Boatfag Report

I'll start with a follow-up on reporting by Planefag last bread:

Coast of Venezuela and ABC Islands

Nothing of note. The Netherlands frigate Doorman is not on the scope anywhere in a 200 nm vicinity of the ABC's, so I postulate she has pulled into port at one of the islands, most likely Curacao as more of a working port.

West Coast US

Looks like another large warship departing San Diego harbor, but couldn't find any mention of it in a quick google search of San Diego news today. May be more of an out-n-in training run, but if any SD fags have info to report, please add it in. Long Beach, San Fran and Puget Sound all quiet.

South China Sea and Korea

Whatever was happening around Scarborough Shoal west of Manila seems to be wrapping up. The "hole in the ocean" of traffic is still there west of the Paracel Islands and a small one north of the Spratly's, but traffic seems to be getting back to normal there. Of note, I also checked Notices To Mariners for the area and did not find any new navigation hazards for Scarby Shoal. Will keep an eye on it but the area doesn't make my almonds tingle given the current traffic patterns.

East Coast of US

This gets interesting, folks. Right now, there are two un-ID'd US warships off the NC coast, one close in and one about 250 nm out. Also, there is now USNS Prevail and USNS Hunter. Both of these ships were SURTASS boats used to hunt subs and now are fleet trainers for interdiction and other related missions including special warfare.

Eastern Med, Suez and Gulf of Aden

Nothing stands out as a possible situation.

Petroleum Gulf, Hormuz and the Indian Ocean

Still a good amount of tanker traffic and plenty of anchored vessels. A couple of Iranian Navy vessels close to the coast near Bushehr and Bandar Abbas but nothing else seen. Netherlands Navy warship EMASOH and an Indian navy warship (not ID'd) in the Gulf of Oman, 100 nm or so NW of Muscat and patrolling (just trying to stay out of everyone's way).

That's it. Checking out momentarily. No further reports unless something truly interesting crops up. Will continue to prioritize watch on the South China Sea, Petroleum Gulf, Venezuelan Coast and now Outer Banks of NC.