Boatfag Report
News Summary:
ChiComs still can’t project power globally because their logistics tail sucks
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2020/04/15/chinas-global-logistics-chain-making-strides-but-projecting-military-power-still-a-struggle/
(May 8) US guarding Malaysians in South China Sea with an LCS and a supply ship, large surface warships also in the area
https://news.usni.org/2020/05/08/u-s-sends-warships-on-patrol-near-south-china-sea-standoff
ChiComs upping flights and decks over the South China Sea in response to US, Russkie newspaper mad at US
https://sputniknews.com/military/202005101079263856-beijing-intensifies-military-presence-in-south-china-sea-in-light-of-growing-us-activities-in/
French putting a couple of frigates off Libya to enforce arms emgargo (yeah, that’ll fix it)
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/05/france-deploys-two-frigates-as-it-joins-operation-irini-to-enforce-libya-arms-embargo/
US Navy Sec nominee says Navy needs improved leadership (understatement of the year)
https://gcaptain.com/u-s-navy-suffering-from-failure-in-leadership-says-nominee-to-lead-it/
Congressman Wicker urges Navy to keep working towards 355-ship fleet
https://www.marinelink.com/news/wicker-urges-congress-stay-course-ship-478308
Multiple reports that merchant shippers hit hard due to WuFlu, having problems with repatriation and getting off ships for R&R
No sauce, it’s out there if you look
On The Scope:
Asian Western Pacific
Have not noted any unusual traffic or vessels along the Chinese coast. Marine Traffic not doing so well, but vesselfinder is showing ChiCom military ships sitting on top of Scarborough Shoal and in the Spratly Islands (Chin Coasties). Nothing sighted in the Taiwan Strait or Sea of Japan.
West Coast US and East Pacific
Possible sortee of escorts from San Diego. Currently 3 destroyers at sea (in gray, 2 destroyers heading west just clearing San Diego harbor, one on easterly course below San Clemente Island).
South Atlantic
About 8 patrol ships around Lagos, Nigeria due to the recent kidnapping. Still have 2 big bunches of ships anchored closely together for mutual protection.
Caribbean
Quiet off the Venezuela coast. A few Coast Guard vessels north of the Dominican Republic/Turks & Caicos Islands.