Gibraltar

[GibMariner]

[GibMariner]

Northern Defences Project Enters Phase Two

Phase two of the Northern Defences project has been started by the Royal Engineers.

The works consisted of clearing up the King’s Lines of vegetation and removal of several fig trees which were damaging the historic monument. In just a few hours, an area which has been neglected for decades was transformed.

WWII structures have been uncovered and cleared of rubbish and the 1779 defences exposed once again.

A Government spokesman stated: “It is very fitting that the Royal Engineers, descendants of the Royal Artificer Corps, have exposed such historic defences, we are very grateful for such an effort.”

Works will continue in this area and the Prince’s Lines.

http://www.yourgibraltartv.com/society/ ... -phase-two

[S M H]

Just a thought on replacement for Gibraltar squadron vessels .The navy could acquire a couple of Air support craft if the contractor make them surplus to requirement with the R.N. /R.A.F. S.A.R. helicopters demise. They are clones of the custom cutters and were better replacements for the R.T.T.L.s. Which was the Gibraltar squadron original craft ? (not as if the navy's not done it before for Gibraltar's vessels.)

[GibMariner]

Just a thought on replacement for Gibraltar squadron vessels .The navy could acquire a couple of Air support craft if the contractor make them surplus to requirement with the R.N. /R.A.F. S.A.R. helicopters demise. They are clones of the custom cutters and were better replacements for the R.T.T.L.s. Which was the Gibraltar squadron original craft ? (not as if the navy's not done it before for Gibraltar's vessels.)

Are you referring to the Border Force cutters based on the Damen Stan 4207 and suggesting them for the Gib Squadron?

If so, I've thought about something like that before and I think it could work. They're certainly a more visible deterrent than the current patrol boats, would have a greater endurance and be able to cope with bad weather. I also like that it can launch and recover a RHIB, might be a big step up in capability here to have a cutter out at sea which can launch a RHIB to deal with whatever, rather than the current situation of having to wait for RHIBs to join in from the base.

However, it might not be so easy as just one cutter would have the same crewing requirement as both Scimitar-class PBs - any increase in manpower looks unlikely - which means the squadron will only be able to operate one, so if that one ship is undergoing any maintenance, or breaks down, we'd be screwed. They're also not as fast as the Scimitar-class and probably not as manoeuvrable, but I don't think that would be too much of an issue.

Yes, the original patrol boats of the Gib Squadron were RTTLs HMAF Vessels Stirling and Sunderland, formerly of RAF Marine Craft Unit 1022, transferred to the RN when the Gibraltar Squadron was created in 1985 and they were then renamed HMS Cormorant and Hart. Those were replaced by the new Archer-class patrol boats, HMS Trumpeter and Ranger in 1991(which I think were brought over from Northern Ireland) and they served until 2003, when they were replaced by HMS Scimitar and Sabre (which also served in Northern Ireland).

[GibMariner]

Jun 09 - HMS Bangor Visits Gibraltar Tomorrow

HMS Bangor will call into Gibraltar tomorrow (June 10th) for a short visit before heading to the Gulf region on deployment.

The ship will use the visit to top up on fuel and supplies, as well as giving the ship’s company a few days rest and relaxation. The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Michael Carter Quinn, will attend the Queen’s Birthday Parade on Thursday 11th June and HMS Bangor will mark the date by ‘dressing ship’, when she will fly her decorative flags and pennants from bow to stern.

http://www.yourgibraltartv.com/society/ ... r-tomorrow

(Also leaked in the Spanish press before any official MoD statement or local press report).

[GibMariner]

Spanish Armada fears another 'hot summer' due to nuclear submarines in Gibraltar

Suspicions that the Rock is claiming more stops by the Royal Navy to escalate tension

According to sources of the Spanish Armada, there is some nervousness about the number of submarines visiting Gibraltar in recent weeks. Not because of the visits themselves, but due to fears that the Gibraltar government led by Fabian Picardo creating another escalation of diplomatic tension this summer

Now our Chief Minister is so powerful he can command and control the Royal Navy's Submarine Service

The fear right now revolves around the suspicion that the Royal Navy can begin using Gibraltar as an operating base for its submarines, something that the Spanish government has often criticised since the visit of HMS Tireless in 2000 for nuclear repairs

You mean like the RN has been doing since the first nuclear submarines entered service? The US Navy also made use of Gibraltar for SSNs and SSGNs during operations in Libya in 2011 and still visit from time to time.

If confirmed, these suspicions that circulate the offices of the Armada would mark the beginning of a new phase of diplomatic tensions between Spain, Britain and Gibraltar
Something similar ocurred in 2014 when the Royal Navy used the waters around Gibraltar for a series of naval exercises to train their most inexperienced crews. But this time it did not involve nuclear-powered warships

- And these people are seriously meant to be our allies?! The RN has been training and operating around Gibraltar for over 300 years. Seems they haven't found out about HMS Kent being involved in a Perisher course with a Trafalgar-class boat off Gib this winter...

Translated by myself from this article: http://www.elconfidencialdigital.com/de ... 49459.html (You can use the handy auto-translate feature on Google Chrome if you can't read Spanish)

[Foxbat]

They really do sound like Argentina sometimes. I'm sure we all remember similar pronouncements of an 'escalation' when the first Type 45 visited the Falklands. And more to the point it really does start to get tiresome and I can only imagine what it must be like to live in the middle of it! I really wish we'd up the presence in Gibraltar a little bit. A pair of those customs cutters to replace the existing pair of patrol boats would fit the bill nicely it seems to me.

[GibMariner]

The (Spanish) Government is preparing itself against an offensive by Morocco to claim Ceuta and Melilla in the UN

Seems like Spain is getting a little bit of its own medicine. Likely that will mean another long summer of Spain sabre-rattling and keeping Gib in the press to distract their people from issues that actually concern them...

Rabat will use the 40th anniversary of its first claim. Spain reply that the people do not want to be Moroccans, and demand the return of Western Sahara

- If there was any doubt that Spain's claim on Gibraltar was the very basis of colonialism, they are now openly attempting to gain back land they let go 40 years ago.

Morocco prepares an offensive at the highest level to claim the Spanish territories in North Africa. Ceuta and Melilla are their main priorities, but the Alawite kingdom also considers the Chafarinas, Velez de la Gomera, Alhucemas and Perejil as "occupied enclaves". The Foreign Ministry prepares to defend the Spanishness of them all.

The information reaching the department led by José Manuel García Margallo states that Morocco will claim these North African enclaves, using the 40th anniversary of their first claim (August 1975) to present its case to the United Nations Decolonisation Committee. This body, also known as the Committe of 24, is responsible for examining and deciding on the territorial conflicts that were caused by colonial systems. Therefore it is also responsible for intervening in the conflict between Britain and Spain over Gibraltar. In fact, Spanish ambassadors have already called on that committee to return the Rock to them.

- they just had to drag Gib into it. The C24 is a useless organisation, mostly made up of banana republics that can't see through the bollocks spouted by countries like Argentina and Spain. Their decisions are non-binding and they seem to not care about the wishes of the people who live in these so-called "non self-governing territories", such as Gibraltar, the Falklands, Bermuda, Tokelau etc who wish to remain as they are.

As a response and counter-offensive, the foreign ministry is presenting two main arguments:
1. The people of Ceuta and Mellilla do not want to be Moroccan. The figures presented by the diplomats indicate that citizens of both cities, belonging to Spain, enjoy a much higher quality of life than they would under Moroccan rule.
2. Morocco should leave the Western Sahara. The UN ruled that it should hold a referendum on self-determination in Western Sahara. However, Morocco is radically opposed to any hint of independence.

- Errr... just like the people of Gibraltar do not want to be Spanish then? Oh right that's true, the wishes of Gibraltarians do not matter to Spain because we're mere squatters after 300 years of living here. A referendum on self-determination, just like Gibraltarians did in 1969 and 2002 then? Oh wait, those don't count... because reasons.

http://www.elconfidencialdigital.com/po ... 49466.html

[GibMariner]

[The Armchair Soldier]

[GibMariner]

HMS Ambush crew member charged with assault

A crew member from British nuclear submarine, HMS Ambush, appeared before the Magistrate’s Court charged with assault.

Jordan Bailey is accused of punching a woman in her head, and pulling out a chunk of her hair, after an altercation broke out on Monday evening.

HMS Ambush arrived at the naval base earlier that day as part of her scheduled operational tasking.

The case has been adjourned until Friday and Mr Bailey has been bailed out in the sum of £500 on his own recognizance.

http://www.gbc.gi/news/hms-ambush-crew- ... ault-29779

[GibMariner]

[GibMariner]

[GibMariner]

There's been a bit of controversy surrounding the Queen's Birthday Parade this evening, due to the (unannounced) invitation (by the MoD) of two Guardia Civil officers. While I'm all for good cross-border relations and an improvement of relations between Spain and Gibraltar, there is absolutely no reason for the Guardia Civil to be here after all the problems they cause. This is a British institution, a sign of respect to our monarch, and while it may not be as grand as Trooping the Colour in London, it's ours and there's no place for those who would usurp our sovereignty.

[shark bait]

Just a thought on replacement for Gibraltar squadron vessels .The navy could acquire a couple of Air support craft if the contractor make them surplus to requirement with the R.N. /R.A.F. S.A.R. helicopters demise. They are clones of the custom cutters and were better replacements for the R.T.T.L.s. Which was the Gibraltar squadron original craft ? (not as if the navy's not done it before for Gibraltar's vessels.)

Air support craft? what are those?

[S M H]

Air support craft is the contractor craft that replaced the R.A.F. craft that were contractor operated (Government owned contractor operated.) The Gibraltar squadron craft came from the same set up when declared surplus to requirement in Northern Ireland. The craft do the training dingy drills, target towing and helicopter training. for the S.A.R. flights. With the demise of the S.A.R. helicopters, the craft numbers will be reduced. (This is defence spending that is hidden in contract that we cannot scrutinize for contract sensitive information.)

[GibMariner]

[GibMariner]

[arfah]

-<>-<>-<>-

[GibMariner]

Is electricity being rationed in Gib ?

Friend of mine who is originally from Gib seems to think so?

If so, what's the cause?

Lol that's a long story, I'll try to be as brief as possible.

It's not being rationed to my knowledge, but the electricity infrastructure is old and crumbling. The main generating station was meant to have been replaced by 2012 if I remember correctly, and there doesn't seem to be much hope of a new one until 2020.

The previous government had planned to build a new diesel generating station on Windmill Hill, near the Army training centre and RN monitoring station, and their intention was to have it built around 2012, but for whatever political reasons, the opposition party which won the 2011 elections objected to it and begun its own studies into power stations. Other than the odd power cut every now and then, most people didn't care.

On Easter Sunday last year, one of the generators in the main power station blew up, setting the station on fire, causing a blackout which lasted for about 8 hours. That's when the public realised how bad things really were and that nothing was really being done about it. We had several lengthy power cuts for the next few weeks until "temporary" generators could be brought in, even then, there are still regular interruptions to the power supply and they can happen at any minute - from what I hear, the people working at the power station are working hard round the clock to keep things going.

The gaming companies in particular were really pissed off as one of the buildings which houses several of them is right next to the power station, so they were left without electricity and had to evacuate the building on one of their busiest days of the year - they must have lost millions of pounds as a result of all these power cuts. I think at least two companies have relocated to Malta as a result.

So the government stepped up its project and announced they were going to build a LNG power plant and ship refuelling facility to keep up with the competition of bunkering in the strait vs Algeciras, Ceuta and Tangier Med.

While people are desperate for a new power station, there are some concerns with having a LNG station so near a heavily populated residential area. I believe the MoD has also voiced concerns due to its proximity to the runway and the opposition party last week released a report by Lloyds, which also had concerns about its location and nature.

If you are familiar with Gib, it will be at the end of the North Mole, right next to the cruise terminal and within 500-800 metres of several blocks of flats, also just 300 metres away from the runway. If the runway were to be extended, to where the station is planned to be built, it would only be about 100 metres to the South.

Last weekend the Gibraltar national football team played against Germany in Portugal, so many people turned on their TVs at the same time to watch the match, that the generators couldn't cope and we had another couple of hours without power. It was blamed on "infrastructure works for the new power station" or some bull like that.

It's become a politically contentious issue and with elections coming up at some point in the next 6-10 months, the current government is not going to start building the new power station until after the elections, should they win. If the other party wins, they'll probably want to revert back to their previous plans, which will surely cost another few million £ in studies and be delayed by another few years.

[arfah]

-<>-<>-<>-

[GibMariner]

Ooh dear, as bad as that?

If only the rain catchment area could be covered in solar panels?

Yeah it is quite bad, and with c.1,000 new flats being built at the moment, which should be completed and occupied by 2016, there will be a much bigger strain on our energy infrastructure. Another 1,500 flats are expected to begin construction soon and be completed by 2020 I think.

As for the water catchments, the metal sheets were removed around a decade ago and I believe the area is now a protected natural site so I don't think there can be any construction on the sand dune. It would be an eyesore, but not a bad idea. Could panels reflecting light present a danger to shipping?

There have been solar panels set up in some places - the Victoria Stadium for example, no idea if they're still there and if the project worked out. Some street lights are also solar powered.

The Gib government announced last year that they had signed up for a tidal energy study, using buoys off the east side, to generate a small amount of electricity. No idea if the project went ahead or what the results may be. Perhaps a tidal plant could be a hazard to shipping?

[GibMariner]

CROSS-BORDER CRACKDOWN ON PEOPLE TRAFFICKERS

Cross-border cooperation involving the Royal Gibraltar Police, Borders & Coastguard Agency and the Policía Nacional has led to the arrest of a people trafficking gang operating in the Costa del Sol.

The criminal group employed fraudulent methods to mislead immigration officials in Spain, Gibraltar and the United Kingdom. Last month two Albanian men flew from Gibraltar to Luton and attempted to enter Britain using forged Italian ID cards.
But Aurelt Kasa and Eltjon Islami – both in their early 20s - were sent back to the Rock after UK Border Force Immigration detected that they were using forged ID cards.

They were arrested on arrival and are currently being held on remand at HMP Windmill Hill awaiting deportation.

These arrests sparked off an investigation which led to the identification of a third individual suspected to be a facilitator and important member of the criminal group.

A process of information exchange, surveillance and close liaison then began with Spain’s national police with responsibility for Immigration – the ‘Cuerpo Nacional de Policia, Seccion de Extrangeria’

Another two Albanian subjects were detected in separate instances by RGP/BCA officers a few days later bearing similar false identification documents and trying to use Gibraltar as a platform to reach the UK.

On Wednesday June 17, 2015, following a lengthy and co-ordinated surveillance operation a further two Albanian nationals were intercepted and have been arrested by the Spanish Police, foiling their plans to board a plane in Gibraltar to the UK.

The facilitator, a German national of Romanian origin and who was identified in the first instance by the Gibraltar authorities was also arrested.

More here: http://www.chronicle.gi/headlines_details.php?id=36065

Good example of cross-border cooperation that is often overlooked or clouded by politics.

Also worth noting is that there has been an increase of migrants crossing the Strait (My understanding is that stopping them crossing from Libya to Italy in the central Med is pushing them west), with the Spanish Civil Guard and customs conducting daily SAR missions. If they were to sail to Gib, would the RN patrol boats be able to deal with it? I think we would need Spain to do most of the work.

[GibMariner]

GOVERNMENT WEBSITE DEFACED BY PRO-PALESTINE HACKERS

A group claiming to be the “voice of Palestine” hacked the Gibraltar Government’s website on Sunday.

The group calling itself AnonGhost defaced the official government home page for a message that proclaimed: “We are here to punish you!"

But all the indications are that this was a cosmetic attack and that the hackers did not penetrate government computer systems.

“I can confirm that no sensitive data was accessed,” a spokesman for the Gibraltar Government said.
The site was down for several hours while IT personnel worked to resolve the issue.

AnonGhost is an active group that hacks websites with pro-Palestine messages.

The Gibraltar Government website was its 23rd hacking attack this month alone.

More here: http://www.chronicle.gi/headlines_details.php?id=36073

[GibMariner]

Was HMS Ambush in Gib for repairs?

The nuclear-powered submarine HMS Ambush was in Gibraltar last week for repairs, although the HQ British Forces said nothing about it.

The submarine arrived on Thursday and left last weekend after the repair had been undertaken.

We asked HQBF if they could provide details of what repairs had been undertaken, but they said: "We do not comment on submarine activity."

PANORAMA has been informed that the fact that the submarine stayed here for several days was commensurate with the importance of the repairs needed.

We are told that the repairs were connected with the sonar equipment on the submarine which required that spares be flown out from the UK in an RAF cargo aircraft.

Source: http://gibraltarpanorama.gi/15209/12484 ... or-repairs