Jiatfsouth detected an spss selfpropelled semisubmersibles at sea for the first time in. Aug 02, 2011 coast guard seizes submarine stuffed with cocaine. Coast guard stopped semisubmersible drug smuggling. The crews of the coast guard cutter decisive, coast guard cutter pea island, joint interagency task force south jiatfs, and the honduran navy interdicted a drug smuggling, selfpropelled semisubmersible spss vessel in the western caribbean sea march 30. Heres a weird one for you encyclopedia titanica message. Dec 07, 2016 the crew of a self propelled semi submersible spss vessel prepares to abandon their boat before being intercepted and detained by the coast guard northwest of the colombiaecuador border in 2009.
Selfpropelled semisubmersibles spss represent the emerging. The crew of the coast guard cutter stratton from alameda apprehended four suspected smugglers and seized 275 bales of cocaine worth more than usd 181 million wholesale from the selfpropelled semisubmersible. What does spss mean self propelled semisubmersible spss is a type of custommade self propelled submersible vessel built by drug traffickers to smuggle drugs. Coast guard intercepts semisubmersible vessel packed.
Gaasi validates new maritime wide area search mode for lynx. Navy maritime patrol aircraft detected the 40foot semi submersible vessel more than 200miles south of mexico. Selfpropelled semisubmersible spss watercraft quote. A self propelled semi submersible column stabilized service vessel for tending offshore production and drilling operations is disclosed. Coast guard released footage of cutter munro crew members storming a selfpropelled semisubmersible suspected drug smuggling vessel spss on june 18, 2019. Selfpropelled vessel intercepted smuggling 3,800 pounds of. This kind of vessel a selfpropelled, semisubmersible made by hand in the jungles of colombia is no longer quite so mythic.
Coast guard cutter intercepted a self propelled semi submersible vessel engaged in smuggling more than 3,800 pounds of cocaine, federal officials said sunday. Coast guard cutter midgett interdicts a 35foot selfpropelled semisubmersible vessel spss carrying approximately 6,000 kilograms of cocaine on jan. Customs and border protection, air and marine operations amo agents efforts in the eastern pacific ocean lead to the arrest of four people and the disruption of more than 12,800 pounds of cocaine the cocaine. Another successful interdiction occurred in january 2009, when the uscgc chase, another aging highendurance cutter, with an embarked helicopter from coast guard air station port angeles, wash.
The crew of a selfpropelled semisubmersible spss vessel prepares to abandon their boat before being intercepted and detained by the coast guard northwest of. The first narco submarine ever seized off a european coast is a. Another successful interdiction occurred in january 2009, when the uscgc chase, another aging highendurance cutter, with an embarked. Coast guard seized this self propelled semisubmersible spss vessel carrying 7 tons of cocaine on sept. Dod privacy and security dod privacy program links disclaimer. Coast guard boarding team members climb aboard a suspected smuggling vessel in september. Coast guard seized this self propelled semi submersible spss vessel carrying 7 tons of cocaine on sept.
The submersible threat to maritime homeland security. Smugglers from south america have launched selfpropelled semisubmersible spss vessels alternatively referred to as a low profile. Fleet forces commands usffs trident warrior 2010 tw10 experiment held off the coast of southern california. Customs and border protection air and marine operations p3 crews pursued this selfpropelled semisubmersible vessel smuggling cocaine. To address this legal loophole, the us drug trafficking vessel interdiction act was enacted in september 2008, making it a felony for those who knowingly or intentionally operate or embark in a self propelled semisubmersible spss that is without nationality and that is or has navigated in international waters, with the intent to evade. Crews intercepted a drugladen, 40foot selfpropelled semisubmersible spss in the eastern. The coast guard cutter valiants crew interdicted the selfpropelled semi submersible in. For one it is very unlikely that a drug smuggling, semisubmersible vessel is actually flagged and therefore is stateless without any legal protection from anyone. Nov 23, 2006 self propelled semi submersible spss watercraft quote. What does spss mean selfpropelled semisubmersible spss is a type of custommade selfpropelled submersible vessel built by drug traffickers to smuggle drugs. Capable of a 30degree per second scan rate and optimizing algorithms for detecting and imaging small vessels, including selfpropelled semisubmersible spss vessels, the new mwas mode was successfully demonstrated at the u. Seagoing and 100 or more gross tons and nonselfpropelled. A sunken selfpropelled semisubmersible vessel lay on the floor of.
The contraband had been stowed on a selfpropelled semisubmersible vessel. Aug 24, 2010 capable of a 30degree per second scan rate and optimizing algorithms for detecting and imaging small vessels, including selfpropelled semisubmersible spss vessels, the new mwas mode was successfully demonstrated at the u. Guard cutter valiant board a semisubmersible vessel suspected of. Navy 4th space control squadron 1,084 words view diff exact match in snippet view article find links to article. Mar 24, 2016 the crew aboard a p3 long range tracker detected a selfpropelled semisubmersible vessel mar. Coast guard videos from throughout the country and overseas. Often called narco subs in news coverage, the vessels are more accurately called selfpropelled semisubmersibles, or spsss. Uscg chases and boards narco sub the video above shows the uscg cutter munro crew members that chase down a self propelled semisubmersible suspected drug smuggling vessel spss on june 18, operating in international waters of the eastern pacific ocean. Department of homeland security, disruptive technology, drug trafficking organization, maritime domain awareness, maritime homeland security, selfpropelled fullysubmersible spfs, selfpropelled semisubmersible spss, small vessel security strategy svss, strategic risk, submarines, terrorism, united states coast guard, waterborne. Us4281615a selfpropelled semisubmersible service vessel. The lynx multimode radar, upgraded to the twochannel lynx block 20a and in production, is capable of highresolution video dismount detection and a 30degreepersecond scan rate with algorithms optimized for detecting small vessels.
Selfpropelled semisubmersible how is selfpropelled semi. Navy maritime patrol aircraft detected the 40foot semisubmersible vessel more than 200miles south of mexico. Weve seen growing use of selfpropelled semisubmersibles spsss lowprofile vessels made out of marinegrade. Coast guard recovers 7 tons of cocaine from drug sub cbs. The crew of a semisubmersible drugtrafficking vessel attempt to. Gaasi validates new maritime wide area search mode for. A maritime threat assessment of sea based criminal. Coast guard could face a narco submarine epidemic in 2020.
Agencies stop semisubmersible, seize 12,000 pounds. Seagoing and 100 or more gross tons and non self propelled. Coast guard released footage of cutter munro crew members jumping on a self propelled semi submersible suspected drug smuggling vessel spss on june 18, 2019, carrying thousands of pounds of cocaine, while operating in international waters of the eastern pacific ocean. A crew aboard a cbp p3 long range tracker detected a semisubmersible carrying 5. The contraband had been stowed on a self propelled semi submersible vessel. A self propelled semi submersible service vessel for tending petroleum production or drilling operations performed upon an offshore platform, said vessel comprising a service deck from which marine service operations may be performed. Over 3,800 pounds of cocaine intercepted off texas coast.
Agencies stop semisubmersible, seize 12,000 pounds of. Most drugs departing colombia go by sea either gofast boats, fishing vessels, commercial shipping, or the relatively new method of self propelled semi submersible watercraft spss. New maritime wide area search mode for lynx radar defencetalk. A selfpropelled semisubmersible service vessel for tending petroleum production or drilling operations performed upon an offshore platform, said vessel comprising a service deck from which marine service operations may be performed. What the semisubmersibles mean defense media network. The amo crew maintained surveillance and coordinated an intercept with jiatf south.
The law of armed conflict at sea ie san remo is not the only law that applies to board and search of nonownflaged ships on the high seas. The spss was about 350 miles west of guatemala in the pacific ocean. The bush administration strongly supported legislation to make the operation of or embarkation in a stateless self propelled semi submersible spss vessel on international voyages a felony. Coast guard cutter intercepted a selfpropelled semisubmersible vessel engaged in smuggling more than 3,800 pounds of cocaine, federal officials said sunday. Coast guard storms narcosubmarine in huge pacific ocean.
Coast guard cutter munro wmsl 755 crew members board a selfpropelled semisubmersible suspected drug smuggling vessel spss june. The semisubmersibles crew of four included two colombians, a guatemalan, and a sri lankan. Narcosubmarines selfpropelled semisubmersible spss watercraft. What does spss mean self propelled semi submersible spss is a type of custommade self propelled submersible vessel built by drug traffickers to smuggle drugs. Uscg chases and boards narco sub the video above shows the uscg cutter munro crew members that chase down a selfpropelled semisubmersible suspected drug smuggling vessel spss on june 18, operating in international waters of the eastern pacific ocean. A selfpropelled semisubmersible column stabilized service vessel for tending offshore production and drilling operations is disclosed. Dec 08, 2017 selfpropelled semisubmersible vessels are low profile vessels designed to navigate low in the water to avoid detection. Coast guard could face a narco submarine epidemic in. Threat analysis, using strategic warning indicators, is proposed and employed to analyze a range of factors. Espanol guyanas customs antinarcotic unit canu claims to have questioned seven people in connection with the discovery of a selfpropelled semisubmersible spss vessel that was found in. Coast guard cutter munro wmsl755 crew members board a self propelled semisubmersible drug smuggling vessel spss june 18, 2019, while operating in international waters in the pacific ocean. Customs and border protection air cbp and marine operations amo along with other agencies tracked the self propelled semi submersible vessel through international waters. Coast guard uscg law enforcement detachment 404 embarked on uss mcinerney, boarded a stateless, self propelled semi submersible spss vessel carrying seven tons of cocaine.
Selfpropelled vessel intercepted smuggling 3,800 pounds. The vessel includes a pair of submersible hulls having ballast compartments for controlling the buoyancy of the hulls. Narcosubmarines self propelled semisubmersible spss watercraft. Vessels like the one spanish authorities captured are more appropriately described as selfpropelled semisubmersibles spss or lowprofile. Coast guard cutter munro wmsl 755 crew members board a self propelled semi submersible suspected drug smuggling vessel spss june. Sep 15, 2008 in a daring operation at sea, in the dark hours on september, u. Selfpropelled semisubmersibles schneier on security. Selfpropelled semisubmersible vessels are low profile vessels designed to navigate low in the water to avoid detection.
Coast guard seized this selfpropelled semisubmersible spss vessel carrying 7 tons of cocaine on sept. Selfpropelled semisubmersible service vessel sedco, inc. Coast guard cutter ship intercepted a selfpropelled, semisubmersible vessel that was smuggling more than 3,800 pounds of cocaine off the coast of texas last month. Spanish authorities arrest first narcosub in the eu. Coast guard cutter munro wmsl755 crew members board a selfpropelled semisubmersible drug smuggling vessel spss june 18, 2019, while operating in international waters in the pacific ocean. See more ideas about submarines, water crafts and underwater drone. The use of submarines is common in the us, with the uscg chasing selfpropelled semisubmersible suspected drug smuggling vessel spss on june 18, operating. Selfpropelled definition of selfpropelled by the free.
Coast guard released footage of cutter munro crew members jumping on a selfpropelled semisubmersible suspected drug smuggling vessel spss on june 18, 2019, carrying thousands of pounds of cocaine, while operating in international waters of the eastern pacific ocean. Coast guard cutter ship intercepted a self propelled, semi submersible vessel that was smuggling more than 3,800 pounds of cocaine off the coast of texas last month. The crew of the coast guard cutter stratton from alameda apprehended four suspected smugglers and seized 275 bales of cocaine worth more than usd 181 million wholesale from the self propelled semi submersible. This video provides a look inside a self propelled semi submersible vessel carrying 15,000 lbs. Selfpropelled semisubmersible how is selfpropelled. Most drugs departing colombia go by sea either gofast boats, fishing vessels, commercial shipping, or the relatively new method of selfpropelled semisubmersible watercraft spss. Small surface vessels, self propelled semisubmersibles, and now the most recent innovation of fully submerged vessels fsvs.
Small surface vessels, selfpropelled semisubmersibles, and now. The crew of the coast guard cutter mohawk interdicted the spss in the. It was founded in 1986 as an innovative program that brought. Department of homeland security, disruptive technology, drug trafficking organization, maritime domain awareness, maritime homeland security, self propelled fully submersible spfs, self propelled semi submersible spss, small vessel security strategy svss, strategic risk, submarines, terrorism, united states coast guard, waterborne. Deepflight merlin deepflight advanced personal submarines and undersea technology. In a daring operation at sea, in the dark hours on september, u. The use of submarines is common in the us, with the uscg chasing self propelled semi submersible suspected drug smuggling vessel spss on june 18, operating in international waters of the eastern pacific ocean. Coast guard cutter midgett interdicts a 35foot self propelled semi submersible vessel spss carrying approximately 6,000 kilograms of cocaine on jan. The bush administration strongly supported legislation to make the operation of or embarkation in a stateless selfpropelled semisubmersible spss vessel on international voyages a felony. Cbp pursues selfpropelled semisubmersible vessel u. Coast guard cutter munro wmsl755 crew members board a self propelled semi submersible drug smuggling vessel spss june 18, 2019, while operating in international waters in the pacific ocean. A rectangular service deck or platform which includes fire fighting equipment, rig inspection equipment, repair facilities, and load lifting. Mobile offshore drilling unit modu means a vessel capable of engaging in drilling operations for the exploration or exploitation of subsea resources that is.
Us coast guard cutter munro crew members can be seen in helmetcam footage chasing down a selfpropelled semisubmersible spss smuggling vessel at high speed in worldwide waters in the pacific ocean. To address this legal loophole, the us drug trafficking vessel interdiction act was enacted in september 2008, making it a felony for those who knowingly or intentionally operate or embark in a self propelled semi submersible spss that is without nationality and that is or has navigated in international waters, with the intent to evade. This video provides a look inside a self propelled semisubmersible vessel carrying 15,000 lbs. The vessel appeared to be carrying 17,690kg of cocaine and 423kg of marijuana, while operating in international waters of the eastern pacific ocean. Fleet forces commands usffs trident warrior 2010 tw10 experiment held off the coast of southern california in. Apr 25, 2009 david kushner from the new york times reports on the increasing use by colombian cocaine traffickers of selfpropelled semisubmersible spss water craft to ship their loads into the united states. Spss are responsible for the movement of nearly onethird of.