Category Archives: High Seas

Ilkley Playhouse

IF you are looking to enjoy a bit of original theatre this weekend, then head to Ilkley Playhouse. On Friday and Saturday night National Theatre acclaimed actor William Ilkley returns to his home town of Ilkley to premiere Alexa Cry Me a Dance. In the play, Trevor journeys through the present dark, towards a distant light, with a curious companion, cementing the past to the present, and connecting memories of love and music as he dances with hope towards our new normal future. Trevor is an ordinary 60 year old man, living through extraordinary times. His story is one that every man can identify with. As he travels through the darkest dark, unexpectedly finding the brightest light, he treads the path of a time walker, with the belief that this too will pass if we can all walk and talk together, beyond the present, unafraid of a different and changed future. Although a modern tragedy, the play looks beyond the bleak, by spreading joy through the music, the dance and the humour, illustrating the resilience and hope of the human spirit.

Trevors journey is a tale of our time, performed as a one man show in the safe and intelligent hands of William Ilkley, who for three years played Arthur Narracott in the UK and World Tour of War Horse. His extensive career has now spanned forty years after starting out at Ilkley Grammar School and Ilkley Playhouse. Both performances will be followed by a Q&A with William.

In December the Wharfeside theatre will be transformed into the high seas when our Greenroom students storm the stage in our swashbuckling Christmas production Treasure Island. Written by Robert Louis Stevenson and adapted by Phil Willmott, this is the first adaptation of Treasure Island with both male and female performers. Expect a rollicking, timber-shivering production, including audience participation, swordfights, a little dance and some sea shanties. You can consider it a pantomime as much as a play and it will provide perfect family entertainment. The play runs from the 9th to the 18th December and includes two matinee performances and two socially distanced performances.

The Ilkley Playhouse annual Christmas fair returns on Saturday 4th December. Doors open at 9.30am and there will be mince pies, warming drinks, the opportunity to see friends, browse our Christmas stalls and enter our famous raffle. A highlight of the fair is the Greenroom performance: from 10am everyone is invited to the Wharfeside theatre to watch our talented Greenroom students perform seasonal sketches and individually prepared pieces of theatre.

Here is a date for your 2022 diary: the rescheduled Frost/Nixon opens in the Wharfeside theatre on Thursday 13th January. The play, first performed in 2006, is written by screenwriter and dramatist Peter Morgan, whose writing credits include The Queen, The Last King of Scotland and The Damned United. The play is based on the true story of how David Frost approached Nixons office to be given the exclusive right to interview the disgraced President Nixon in the wake of his resignation after Watergate. Whether you know anything about the Watergate scandal or the history of the Frost/Nixon TV interview, this play is a must-see, exposing the vanity of politics, corruption and power. Please note that there will be two socially distanced performances: Thursday 13th January (opening night) and Monday 17th January.

For details of all our plays and events and to book tickets visit http://www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk or contact Ilkley Playhouse box office on 01943 609539.

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Original theatre at Ilkley Playhouse this weekend - Ilkley Gazette

After much buildup, the virtual summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping finally occurred. Although the end result of the virtual face-to-face meeting hardly provided much fanfare, the main point of the sit down was nevertheless incredibly significant. These two represent the biggest economies in the world. Thus, this summit should have some implications for stocks to buy.

Overall, as CNN reported, the virtual summit between the two leaders saw no substantive policy on key issues such as climate, trade, the pandemic, or arms control. However, it did establish a dialogue that can be built on, potentially easing tensions and allowing for a return to a more constructive, stable relationship. Therefore, you shouldnt ignore what the meeting might mean for certain stocks to buy.

Furthermore, perhaps the most significant outcome from the summit was that the two countries have agreed to relax visa restrictions on each others journalists. It might be a small step but in a world where trust in media has declined precipitously particularly in the U.S. the willingness to foster open communications for the international press represents a substantive signal. And this, of course, has serious implications for media stocks to buy.

While this last meeting may not have sparked as many fireworks as previous diplomatic negotiations, that doesnt mean there werent any. As you might expect, Taiwan was a huge topic, an issue that has put the Biden administration on the hot seat. The president reiterated that Taiwan must choose its own path, which is a middle-of-the-ground position that the Chinese appear to be growing tired of. One things for sure: defense-related stocks to buy look interesting.

Finally, some of the wordings within the summit showed that the U.S. and China have much work to do. President Xi criticized the U.S. influence in Taiwan, stating [s]uch moves are extremely dangerous, just like playing with fire. The summit may have been a non-event to many but there was enough feistiness to warrant implications for these stocks to buy.

As with any narrative featuring stocks to buy, you want to be careful, particularly with betting on geopolitical events. If the novel coronavirus pandemic taught us anything, its that nothing is off the table of possibilities. Therefore, perform your due diligence before making the final decision.

Should the Biden-Xi virtual summit spark better relations with China, Comcast will be one of the clear beneficiaries among stocks to buy. Frankly, its all about the numbers. As Statista.com pointed out, the Chinese box office has now overtaken North America as the largest film market in the world.

Moreover, heres an interesting tidbit. While most cinemas remained closed around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, movie theaters began to reopen in China from July 2020. If you think about it, China owns Hollywood. And with Hollywood itself reeling from the impact of the pandemic, Comcast cant afford to anger its Chinese overlords.

Furthermore, its important to point out that while the Covid-19 crisis may have accelerated the headwinds impacting the box office, the pandemic itself wasnt the original catalyst. Myriad factors have led to declining attendance at movie theaters, primarily the advent of streaming platforms and other at-home entertainment options.

In the nearer term, though, the loosening of restrictions for journalists will be a welcome headline for Comcast, considering its robust news media portfolio. Thus, CMCSA should be one of the winners among stocks to buy, although prospective investors should beware the equity units presently weak technical posture.

Another blue chip that would be among the top stocks to buy if relations between the U.S. and China normalize is Disney. The Magic Kingdom is no stranger to deftly negotiating the geopolitical landmine that is courting the billion-plus-strong Chinese audience without offending sensibilities at home. That at all came crashing to a head when Disney released its live-action version of Mulan last year.

In an op-ed, the Los Angeles Times described the movie as one of the most controversial of 2020. An uproar ensued when it was revealed that Disney filmed part of Mulan in Xinjiang, a region where China is believed to have detainedat least 1 million Muslims mostly ethnic Uighurs in internment camps.

To critics, the rollout of Mulan marks the latest example of Hollywoods hypocrisy and willingness to sacrifice values to do business in China. Ouch.

Recently, the New York Times mentioned some of the same talking points. However, it also mentioned an incontrovertible (though awfully inconvenient) truth. No overseas market is more important to Hollywood than China, which is poised to overtake the United States and Canada as the worlds No. 1 box office engine.

So, a cooling of tensions would do DIS stock plenty of good, making it one of the stocks to buy or at least monitor closely.

On a year-to-date (YTD) basis, shares of NYT stock are down almost 12%. To be fair, the company has enjoyed a fairly solid second half, with its trailing six-month performance registering a 9.3% return. But overall, the narrative hasnt been too hot for one of the worlds most popular news media agencies.

Much of the problem, in my view, stems from the timing of the news cycle. Last year, there was plenty of stuff to discuss, ranging from the early strike and societal fears of the coronavirus pandemic to the various controversies that former President Donald Trump and his administration found themselves in. The loss of the latter, though the Times probably wont admit it, was a huge loss.

Sure, the Times and its editorial staff were at odds with Trumps policies and ideologies in general. However, in a content-hungry media environment, the two represented strange bedfellows.

Still, statements from both U.S. and Chinese officials that each side have relaxed visa restrictions for journalists presents hope that the Times can provide compelling coverage on this most important geopolitical storyline. Even if relations remain fractured, that alone could provide years of material for NYT.

Admittedly, shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries is in a troubled spot at the moment. Over the trailing month, HII stock has dropped nearly 11%. Considering that the company is one of the vital cogs in the U.S. defense infrastructure, its not the most encouraging of signs.

Also, it must be stated that if the Biden-Xi virtual summit promotes a positive relationship between the two underlying countries and not just a temporary abstinence of harsh rhetoric then Huntington Ingalls could potentially continue its downward slide. But I dont necessarily see that happening, which is why investors ought to consider HII as one of the stocks to buy.

For one thing, dominance of the high seas has always been a top priority, not only for the U.S. Navy but for our broader foreign policy objectives. Irrespective of what may come from the virtual summit, Huntington Ingalls provides a critical service.

But factor in that China seeks to control economically vital sea lanes and you have an enticing (albeit cynical) catalyst for HII, one of the stocks to buy on this geopolitical narrative.

More than likely, a majority of you have not heard about IHI Corp, which isnt surprising at all. As an unsponsored American depositary receipt or an ADR issued without involvement nor consent of the associated foreign company IHICY stock carries significant risks that extend beyond the core fundamentals.

Also, IHICY as do probably most unsponsored ADRs trade over the counter. In addition to volume concerns, you may come across wide bid-ask spreads, among other inconveniences.

However, I mention IHI Corp as one of the stocks to buy to show you that U.S.-China relations dont just affect the stated countries but the rest of the world. Indeed, Reuters reported that Japan plans record spending for defense in light of the Chinese threat in the Asia-Pacific region. Furthermore, IHI, as the manufacturer of the Izumo-class helicopter destroyer, will play an increasingly important role under this narrative.

Now, the thing about the Izumo destroyers is that theyre flattops; thus, its always been possible to launch fighter jets like the F-35B, making them de-facto aircraft carriers. And thats exactly whats happening behind the scenes, creating an intriguing backdrop for IHICY stock.

When it comes to data breaches and concerns about cybersecurity, mainstream news outlets tend to focus on Russia. While not taking anything away from the threat that our longtime adversary poses, China more than holds its own in terms of keeping U.S. cybersecurity officials awake at night.

Of course, it would be wonderful if we could normalize relations between the top two economic powers of the world. And we could have some kind of truce through diplomatic means. At the same time, we must never forget that China has its own ambitions, rapidly transitioning from a mostly agrarian society to one thats a technological juggernaut.

Something tells me that its not going to stop peddling for our sake. Therefore, were going to need a counteracting cybersecurity infrastructure, which certainly bodes well for Palo Alto Networks.

One of the best stocks to buy in terms of sheer relevance, the geopolitical backdrop adds more intrigue to PANWs bullish thesis. No matter what happens in future presidential elections, mitigating the Chinese cyber threat will take priority. Also, potentially permanent or semi-permanent changes in the labor force regarding work-from-home initiatives will likely boost demand for PANW.

For Nike and other powerful retail brands, the death of American hegemony is a stark reminder that they must play under a new set of rules. Back generations ago, these firms only had to worry about distinctly American interests. For instance, if an organization made a social faux pas, it knows to whom to apologize.

With China becoming a supremely powerful play in global consumer economics, western brands must perform a delicate, if not outright contradictory dance. For instance, last year, several companies issued statements of concern regarding allegations of human rights abuses. Naturally, the Chinese were upset at the obvious insinuations of discrimination and shot back, calling for boycotts of popular retailers.

Well, one of the firms caught in the crossfire was Nike. Frankly, it was caught between a rock and a hard place. Forced labor and bigotry are hot-button issues in the U.S. that cannot go unaddressed. But demanding change from one of your biggest markets is also a financial no-no.

Logically, affected companies are hoping that another controversy wont spark. Normalized relations would go a long way, enough so to make NKE one of the stocks to buy.

On the date of publication, Josh Enomoto did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.comPublishing Guidelines.

A former senior business analyst for Sony Electronics, Josh Enomoto has helped broker major contracts with Fortune Global 500 companies. Over the past several years, he has delivered unique, critical insights for the investment markets, as well as various other industries including legal, construction management, and healthcare.

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7 Stocks to Buy On the Heels of the Biden-Xi Virtual China Summit - Investorplace.com

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Sailors have been circumnavigating the high seas for centuries now, but what could be found beneath the sunlit surface of the ocean remained a mystery until far more recently. In fact, it wasnt until 1875, during the Challenger expedition, that humanity got its first concrete idea of how deep the ocean actually was.

Todays graphic, another fantastic piece by xkcd, is a unique and entertaining look at everything from Lake Superiors ice encrusted shoreline down to blackest, inhospitable trench (which today bears the name of the expedition that first discovered it).

The graphic is packed with detail, so well only highlight a few points of interest.

Deep in Siberia, abutting a mountainous stretch of the Mongolian border, is the one of the most remarkable bodies of water on Earth: Lake Baikal. There are a number of qualities that make Lake Baikal stand out.

Depth: Baikal, located in a massive continental rift, is the deepest lake in the world at 1,642m (5,387ft). That extreme depth holds a lot of fresh water. In fact, an estimated 22% of all the worlds fresh water can be found in the lake.

Age: Baikal (which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is estimated to be over 25 million years old, making it the most ancient lake on the planet.

Clarity: Interestingly, the water in the lake is exceptionally clear. In winter, visibility can extend over 30m (98ft) below the surface.

Biodiversity: The unique ecosystem of Lake Baikal provides a home for thousands of plant and animal species. In fact, upwards of 80% of those species are endemic, meaning they are unique to that region.

Since 1964, a hard-working research submersible named Alvin has been helping us better understand the deep ocean. Alvin explored the wreckage of RMS Titanic in 1986, and helped confirm the existence of black smokers (one of the weirdest ecosystems in the world).

Though most of the components of the vessel have been replaced and upgraded over the years, its still in use today. In 2020, Alvin received an $8 million upgrade, and is now capable of exploring 99% of the ocean floor.

We know more about the surface of Venus than the bottom of the ocean. The potential for discovery is huge. Anna-Louise Reysenbach, Professor of Microbiology, PSU

The deepest point in the ocean is the Mariana Trench, at 11,034 meters (36,201 feet).

This trench is located in the Pacific Ocean, near Guam and the trenchs namesake, the Mariana Islands. While the trench is the most extreme example of ocean depths, when compared to surface level distance, its depth is shorter than Manhattan.

Obviously, the context of surface distance is wildly different than vertical distance, but it serves as a reminder of how narrow the explorable band of the Earths surface is.

The ancient Greek word, byssos, roughly means unfathomable, bottomless gulf. While there is a bottom (the abyssopelagic zone comprises around 75% of the ocean floor), the enormous scale of this ecosystem is certainly unfathomable.

Objectively, the abyssal plain is not the prettiest part of the ocean. Its nearly featureless, and lacks the panache of, say, a coral reef, but there are still some very compelling reasons were eager to explore it. Resource companies are chiefly interested in polymetallic nodules, which are essentially rich manganese formations scattered about on the sea bottom.

Manganese is already essential in steel production, but demand is also getting a substantial lift from the fast-growing electric vehicle market. The first company to find an economical way to harvest nodules from the ocean floor could reap a significant windfall.

Demand for resources can force humans into some very inhospitable places, and in the case of Deepwater Horizon, we chased oil to a depth even surpassing the famed Marianas Trench.

Drilling that far below the surface is a complicated endeavor, and when the drill platform was put into service in 2001, it was hailed as an engineering marvel. To this day, Deepwater Horizon holds the record for the deepest offshore hole ever made.

After the rigs infamous explosion and subsequent spill in 2010, that depth record for drilling may stand the test of time.

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Ranked: The 35 Vehicles With the Longest Production Runs - Visual Capitalist

The 25 images in Im With The Band II traverse local heroes, Nashville up-and-comers and even rock-legends Kiss. Its II because this is Mike Matthews second photography exhibit at Lowe Mill. The Huntsville native draws photog inspiration from the likes of Michelle Shiers and Gered Markowitz. Im With The Band II includes both black-and-white and color images. They were shot on a Canon 6D camera at locales like Huntsville recording studio Startlingly Fresh, a music-video set in Nashville and aboard a Kiss Kruise on the high seas.

Im With The Band II photo exhibit, through Jan. 8, First Floor West Gallery, Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Drive, no admission cost, lowemill.art/event-directory

Charise Watson is a talented vocal stylist operating in the jazzy R&B realm. At vibey al fresco venue The Camp, shell be backed by local combo J4Sound.

J4Sound featuring Charise Watson, 7 p.m. Nov. 19, The Camp, 59090 University Drive, free to attend, explorethecamp.com

What do the cosmos sound like? By translating data into sound, this Intuitive Planetarium event offers an audible voyage through nebula and planets. Trippy, dude.

Cocktails & Cosmos: Sounds of Space, 7 p.m. Nov. 19, U.S. Space & Rocket Center, 1 Tranquility Base, $15 ($10 for space center members), rocketcenter.com

Huntsville act Chris Garrison & The Blackbirds do Ryan Adams-style alt-country and folk, but without the Ryan Adams-style baggage. GBTBs 2020 album Carnival is full of sharp writing, singing and playing, as heard on standouts like Kill the Pain All You Are Is Love and Bridges.

Chris Garrison & the Blackbirds, 7 10 p.m. Nov. 19, Stovehouse, 3414 Governors Drive S.W., free to attend, stovehouse.com

Theres a quiet catharsis in putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and creating a poem, short story or other literary thingy. And theres a special energy in sharing those works in a room with others. Out Loud Huntsville is a local open-mic where you can do just that. All ages welcome.

Out Loud Huntsville Open Mic, 6 - 8 p.m. Nov. 19, Straight to Ale, Campus No. 805, 2610 Clinton Ave. N.W., free to attend, outloudhsv.com

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5 cool things to do in Huntsville this weekend, Nov. 19 - 21 - al.com

A new research expedition to the wreck of a ferry that sank in the Baltic Sea 27 years ago has not provided fresh evidence contradicting the official accident investigation report, the Estonian and Swedish accident investigation boards said on Tuesday.

In one of Europes deadliest peacetime maritime disasters, the MS Estonia, en route from Estonias capital, Tallinn, to Stockholm in Sweden, sank in heavy seas on 28 September 1994, killing 852 people, most of them Swedes and Estonians.

Only 137 people on board survived. The fate of the vessel has sparked several conspiracy theories, including that it collided with a submarine or that it was carrying sensitive military cargo that played a part in the sinking.

The 1997 official joint investigation by Estonia, Finland and Sweden concluded that the ferry sank when its bow door locks failed in a storm. That separated the bow door from the vessel, opening up the ramp to the car deck and causing extensive flooding of the decks, sinking the vessel in just 30 minutes from the initial distress call.

However, others questioned this amid increasing evidence that there was a large hole in the ferry.

Presenting the preliminary results of a dive by underwater robots in July, Rene Arikas, head of the Estonian safety investigation bureau, said the dive showed that the wreck did have a hole, about 22 metres long and four metres high. The wreck was resting on a slope on the seabed, and its original position had changed over the years because of changes in the seabed, making the hole and other damage more visible, he said.

Despite this, he emphasised, researchers have no evidence proving the official report on the sinking to be incorrect.

New underwater surveys are scheduled in March-April, when visibility is considered the best, Arikas said.

Jonas Backstrand, deputy director general of Swedens accident investigation board, said researchers were surprised to find the seabed wass substantially rocky, and this could well have been the reason for the hole. We dont know how this damage [to the vessel] occurred, Backstrand said, but it was likely it happened when the ferry fell on to the rocky seabed. More investigation was needed, he said.

A separate, privately funded expedition commissioned by relatives of the victims of the MS Estonia conducted a dive in September. Initial results are expected to be published early next year.

The wreck lies on the seabed about 80 metres (265ft) below the surface in international waters off a Finnish island, and is considered a graveyard, which gives the area protection under the law.

This headline has been updated to more accurately reflect the story

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1994 Baltic ferry disaster: new dive finds no evidence to back alternative theories - The Guardian

Operation Outdoor Freedom, a program run by the Florida Forest Service, mixes forest therapy with adventure therapy immersing wounded veterans in state forests to go camping, hunting, fishing, even participating in week-long cattle drives across the state peninsula. (Facebook)

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (Tribune News Service) In the last decade, there has been a surge in experimental therapy programs forUnited Statesveterans.

Emerging practices involve everything from psychedelic drug treatments and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy to trial medications and neurological treatments like Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB), which involves an injection to the neck. But of all these emerging forms of therapy, one has proved to be both timeless and consistently effective.

Its common name is outdoor or wilderness therapy, but other variations include forest therapy, adventure therapy, and even forest bathing. While these might sound simplistic compared to more cutting-edge treatments, an emerging body of research is now proving forest therapy to be not only successful, but accessible and appealing to veterans, as well.

Anybody whos been on a quiet morning walk through the woods can attest to the inherently calming nature of the outdoors. Trees, wooded lakes, mountain hikes, and forest streams all have a tendency to slow down our ever-racing minds and allow us to take a step into the present moment. AndJammie Schmunk, a certified forest therapy guide that operates out of theW.G. Jones State ForestinConroe, Texas, believes this effect could be helpful for both veterans and civilians alike. She describes this practice as both mindfulness and body-fulness.

What were doing in forest therapy is bringing all of our senses online, said Schmunk. When we awaken those, the mind slows down. We call it a slow walk through the forest because when we slow our body down, our mind will slow down as well.

Schmunk, along with many others, believes that this phenomenon is a key component to helping veterans as they transition out of the military and as they learn to live with the changes to their mind, body, and identity.

The evidence

While this kind of language might appear abstract, its actually grounded in a practice that began centuries ago and was formally recognized in 1982 Japan as shinrin-yoku or forest bathing. It has since been quantified by scientific research, including a hallmark study that measured physiological components of people before walking in the woods, and again afterwards.

The study covered 24 different forests aroundJapanwith twelve different subjects per forest, and a control group that walked through cities instead of woods. Cortisol levels (the stress hormone), blood pressure, pulse rate, and heart rate variability were measured before and after each session, and the results showed that forest environments promote lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rate, lower blood pressure, greater parasympathetic nerve activity, and lower sympathetic nerve activity than do city environments.

These findings are particularly relevant to veterans, since a common symptom of Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) is an elevated level of cortisol in the blood stream and an inflammation of the fight-or-flight response. The findings of greater parasympathetic nerve activity translate to an increase in the state of rest-and-digest, which is essentially the opposite of fight-or-flight and occurs only when the body is relaxed and calm. Meanwhile chronic stress, or prolonged exposure to cortisol, has been found to increase the risk of anxiety, depression, heart disease, weight gain, and memory/concentration impairment. Lowering those cortisol levels is an immediate way to alleviate many of those symptoms, and to combat PTS in veterans.

Subsequent studies have even found that walks in the woods trigger significant boosts in serotonin. Serotonin is the key hormone for stabilizing our mood and making us feel content and happy. It helps with sleeping, eating, and digestion, and its more permanent and longer lasting than dopamine. High levels of serotonin have generally been linked to feelings of overall well-being and happiness.

But beyond our own physiological response to forests, trees also clean the air and provide higher concentrations of oxygen for the brain, purifying the air that we breathe. Trees even release pheromoneswhich interact with their surroundings in ways we dont entirely understandand they put off a fragrance called phytoncide, which might even improve our immune systems.

The physical, mental, and social benefits of trees dont stop there. A full list of studies and potential benefits for veterans and civilians alike can be found at the Healthy Trees, Healthy Lives website:https://healthytreeshealthylives.org/

Adventure therapy

While this growing body of empirical evidence continues to support the effectiveness of forest and outdoor therapy, many organizations are taking a more kinetic approach to treating veterans via the outdoors. One example of this is by combining outdoor therapy with adventure activities, such as hiking, hunting, or skiing.

Stacy Bare an Iraq War Veteran, the former director of theSierra Club, a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, and the subject of a REIs short documentary Adventure Not War conceived the idea of returning to areas of conflict where he served, but for the purpose of adventure instead of combat and war.

Ten years after finishing his tour inIraq, Bare returned with a cadre of veterans to climb and ski the highest peak inIraq,Mount Halgurd. The idea was to experience stress, adrenaline, and euphoria all in the same place he had prior, but this time in a healthy, exciting way, in order to help balance the memories and trauma of his deployment toIraq.

I can look back now on the symptoms and challenges of post-traumatic stress, adjustment disorder, depression, and a mild traumatic brain injury, manifesting primarily as drug and alcohol abuse, said Bare at a TedX Talk in his hometown ofBrookings, S.D. So its no small statement to say that I was hooked, and later saved, by the outdoors.

Another example of adventure therapy followsTaylor Grieger, a former rescue swimmer and Navy veteran, who underwent a similar experience: sailing aroundCape Horn theMount Everestof Sailing in order to overcome and raise awareness about PTSD. His journey was documented in the feature film Hell or High Seas, and he has since gone on to help establishAmerican Odysseus Sailing Foundation, which takes veterans on sailing expeditions to provide a healthy outlet for their pent-up fight-or-flight response, and to blend that response with positive experiences like watching the sun rise over the ocean after a long storm.

Not every veteran is able or willing to climb the tallest mountain inIraq or navigate the sailors graveyard at the tip ofSouth America but other programs have emerged that serve as a moderate blend of adventure and outdoor therapy.

Operation Outdoor Freedom

Operation Outdoor Freedom, heralded by theFlorida Forest Service, is a prime example of a program that mixes time spent in forests and the outdoors with adventure activities such as hunting, archery, fishing, or even week-long cattle drives through the middle of the peninsula. Operation Outdoor Freedom is open to anyFloridaveteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or greater from theU.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

Operation Outdoor Freedom was founded in 2009 as a means to utilize public lands for the benefit of wounded veterans. During their first year, theFlorida Forest Servicepartnered with theWounded Warrior Project, and ever since they have been providing opportunities for disabled veterans to return to nature and to pick up an activity like hunting or fishing that they either havent done since their injury, or that they had never tried before.

It gives the veterans a certain sense of purpose, and it makes being outside more fun and exciting, saidEdgar Rodriguez, theVeterans AffairsDirector for theFlorida Agriculture Commissioners Office. With the adventure aspect, I wouldnt say its intense in any way. Its actually pretty relaxing.

Since its conception, Operation Outdoor Freedom has held over 700 events with 5,300 veterans served. The organization is also volunteer and donation driven, with most events taking place on state forests or public lands. The outcome has been overwhelmingly positive.

According toDavid Hunt, the state program coordinator of Operation Outdoor Freedom, the impetus for these events is the powerful bond that exists between foresters, wildland firefighters, and veterans. Veterans are often drawn to serve in state forestry agencies, and when theFlorida Forest Servicewas donated a tract of land in 2007, they decided to use it in a way that gives back to the men and women who have served our country.

Whether they are hunting, fishing, or sitting by the campfire, these experiences bring all generations of veterans together, said Hunt. Letting these veterans know that they can still enjoy the outdoors is an important part of learning how to live life after an injury.

While the recreation aspect empowers these veterans and gives them confidence in themselves and their abilities, the most impactful part of each event comes at night, during campfire time. According to Hunt and Rodriguez, there is no methodology or prompt to kick-start campfire time. Participants simply gather in a circle around a campfire after the days activities and start talking.

They definitely open up over the campfire times, said Rodriguez. And thats one of the reasons they really want to come back. They bond and they see it as a really positive experience.

Forest therapy

WhileAmerican Odysseus Sailing Foundation, Happy Grizzly Adventures, and Operation Outdoor Freedom are great examples of outdoor therapy, there is another option that is free and accessible to everybody: state forests. And according to forest therapy guideJammie Schmunk, veterans can reap the benefits of forest immersion in the same way as everybody else.

I have yet to see anybody go on a walk in the forest and then come out the same. It just doesnt happen, said Schmunk. And thats the point. Theres a place for every single one of us.

State forests

The mission statement ofTexas A&M Forest Serviceand many state forestry agencies is to conserve and protect the resources and lands of their state. ButTexas A&M Forest Serviceis also a steward ofTexaspublic lands, including five state forests and over 7,528 acres of land, all of which are free and open to the public. According toAl Davis, the Interim Director of Texas A&M Forest Service, their hope is that veterans will start utilizing those lands to find healing.

I think leveraging the forestry ofTexasis an initiative worth pursuing, said Davis, a retired colonel in theMarine Corps. And Im proud to share our state forests with any and all veterans looking for a restorative experience, or simply for a respite from their day-to-day lives.

Programs such as Operation Outdoor Freedom are paving the way for the utilization of public lands as recreational retreats, and individuals likeStacy BareandTaylor Griegerare helping revolutionize the field of veterans therapy. But there is a holistic beauty and simplicity to forest therapy that doesnt have any social requirements and doesnt require anything, really, other than a forest.

As the guide, I just open the doors, said Schmunk. The forest truly, truly is the therapist. And I believe that if we could just take a 10-minute walk each day in nature, wed live in a whole different world.

(c)2021 The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.)

Visit The Times Leader at http://www.timesleader.com

Distributed byTribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Programs utilize the outdoors for veterans therapy - Stars and Stripes

With China flexing its muscle in the Indo-Pacific and acquiring the worlds largest navy, theres no denying that the most consequential strategic battles of this century will play out on the high seas. This means that India needs to reorient its military which has traditionally been focussed on land-based forces to boost its naval prowess. Against this backdrop, its welcome that the Indian navy aims to become a 170-warship force from its current strength of 130 warships over the next decade. This is absolutely crucial to protect Indias maritime boundaries and cultivate force projection capabilities to counter Chinas aggressive tactics exploiting Beijings Malacca Strait Achilles heel depends on it.

However, the pace of Indias naval modernisation leaves a lot to be desired. The initial plan was for a 200-plus naval force, including both warships and submarines. This was scaled down to 170 warships by 2027. The new plan extends that time by at least another five years. In contrast, China already has 355 warships including at least 50 conventional and 10 nuclear submarines. India currently has just one nuclear-powered submarine with nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, the INS Arihant. Therefore, the question is if Indias pace and scope of naval modernisation are enough.

Considering that China is estimated to acquire 460 warships by 2030 and now poses a collusive threat with Pakistan to whom it recently transferred its largest and most advanced warship India cant afford to lag behind. True, the target of 170 warships for the Indian navy seems doable given that 39 naval ships and submarines are already under construction in various Indian shipyards. Additionally, two more of our warships are under construction in Russia. But the time taken from contract signing to commissioning of warships is still 8-10 years. This time frame needs to be drastically cut along with faster approvals and enhanced budgetary allocation for the navy. The strategic parts of Asia are seascapes. India must strengthen its sea-legs.

This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.

END OF ARTICLE

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Naval ambition: Plan to add 40 ships in 10 years is doable only if current practices on shipbuilding are chang - The Times of India Blog

11/20/2021 at 11:35 CET

LOM

The civil Guard has dismantled a criminal organization that introduced hashish by the shores of Malaga, an operation called Kroll in which they have been arrested and brought to justice 20 people and investigated 13 others.

According to the Benemrita in a press release, the operation began in March when they identified several people of Cuban nationality that provided fuel to drug traffickers, known as petaqueros.

Agents discover that the organization refuels the powerful boats RIBs that cross the Strait of Gibraltar. After some time carrying out refueling, the organization manages to obtain liquidity to carry out operations and thus introduce hashish on the coast by recreational boats.

The way of proceeding was such that recreational boats that are warmed with double bottoms they load the bales brought by the semi-rigid boats into the high seas from Morocco. Once the transshipment has been carried out, they are transported to the marinas in the province of Malaga or to a beach where they unload the bales of hashish.

The organization was run by a Spanish citizen with numerous drug trafficking records, his lieutenant being a Cuban citizen. The branch led by his lieutenant also occupied luxury homes.

Thus, the OCON Sur researchers find that those identified lived in luxury villas on the Costa del Sol. As they know, they normally occupied houses of foreign residents that were exchanged in such a way that they never left the residences empty.

On the other hand, the organization was also made up of natives of the area with which they achieved an exhaustive control of the places they used to pack hashish.

The eight searches authorized by the Court of First Instance of Instruction number 4 of Estepona (Malaga) have been carried out in the towns of Marbella and Estepona in Malaga, and San Roque and La Lnea de la Concepcin in Cdiz.

Operation Kroll concludes with the arrest of 20 people and 13 investigated. In addition, 900 kilograms of hashish, three off-road vehicles, four boats, as well as 2,275 liters of fuel for narcolanchas have been seized.

Read more:

Up to 20 detainees from a network that introduced hashish along the coast of Malaga - Central Valley Business Journal

By Cameron Sothern

The volume of oil that flows through the Strait of Hormuz gives it geostrategic importance. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, In 2018, its daily oil flow averaged 21 million barrels per day (b/d), or the equivalent of about 21% of global petroleum liquids consumption.1 If freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz were hampered, an energy crisis would ensue. Maritime insecurities anywhere are a threat to the circulation of global trade. In the Persian Gulf and its adjacent seas, these insecurities mostly originate from Iran and its proxy forces, such as the Houthis in Yemen. By controlling the Strait of Hormuz and placing forces along the Bab el-Mandeb in Yemen, Iran can contest energy flows to US allies as well as to China.2 This article identifies Iranian maritime threats and proposes a course of action for the U.S. Navy to continue and improve upon its efforts in the region to deter them.

Iranian Maritime Capabilities

The Islamic Republic is well suited to draw on the rich millennial heritage of Iranian society and culture and the significant heritage of the Islamic Revolution, particularly its indigenously derived and sustained participatory model of governance. Iran can use such strengths to help realize the deeply cherished national aspirations of the Iranian people, including the achievement of long-term development and regional ascendance commensurate with the countrys capacities and stature. Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif3

It is important to note that while the Islamic Republic of Iran is a relatively young state, its heritage stems from the legacy of the Persian Empire, and there are overtones of restoring a similar sense of greatness. Irans current strategic goal is to create a regionally hegemonic state. The goal is divided into four pillars: continuity of clerical rule, addressing internal and external threats, stabilizing regional influence, and attaining economic prosperity.4 Irans maritime and naval capabilities play an important role in supporting its strategic goal, especially when employed in the gray zone.5 By operating in the gray zone, Iran can make incremental changes to the status quo, which currently favors the U.S.-led International Rules Based Order (IRBO). When the United States and its partners in the region attempt to counter Iranian actions, Iran can fall back to its area of access denial, let things cool off, and reinitiate incremental changes.

Within the Persian Gulf, the naval arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Gard Corps, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN), operates hundreds of small craft that are used in swarm tactics and special operations. The vessels are cheaper and faster than conventional military vessels, allowing them to respond quickly and in mass anywhere in the Persian Gulf or Strait of Hormuz. The IRGCN harasses military and commercial vessels. Their tactics involve surrounding the targeted vessel and cutting across its bow. The IRGCN has also diverted and detained certain foreign vessels in response to economic sanctions. Examples of aggressive IRGCN actions since 2019 include attacks on Norwegian, Japanese, Saudi Arabian, and Israeli vessels. The IRGCN vessels are often emboldened by ambitious regional commanders, acting without orders from the state or supreme leader.

If Iran were to attempt to control the Strait of Hormuz, it would rely heavily on the capabilities of the IRGCN. As stated above, Iran can move in and out of its area of access denial; but it also has the capacity to expand this area. In such a scenario, the IRGCN would likely lay naval mines and board or attack commercial vessels. Moreover, while not an exclusively maritime capability, Iran has shown an affinity for the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to attack land-based infrastructure in the region. Regarding Iran, General McKenzie Jr. stated in the CENTCOM posture statement, For the first time since the Korean War, we are operating without complete air superiority.6 Iran has employed many of these tactics in the past without consequence, and the protentional for them to do so in a less limited manner could send shock waves through global markets.

Iran relies on two other maritime forces to support its state strategy. The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) is a traditional naval force comprised of surface ships and submarines. The IRIN operates in the Persian Gulf, Caspian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and beyond. The IRIN is an aging fleet and does not present a major security threat. It participates in counter piracy and escort operations in the Gulf of Aden and northern Indian Ocean; however, it is mostly employed by Iran as a diplomatic tool. The IRIN can train with Chinese and Russian naval forces, allowing Iran to project limited power outside of the region. The IRIN has also made port calls in Sri Lanka and China. For now, Irans maintenance of a green-water navy is more of a status and reputation builder than a threat to maritime security.

In addition to the IRIN, Iran maintains state control of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line (IRISL). Iran manufactures much of its own military equipment and relies heavily on the IRISL to export it to Iranian proxies and state actors, often in violation of international sanctions. Irans biggest customers include Syria, Hizballah in Lebanon, and Iraqi Shia militias, but Iran has also provided weapons to the Houthis in Yemen, Palestinian groups, and the Taliban in Afghanistan other state customers of Iranian military equipment have included Iraq and Sudan7 The military equipment includes small arms, ammunition, artillery systems, armored vehicles, equipment for unmanned explosive boats, and communications equipment. These exports benefit the Iranian economy; expand Iranian influence and power; and, when used by proxy forces, support Iranian military objectives.

Breaking Down Irans Maritime Threats

Irans geographic position and maritime capabilities have allowed the state to continue its pursuit of altering the status quo.8 Recurringly, Iran has acted aggressively to create short-term tension, while retaining the ability to prolong and diversify its actions as a means to avoid escalation to war. It is commonly agreed that Irans desire to avoid direct warfare is a result of its experience in the 1980 Iran-Iraq War, in which both sides of the conflict lost tens of thousands.9In this conflict, Iran learned the necessity of a passive defense. Passive defense tactics focus on denial and deception to mitigate vulnerabilities and increase survivability, ensuring a strong retaliation. Examples of this [denial and deception] include, using camouflage and concealment, hiding, and dispersing forces, building underground facilities, and developing highly mobile units.10

These tactics contribute to Irans deterrent strategy, which seeks to highlight how long and costly a direct conflict with Iran would be. The denial and deception aspects of passive defense are also used by the IRGCN. The IRGCN is the primary operator of Irans hundreds of fast attack craft (FAC) and fast inshore attack craft (FIAC). These platforms have been the mainstay of the IRGCN since its inception in the 1980s, although the Iranian FAC/FIAC inventory has grown significantly in terms of size and lethality since that time.11 These vessels are highly mobile and allow for the dispersion of equipment and personnel along Irans coastline in the Persian Gulf, which would help mitigate Irans losses should they endure a strike.

Irans maritime threats closely align with contemporary academic knowledge regarding hybridized maritime threats. The four necessary components of hybridized aggression in the maritime domain are: a state with major power, deniable but clear orchestration on behalf of the state, illegal action, and control over levels of aggression to match responses.12 Iran has performed elements of hybridized maritime aggression in the past, especially through its proxies. In early March 2021, Houthi forces in Yemen used over a dozen drones to attack the Ras Tanura oil facility in Saudi Arabia.13 The Houthis are increasing their missile salvos against Saudi Arabia because they have no fear of shortages. As the Biden administration and the UN have pointed out, the rebels can draw on covert shipments of Iranian-supplied drone engines, ballistic missile motors, and electronics.14 The attack on the oil port shows Irans ability to direct proxy attacks on maritime infrastructure.

Iran also uses state forces to perform hybridized maritime aggression. While the most blatant example is the use of the IRGCN to place limpet mines on commercial vessels, the conduct of IRGCN vessels at sea also qualifies. In late April of 2021, several Iranian FIAC quickly approached the USS Firebolt and the USCGC Baranof, To an unnecessarily close range with unknown intent, including a closest point of 68 yards.15 The article continued, The U.S. crews issued multiple warnings via bridge-to-bridge radio and loud-hailer devices, but the IRGCN vessels continued their close-range maneuvers. Again, in May 2021, thirteen Iranian FAC rapidly approached U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard vessels that were transiting the Strait of Hormuz. After failing to respond to radio and horn signals, and coming within 300 yards of U.S. vessels, USCGC Maui fired warning shots towards the Iranian FAC.16

The conduct of these vessels was hazardous and violated the 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, which establishes standard practices for vessels maneuvering in proximity to one another. The Iranian FAC/FIAC acted without regard for proper communication, signaling, or the safety of life at sea. Although none of the incidents resulted in a collision or loss of life, the risk was significant, as was the potential to escalate tensions between the United States and Iran to dangerous levels. The variety of Irans maritime aggression, from proxy attacks on oil ports to dangerous maneuvering at sea, highlights Irans ability to use varying levels of maritime tactics and fulfills the requirements to categorize Iran as a hybrid actor in the maritime domain.

A Course of Action for the U.S. Navy

Several actors and ongoing initiatives are working towards greater security in the Persian Gulf. These include U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and its naval element, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, which oversees the operations of U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). Comprising 34 member states, CMFsmain focus areas are counter-narcotics, counter-smuggling, suppressing piracy, encouraging regional cooperation, and engaging with regional and other partners to strengthen relevant capabilities in order to improve overall security and stability, and promoting a safe maritime environment free from illicit non-state actors.17 Additionally, the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) was formed in July 2019 to provide updated information for merchant vessels that transit the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf.

Many states benefit from the security provided by these initiatives and contribute to them, but the U.S. Navy plays an especially important leadership role. In addition to the frequent presence of a U.S. carrier strike group and independently deployed destroyers within and outside of the Persian Gulf, the latter of which often support CMF operations, the United States has led the multinational Combined Task Force 152 (CTF 152), one of three task forces under the CMF, 10 times. CTF 152 oversees maritime security operations within the Persian Gulf. Other states that have commanded CTF 152 have done so four times or less.18 Due to its large capacity and leadership experience, there are several things that the U.S. Navy should do, or oversee, to further increase Persian Gulf security.

The U.S. Navy should continue to increase its mine countermeasure and air defense capabilities. Anti-mine capabilities will create higher assurances of safe navigation and further mitigate the threat of naval mines. It is already part of CENTCOMs effort to increase the number of Avenger-class mine countermeasure ships and Sea Dragon helicopters to protect the navigation of vessels in the Persian Gulf.19

The threat of drones, rockets, and missiles to vessels, port facilities, and other key points. The U.S. Navy should work with CENTCOM and regional states to solidify potential targets and work collaboratively on air defense. The March 2021 drone attack on Ras Tanura oil facility was thwarted by Saudi Arabia, who received early warning from U.S. systems and a U.S. airborne early warning aircraft.20 This has also been identified by CENTCOM as a significant threat and area for further regional development.

An additional approach to limiting Iranian proxy groups is the continuation of patrols by CTF 150 and CTF 152, which patrol within and outside of the Persian Gulf, respectively. These patrols often intercept weapons and narcotics shipments, although they are not explicitly targeting shipments from Iran. In May 2021, the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard intercepted, dozens of advanced Russian-made anti-tank guided missiles, thousands of Chinese Type 56 assault rifles, and hundreds of PKM machine guns, sniper rifles and rocket-propelled grenades launchers.21 Participation in CMF is not mandatory, but the United States could encourage additional states to participate and help manage their contributions.

The U.S. Navy should continue to work with other naval forces and regional states to quantify Iranian capabilities. Quantifying Irans capabilities will help decision makers in the U.S. Navy, U.S. government, and U.S. partners to create more accurate risk assessments in order to dispatch the most appropriate resources to mitigate or respond to threats.

There are diverging legal perspectives between the United States and Iran regarding passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Navy should continue to exercise its right to transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran recognizes its own maritime laws, which incorporate a modified version of innocent passage through the Strait of Hormuz.22 The United States recognizes the Strait of Hormuz as an international strait and does not recognize the strait as territorial waters of Iran. Therefore, the United States makes its passages according to transit passage, which is the movement of a vessel from one part of the high seas/Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to another part of the high seas/EEZ. In transit passage, U.S. vessels and aircraft maintain normal operations, such as flying in a defensive formation.

Conclusion

In combination, these actions could further mitigate and deter Iranian maritime threats while supporting the IRBO. As a highly capable and influential naval force, the U.S. Navy should continue to strongly advocate for and lead maritime security efforts in the Persian Gulf and its adjacent seas. An increased naval approach to the region will provide the United States flexibility and mobility in addressing challenges. While Iranian maritime threats present an immediate challenge in the Persian Gulf, they also prompt larger questions about how the U.S. Navy can better address gray zone operations and hybrid aggression in the maritime domain. Considering the economic and military strength of the United States relative to Iran, the United States should focus on Iran to gain insights into effective strategies that could apply to similar challenges elsewhere, such as those posed by Russia in the Black Sea and China in the South China Sea.

Cameron Sothern is a 2021 graduate of the California State University Maritime Academy. He holds a BA in Global Studies and Maritime Affairssumma cum laude and has been accept to attend the U.S. Navys Officer Candidate School in November.

References

[1] Barden, J. (2019, June). The Strait of Hormuz is the worlds most important oil transit chokepoint. U.S. Energy Information Administration. https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=39932#

[2] Clark, B., Walton, T. A., & Cropsey, S. (2020). American Sea Power at a Crossroads: A Plan to Restore the US Navys Maritime Advantage. Hudson Institute, 72.

[3] Zarif, M. J. (2014). What Iran Really Wants: Iranian Foreign Policy in the Rouhani Era. Foreign Affairs, 93(3), 4959. https://www-jstor-org.ezproxy.csum.edu/stable/24483405?seq=5#metadata_info_tab_contents

[4, 7, 11] Defense Intelligence Agency. (2019). Iran military power: Ensuring regime survival and securing regional dominance. Defense Intelligence Agency.

[5] Mazaar, M.J. (2015). Mastering the Gray Zone: Understanding a Changing Era of Conflict. Strategic Studies Institute and U.S. War College Press, p.17. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/2372.pdf

[6, 19] General McKenzie Jr., K. (2021, April). POSTURE STATEMENT OF GENERAL KENNETH F. MCKENZIE, JR., COMMANDER, UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND BEFORE THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE. U.S. Central Command. https://www.centcom.mil/ABOUT-US/POSTURE-STATEMENT/

[8] Eisensdadt, M. (2020-b, January). Operating in the Gray Zone: Countering Irans Asymmetric Way of War. The Washington Institute. https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/operating-gray-zone-countering-irans-asymmetric-way-war

[9] Kurzman, C. (2013, October). Death Tolls of the Iran-Iraq War Charles Kurzman. Death Tolls of the Iran-Iraq War. https://kurzman.unc.edu/death-tolls-of-the-iran-iraq-war/

[10] Office of Naval Intelligence. (2017). Iranian Naval Forces: A Tale of Two Navies ((DOPSR Case 17-S-0836)). https://www.oni.navy.mil/Portals/12/Intel%20agencies/iran/Iran%20022217SP.pdf

[12] Ralby, I. (2017). Examining Hybrid Maritime Threats. Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Centre of Excellence: Cutting the Bow Wave, 1317. http://www.cjoscoe.org/infosite/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/CJOS_COE_Cutting_the_Bow_Wave_2017_Final_compressed_v2.pdf

[13-14, 20] Knights, M. (2021, March). Continued Houthi Strikes Threaten Saudi Oil and the Global Economic Recovery. The Washington Institute. https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/continued-houthi-strikes-threaten-saudi-oil-and-global-economic-recovery

[15] U.S. Navy Office of Information. (2021, April). IRGCN Interaction with U.S. Naval Vessels in the North Arabian Gulf. United States Navy. https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/2587098/irgcn-interaction-with-us-naval-vessels-in-the-north-arabian-gulf/

[16] U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs. (2021-a, May). Unsafe and Unprofessional Interaction with IRGCN FIAC in Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. https://www.cusnc.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/2602006/unsafe-and-unprofessional-interaction-with-irgcn-fiac-in-strait-of-hormuz/

[17-18] Combined Maritime Forces. (2021, May). CTF 152: Gulf Maritime Security. CTF 152: GULF MARITIME SECURITY. https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/ctf-152-gulf-security-cooperation/

[21] U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs. (2021-b, May). USS Monterey Seizes Illicit Weapons in the North Arabian Sea. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. https://www.cusnc.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/2600829/uss-monterey-seizes-illicit-weapons-in-the-north-arabian-sea/

[22] Convention on the Law of the Sea, Dec. 10, 1982, 1833 U.N.T.S. 433. https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%201833/volume-1833-A-31363-English.pdf

Featured image:April 2020 Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) vessels approach theguided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) at close range while conducting joint interoperability operations in support of maritime security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Credit: U.S. Navy)

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Wellington Harbour will soon boast the Southern Hemispheres first battery-powered commuter ferry, as Kiwi firms make waves in the electric marine revolution. Todd Niall reports.

Jeremy Ward seems almost surprised to be within weeks of putting a new electric ferry into service in the capital.

The 135-seat carbon-fibre-hulled catamaran should join East by West Ferries cross-harbour run by Christmas, the most tangible achievement so far for New Zealands local marine industry as the world goes electric.

I dont quite understand why little old East by West is leading this, said Ward, its managing director and the one who started the talk of going electric with the next ferry.

READ MORE:* Southern Hemisphere's first fully-electric passenger ferry to launch on September 9 * Diesel, batteries and biofuels: Setting our ferries on course for a green future* Who should get Auckland's clever ideas over the line?

The ferry operators sister firm Wellington Electric Boat Building Company (WEBBCO) is just one of around 20 Aotearoa firms making big or small waves in the electric marine revolution.

Electric is an exciting development, said Peter Busfield, the executive director of the Marine Industry Association.

As exciting as moving from black-and-white to colour television - after ones got it, everyone else will want it.

Wellington is an unlikely place to be leading the electric marine revolution, a city that Ward points out lost its boat-building industry about 20 years ago.

Ward had been pondering a new ferry for the fleet, and on an overseas trip got hooked by a 40-metre-long, 400-passenger electric tourist ferry running in Norways fiords.

Back home, he met up with Fraser Foote, an experienced ferry-builder, and WEBBCO was formed in 2018, setting up in Gracefield.

Jericho Rock-Archer/Stuff

East by West Ferries owner Jeremy Ward, left, and WEBBCOs Fraser Foote, right, with the Ika Rere.

Partners included Whangrei-based McKay a big marine electrics and electronics builder and SSC Design in Auckland. So far, Ika Rere has outperformed the design expectations.

With the boat going faster than we thought, our resistance is down, therefore energy use is below what we expected we can go further and faster, said Foote.

WEBBCO is looking at two smaller boats for a service from downtown to Miramar and connecting to the airport, but the big opportunity is overseas, where the ferry has sparked interest.

WEBBCO/Supplied

East by West Ferries Ika Rere in sea trials on Wellington Harbour.

We are waiting now till everything is proven and the boat is in service, and we have actual data, then we will be looking to grow those enquiries, he said.

WEBBCO believes it can service orders in Australasia from the Wellington base, fed by suppliers in Napier, and Whanganui, but further afield, deals might involve licensing builders in export markets.

Grants from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Agency (EECA) and Callaghan Institute have helped, but most of the nearly $9 million development cost has been self-funded.

In Auckland, friend and rival EV Maritime appears close to a green light for the first carbon-fibre electric ferries to go into service on the Waitemat Harbour.

LAWRENCE SMITH/Stuff

Michael Eaglen, co-founder and CEO of Aucklands EV Maritime.

EV Maritime spun out of established boat builder McMullen and Wing, and has had a contribution from ferry operator Fullers360.

Its hopes are linked to Auckland Transports protracted work to devise a new strategy and funding for up to 20 public transport ferries, but it also has eyes overseas.

Auckland, Sydney, Hong Kong, all have significant ferry fleets doing long distances, that have to go fast there are substantial fleets of diesel ferries serving those cities, said Michael Eaglen, CEO and co-founder.

He said fast electric commuter ferries were a logical part of the market to start in: They are such busy boats, commuter ferries work hard, so lower operating costs give a real payback for investment.

EV Maritime/Supplied

EV Maritime has designed an electric ferry for commuter service in Auckland.

East by West estimated the premium to go electric could be clawed back in six to seven years.

A diesel [engine] youll be rebuilding after 15,000 hours, and theres daily checks, but an electric motor you wont touch for 50,000 hours, said Ward.

Fraser Foote put the fuel savings at $200,000 a year, and maintenance a further $50,000.

Jericho Rock-Archer/Stuff

Boat builder Fraser Foote, left, and East by West Ferries owner Jeremy Ward in the control room of the Ika Rere.

New Zealands place at the pointy end of the electric maritime sector was no mystery to Eaglen.

That performance drive has often been our [New Zealands] speciality, not just in yacht racing, but even superyachts, which we were very busy with in the 90s and 2000s; quite novel, one-off boats taking on the challenge of technical tasks, he said.

A bit further along Aucklands eastern Tmaki Estuary, Seachange is working another niche - a hydrofoiling, carbon-fibre car ferry, with a small prototype destined for the Cook Strait run.

Seachange/Supplied

Artists impression of the electric hydrofoiling car ferry being developed by Auckland firm Seachange.

A team of 25 is led by founder and chief executive Max Olson, who has his own take on Kiwi activity in the sector.

My pick would be we have a really strong composites [carbon fibre] industry, and a bunch of really talented generalist engineers, who can tackle those hard cross-functional problems, said Olson.

Jason Dorday/Stuff

Max Olson is the CEO and co-founder of Seachange in Auckland.

A lot of the work put into Americas Cup boats over the last two decades has really helped funnel that, and kept it pushing along.

Seachanges team includes engineers hired from the Americas Cup and from the SailGP racing circuit, and one of its backers is Sir Stephen Tindalls K1W1 investment vehicle, which is also a backer of Rocketlab.

Seachange/Supplied

Seachanges eventual electric hydrofoiling ferry would carry 20 cars and 150 passengers.

Seachange is working on a 24-metre-long, six-car, 30-passenger vessel to trial on the Cook Strait by late 2023.

The production version is likely to be 40 metres, carrying 20 cars and 150 passengers, riding on foils 5 metres above a calm surface, enabling smooth passage in high seas.

While we dont have a super-deep car ferry market in New Zealand, Cook Strait aside from a few minor differences looks like a lot of routes in Europe, and Europe is a $30 billion car ferry industry.

Seachange/Supplied

Seachanges battery-powered car ferry will ride on foils 5 metres clear of the surface.

Nearby Zerojet, formed in 2015, has developed a battery-powered jet propulsion system for small runabouts and dinghies.

Zerojet hopes to have the first boats in the water before Christmas, aiming for 100 local sales before selling into the world market, where production boat builders have already shown strong interest.

Theres huge demand from overseas weve got more demand than we know what to do with, and people are very excited about the product, said Bex Rempel, the co-founder and chief executive.

Jason Dorday/Stuff

Bex Rempel is CEO and co-founder of Zerojet in Mt Wellington, Auckland.

For launching we are focused on [the] tender market, the dinghy on the back of bigger yachts, to go from the yacht to a beach and back, or a neighbours boat, sightseeing or other activities on the water, she said.

Europe is Zerojets initial most-promising market, followed by parts of the United States.

Regulations are changing around the world, very fast putting increasingly higher emissions restrictions on outboards, to the point it wont be economical to produce combustion outboards under, say, 40 horsepower, she said.

Zerojet is not alone globally, but Rempel says there is room for a lot of players.

Zerojet/Supplied

The first dinghy with a Zerojet battery jet unit is due on sale by the end of 2021.

Theres no one solution thats going to make everyone happy; the industry is in infancy with so much room for growth and so much room for innovation.

Like the other firms, Rempel saw a big future for New Zealand operators, as the marine sector followed land transport into switching from combustion engines, to clean electric.

Electric is the future, if you look at the current market its only about 1.5 per cent of total sales, said Rempel.

Being in New Zealand is fantastic for us, we are definitely in the right place.

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'Electric is the future': Kiwi boat builders ride wave as first battery-powered ferry service nears - Stuff.co.nz