Category: United States of America

Source: United States Navy

Good afternoon!

It is an honor to be with you here today in beautiful Kings Point!

Vice Admiral Nunan, thank you for that kind introduction and for your leadership in shaping the future of our maritime services.

Administrator Phillips, thank you for your service to our nation and your partnership on initiatives to restore the comprehensive maritime power of our Nation.

Rear Admiral Adams, thank you for your leadership of PEO Undersea Warfare Systems in a critical time for our Navy and our Nation.

To the Midshipmen, distinguished guests and visitors—welcome and thank you for joining us.

A number of these Midshipmen will be accepting active-duty commissions in the Navy and Marine Corps.

And I’m proud of those of you who will be joining our Navy Reserve as Strategic Sealift Officers for the next eight years.

So, it truly is a fine Navy Day here at Kings Point—where we not only produce the world’s best Merchant Mariners, but also naval and military officers who will contribute to our national defense in uniform.

Maritime Statecraft

There is no better place to celebrate the nexus between naval power and commercial maritime power than the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

One year ago yesterday, I made a call for a new Maritime Statecraft to guide the creation and application of our seapower.

Maritime Statecraft encompasses not only naval diplomacy and maritime competition, but a national, whole-of-government effort to build comprehensive maritime power, both commercial and naval.

Our Maritime Statecraft strategy invests in rebuilding the foundations of national seapower to ensure our continued maritime dominance over the near, medium, and long-term horizons.

At the core of this strategy is a recognition that no great naval power has long endured without also being a maritime power—a commercial shipping and shipbuilding power.

The emergence of the first comprehensive maritime competitor in a century underscores the need to renew the health of our nation’s broader seapower ecosystem.

I have met with leaders across this administration, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai about the need to support the creation of an internationally competitive U.S. maritime industry.

I have met with some of our country’s most esteemed labor leaders, including Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su and David McCall, the President of the United Steelworkers, to coordinate our efforts to expand good-paying blue collar, new collar, and seafaring jobs in shipping and shipbuilding.

And my team is working with partners in Congress, particularly Kings Points’ own Senator Mark Kelly, to reinvigorate existing unfunded authorities and craft new incentives to build and flag commercial ships in the United States.

Over the past few months, we worked alongside bipartisan, bicameral legislators to craft the SHIPS For America Act that was announced this week.

Because keeping the U.S. Navy strong begins by building a strong U.S. Merchant Marine.

Maritime Service

For the Midshipmen in the audience this afternoon: what you decide to do upon graduation matters.

To deliver the national maritime renaissance our country needs, we need you.

Yes, we need Navy and Marine Corps Officers, but we need more than that.

We need shipyard managers. We need naval architects. We need engineers.

And above all, we need Merchant Mariners—to crew both the U.S. flag merchant marine that we are working to grow, and our Navy’s crucial Military Sealift Command.

We will be celebrating Military Sealift Command’s 75th birthday on Tuesday. As Secretary of the Navy, I cannot emphasize enough the support MSC provides to our uniformed Sailors and Marines.

It is MSC’s vital work and logistical prowess which enables our Navy to project decisive power around the world in peace, crisis, and war.

When our Sailors and Marines take our warships into combat, our MSC Merchant Mariners are right there with them, bringing the “beans, bullets, and black oil” they need to stay on station until the fight is won.

Just one example—earlier this year, the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group returned from an unprecedented nine-month combat deployment in the Red Sea.

USNS Supply (T-AOE 6) deployed alongside the Ike and her ships and aircraft, enabling our Sailors and Marines to sustain demanding operations at sea.

Let me be clear—the Ike Strike Group could not have done their job—protecting innocent merchant shipping from the havoc and destruction wreaked by terrorist-launched missiles and drones—without our MSC Merchant Mariners.

And I was proud to award the Navy Unit Commendation to the crew of USNS Supply for their exemplary work.

Our Navy’s ability to quickly deploy overwhelming force anywhere on Earth and remain on station is a cornerstone of American power, and is possible only because of Military Sealift Command.

One of my near-term priorities as Secretary of the Navy is making the fleet we have more formidable with logistical innovations such as Rearm-at-Sea and Modular Refueling, which will expand our ability to sustain our ships on station and deter our adversaries.

Rear Admiral Henry E. Eccles, the Naval War College’s “Clausewitz of Logistics,” once said: “The essence of flexibility is in the mind of the commander; the substance of flexibility is in logistics.”

Today, the substance of our Navy’s flexibility is in the ships of Military Sealift Command and the intrepid Merchant Mariners who take them to sea.

We urgently need more merchant mariners to join MSC.

So, to the Midshipmen assembled here: we need you. MSC needs you.

If you want to get the sea time to become captain of your own ship—like I did, MSC will get you there faster than any other job.

MSC is unlike any job you will ever have—underway replenishment. Close quarter maneuvers at high speed.

And I don’t know of too many other jobs in the world where you can exercise tactical control of an entire strike group.

While staying out to sea for long stretches of time without a break is valuable for our new mariners who are working on their licenses, we recognize that this is unsustainable.

Over the past few months, my team and I have been working with our partners in Congress on both sides of the aisle to address this issue.

Thanks to our efforts, the SHIPS For America Act now includes a provision that will grant me as Secretary of the Navy the authority to offer our MSC Merchant Mariners more paid leave.

This provision will allow MSC to bring our leave policies more in line with today’s maritime industry than they are now.

We must recruit and retain world class talent like all of you—and I believe this act will help us do just that.

I thank all of you for answering our national call to maritime service—for volunteering to serve and guaranteeing our national defense.

After all, service and sacrifice are familiar concepts here at Kings Point.

During the Second World War, the cadet-midshipmen of the Merchant Marine Academy courageously served at sea on merchant ships, sailing into harm’s way to deliver supplies to troops and allies around the globe.

142 cadet-midshipmen did not return.

That is why Kings Point is the only Federal Service Academy to carry a Battle Standard of its own.

This institution is unique among the Federal Service Academies in that only Kings Point sends its students—not just its graduates, but its students—directly into combat zones.

This nation emerged victorious from the Second World War because of the selfless service and sacrifice of the 142 Kings Point cadet-midshipmen—alongside the over ninety-five hundred Merchant Mariners lost in combat at sea.

Not enough people know that Merchant Mariners suffered a higher casualty rate than any other military service.

I know a number of the Midshipmen here today did their Sea Year on MSC Ships or U.S. flag merchant vessels engaged in combat in the Red Sea over the past year, carrying on the proud tradition of Kings Pointers sailing into harm’s way.

As our future Merchant Mariners, the training you receive here at Kings Point will equip you to project America’s decisive power around the world.

I am humbled to be here today to honor the sacrifice of our forebearers as well as your own service.

USS Long Island

The United States has always been a beacon of freedom and hope around the world—and will always defend innocent lives from those who would do them harm.

When Fidel Castro’s tyrannical regime forced my family to flee Cuba in the early 1960s, we sought refuge in the United States.

New York welcomed my family, along with the families of thousands of other Cuban refugees, with open arms.

So, like many immigrants who came to this country seeking a better life for themselves and their families, New York holds a special place in my heart—after all, it is where my “only in America” story began.

And New York has had strong Navy ties since our Nation’s founding.

During World War II, Floyd Bennet Field in Brooklyn became part of Naval Air Station New York, supporting naval activities throughout the war.

And Brooklyn Shipyard built and serviced ships—including my first ship, USS Koelsch (FF 1049).

Long Islanders themselves have always answered the call to service to our Nation, serving in every major conflict in United States’ history—from the Revolutionary War to the present day.

In New York City last year while onboard USS Wasp (LHD 1), I was proud to announce that the next nuclear-powered Virginia-Class submarine, SSN 809, will be USS Long Island.

Wherever she sails, she will represent the thousands of Long Islanders who have honorably and faithfully served our Navy and our Nation.

Sponsor Introduction

And, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am honored to announce that the ship sponsor of the future USS Long Island is Ms. Iris Weinshall

Ms. Weinshall has dedicated her life to public service and improving the lives the people in the community.

She made significant contributions to New York City as both a former vice chancellor of the City University of New York and a former commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation.

Ms. Weinshall now serves as the chief operating officer of the New York Public Library.

The ship’s sponsor fills a critical role throughout the life of a warship, serving as the bond between the ship, her crew, and the nation they serve.

Thank you, Ms. Weinshall, for your career of public service and lifelong commitment to our Navy, to our service men and women, and to the United States of America.

You, like the service members who will serve on this proud ship and the place after which it is named, represent the absolute best this country has to offer.

Ma’am, if you would, please join me here at the podium.

Closing

In closing, our maritime services are indeed the most powerful and capable force this world has ever seen.

I once more thank our Midshipmen here today for answering the call to service of this great Nation, for becoming part of something much bigger than ourselves.

You are the foundation of our maritime services—you ensure that America remains the greatest nation in the world and that we remain the land of the free.

May God bless our Sailors, Marines, and Merchant Mariners. Thank you.

Source: United States Navy

Held biennially, Kakadu is the RAN’s premier international engagement activity, developing interoperability between nations in the maritime and air domains and providing training opportunities for maritime security and surveillance.

“It was incredibly rewarding to be a part of Kakadu 2024 and bear witness to the partnership, friendship, and multilateral interoperability that the Kakadu exercise continues to build upon with each iteration,” said LT Troy Kinder, aircraft commander, VP-10. “From an aviator’s perspective, this bond was further enhanced by having the opportunity to socialize with other countries’ aircrews, both at mission planning and after daily flight ops were completed.”

During Kakadu 2024, VP-10 P-8A Poseidon crew showcased the critical role that maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft (MPRA) play in supporting maritime operations.

The Red Lancers joined fellow MPRA crews from the Indian Navy P-8I, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A, and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force P-1 in Combined Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercise (CASEX) events, where they were able to practice interoperability in a dynamic training environment.

They also worked with multiple RAAF tactical fighter aircraft as well as participating surface forces in a complex, multilateral Air Defense Exercise (ADEX) to improve coordination between partners in the realm of anti-surface warfare.

The exercise was held concurrently with a commanders’ conference, where military leaders from more than 30 countries were represented. In total, more than 3,000 military personnel converged upon the Darwin area, highlighting the exercise theme of regional cooperation through trusted and proven relationships. Teams from participating nations took part in the Kakadu Sports Day for friendly competition as well as an evening for international cultural exchange that featured various performances.

“I can confidently speak for the entire VP-10 detachment in saying that we truly enjoyed the uniqueness and the hospitality that Kakadu 2024 and Darwin had to offer,” said Kinder.

The “Red Lancers” of VP-10 are based in Jacksonville, Florida, and are currently on a rotational deployment operating from multiple locations including Misawa Air Base in Misawa, Japan. The squadron conducts maritime patrol and reconnaissance as well as theater outreach operations, supporting Commander, Task Force 72, U.S. Seventh Fleet, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command objectives throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Source: United States Navy

The Pacific Partnership 2024-2 (PP24-2) mission team worked alongside allies and partners to strengthen relationships and bolster host nation capacity to provide essential humanitarian services. The group also supported efforts to reduce the risk of, prepare for, and respond to humanitarian disasters.

Led by PP24-2 Mission Commander U.S. Navy Capt. Daniel J. Keeler, and embarked aboard Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport ship USNS City of Bismarck (T-EPF 9), the team made stops in the Federated States of Micronesia, the Philippines, Vanuatu, and Vietnam.

“It’s crucial to collaborate in advance to build relationships within the region before a disaster occurs. Each country offers a diverse range of skills and resources that can be invaluable in times of need,” said Keeler. “By engaging in this proactive planning and training, we foster deeper understanding and strengthen cooperation. This foundation not only facilitates a smoother response in a crisis but also enhances our resilience as we navigate future challenges together.”

Over two-and-a-half months, nearly 1,500 military and civilian personnel from Australia, Canada, Chile, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Tonga, Vanuatu, Vietnam, and the U.S. supported the PP24-2 mission. The multinational and whole-of-government approach used to plan and execute operations with partner nation militaries, host-nation civilian agencies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGO), the U.S. State Department, U.S. interagency, and U.S. military services fosters multilateral cooperation.

Pacific Partnership focuses on multiple lines of effort in medical and public health, engineering, and host nation outreach to help build resilience and host-nation capacity to support essential humanitarian services. Individual projects are tailored to the specific needs and requests of each host nation.

“We partner together; we learn from each other; we identify what are better practices; and we prepare to be able to help people,” said Royal Australian Air Force Wing Cmdr. Scott Minchin, PP24-2 deputy mission commander. “We join the military effectively to help people, and Pacific Partnership is where that lives and breathes in the person-to-person connections made at every mission stop. We are working together very effectively in one of the greatest opportunities I have had.”

Each multinational team partnered with their host nation counterparts to conduct live search and rescue field training exercises, subject matter expert exchanges, cooperative health engagements, community veterinary outreach and civilian-military workshops on disaster response. The collaborative efforts aimed to improve collective capacity and multilateral cooperation to respond to a disaster and enhance regional partnerships at all levels.

The medical team completed 1,116 eye exams and handed out 1,035 pairs of glasses; conducted 164 dental exams with 76 extractions and 35 oral surgeries; carried out 55 side-by-side subject matter expert exchanges in various medical fields such as ophthalmology, physical therapy, nursing, general surgery, radiology, and oral surgery; and trained nearly 400 nursing professionals and students. The veterinary team from the New Zealand and U.S. armies did more than252 spay and neuter surgeries and two days of side-by-side subject matter expert exchanges.

Engineering efforts included renovations at three elementary schools and two medical facilities; repairs and maintenance to equipment at Yap International Airport; subject matter expert exchanges in coastal erosion and water purification, including site surveys; and the assembly of a playground at an elementary school.

The host nation outreach team held 97 events, including school engagements, interfaith dialogues, gender peace and security workshops, moral injury training, and bandmaster classes. The Pacific Partnership band featured a rock band and an island vibes band composed of members of the U.S. Navy and the Australian Army. They performed 31concerts during the mission.

Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR) teams from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army Civil Affairs held workshops to bolster host-nation capacity to provide essential humanitarian services and support efforts to reduce the risk of, prepare for, and respond to humanitarian disasters. The effort focused on the activation, staffing, organization, deactivation, and demobilization of an emergency operations center and an introduction of the incident command system to local government and NGO agency peers. They also held six boating safety workshops.

The mission was also joined in Vietnam by U.S. Pacific Air Forces personnel during their tandem Pacific Angel mission. The U.S. Air Force team completed 10 days of concurrent engineering, medical events and subject matter expert exchanges.

For more information about Pacific Partnership visit, www.clwp.navy.mil/Pacific-Partnership.

Source: United States Navy

Good afternoon, everyone! It’s a great Navy Day. 

Acting Secretary Mancinelli, flags, general officers, senior enlisted leader distinguished guests, active and reserve Sailors, our civilian teammates, and most importantly the family and friends of our Navy chief selects, and our Navy chief selects. It is truly an honor to be with you here today at the Navy Memorial. I can think of no better place to have this event than right here. And I know you wish you were outside, so imagine you’re outside right now sitting at the home of the world’s largest granite sea. It’s the home of the stories of our Sailors. It’s the home of the National Chiefs Mess.  

Let me start by saying thank you very much to the Navy Band and Ceremonial Guard for adding so much to our celebration. And let’s give them a round of applause so they can hear it. And thank you to all of our Sailors, Civilians, and joint teammates here today. Thank you for answering our Nation’s call to service and for being part of the world’s preeminent fighting force. 

I’d also like to extend my thanks to all of the families, the friends, and the mentors both who are here today – those who are watching virtually – and those you represent for your own service and for your sacrifice. We can not do what we do every day without you. It’s really because of your love, your support, and your encouragement that we can be here to welcome America’s newest Navy chiefs into America’s Warfighting Navy.  

Thank you for having such an outsized impact on the lives of your Sailors.  How about a round of applause for all of our families and support networks out in the crowd today!

Well, today really is a great Navy day! And in a few moments we will bear witness to a time-honored tradition one that is steeped in over 130 years of naval history as our selectees pin on their anchors, don their covers and begin their journey as deckplate leaders: Navy chiefs. 

This afternoon’s ceremony – the Pinning of our chief petty officers signifies a critical milestone in the lives of these Sailors – one that represents years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance and one that only a handful in our Navy will ever achieve. It is truly a day they will remember for the rest of their lives. 

The responsibilities and expectations of a Navy chief are unlike that of any other leader in our armed forces. They emulate our Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment. They’re caretakers of Navy history and tradition and they’re leaders of character, culture, and competency molded by their years of experience out in the Fleet. 

As our Navy’s senior enlisted leaders, chiefs are charged with the great responsibility of training, mentoring, and developing our future Warfighters. And while teaching a young seaman may be different from mentoring an ensign or advising a captain, or even an admiral, the expectation remains the same: chiefs must be able to do it all.

And let me tell you that there is no greater impact on a Sailor than the mentorship and guidance provided by their chief. To this day, I still think about my first chiefs: Chief Jones, Chief Satriano and Chief Salvatore. 

Chief Jones was my very first chief at my very first command: Navy Reserve Readiness Command Region 13. Chief Jones ensured Ensign Franchetti got off on the right foot. 

Chief Satriano and Chief Salvatore were my chiefs on my first ship. I was brand new to the Fleet and was just assigned my very first division of 70 Sailors – a journalism major responsible for engineers. It was overwhelming at first, but my chiefs took me under their wing and they taught me everything I needed to know: 

They taught me that the worst day at sea is still better than any day ashore. 

They taught me that the crusted leathery coating on the inside of a chief’s mug added flavor. 

They taught me that a chief sees everything, but admires nothing.

And they taught me that the leadership skills I’d learn out on the deckplates was far better than any of the leadership books in my stateroom. 

Thirtynine years later, the best lessons on leadership have come from my chiefs:

They taught me that every Sailor has value and can achieve exceptional performance if given the tools and the time to succeed. 

They reinforced the importance of listening to and getting to know our Sailors and taking a personal interest in their lives and what they had to say. And  they taught me the value of teamwork, especially in the face of adversity and that there is nothing we can’t do if we work together with a common vision, where everyone understands the importance of their role and how they can connect their dot to the mission.

My chiefs invested in me  and I strive every day to be the leader that they wanted me to be. Their mentorship – and the mentorship from all the senior enlisted leaders I’ve served with along the way help me become the officer and leader I am today. And I know I would not be standing here as the 33rd CNO without my chiefs and the broader chiefs mess that I’ve had the pleasure to serve with these last 39 years. 

So as I start to wrap up, I’d be remiss if I didn’t take the opportunity to pass on to you our Navy’s newest chiefs a few of my own thoughts on leadership and what I consider most important about being a “leader of consequence” in this decisive decade.

Over the past 39 years, I’ve distilled my thoughts into six key principles, and their principles which guide me and keep me focused on what matters most.

The first principle: integrity matters. It is the foundation of trust both up and down our chain of command so we can build connectedness and cohesion within our teams. chiefs must be authentic and their actions must be consistent with the team’s values and priorities. 

Navy chiefs take full responsibility for their actions and stand up for what is right. Their character must be beyond reproach.  

The second principle: people matter. We can have great technology, great platforms, and the best equipment in the world- and we do – but without our amazing people to operate it, we can’t go anywhere or do anything. Sailors need to know their purpose, they need to know their value, and they need to know and understand how to do their job.  

Navy chiefs help our Sailors connect their dot to our mission. 

The third principle: warfighting excellence matters. This is where we make our money in the Navy, and I want to be clear: we are not just Sailors, we are all warfighters, and we must view everything we do through a warfighting lens. Chiefs must be the master of their rating and remain sharp on their procedures and their tactics. Only then can they train and develop our future warfighters. 

Navy Chiefs are mission focused and accountable for outcomes. They give their Sailors the tools, the time, and the training necessary to ensure that we are ready to deter any potential adversary and that we are ready to fight and win decisively in war, if called to do so.

The fourth principle, as I  mentioned earlier, teamwork matters. The whole is truly greater than the sum of the parts and together, we have the power to unleash the full potential of our Sailors and our teams.

Navy chiefs foster environments which promote the transparency, empowerment, and inclusion that enable our teams to succeed despite many challenges. 

The fifth principle: safety matters. What we do in the Navy every day is dangerous. Whether you are out to sea or stationed ashore, accidents happen and the enemy always gets a vote. As leaders, we always need to be on the lookout no matter how routine or repetitive something may seem. 

Navy chiefs make safety a part of their everyday lives and they are always “antennas up” ready to break the error chain.  

And finally the sixth principle: attitude makes a difference. approaching each day with a winning mindset. “Stuff” happens to everyone, on deployment, at work, at home – no one can avoid it. And when “stuff” does happen, It’s how you react that matters , and your sailors will be paying attention to how you react. 

Navy chiefs embrace everything they do with positivity and a winning mindset, their authenticity will set the tone. 

So before we jump into the pinning ceremony, and I know that you’re all eager to get up here and put those anchors on, let me just leave you with one final thought.

When you leave today, nobody will know how long you’ve been a chief. They will just see that you are the chief. So when you get back to your places of work and back to your commands, embrace the weight of the anchors you have on your collars. Lean into the responsibility that you’ve been entrusted with and be the Chief!

Thank you for your service and for your continued dedication to our Nation, and thank you to your families for their support, service, and sacrifice. Every single one of you makes a difference every day, and you play a critical role in America’s Warfighting Navy.

I could not be more proud to serve alongside you, and I can’t wait to see what this group of Navy chiefs – our newest group of deckplate leaders – will do. 

Congratulations and BRAVO ZULU Navy Chiefs!

Source: United States Navy

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro visited Millington, Tennessee, today to meet with Navy Recruiting Command leadership, recruiters, and support personnel. During the visit, he expressed his gratitude for their hard work and dedication.

“I know you work incredibly hard as recruiters, and this can be an exhausting set of orders, but that is why we only select the best Sailors for recruiting duty,” said Secretary Del Toro. “You truly make a difference in assuring the future of our Navy. The Sailors you recruited this year will form the backbone of our Fleet for several decades.”

For FY24, the Navy not only met its contracting goals without lowering targeted objectives, it also exceeded retention goals. Once again, this fiscal year the Marine Corps exceeded its recruitment goals for both officers and enlisted.

While the Navy achieved its FY2024 recruiting goals, some recruits are slated to attend boot camp in FY2025, which is when the schoolhouse can accommodate them.

The Navy’s recruiting success is attributed to several factors including data-driven decision-making, enhanced focus on annual goals, reduced timeframe for processing medical waivers, removing red tape, and expanding opportunities.

Over the past year, the Navy identified and closed gaps in the recruiting process. For example, the CNO established a culture of “Every Sailor a Recruiter” and advanced our recruiting enterprise by appointing a senior, two-star admiral to lead our recruiting stations and centers. Furthermore, recruiter goals were adjusted from monthly to annual to promote steady-state performance.

The Navy also stood up a Recruiting Operations Center to monitor recruiting efforts in real time, increase production and remove variance among 26 Talent Acquisition Groups. The new center streamlined processes to expedite newly contracted recruits to boot camp.

The Navy increased the number of specialties that new Sailors are eligible for, including the new robotics rating, and implemented the Future Sailor Prep Course to provide more opportunities for aspiring Sailors.

“The Navy is focused on thoughtfully increasing recruiting numbers while maintaining historically high retention rates,” said Secretary Del Toro. “We are doing this by improving the efficiency of our recruiting enterprise and expanding the pool of applicants who can join our team.”

The Navy’s recruiting success in FY2024 is a testament to the dedication of its recruiters and the appeal of service in the Navy. The Navy offers a wide range of opportunities for young men and women to serve their country, gain valuable skills, and build a rewarding career.

The U.S. Navy is the largest, most capable, and most technologically advanced naval force in the world. The Navy’s mission is to maintain, train, and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression, and maintaining freedom of the seas.