YOU REMEMBER THAT STORY........................

At least we hope you remember that story about the pirates in the Indian Ocean off Somalia some time ago, who boarded the MAERSK ALABAMA, a huge container ship and then launched the ship's lifeboat, after Captain Phillips allowed himself to be the solitary hostage. The U.S. Navy 'SEALS' then organised a rescue attempt and successfully recaptured the lifeboat, disrespectfully dealt with the pirates and freed the Captain. ............................ Here is the actual lifeboat, now on display in the grounds of the NAVY SEALS MUSEUM, just south of VERO BEACH, FLORIDA. We went to visit the place on a day when thousands of others did also. Veterans Memorial Day celebration. Recruiters were out in full, as were the veterans wearing their numerous badges and insignias. The "SEALS" and their U.D.T. capabilities represent a strike force that truly lives 'on-the-edge' as depicted in the mural shown below. You couldn't help but notice that the car-park was pretty full of Harley-Davidson motorbikes which ties in with living on the edge.



The "Queen of Florida" stands beside a former mini-submarine. Not quite sure if the frogmen had to be inside or if it was battery powered and driven, or if they actually lived inside without their breathing apparatus, or whether it was just one huge torpedo. Should have read the plaque I guess.............. Either way, this little steel capsule would make the strongest men do some serious sinking, I mean THINKING............ These UDT men were certainly one of a kind............. Also, one of a kind are our fabulous hosts, Richard and Lynette, whose dock we are tied to with ARITA in VERO BEACH. This trip in their speedboat was not a 'pirate intervention' as much as a 'let's-go-get-something-to-eat' excursion.



More historic underwater demolition team (U.D.T.) stuff. Lethal looking and no doubt packed with explosives. This stuff is dangerous which is why even the helicopter is placed high up and off the ground............. I told the "Queen" not to try to climb into it, but you know what these photographers are like.......................



A modern helicopter took off carrying four marines in full gear dangling on a rope and returned with them about 30 minutes later after taking them for a "joy" ride over the ocean. Now the down wash from the prop-blades, when the chopper was idling on the ground, made it difficult to stand upright. Needless to say dangling on a rope like that is no joke. Couldn't help but think that flying over the ocean I was looking at the original "human dipstick".................... and the huge welded steel canister to the right, was the original splash-down capsules from the GEMINI and APPOLLO space missions, which required the "SEALS" teams to attach flotation rings to the module, then release the hatches and provide some fresh air and a smile to the Astranauts. This was the training module. Technology has certainly advanced since then. ................ Interesting stuff.................Double click on some of the pics to enlarge them.