US Navy Investigation Uncovers Illegal Starlink Wi-Fi Plot Aboard Warship

The crew of the USS Manchester maintained an illegal on-board Wi-Fi network for months before civilian technicians discovered it.

In one of the most striking cases yet of the threats posed by individuals using unauthorized devices on an organization’s network, a U.S. Navy report has revealed details of a plot to install and operate an illegal Starlink Wi-Di network aboard a warship during a mission.

The report, obtained by the Navy Times, outlines plans by the ship’s senior crew to purchase, install, manage and ultimately attempt to hide the net from junior crew and senior officers.

The ship’s senior commander, Senior Commander Grisel Marrero, conspired with other commanders aboard the Manchester (pictured) to install the network before it departed for the western Pacific in April 2023.

The Starlink antenna was secretly installed on the weather deck of an Independence-class ship, where it was relatively invisible. The network was initially called “STINKY” but was later renamed a wireless printer—even though there were no such devices on board.

As rumors began to circulate among the crew, senior officers turned to CSC Marrero, who repeatedly lied about the ship’s existence.

For obvious reasons, the U.S. Navy restricts internet access during missions, but the ship’s senior crew used the network to send messages home, stream media and keep up with sports scores.

The Starlink antenna was not discovered until a civilian technician installing the Starshield satellite communications system noticed the device and reported it to a senior crew member. The antenna was removed, but CSC Marrero again lied about the device, claiming it was authorized and intended for port use only.

When Manchester’s commander finally learned of the network’s existence on August 24, he confronted Marrero, who provided doctored usage logs in an attempt to deceive the commander into believing the network was only used during the layover. The commander remained suspicious, however, and Marrero finally admitted that the network had been used during the August 26 deployment.

A total of 15 other bosses knew about the existence of the network.

“This agreement was a criminal conspiracy, supported by the overt act of introducing a purchased Starlink aboard the USS MANCHESTER,” the Navy said in its investigation. “Each new member of the CPO Mess, who then paid dues to the service, joined this conspiracy once the operational status of the system had been determined.

“Installing and operating Starlink without senior command approval poses significant risks to mission, operational security, and information security.”

Earlier this year, Marrero was court-martialed and demoted.

David Hollingworth

David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years and has worked for a wide range of print and online publications throughout his career. He enjoys delving into cybersecurity, especially when it allows him to talk about Lego.