On April 9, 2025, the 'Okeanos Explorer' left Pearl Harbor on a NOAA Ocean Exploration which is running 28-days charting the Papahanaumokuokea Marine National Monument, the protected archipelago that stretches westward from Kau'i to Midway Atoll. The area is home to historic WWII wrecks from the Battle of Midway in 1942, including the aircraft carrier USS 'Yorktown'. The research effort is focused on areas of interest in waters deeper than 200 meters, where ROVs are essential for access. Commissioned in 1937, the 'Yorktown' h began her first Pacific patrol just months after Pearl Harbor and saw immediate action in the Marshall Islands and the Gilberts. She played a key role in the Battle of the Coral Sea, destroying the Japanese carrier 'Shoho' and damaging the carrier 'Shikaku'. In early June 1942, the 'Yorktown' helped lead the defense of Midway, her bombers destroying carrier 'Soryu' early in the battle. The 'Yorktown' sustained multiple bomb and torpedo hits, and after taking on a heavy list, her commander ordered abandon ship. She did not sink, however, and a salvage crew initially returned to try and right her for a tow back to Pearl Harbor, but a Japanese submarine attack on June 6 damaged her further, and the list increased. The ship sank on the morning.´ of June 7. The 'Yorktown' was discovered by Robert Ballard in 1998, and the NOAA mission returned in April for a closer look at the ship - including some daring interior footage. Entering the number three elevator shaft and looking forward, the ROV crew spotted a vehicle located forward on the starboard side of the hangar deck. It had a square back, curved fenders and a now-shredded soft top. The NOAA's team surmised that the car could be Adm. Frank Fletcher's flag vehicle, since USS 'Yorktown' was his flagship. This would be consistent with a flash of chrome on the bumper and on one visible fender. Plenty of four-wheel-drive jeeps were carried aboard the 'Yorktown' and other Navy carriers in the Pacific theater, either as cargo for troops or for use as aircraft tugs - but this particular vehicle's chrome trim showed a level of flair not found on a typical GI-issue jeep. The vehicle's true identity remains to be confirmed, and the NOAA has asked for the public's help in confirming whether it may indeed have belonged to Adm. Fletcher. The NOAA believes it to be a 1940-41 Ford Super Deluxe "Woody, a civilian car with distinctive wood body and a unique combination of trim on the fenders. Report with photos: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/noaa-finds-a-flashy-car-inside-the-wreck-of-wwii-carrier-uss-yorktown
News
CORUISK
On April 19, 2025, the crew of the 'Coruisk', serving on the route Oban-Craignure, was investigating a potential caught creel rope in the propeller in the port of Craignure. As a result the following sailings were liable to delay or cancellation at short notice: Departure Craignure - 5:05 p.m. and 7:35 p.m. Departure Oban - 6:20 p.m. The ferry finally departed Craignure at 5:26 p.m., about 20 minutes late.
ABEILLE NORMANDIE
On April 21, 2025, several migrant boat departures were reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez, which initally deployed the PSP 'Cormoran', which was later relieved by the 'Abeille Normandie', to locate a boat in the Blériot beach area. Once on site, the emergenvy tug made contact with the boat, which appeared to be in difficulty. After investigation, the boat was found to be stopped due to an engine failure. The tug then recovered the 42 occupants of the boat before heading to Boulogne-sur-Mer to drop them off at the dock, where they were taken into care by the shore-based emergency services. At the same time, the CROSS engaged the 'Cormoran' to locate and assist a migrant boat in the Walde lighthouse area. Once there, four of the boat's occupants requested assistance from the patrol boat, which rescued them. The remaining occupantsof the migrant boat refused assistance and continued on their way, while their crossing was monitored. Once near Calais, the people rescued by the 'Cormoran' were taken into care by the patrol boat 'Platoon' of the Calais Maritime and Port Security. They were disembarked at the port of Calais and taken into care by the shore based authorities. In total, 46 people were recovered and taken into care by government resources.
ARGYLL FLYER
The 'Argyll Flyer', serving on the route Gourock- Dunoon, suffered an exhaust fault on April 1 and had to be removed from service. Calmac operated a single vessel timetable until further notice. During the amended timetable, a replacement shuttle bus service was operated for these sailings: Mondays - Saturday Departure Gourock – 10:15 a.m. Departure Dunoon – 10:45 a.m. Mondays & Fridays Departure Gourock – 11:15 a.m. Departure Dunoon – 11:45 a.m. Due to the exhaust fault, the Gourock-Dunoon route operated a single vessel timetable until further notice. During the amended timetable, a replacement shuttle bus service was operated. As of April 3, the 'Argyll Flyer' still remained off service. Modification and repair plans were underway. Due to crew availability, a replacement bus operated for these cancelled sailings: Depart Gourock April 13: 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Departure Dunoon April 13 10:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Gourock-Dunoon service will operate a single vessel timetable until further notice. Until further notice, this amended timetable with a replacement shuttle bus service will be operated by CalMac. Modification and repair plans were underway. https://www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/service-status/#/service-status/001?route=01.
PSP CORMORAN
On April 21, 2025, several migrant boat departures were reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez, which initally deployed the PSP 'Cormoran', which was later relieved by the 'Abeille Normandie', to locate a boat in the Blériot beach area. Once on site, the emergenvy tug made contact with the boat, which appeared to be in difficulty. After investigation, the boat was found to be stopped due to an engine failure. The tug then recovered the 42 occupants of the boat before heading to Boulogne-sur-Mer to drop them off at the dock, where they were taken into care by the shore-based emergency services. At the same time, the CROSS engaged the 'Cormoran' to locate and assist a migrant boat in the Walde lighthouse area. Once there, four of the boat's occupants requested assistance from the patrol boat, which rescued them. The remaining occupantsof the migrant boat refused assistance and continued on their way, while their crossing was monitored. Once near Calais, the people rescued by the 'Cormoran' were taken into care by the patrol boat 'Platoon' of the Calais Maritime and Port Security. They were disembarked at the port of Calais and taken into care by the shore based authorities. In total, 46 people were recovered and taken into care by government resources.