In 2023, something very strange and risky happened aboard a U.S. Navy ship called the USS Manchester. Some senior sailors, known as chiefs, secretly installed a Starlink satellite internet antenna on the ship without permission. This satellite was supposed to be used to improve the ship’s internet, but these chiefs had their own plans: they wanted to stream movies, check sports scores, and text their families. They did all of this behind the back of the ship’s captain.
This sneaky setup, which included a WiFi network named “STINKY,” was incredibly dangerous. Navy ships are supposed to follow strict rules to stay hidden from enemies and protect against cyberattacks, but this illegal antenna broke those rules. The network could have made the ship easier for enemies to find and exposed it to hackers, putting the whole crew at risk. It’s hard to believe that something like this could happen, but it did.
The main person behind the plan was a chief named Grisel Marrero. Ironically, she had a background in Navy intelligence and even had a master’s degree in information security, so she definitely knew better. When the Navy found out, Marrero was court-martialed and convicted for her role in the scheme.
Investigators were stunned when they learned that the chiefs had worked together to secretly gather the money, buy the Starlink service, and install the antenna. They even placed it on a part of the ship where it wouldn’t be easily seen. But the consequences of their actions were severe. Not only did they break security rules, but they also created a rift among the crew. Some sailors became upset because it seemed like the chiefs were giving themselves special privileges that others couldn’t enjoy. This hurt the morale of the ship.
The Navy has been trying to find ways to provide faster, more reliable internet to its ships, especially because crews are often at sea for long periods. The Starlink system, which was created by SpaceX, is becoming more popular in both the Navy and the commercial world. The goal is to keep the crew connected to the world and boost their morale, but it has to be done safely and securely.
In fact, the Navy has a program called SEA2 that’s designed to bring better internet to its ships. It uses satellite constellations like Starlink but follows strict guidelines to avoid security risks. This program has been helping sailors stay connected, order parts for the ship, and even stream major events like the Super Bowl while out at sea. However, even these systems aren’t allowed to operate during certain sensitive missions when the ship needs to stay hidden.
But Marrero and the other chiefs didn’t care about these security concerns. Instead, they decided to set up their own private internet network without following the rules, putting the entire ship and its crew in danger. No one knows for sure how much harm was done, but the fact that leaders on the ship, especially one trained in information security, would make such a reckless decision is almost unbelievable.
The chiefs’ actions were exposed, and the Navy has been left to deal with the fallout. The unauthorized Starlink setup is a stark reminder of how dangerous it can be when people ignore the rules in the name of convenience, especially in such a high-stakes environment as a Navy warship.
