Navy officer demoted after installing unauthorized satellite dish on warship to access internet

SAN DIEGO (AP) — U.S. Navy investigators say an officer who wanted the internet so she and other enlisted officers could scroll social media and check sports scores while deployed had an unauthorized Starlink satellite dish installed on a warship and dubbed it “Stinky.” The Navy quietly relieved Grisel Marrero of the USS Manchester in late summer 2023. Internet access is restricted while a ship is at sea to maintain bandwidth for military operations and to protect against cybersecurity threats. The illicit network was not shared with rank-and-file sailors. Marrero was convicted in March at a court martial after pleading guilty. She did not respond to an email seeking comment Friday.