hawk rendered honors to Iowa. She was an awesome sight. It was the only time I ever saw a Battleship underway. I had been aboard Missouri with my folks in 79 when it was the only reason to go to Bremerton(Bummertown). It was an easy day trip from Oak Harbor/NAS Whidbey Island.