A short report on Indian Coast Guard efforts to mitigate the impact of approaching hurricanes on the Indian Fishing community.

USCGC Hamilton is having an unusual deployment. Below is a news release. More photos here.

News Release, U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area U.S. Coast Guard strengthens Trans-Atlantic ties with Italy    NAPLES, Italy — The Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) conducted operations in the Mediterranean Sea with the Italian coast guard and Italian navy Friday. The operations were designed to increase interoperability as part of a regional effort to bolster maritime partnerships with NATO allies. “Working with the Italian coast guard and Italian navy strengthens our maritime partnership and reinforces our shared values,” said Capt. Timothy Cronin, commanding officer of USCGC Hamilton. “Our engagements with Italy this week bring unity of effort in the maritime domain through interoperable capabilities and combined operations. “More than half of regional economic activity relies on the safe and lawful use of maritime space, making maritime security essential to economic development and sustainment. To further this objective, Hamilton participated in search and rescue exercises with the Italian coast guard in the Tyrrhenian Sea. “Today, this meeting has represented an important and useful opportunity to improve our already strong relationship between the Italian and U.S. coast guards,” said Vice Adm. Antonio Basile, vice commandant of the Italian coast guard. Afterward, Hamilton transitioned to the Ionian Sea, conducting cross deck flight operations with the Italian navy to practice daylight landing at sea. Exercises like these strengthen alliance interoperability, combined operations, theater security cooperation, and capacity-building efforts. These operations follow a logistics visit to Naples, Italy, where the crew met with Italian coast guard leadership to enhance the U.S. and Italian military relationship further. “It was a pleasure to work alongside one of our strongest allies and share best practices to improve safety at sea,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas Hatfield. “We all learned a lot from each other, and we welcome the opportunity to do it again in the future. ”The U.S. Coast Guard brings unique capabilities thanks to a wide suite of specialized maritime capabilities, competencies, and authorities. Their mission set capabilities to include search and rescue operations, counter-drug enforcement, living marine preservation and ports, waterway, and coastal security. As a law enforcement agency, regulatory agency, and a branch of the military, the service’s multi-mission mandate gives the Coast Guard a unique and unparalleled opportunity. “Our organizations share several competencies in the strategic environment that are important in both the national and international realm. These include: search and rescue operations, marine environmental protection, and control of the sea.” Basile said. “Soon we will usher in a new basis for our strong maritime bond, a “memorandum of understanding” that will highlight the mutual willingness to cooperate and to improve our expertise, through the development of combined operations and interoperable capabilities. ”The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a routine deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations, working alongside allies, building maritime domain awareness, and sharing best practices with partner nation navies and coast guards. Hamilton is the fourth Legend-class national security cutter and is the fifth named for the father of the U.S. Coast Guard – Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury and advocate for the creation of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service. The U.S. Coast Guard remains operational during COVID-19, following all COVID-19 safety precautions and regulations. U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Naval News reports that the French Navy has ordered a helicopter style Unmanned Air System (UAS) similar in concept to the US Navy’s MQ-8 Fire Scout, but considerably smaller. It is expected to be used on a number of French Navy vessels including 16 new offshore patrol vessels (here) some of which have flight decks too small for conventional naval helicopters (here, and here)

This new Airbus UAS, the VSR700, has a max take off weight of 700 kg (1,543 lb). That is less than half the max take off weight of the smaller Fire Scout MQ-8B (3,150 lb/1,430 kg) and about a quarter of that of the larger MQ-8C (6,000 lb/2,721 kg).

Unlike the Fire Scouts, which use different versions of the same Rolls-Royce (formerly Allison) M250 turboshaft gas turbine, the VSR700 is powered by a four cylinder inline diesel of 1.991 liter/121.5 ci (Ø83 x 92 mm), the Thielert Centurion 2.0, derived from a modified Mercedes-Benz automobile engine. It is, however, capable of operating on either diesel or jet fuel.

Reportedly the VSR700 has greater endurance (10 hours) than the MQ-8B (8 hours) but less than the MQ-8C (15 hours)

The VSR700 is unique it its size, smaller than the Fire Scout, but larger than the very popular Schiebel Camcopter S-100 (use by about 20 countries) and the relatively new Leonardo AWHero, in contention for use on Australia’s 12 new OPVs, both in the 200 kg class. Both of which have a smaller payload and approximately six hour endurance.

The Navy League’s on line magazine Seapower brings us a report of a new type of sensor that sounds like it might be very useful in drug interdiction and for maritime domain awareness. It is seen here mounted on an MQ-21 Blackjack (max take off weight 135 pounds/61kg).

In fact, the Eastern Pacific Drug Transit Zone looks like the perfect place to test it against uncooperative targets.

It is aimed as a bring your kids to work day presentation, but still offers some insight into this class done by Station Cape May. Original here.

Below is a press release from Bollinger. Clearly Bollinger is preparing for bigger things. They are competing for the next phase of the Offshore Patrol Cutter program as well as several Navy programs. The Coast Guard is certainly familiar with Bollinger, and vice versa. Bollinger has delivered 44 Fast Response Cutters, 73 Marine Protector class 87 foot patrol boats, and 49 Island class 110 foot patrol boats. But what about the other side of this acquisition, Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc. (“Gulf Island”)? What have they been doing?

Apparently they have been doing some significant work as well. They have been building five USNS Navajo (T-ATS-6) class Rescue and Salvage Vessels for the USN. These are 80 meter (263 foot) in length over all and of 5,110 tons full load displacement, perhaps not as complex as the Offshore Patrol Cutter or even the Webber class, but of greater displacement than the OPCs. In March 2020, the Navy awarded a $129.9M contract to build numbers four and five. These additional facilities certainly increase Bollinger’s credibility as a builder of ships larger than patrol boats.

Gulf Island Shipyard has also been building three research vessels. (dimensions are 193’L x 41’B x 19’D with a design draft of 12′-6″, max speed 12.5 knots). Cost of the three ship program is $255.58M.

PRESS RELEASE

Bollinger Shipyards Acquires Gulf Island Fabrication’s Shipyard Facilities

Cements Bollinger’s position as the largest American privately-owned and operated shipbuilder in the United States

Transaction includes 437-acre waterfront facility with 198,000 sq. ft. of existing operations, fabrication and warehouse space, and 4 floating drydocks

Acquisition expands new construction and repair capacity and capabilities to better serve key defense and commercial customers

(Lockport, LA) — Bollinger Shipyards (“Bollinger”), a privately-held leading designer and builder of steel military and commercial vessels for the past three quarters of a century, today announced that it has acquired Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc.’s (“Gulf Island”) (NASDAQ: GIFI) Shipyard facilities, expanding Bollinger’s new construction and repair capacity and capabilities to better serve its key defense and commercial customers. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

This acquisition creates expanded opportunities for Bollinger to better serve and deepen its relationships with key defense and commercial customers with an increased capacity for new projects and footprint, access to a larger workforce skilled in steel construction, improved efficiencies and enhanced economies of scale. Current customers for Bollinger include the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, General Dynamics-Electric Boat, and non-defense and commercial customers servicing energy production to dredging. Gulf Island had been building the Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ships (T-ATS) for the U.S. Navy and Regional Class Research Vessels for the National Science Foundation and Oregon State University. These projects conveyed with the transaction.
 
“The addition of the new Houma shipyard further strengthens our position within the U.S. defense industrial base as a leading shipbuilder and vessel repair company,” said Ben Bordelon, CEO and President of Bollinger Shipyards. “For 75 years, we’ve developed a deep expertise in and proven track record of building reliable, high endurance steel vessels for the Coast Guard, Navy and our commercial customers. As the needs of these customers change and grow, we are constantly looking for ways to invest in and expand our capabilities and innovative solutions so that we can continue to provide them with the highest levels of quality, support and service in our industry.”

Bordelon continued, “For three quarters of a century, Bollinger’s greatest strength has and continues to be our people and their American ingenuity and quality craftsmanship. I am excited to welcome the Gulf Island Shipyard employees into the Bollinger family. Together, we will ensure that the ‘Bollinger Standard’ will be the high bar we measure ourselves against for superior quality and safety as we work to deliver the next generation of American made high-performance vessels for our government and commercial customers.”

The new Bollinger Houma facility encompasses 437 acres on the west bank of the Houma Navigation Canal, of which 283 acres is unimproved land that is available for expansion. The facility includes 18,000 square feet of administrative and operations facilities, 160,000 square feet of covered fabrication facilities and 20,000 square feet of warehouse facilities. It also has 6,750 linear feet of water frontage, including 2,350 feet of steel bulkheads. Located just 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, the strategic location provides short and unrestricted access to the newly acquired Houma facility from open waters.

The acquisition also includes a 15,000-short ton drydock, a 4,000-short ton drydock, a 3,000-short ton drydock and a 1,500-short ton drydock.

Bollinger’s acquisition increases the shipyard’s growing new construction and repair portfolio. In December of last year, Congress appropriated funds for Bollinger to build four additional Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutters (FRC) for the U.S. Coast Guard. In addition to construction of the FRC, Bollinger is under contract to construct an Ocean Transport Barge and Floating Dry Dock for General Dynamics Electric Boat Division.  In addition, Bollinger is participating in industry studies for five Government programs, including the U.S. Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) program, the U.S. Navy’s Common Hull Auxiliary Multi-Mission Platform (CHAMP) program, the U.S. Navy’s Auxiliary General Ocean Surveillance (T-AGOS(X)) program, the U.S. Navy’s Large Unmanned Surface Vehicle (LUSV) program and the U.S. Navy’s Light Amphibious Warship (LAW) program.

About Bollinger Shipyards LLC

Bollinger Shipyards LLC (www.bollingershipyards.com) has a 75-year legacy as a leading designer and builder of high performance military patrol boats and salvage vessels, research vessels, ocean-going double hull barges, offshore oil field support vessels, tugboats, rigs, lift boats, inland waterways push boats, barges, and other steel and aluminum products from its new construction shipyards as part of the U. S. industrial base. Bollinger has 11 shipyards, all strategically located throughout Louisiana with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Bollinger is the largest vessel repair company in the Gulf of Mexico region.

NavalNews brings us a news release from MTU about a sale, but I think the real news here is, “The Taiwanese Coast Guard is currently carrying out a modernization program under which a total of 141 ships of various sizes are to be built by 2027.”

There is not a lot of information here about this class of six new vessels, except that the two engines will provide 7,280 KW each (for a total of 19,525HP, about the same as the Offshore Patrol Cutters) for a speed of 24 knots. The vessel pictured is nominally 1000 tons, but Taiwan, like most Asian nations, tends to understate the size of their vessels by using light displacement and then perhaps rounding down. Full Load displacement may be close to 2,000 tons. It certainly looks at least as large as the 270s. The illustration shows what appears to be an H-60 on the flight deck. Looks like there may be a hangar as well.

Below is a press release from Bollinger:

BOLLINGER SHIPYARDS DELIVERS 44th FAST RESPONSE CUTTER STRENGTHENING DEFENSE CAPABILITIES IN THE ARABIAN GULF

LOCKPORT, La., — April 22, 2021 – Bollinger Shipyards LLC (“Bollinger”) has delivered the USCGC GLEN HARRIS to the U.S. Coast Guard in Key West, Florida. This is the 167th vessel Bollinger has delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard over a 35-year period and the 44^th Fast Response Cutter (“FRC”) delivered under the current program.

The USCGC GLEN HARRIS is the third of six FRCs to be home-ported in Manama, Bahrain, which will replace the aging 110’ Island Class Patrol Boats, built by Bollinger Shipyards 30 years ago, supporting the Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA), the U.S. Coast Guard’s largest overseas presence outside the United States.

“Bollinger is proud to continue enhancing and supporting the U.S. Coast Guard’s operational presence and ensuring it remains the preferred partner around the world,” said Bollinger President & C.E.O. Ben Bordelon. “It is our top priority to ensure that the brave men and women of the Coast Guard stationed in PATFORSWA have the most state-of-the-art, advanced vessels as they work to build and maintain the necessary regional alliances to ensure maritime security in the region. Building ships for the Coast Guard provides critical assets to bolster our national security and advance America’s interests, both at home and abroad.”

Earlier this year at the commissioning ceremony of the USCGC CHARLES MOULTHROPE, U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Karl Schultz lauded the “enhanced seakeeping” capabilities of the PATFORSWA-bound FRCs, saying “these ships are truly going to be game changing in their new theater of operations” and “offer increased opportunities for integrated joint operations with our Navy and Marine Corps colleagues” as the Coast Guard seeks to be part of the whole-of-government solution set in the region.

PATFORSWA is composed of six cutters, shoreside support personnel, and the Maritime Engagement Team. The unit’s mission is to train, organize, equip, support and deploy combat-ready Coast Guard Forces in support of U.S. Central Command and national security objectives. PATFORSWA works with Naval Forces Central Command in furthering their goals to conduct persistent maritime operations to forward U.S. interests, deter and counter disruptive countries, defeat violent extremism and strengthen partner nations’ maritime capabilities in order to promote a secure maritime environment.

Earlier this week, Bollinger announced the acquisition of Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc.’s Terrebonne Parish shipyard facilities, expanding the company’s new construction and repair capacity and capabilities to better serve its key defense and commercial customers. The acquisition increases the shipyard’s growing new construction and repair portfolio. Gulf Island had been building the Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ships (T-ATS) for the U.S. Navy and Regional Class Research Vessels for the National Science Foundation and Oregon State University. These projects conveyed with the transaction.

Each FRC is named for an enlisted Coast Guard hero who distinguished themselves in the line of duty. Surfman Glen Harris piloted the first wave of landing craft on Tulagi Island in the Pacific Theater during World War II, and also made a landing against a Japanese force on Guadalcanal Island.  Harris was awarded a Silver Star medal by Admiral Chester Nimitz for his heroic combat actions.

About the Fast Response Cutter Platform

The FRC is an operational “game changer,” according to senior Coast Guard officials. FRCs are consistently being deployed in support of the full range of missions within the United States Coast Guard and other branches of our armed services.  This is due to its exceptional performance, expanded operational reach and capabilities, and ability to transform and adapt to the mission. FRCs have conducted operations as far as the Marshall Islands—a 4,400 nautical mile trip from their homeport. Measuring in at 154-feet, FRCs have a flank speed of 28 knots, state of the art C4ISR suite (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), and stern launch and recovery ramp for a 26-foot, over-the-horizon interceptor cutter boat.

About Bollinger Shipyards LLC

Bollinger Shipyards LLC (www.bollingershipyards.com) has a 75-year legacy as a leading designer and builder of high performance military patrol boats and salvage vessels, research vessels, ocean-going double hull barges, offshore oil field support vessels, tugboats, rigs, lift boats, inland waterways push boats, barges, and other steel and aluminum products from its new construction shipyards as part of the U. S. industrial base. Bollinger has 11 shipyards, all strategically located throughout Louisiana with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Bollinger is the largest vessel repair company in the Gulf of Mexico region.

Craig Hooper suggests that the Navy could benefit from a cooperative effort with the Coast Guard in this Forbes article.

“Even as the Navy embraces robotic craft, early at-sea experience counts. Independence matters. To help maintain a small population of early career officers with experience in early command at sea, the Navy may be wise to procure a set of “navalized” patrol boats based upon the Fast Response Cutter platform, and use them to advance unmanned technology while working with the Coast Guard on certain tasks.

“Adding marine-ized sensors from the F-35, anti-drone technology, a bare-bones combat system and unmanned command-and-control capabilities onto a proven Fast Response Cutter hull offers the Navy a useful asset that the Navy and early-career naval officers can employ alongside Coast Guard units. By leveraging the Coast Guard’s existing small boat doctrine, operational concepts and logistical support network, the integration and leadership challenges facing the Navy’s struggling small craft commands can be reduced.

“By building capabilities to work together, both Services can advance their priorities while offering early-career officers relevant opportunities to command at a sea.

The US is critically short of trained Merchant Mariners. Below is a story from MyCG about how Coast Guardsmen can help fill the need and find a second career after the Coast Guard.

New courses developed by the Military to Mariner Program and approved by the National Maritime Center ease pathway to earning credentials

PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 30, 2016) A merchant mariner aboard the fast sealift ship SS Capella (T-AKR 293) mans the helm as the ship is underway to conduct a 120-hour turbo activation. The U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) conducts turbo activation to measure personnel and material readiness of the selected Ready Reserve Force. Capella, more than 40-years-old, is still among the fastest cargo ships in the world and capable of transporting nearly all equipment needed to outfit a full mechanized brigade of the U.S. Army. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Billy Ho/Released)0PRINT  |  E-MAILApril 21, 2021 —

The Military to Mariner (M2M) program, along with the National Maritime Center (NMC), is facilitating obtaining merchant mariner credentials through four new courses. 

These courses allow students to complete training requirements in lieu of an examination at a regional exam center, thus streamlining obtainment of a national credential.

The M2M program is a subset of the Force Readiness Command’s (FORCECOM) Voluntary Credentialing Program. Through several efforts, the M2M program supports enhanced professionalization of the workforce while in service and improved post-service employment opportunities in the maritime industry upon separation.  

The NMC is the merchant mariner credentialing authority for the United States Coast Guard under the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security. The mission of the NMC is to issue credentials to fully-qualified mariners in the most effective and efficient manner possible in order to ensure a safe, secure, and environmentally sound marine transportation system.

The four courses are collections of Coast Guard training and qualifications that meet credentialing requirements. Each maritime course has a pathway to a merchant mariner credential. Together, the M2M program and the NMC are working to approve additional courses. 

Credential-seeking members who want to take advantage of these courses will have to complete all course requirements and a final examination prior to receiving a certificate of completion.  

The four approved deck courses for service members are:

• Lifeboatman Limited
• Able Seaman 
• Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels
• Master or Mate of vessels less than 200 tons

To design its courses, the M2M program analysis teams cross-walked all relevant training, qualifications, and experience for both deck and engineering to national credentials. The crosswalk data identified gaps between Coast Guard content and professional mariner training and skills. With the Office of Cutter Forces, the M2M program successfully closed deck gaps and mapped pathways to produce deck courses. The M2M program continues to work with the Office of Cutter Forces to close engineering gaps.

Participation in the M2M program courses is strictly voluntary and is only one of many options available to members seeking merchant mariner credentials. Members can elect to take training courses through other vendors. In fact, many units coordinate these training opportunities. It is also important to note, members do not have to take training if seeking a merchant mariner credential under 200 gross tons. 

Members can request to take examinations towards a desired credential with their regional exam center. 

For members who are seeking to complete the requirements for a merchant mariner credential, the M2M program is here to further their efforts. 

The M2M program supports members seeking merchant mariner credentials through counseling on credential options and opportunities, advocating for policies, and analyzing training and qualifications that align with merchant mariner credentials. The M2M program aims to reach members early in their career so they can grow their credential from entry level to higher tonnages by the time they transition out of service. 

“This is a great step in streamlining the process for the members,” said Stephen R. Keck, chief of FORCECOM Career Investment. “Upon completion of one of these courses, the M2M program will issue a course completion certificate that members can submit to NMC for credit as part of their merchant mariner credential application. This removes the hurdle for members to take examinations at a regional exam center and to seek outside training courses in order to earn a merchant mariner credential.”

To reach out to the program to ask questions or provide feedback about your application experience, contact M2M program by email. 

More information on how to participate and complete requirements can be found at the portal.

For more detailed information on the Navy COOL program, see the comprehensive Blueprint to Mariner document.

Reference:

• Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential Pathway by Military to Mariner (M2M) Program ALCOAST 153/21