Tag Archives: Swift

HSV Swift: highlighting support to Africa Partnership Station

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MSC-chartered ship HSV Swift (HSV 2) visited Mindelo, Cape Verde, in January, participating in its final Africa Partnership Station and its final deployment to the Europe and Africa areas of responsibility, where it has supported five years of APS and other theater security cooperation port visits over the years. Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Felicito, from the Navy Public Affairs Support Element East, joined Swift during its visit to Mindelo where he spoke with Swift’s contract mariner crew and military detachment personnel about Swift’s final visit to the AOR. 

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Life aboard HSV 2 Swift: Rey Tinoy’s story

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The following blog post was originally published in the August 2012 edition of SEALIFT, a Military Sealift Command newspaper publication. During the month of September, we will be highlighting regular blog posts from the mission as APS 12 concludes in Africa.

By MC1 Martin K. Wright

Rey Tinoy is the civilian boatswain aboard Military Sealift Command-chartered high-speed vessel Swift (HSV 2). As one of the contract mariners working for MSC, he’s worked and lived on Swift since 2008, longer than any of the military detachment personnel currently aboard. After serving as an able bodied seaman for 15 years, he made the step up to boatswain, feeling he had more to contribute.

As the boatswain, he helps to ensure the maintenance and upkeep of the ship. Since Swift makes frequent port calls and hosts many receptions, that maintenance is more detailed than most merchant ships. It’s the upkeep that takes a majority of Tinoy’s time in port.

But it is getting in to port that provides the most visible part of Tinoy’s job. He helps make sure the mooring lines are secure and the ship docks safely, laying alongside refrigerator-sized bumpers to keep the ship from pounding against the dock.

Tinoy said on most merchant ships the work is usually solitary, so he enjoys working on the Swift and getting to know the Sailors and Marines aboard. He said, “It’s very rewarding going with the Sailors. It’s different than a regular ship; I get to interact with them.”

Being aboard Swift and supporting Africa Partnership Station has added a deeper level of satisfaction, said Tinoy, “It’s very important that nations the ship visits are good at providing security.”

Tinoy plans to stay with Swift until the contract with the MSC ends, and he hopes it will be extended so he can stay longer.

For more information and to join the conversation visit: http://www.facebook.com/hsv2swift.

Snapshots from Africa Partnership Station 2012: Swift showcases skills & goodwill – Part Two

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The following blog post was originally published in the July 2012 edition of SEALIFT, a Military Sealift Command newspaper publication. During the month of September, we will be highlighting regular blog posts from the mission as APS 12 concludes in Africa.

Ensign Joe Keiley, the public affairs officer aboard Swift, reflects on his time aboard the ship and the value of the APS mission:

“A month into my adventure on high speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) and I’ve already visited more foreign ports (five) than my previous 18 months in the Navy.

Boatswain Ray Tinay touches up the paint while Swift is in East London, South Africa, June 2.
U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Martin Wright

We’ve seen briefly the French-speaking nations of Cote d’Ivoire, Togo and Republic of the Congo, respectively. We’ve continued further south, hitting Namibia and South Africa.

The weather has been a bit more winter-like, but both have been absolutely beautiful places to see and the whole time, Swift has been connecting with local leaders, military, civilian, and the public, many who have gotten a chance to see the ship and learn about the chances to share knowledge and our interests in protecting the seas, deterring piracy and keeping trade flowing in and out of Africa.

Visiting so many different places in a short period of time, getting a chance to have a variety of service members, civilians, and diplomats all involved in the Africa Partnership mission is encouraging to see, and Swift is perhaps the most unique and capable ship that can pull these varied opportunities off.

It takes a lot of people working together, but hopefully our continued presence will give the chance to really see the growth in new friendships across the continent.”

Another U.S. Navy Sailor aboard Swift, Logistics Specialist 1st Class Shane Mitchell, reflects on the community relations aspect of the APS mission:

“I had a tremendous experience traveling to an orphanage in Pointe Noire, Congo. The children, along with their instructors, were singing to us as we arrived. Their faces were aglow, and they were singing from their hearts. Smiles often go long distances, and I can say with great certainty that they touched my heart and continue to touch it today.

The Navy musicians we have had on board have been spectacular. It was an honor to be with them as they entertained the faculty and children. An even more astounding portion was to watch as the children danced and sang along with the songs.

I had the distinct privilege of giving an APS water bottle to a young teenage boy. He received it with a heavenly smile. To bring a pleasant experience into this young man’s life was rewarding and enriching.

APS is about touching people’s lives in tangible ways. To make a child’s day is something that should be strived for daily, and I was certainly glad to have contributed to that young man’s life. Our friendship is one that I always remember.”

During the month of June, Swift continued the mission in Mozambique, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Kenya before the APS East mission concludes and heads to the west coast to begin APS West with visits in Nigeria, Cameroon, Benin.

The ship’s gold crew and blue crew turnedover in July, and APS 12 is scheduled to conclude in September.

For more information and to join the conversation visit: http://www.facebook.com/hsv2swift.

Snapshots from Africa Partnership Station 2012: Swift showcases skills & goodwill – Part One

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By Jessica F. Alexander

The following blog post was originally published in the July 2012 edition of SEALIFT, a Military Sealift Command newspaper publication. During the month of September, we will be highlighting regular blog posts from the mission as APS 12 concludes in Africa.

HSV Swift (HSV 2), a U.S. Military Sealift Command-chartered high-speed vessel, is providing critical support to the U.S. Navy’s partnership mission in Africa this year.

Swift pulls into Durban Harbor, South Africa, June 5 for a two-day port visit.
U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Suzanna Brugler

Since January, the U.S. Navy has been deployed to Africa as part of an ongoing international effort to improve regional maritime safety and security during a mission called Africa Partnership Station 2012.

APS is an international security cooperation initiative aimed at strengthening global maritime partnerships through training and collaborative activities in order to improve maritime safety and security in Africa. Training activities focus on counter-piracy, illicit trafficking, and energy and resource security.

Sailors aboard HSV Swift (HSV 2) practice hose-handling techniques during damage control training May 8.
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathan Garcia

In the past five years, APS has brought together more than 30 African, European, North and South American countries. The mission is in part motivated by the belief that effective maritime security and safety will contribute to development and economic prosperity.

Swift arrived in Africa May 4 after a fuel stop in Dakar, Senegal. Once on station, the ship’s crew conducted brief port visits in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, Lome, Togo and Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo before heading further south to Namibia and other locations in South Africa.

There are currently 60 total crew members aboard the ship, including contracted mariners, U.S. Sailors and Marines and the Embarked Security Team.

HSV Swift is a mission-critical element to APS 12, providing a versatile, agile platform for a  variety of subject-matter expert exchanges with host nations.

In remarks aboard Swift, Capt. Susan Dunlap, Navy Africa Region Director, talked about the impact of the APS mission commitment in terms of resources.

“It is a huge task to schedule ships, hold conferences, make plans and do everything that needs to be done to bring off an event of this magnitude,” said Dunlap.

Partner nations benefit because the concerns of the maritime environment today are global.

“Piracy affects all nations that transport goods on the ocean. Drugs trafficked through most of Africa mostly reach European shores. Terrorism is exported to the United States and all over the world. So it is in our own interest to help Africa improve maritime security,” Dunlap said.

APS bolsters maritime safety and security by increasing African nations’ capabilities to secure their own territorial waters and enforce their own economic exclusive zones.

However, true mission success is also dependent upon the friendships and partnerships that are built along the way, and maritime security in Africa is a long-term effort.

During the month of June, Swift continued the mission in Mozambique, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Kenya before the APS East mission concludes and heads to the west coast to begin APS West with visits in Nigeria, Cameroon, Benin.

The ship’s gold crew and blue crew turned over in July, and APS 12 is scheduled to conclude in September.

For more information and to join the conversation visit: http://www.facebook.com/hsv2swift.