To all who share our love of the service, I wish you a merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a happy new year.
Merry Christmas to all, and to All a Good Night
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Author Archives: Chuck Hill
If We Needed Non-Combatant Evac of Korea?
An article in the Atlantic raises the possibility of a sudden requirement to evacuate American citizens (by one count 140,000) and other non-combatants, in case the Korean war suddenly turns hot. The authors go so far as to suggest China might have a role.
At the moment this seems unlikely, but things could change fast
Certainly, if it happens, whatever is available will be inadequate and the Coast Guard might have a role to play, both in providing assets (both ships and aircraft) and exploiting its liaison with counterpart organizations in Asia (even the Russians might help).
Something that might be worth thinking about.
Going Green, Navy, Marines, and Yes the Coast Guard Too
US Naval Institute featured a column from the New York Times that talked about the Navy and Marine Corp going green for reasons any war fighter can understand, including trimming back on a vulnerable logistics tail.
The Coast Guard is also seems to be moving in the same direction. The description of the OPC includes a link to a 16 page (pdf) presentation (powerpoint?) on how the service would like to apply “green” technologies and concepts to the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC).
“Trade Studies and White Papers developed the following areas of
interest for OPC:
“Hull design-Requires early/upfront considerations
- Fuel Use and Fuel Storage (carbon footprint)
- Noise (along with prop)
“Outfitting –Modification possible throughout lifecycle
- Marine Sanitation System
- Solid Waste Treatment
- Marine Diesel Engines
- Oily Water Separators
“Consumables –Provides greatest number of opportunities
- Lighting
- Batteries
- Hull Coatings
- Fluids and Lubricant”
They might be considered under “fuel and Lubricants,” but bio-fuels weren’t called out specifically. The emphasis seemed to be on controlling emissions and effluents rather than “sustainability,” but if the Navy is going to Bio-fuels, you know we will need at least the capability as well.
The control of engine and prop noise might have a side benefit if these ships ever need to tow a passive towed array sonar.
More on New Chinese WHEC
Some new information and an artist rendering of a 128.6 m (424 ft), 5,418 ton, 20.4 knot cutter to be delivered to the Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) in May of 2012. (Most of the recent construction has been for the Chinese Maritime Surveillance (CMS).)
The post also includes a link to an August 2010 post that explains the five different agencies that perform Chinese maritime law enforcement.
Virtual Tour Two New French Naval Vessels
They are not as well done as the virtual tour of the National Security Cutter Bertholf we found earlier but you might find them interesting.
The two ships are FS Mistral, a 21,300 ton amphibious assault ship (LPH), and FS Forbin, a 7,050 ton AAW missile frigate. The Mistral class have gained some ill fame lately because the Russians are buying four of them, two to be built in France and two to be built in Russia with French help and technology transfer.
If you haven’t seen it there is also a small virtual tour of the Great Lakes icebreaker Mackinaw.
Where is Chuck?
I’ve had a bicycling acident that resulted in a broken collar bone, so I’m not sure how much I’m going to be able to blog. I’m sorry, the content may be little thin for a while.
Status of the Storis
A recent article on efforts to bring USCGC Storis back to Anchorage as a museum.
A more complete history of the ship (PDF) available online. You may have to cut and paste.
Coast Guard Video Contest
The Coast Guard Compass is having a video of the year contest and would like your help in judging the eleven finalists.
“The videos will be posted daily with all 11 available for viewing on December 31. Voting will stay open until January 10, 2011, and the top three videos will be announced on the Compass January 11.”
Armed Merchant Ships, It Seems to be Working
One of the topics argued over in regard to dealing with the Somalia piracy problem has been the wisdom of hiring armed guards. Lloyds is reporting that many owners are choosing to hire armed guards for economic reasons, and “So far, no vessel with armed guards on board has been successfully seized…”
Chinese F/V Sinks after Ramming S. Korean CG Vessel
D. E Reddick provided this information as a comment on an earlier post regarding tensions between Japan and China. I thought it deserved a separate posting.
“Now a Chinese fishing trawler has rammed a South Korean Coast Guard vessel. One Chinese fisherman died, two Chinese fishermen are missing, and four SK coast guardsmen have been injured. The 63 ton Chinese trawler capsized after ramming the larger SKCG vessel. Reportedly, there were 50 Chinese trawlers fishing within SK territorial waters at the time of the incident. The video from Al Jazeera (English) demonstrates just how violently the Chinese crew were acting during the incident.
“RTT News – Chinese Fisherman Killed In Clash With South Korean Coast Guard
http://www.rttnews.com/Content/MarketSensitiveNews.aspx?Id=1510141&SM=1
“A video and text report from Al Jazeera – Chinese trawler in Yellow Sea clash
“A routine check goes awry after Chinese fishermen stop South Korean coast guards from boarding trawler in Yellow Sea.”
http://english.aljazeera.net/video/asia-pacific/2010/12/20101218175020549693.html
