Articles by Vicky Viray-Mendoza

Why We Should Be Cautious with Invasive Mussels

Zebra mussels are an invasive, fingernail-sized mollusk that is native to fresh waters in Eurasia. Their name comes from the dark zig-zagged stripes on each shell. The zebra mussel [Pallas, 1771] is a shellfish named for the striped pattern of its shell. This mussel is typically found attached to objects, surfaces, or other mussels by threads extending from underneath the shells….


IN MEMORIAM: CAPTAIN TOMAS D BAINO PN (Ret)

CAPT TOMAS D BAINO was a Trustee, a member of the Executive Committee (EXECOM) of the Maritime League, and a member of the Editorial Board of the Maritime Review. CAPT Baino was a registered naval architect and civil engineer in the Professional Regulation Commission in the Philippines. He was the former Commanding Officer of the Naval Shipyard, Philippine Navy and…


Capsized Dredger Sinks Near Corregidor Island

On May 6, the capsized dredger MV Hong Hai 189 finally sank near the historic Corregidor island which is at times visible at the entrance of Manila Bay. On April 28, in the evening, the Sierra Leone-flagged dredger MV Hong Hai 189 collided with Marshall Island-flagged chemical/oil tanker MT Petite Soeur near Corregidor. MV Hong Hai 189 was inbound coming…


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Japan’s First Large-Scale Offshore Wind Farm Starts Operations

Japan’s first large-scale offshore wind farm had finally started commercial operations at Noshiro Port in the northern prefecture of Akita on 22-December-2022. It is part of Japan’s efforts to build a carbon-neutral environment. Generally, offshore wind farms use larger turbines that enable more stable wind power generation than onshore turbines. 20 turbines with 60-meter-long blades started operating, with 13 more…


Book Review: INNOVATING VICTORY Naval Technology in Three Wars

INTRODUCTION The word technology is a compound of two Greek roots, tekhne for craft, and logia for learning. Technology then is the practical application of knowledge expressed through the use of a crafted device. This book focuses on 6 technologies in 3 broad categories: Weapon, Tool, and Platform. A weapon is to damage a target; a tool is to assist…


France’s First Commercial Offshore Wind Farm in Full Operation

France’s Saint-Nazaire Offshore Wind Farm had been under construction for about 10 years. The wind farm is located off the coast of Brittany in north-western France consists  of 80 units of 6 megawatts (MW) Wind Turbine Generators. The first offshore wind turbine was installed in April and the wind farm delivered its first power to the French national grid in June 2022. More nacelles continued to…


Book Review: INNOVATING VICTORY: Naval Technology in Three Wars

INTRODUCTION The word technology is a compound of two Greek roots, tekhne for craft, and logia for learning. Technology then is the practical application of knowledge expressed through the use of a crafted device. This book focuses on 6 technologies in 3 broad categories: Weapon, Tool, and Platform. A weapon is to damage a target; a tool is to assist…


UN to Use Satellites to Spot Industry Methane Emissions

The maritime industry can help combat climate change by reducing Methane emissions to keep our global temperature at 1.5°C. Industrial Methane emissions are increasing sharply. The UN announced a new satellite-based system to detect Methane emissions and enable the public and private sectors to act on the findings. The Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) is the first public global…


Around 800,000 Seafarers Will Need Carbon Skill Training by Mid-2030s

An estimated 800,000 seafarers will require additional training by the mid-2030s to enable the shipping industry to transition towards alternative low carbon fuels or zero-carbon fuels and green technologies. The goal is to keep global warming to 1.5C or less by 2050, according to a DNV Study commissioned by the Maritime Just Transition Task Force Secretariat. Findings also point to the uncertainty…


Book Review: Cyberspace in Peace and War

INTRODUCTION. This book is a way to make you a more intelligent critic of decisions that countries make with respect to threats from cyberspace. It is for those who ask what their country should do about cyberespionage or whether countries should integrate cyberspace into their threat planning, or cyberwar into their war planning, including military power. PART I. FOUNDATIONS EMBLEMATIC…


Tribute to Former Philippine President Fidel V Ramos

On 31-July-2022, former Philippine President Fidel V Ramos passed away due to a heart condition at age 94. On 9-August, a State funeral with full military honors was accorded to him at the Libingan ng Bayani. FVR, as the Filipinos refer to him, was quite health-conscious. At one meeting with him at his Makati office, he recommended that we add…


DOTr Sec Bautista Accepts ML Honorary Membership

The Maritime League President Admiral Eduardo Ma. R. Santos called on the newly installed Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista last 2-September-2022 at the CAAP Compound, Pasay City. He led some of the League’s board members including Vice Admirals Emilio Marayag Jr and Edmundo Tan, Rear Admiral Margarito Sanchez Jr, former DOTr Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Lieutenant Christian Chua, Jay Agustin,…


Oath-Taking of Maritime League’s New Members and Trustees

On 23-June-2022, the Maritime League held its first face-to-face conference after the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, at the SMX Mall of Asia during the PHILMARINE 2022 Convention. The new members of the Maritime League were inducted by its Chairman and President Admiral Eduardo Ma R Santos AFP (Ret). In attendance were COL Ricardo D Petrola PN(M), John Ivar…


Book Review: Code of Honor A Novel of RADM Peter Wake (USN) in the 1904-1905 Russo-Japanese War

RADM Peter Wake, USN is on an espionage mission in Europe during 1904-05 to obtain the German war plan to invade America. In the process, Wake becomes a German target, inescapably entangled in Russian turmoil, and headed for the disastrous Russia-Japan naval battle on the far side of the globe which will change world history forever, producing the daunting foe…




GemVer Fishermen Abandoned at sea by Chinese Vessel to Finally get Compensation

FB GemVer, the Filipino fishing boat sunk by Chinese vessel Yuemaobinyu 42212 on 9-June-2019 near Recto Bank within the Philippine EEZ had 22 Filipino fishermen onboard. The Yuemaobinyu 42212 is a Chinese steel-hulled fishing vessel operating from Guangdong, China. It is 44 meters (144 ft) in length with a beam of 8 meters (26 ft). The FB Gem-Ver is a…



Maritime League Trustee is Navy Reservist of the Year

It was not so long ago when a fine young man had joined the Maritime League, and that man eventually became one of the League’s Trustees. He is LTJG Christian R Chua PN (Res), a junior officer by rank, but to his colleagues, he is a true soldier, gentleman, leader and a fine officer who can be trusted. We would…



MARITIME LEAGUE Supports BOHOL RELIEF ASSISTANCE

On 16-December-2021, Typhoon Odette left the province of Bohol in a devastated environment: with uprooted trees, flooding, roofs ripped from schools and buildings, and collapsed numerous homes! RADM MARGARITO V SANCHEZ JR AFP(RET), Chairperson of SEABEES and ENGINEER RETIREES GENEREAL SERVICES COOPERATIVE (SERGS Coop) organized a relief drive to benefit victims of this typhoon as what they had carried out…



Book Review: Commanding the Pacific – U.S. Marine Corps Generals of WWII

INTRODUCTION. Some of the Marine Corps’ most difficult assignments were not only excessively costly, but also had questionable strategic value. The Marine Generals’ willingness to take on almost any assignment therefore came at a stiff price. They acceded for having little say in the Pacific War strategy, and because they were ready to demonstrate their added value to the military…