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Fleet Survey Team Fuels Partnership with Cambodia

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100714-26
7/14/2010

By Rebecca Burke, Naval Oceanographic Office Public Affairs

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. (NNS) -- Seven members of the Fleet Survey Team (FST) conducted a safety of navigation hydrographic survey June 15 of Sihanoukville Commercial Port and Ream Naval Base, Cambodia, at the request of Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet in support of Commander Task Force 73 and 76.

A subordinate command of the Naval Oceanographic Office, based in southern Mississippi, FST is a rapid-response team with capabilities to conduct quick-turnaround surveys anywhere in the world.

The mission was to update nautical charts for future visits by U.S. assets and commercial shipping.

"These hydrographic surveys and resulting updated nautical charts foster cooperative partnerships to enhance common international safety and security goals. Through these initiatives a strong working relationship was established between FST members and those of the Royal Cambodian Navy," said Cmdr. Rich Delgado, FST's commanding officer.

The FST's work at the port was instrumental in enabling the arrival of the USS Tortuga (LSD 46) in June 2010, which marked the opening event of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2010 bilateral exercise with the Cambodian military. The FST was able to verify that the locations of several channel buoys had changed significantly compared to the most recent navigation charts. This information proved vital in helping Tortuga to safely moor pier side at Sihanoukville for CARAT 2010.

According to Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Dixon, military hydrographer-in-charge, the team was well-received by the Royal Cambodian Navy and the management of Sihanoukville Port.

"This survey was the first hydrographic survey that the Fleet Survey Team has conducted in Cambodia, and safe navigation at Sihanoukville Commercial Port is of critical importance to the country of Cambodia, as well as the U.S. Navy," said Dixon.

The economic significance of Sihanoukville Port cannot be understated; it is the only deep water port in Cambodia. Additionally, it is the only port that can accommodate larger U.S. naval vessels, such as Tortuga.

Dixon explains that the Cambodian Navy was quite helpful, specifically in providing FST with a boat of opportunity used to collect data. The FST was able to assist the Cambodian Navy in relocating the foundation of old moorings, which they intend to refurbish to increase mooring capacity at the Ream Naval Base.

The mission "provided an opportunity to establish partnerships with the Royal Cambodian Navy, as well as with the commercial port for mutual benefit and future cooperative engagement," said Dixon, reinforcing Delgado's statement concerning future cooperation.