Parker Maritime Technologies CEO Dr. William J. Parker III joined Red Apple Media CEO John Catsimatidis on the CATS Roundtable @77WABCradio on August 27, 2017 to discuss a wide range of global issues, including U.S. Navy warship collisions and the latest developments in Turkey, NATO, the Middle East and North Korea. 08.29.2017.
John Catsimatidis: You were in command of some of those ships. You commanded ships like that. What’s going on in the Pacific with all of the problems. How can one ship run into another ship twice in two months?
Bill Parker: It’s sad for the loss of the life of the sailors and the two capital ships taken off line. We have the right equipment and the right training going on. The reality is that 30 years ago, you had 600 ships in the U.S. Navy, and you averaged on any day 100 ships operating. 20 years ago we went down to 450 ships, and we continued operating about 100 ships a day. Today, we have 286 ships, and we still average 100 ships underway a day. With less than half the ships, we still operate the same amount of ships each day. So the strain on those ships and on the maintenance is significant. That doesn’t excuse the lack of focus on operating, navigating and communicating.
At the end of the day, the primary mission of that commanding officer of that ship is safe navigation. The ships have the capability and they have the right training, and the right equipment and mistakes were made. I don’t know the details on the McCain but the impact was on the back on the port quarter. On the Fitzgerald, it was a crossing situation and not in accordance with the rules of the road.
John Catsimatidis: What’s going on in Turkey?
Bill Parker: The Referendum changed from age 25 to 18 as to who can run for office. The Parliament size changed. The terms changed from 4 to 5 years. To overrule the President you need an absolute majority. Before the President had to go through the Prime Minister, but then now it’s no longer a role (the PM).
The Turks have done a very good job with the large number of refugees.
John Catsimatidis: What does that mean for the average American? Will he continue to be friendly to the west, Nato country?
Bill Parker: Jury is out as to whether it will transition to a more secular country. As far as the relationship with NATO, it will continue to be strong. Turkey has the second largest military in NATO not to mention their geographic location. You will continue to have a good relationship with the US.
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John Catsimatidis: Trump met with many Middle Eastern countries.
Bill Parker:- Economic ties with some and not others. Some Muslim countries are close and others aren’t. Turkey will continue to be an economic strength in that world.
John Catsimatidis: North Korea. Couple of days ago, North Korea attempted to launch another missile. Where do you think North Korea is going?
Bill Parker: Whether North Korea continues to exist as a country under Kim Jun Un is up to them. The US has put immense pressure. They want to continue to test missiles.
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