Metal Shark / Damen Foreign Military Sales Patrol Boat

Posted on June 24, 2024 by Chuck Hill

The NCPV Betelgeuse is docked during a ceremony at La Calderas naval base in Peravia, Dominican Republic, on August 6, 2020. The U.S. is delivering Near Coastal Patrol Vessel (NCPV)s to navies and coast guards in the U.S. Southern Command area of operations. The 85-foot NCPVs are built by Metal Shark at Franklin, La., for the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and other United States partner nations. Photo courtesy Dominican Navy

Back in 2017 I passed along a report from NavyRecognition that Metal Shark had been awarded a contract

“…potentially worth upwards of $54 million, Metal Shark will build up to thirteen 85-foot Defiant-class welded aluminum cutters for the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and other United States partner nations. Additionally, Metal Shark will supply electro-optical infrared sensors, diagnostic equipment, in-country reactivation, crew familiarization, and test support to NCPV (Near Coastal Patrol Vessel–Chuck) operators.

These are referred to as Defiant class patrol vessels.

Found a photo (above) of one in a Marine Link post, “Navy Combat Craft – Boats Evolve to Keep Pace with Threats.” The photo below is from Wikipedia.

The PM-15, a Defiant class patrol vessel the USA gave to El Salvador, in 2021. US State Department photo.

It appears only five of the class were delivered, one each to the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Panama, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. No idea what happened to the contract for the remaining eight.

If it looks familiar, it is because it is an evolution of the Damen design that gave us the Marine Protector class 87 foot WPBs.

“U.S. Coast Guard Cutters return home after successful Central American deployment” –D11 News Release

Posted on June 10, 2024 by Chuck Hill

USCGC Forrest Rednour (WPC 1129) and Blackfin (WPB 87317) in Costa Rica

Below is a District 11 news release. Did an earlier post on this unusual deployment.

The 800 operational hours claimed for each vessel works out to 33.3 operational days out of 49 deployed, so I presume that means about 16 days in transit, there and back.

The Mexican Navy vessel mentioned, ARM PALENQUE, the third of ten Tenochtitlan-class patrol vessels, looks a lot like a Webber class Fast Response Cutter. It is also a Damen design, but a bit smaller (a Stan Patrol 4207 vs 4708 for the FRC). Damen has been very successful with this design. More than 50 have been built for more than a dozen agencies. (USCGC Blackfin and the other Marine Protector class patrol boats are also based on a Damen design.)

Mexican Navy ARM Palenque (PC-333) at launching March 2014. Credit Secrtaria de Marina.

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — U.S. Coast Guard cutters Forrest Rednour and Blackfin have returned to their homeports after a 49-day deployment in Central America, where they played a crucial role in multiple operations.

During this period, both cutters demonstrated outstanding readiness and operational capability, significantly contributing to international cooperation, search and rescue missions, and efforts to combat criminal activities. This deployment was part of a broader strategy to enhance regional security and strengthen partnerships. Throughout the mission, Forrest Rednour covered over 8,200 miles and logged 800 operational hours, while Blackfin covered over 8,300 miles and also logged 800 operational hours.

“The amount of effort and commitment from both crews during this 49-day deployment was remarkable,” said Rear Adm. Andrew Sugimoto, commander, Coast Guard District 11. “Their readiness and professional exchanges provided an invaluable experience to our partner nations and crews. The enthusiasm to lead multiple engagements with several international maritime organizations helped strengthen ties and fortify continued collaboration between all.”

Key Achievements:

Search and Rescue Exercises (SAREX):

Manzanillo, Mexico: Blackfin led a successful SAR operation, including helicopter rescue exercises with the Mexican Navy.
Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala: Hosted tours and conducted SAR exercises with the Guatemalan Navy, building stronger maritime partnerships.
La Union, El Salvador: Rednour led a SAR exercise and joint operations with the Salvadoran Navy, marking the first U.S. vessel visit to this port in two years.

Partnership and Training:

Amapala, Honduras: Engaged in discussions and training on maritime law enforcement and security with the Honduran Navy and Merchant Marine.
Golfito, Costa Rica: Shared knowledge on maritime governance with the Costa Rican Coast Guard, enhancing mutual understanding.
Rodman, Panama: Provided damage control and medical evacuation training to Panamanian forces, marking the first U.S.-Panama Coast Guard engagement in over two years.
PASSEX with ARM PALENQUE: Forrest Rednour and Blackfin conducted a passage exercise (PASSEX) with the Mexican Navy’s ARM PALENQUE. This included formation steaming, code exercises, and a crew exchange to enhance mutual operational understanding and cooperation.

“This patrol was truly an amazing experience and a testament to the incredible devotion to duty that the crews of the Forrest Rednour and Blackfin have,” said Lt. Kevin Ng, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Forrest Rednour. “Both crews adapted and overcame several challenges leading up to and during the patrol, but never took their eyes off the main objective. As a result, the Coast Guard was able to strengthen the valuable relationships that the United States has with our international partners throughout Central America and unify our efforts to address critical maritime security initiatives in the Eastern Pacific. Thank you to crews on a job well done, District 11 and Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach for the coordination, and the families and friends of the crew for all of the support; the success of this historic patrol could not have been accomplished without them all.”

“I could not be prouder of both crews for the incredible amount of hard work they have dedicated to making this historic patrol possible. The success of this Surface Action Group is a testament to the Coast Guard’s ability to overcome dynamic challenges in the completion of unprecedented mission sets. It also signifies the Coast Guard’s steadfast commitment to advancing our vital maritime partnerships in the Eastern Pacific. The international relationships formed and strengthened during this deployment have set the groundwork for future engagements which I look forward to watching,” said Lt. j.g. James Morrison, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Blackfin.

Commissioned in 2018, the Coast Guard Cutter Forrest Rednour is one of the Coast Guard’s Sentinel-class fast response cutters homeported in San Pedro, California. Sentinel-class cutters are 154 feet long and 25 feet wide and have a 353 long-ton displacement. They have a top speed in excess of 28 knots and a range of 2,500 nautical miles. They can hold a crew of up to 24. The namesake of the Forrest Rednour is Petty Officer 2nd Class Forrest O. Rednour, who heroically rescued survivors from the torpedoed USAT (US Army Transport–Chuck) Dorchester during World War II and was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.

Commissioned in 2000, the USCGC Blackfin is one of the Coast Guard’s Marine Protector-class patrol boats homeported in Santa Barbara, California. Marine Protector-class patrol boats are 87 feet long and 19.5 feet wide and have a 100 long-ton displacement. They have a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 900 nautical miles. They can hold a crew of up to 10. The Blackfin is equipped with advanced electronics and navigation systems for multi-mission operations, including search and rescue, law enforcement, and homeland security. The Blackfin shares the name of the USS Blackfin (SS-322), a submarine that participated in World War II and the Korean War.

Russian Navy Coming to the Straits of Florida Next Week

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Chuck Hill

Map of the Caribbean Sea and its islands. Photo credit: Wikipedia Commons, author–Kmusser, all data from Vector Map.

MSN reports three Russian Navy surface ships and a nuclear-powered submarine are expected call on Havana next week.

“Russian ships are expected to make port calls in Cuba and perhaps Venezuela. The regional exercises are expected to last through the summer and culminate in a global naval exercise in the fall.”

Of course, the US is not objecting to the presence of a few Russian Ships operating in waters close to the US. Nevertheless, the Coast Guard may encounter these ships.

It would be interesting to know what kind of ships they are sending.

Meanwhile close to Russia, “NATO to Kick Off Largest Baltic Operations Exercise to Date.”

Three Apparent Fatalities in Drug Interdiction Incident

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Chuck Hill

HNLMS Groningen’s crew interdicts a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean Sea, Sept. 27, 2020. HNLMS Groningen is a Holland-class offshore patrol vessel operated by the Royal Netherlands Navy. (Royal Netherlands Navy photo)

Below is a news release from District 7. It is unusual in that smugglers apparently turned toward the boarding party and prompted a response using deadly force. It appears likely this resulted in three fatalities among the smugglers. “There were no reported injuries to the combined law enforcement team members.”

Active search efforts were suspended, Tuesday evening, pending new information.

In the early morning hours on Tuesday, a Royal Netherlands Navy ship with an embarked U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment deployed for a counter drug patrol identified a vessel suspected of smuggling narcotics in international waters. The vessel failed to stop when signaled and the smuggling vessel operator instead increased speed and changed direction toward the Dutch pursuit boat, called a fast-raiding interception and special forces craft (FRISC).

The FRISC boat crew, consisting of Dutch and U.S. Coast Guard boarding team members, discharged their weapons at the go-fast vessel in self-defense and defense of others in response to the life-threatening situation. The go-fast vessel caught fire and sank, and three suspected smugglers went overboard into the water and were not recovered.

There were no reported injuries to the combined law enforcement team members.

“The Coast Guard is America’s primary maritime law enforcement agency, and our crews work hard to safely bring suspected smugglers to face federal prosecution in the United States for alleged crimes,” said Lt. Cmdr. John W. Beal, Coast Guard District Seven public affairs officer. “The missions our Coast Guard servicemembers and allied partners do every day to deny transnational criminal organizations access to maritime smuggling routes are inherently dangerous. The decision to suspend active search efforts is not one we take lightly, and the Coast Guard is working to investigate the incident in accordance with Coast Guard policy.”

Assets and crews involved in the search efforts included:

Royal Netherlands Navy ship HNLMS Groningen
Royal Netherlands Navy ship HNLMS Pelikaan
U.S. Coast Guard helicopter
Kustwacht Caribisch Gebied helicopter
Kustwacht Caribisch Gebied cutter Jaguar

Detecting and interdicting illegal drug traffickers on the high seas involves significant interagency and international coordination. Once interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins, and control of the operation shifts to the U.S. Coast Guard throughout the interdiction and apprehension phases. Interdictions in the Caribbean Sea are performed by members of the U.S. Coast Guard under the authority and control of the Coast Guard’s Seventh District, headquartered in Miami.

“Argentina’s Navy gets even closer to US Navy” –ArmyRecognition

Posted on June 3, 2024 by Chuck Hill

Cruise ships at dock, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Photo Credit: Rodolfo Pace

Army Recognition reports interaction between the US and Argentine Navies as part of Exercise Southern Seas 2024, being conducted as USS George Washington (CVN-73) transits from the East Coast to her new Homeport in Japan.

There is a particularly interesting note here,

“A central aspect of this evolving partnership is the establishment of an integrated naval base in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in Argentina. This base is strategically important as it faces the Strait of Magellan and is close to Antarctica. The collaboration on this base is intended to enhance logistical capabilities for both countries and serve as a critical point for repair and resupply operations for commercial and military vessels. This move is part of a broader strategy to assert Argentina’s sovereign rights in Antarctica.”

This may suggest that the US is recognizing that the Southern Ocean and Antarctic may be an area of future conflict.

Aside from the obvious relevance of a new logistics base that US Coast Guard icebreakers may use for support of the US contingent in Antarctica, another Coast Guard asset, USCGC James, has been working with Argentina as well,

“Argentina has also agreed to joint naval training exercises with the U.S. Coast Guard to protect its fishing resources. This proposal includes allowing the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James to patrol Argentine waters, a move that has sparked debate within the Argentine Congress regarding national sovereignty and the presence of foreign military forces.”

“US Coast Guard Cutter Seneca returns home after a two-month patrol in the Windward Passage and Florida Straits” –News Release

Posted on June 2, 2024 by Chuck Hill

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Seneca (WMEC 906) patrols off the coast of Haiti, April 13, 2024, during a deployment to the Windward Passage. The crew of Seneca completed a 58-day patrol in the Windward Passage and Florida Straits to deter illegal migration while supporting Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast (HSTF-SE) and Operation Vigilant Sentry (OVS). (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Below is a District 7 news release. The unstated news here is that in spite of being almost two months in the area where migrants are expected to attempt to sail to the US, Seneca apparently made no intercepts. That is good news. The patrols, along with changes in immigration policy, are in fact discouraging attempts to migrate illegally by sea, at least in this area.

The ship also got to participate in Miami’s Fleet Week and was visited by the Secretary of the Navy. All good.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Seneca (WMEC 906) returned to their home port in Portsmouth, May 21, 2024, following a 58-day migrant interdiction patrol in the Windward Passage and Florida Straits.

Seneca’s crew deployed in support of Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast (HSTF-SE) and Operation Vigilant Sentry (OVS) while at sea in the Coast Guard Seventh District’s area of operations.

Patrolling off the coast of Haiti and southern Florida Straits, Seneca’s presence helped deter migrants from taking to the sea in unsafe vessels to ensure the safety of life at sea and protect the maritime borders of the United States.

While at sea, Seneca worked with a Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew and responded to an international search and rescue case involving an overboard passenger who fell from a cruise ship.

During the deployment, Seneca’s crew had the opportunity to attend the inaugural Fleet Week 2024 in Miami, Florida in early May. Crew members conducted nearly 1,000 public tours over a six-day period, showcasing the U.S. Coast Guard, cutter Seneca, and the service’s missions. Seneca hosted numerous VIPs aboard to include Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, local and state politicians.

“It’s been an honor leading Seneca and her crew, serving alongside the best and brightest women and men in the service,” said Capt. James F. McCormack, commanding officer of Seneca. “Seneca and her crew provided stability in the maritime environment of the South Florida Straits and represented the Coast Guard with distinction amongst the other U.S. maritime services at Fleet Week Miami. Seneca lived up to our motto, “Tradition of Honor, A Legacy of Action.””

While deployed, Seneca’s crew transited over 9,000 nautical miles.

Established in 2003, HSTF-SE is the Department of Homeland Security-led interagency task force charged with directing operational and tactical planning, command and control, and functions as a standing organization to deter, mitigate, and respond to maritime mass migration in the Caribbean Sea and Florida Straits.

OVS is the 2004 DHS plan that provides the structure for deploying joint air and surface assets and personnel to respond to irregular maritime migration in the Caribbean corridor of the United States. Its primary objectives are to protect life at sea while deterring and dissuading mass maritime migration alongside our federal, state, and local partners.

Seneca is a 270-foot, Famous-class medium endurance cutter. The cutter’s primary missions are counter drug operations, migrant interdiction, enforcement of laws and treaties, and search and rescue in support of U.S. Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere.

For information on how to join the U.S. Coast Guard, visit www.GoCoastGuard.com to learn more about active duty and reserve, officer and enlisted opportunities. Information on how to apply to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy can be found here.

“Combating Transnational Drug Flows,” A Conversation with the Deputy Director of Joint Interagency Task Force –South

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Chuck Hill

The US Naval Institute brings us this video from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The accompanying article provides a brief overview, but I really recommend watching the entire interview. It is excellent. It even touches on Illegal, Unregulated, Unreported fishing.

There is an acknowledgement that resources made available for interdiction have declined even while seizures are up (as is the traffic in illegal drugs), but there is also good news in the successes of partner nations.

Again, there is no substitute for watching the interview.

“US Coast Guard Cutter Eagle to Depart on Annual Summer Cruise” –Seapower

Posted on May 12, 2024 by Chuck Hill

The Navy League’s online magazine, Seapower, reports the start of USCGC Eagle’s summer training program and their planned port calls.

“Eagle’s 2024 full summer schedule includes port visits to:   

May 11: Departs from New London
May 25 – May 28: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
June 4 – June 7: Cartagena, Colombia
June 14 – June 17: San Juan, Puerto Rico
June 24 – June 27: Bridgetown, Barbados
July 7 – July 10: Hamiliton, Bermuda
July 18 – July 21: Halifax, Nova Scotia
July 26 – July 29: Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Aug. 2 – August 5: Rockland, Maine
Aug. 9 – August 12: Boston, Massachusetts
Aug. 16: Returns to New London

Eagle is scheduled to return to New London on Aug. 16.

“Korea Coast Guard to transfer 3,000-ton ship to Ecuadorian Navy” –The Korea Time

Posted on May 6, 2024 by Chuck Hill

Korea Coast Guard’s decommissioned KCG3001 vessel that will be transferred to the Ecuadorian Navy / Courtesy of Korea Coast Guard © Provided by The Korea Times

The Korea Times, via MSN reports,

“The Korea Coast Guard’s (KCG) first 3,000-ton vessel, which was deployed in 1994, will be transferred to Ecuador after completing 30-years of service in Korea.

The KCG signed a memorandum of understanding with the visiting Ecuadorian Defense Minister Giancarlo Loffredo on Thursday for the transfer of the decommissioned KCG3001 vessel at its headquarters in Incheon.

The Korean Navy has transferred a total of eight Pohang class corvettes and 13 Chamsuri class patrol boats to nine different navies/coast guards. This is the first incident I have seen where a Korean CG vessel has been transferred.

The South Korean Coast Guard reportedly has about the same number of large CG cutters as the USCG, despite having an EEZ only about 2.7% that of the US. The donated vessel is 30 years old. Currently the oldest S. Korean CG cutter is reportedly 36 years old. None of the others are over 28 years old.

The cutter being donated is identified as 3,000 tons, but that is only a rough category and reflects light displacement not full load.

Ecuador can certainly use the reinforcement.

“U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Active returns home from Eastern Pacific patrol; one life saved, $50.8M worth of cocaine interdicted” –CG News Release

Posted on May 4, 2024 by Chuck Hill

The USCGC Active (WMEC 618) crew rescue a solo sailor stranded on a disabled vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean near the Galapagos Islands, Apr. 13, 2024. Active’s crew diverted over 200 nautical miles at high speed to conduct the search and rescue operation for the sailor whose sailboat was disabled and adrift at sea after a pod of whales damaged the boat. U.S. Coast Guard photo by U.S. Navy Midshipman Caden Dale.

Below is a Coast Guard News Release. With the exception of the SAR case mentioned in the photo above, the cruise seems to have been pretty typical of an Eastern Pacific drug interdiction patrol, but I would point out that Active’s homeport, Port Angeles, is further away from the patrol area than the homeports of most other cutters that might have this assignment. It is counter-intuitive, but East coast ports are generally closer to the patrol area than West coast ports. For Example, Charleston is closer to the patrol area than San Diego, and much closer than Alameda or Port Angeles.

There is a troubling detail in this release. Active was “the sole U.S. surface asset operating in the region for 28 days in support of Joint Interagency Task Force-South’s counter-narcotics campaign.”

During the patrol, Active’s crew interdicted 3,858 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $50.8 million in a coordinated effort involving both airborne and surface units, resulting in a safe and successful interdiction.

In addition to the cocaine interdiction, Active’s crew disrupted two other smuggling events while serving as the sole U.S. surface asset operating in the region for 28 days in support of Joint Interagency Task Force-South’s counter-narcotics campaign. Throughout the deployment, the cutter patrolled over 12,000 nautical miles, a distance roughly equivalent to five spans of the continental U.S.

“Any interdiction at sea is challenging, with a variety of factors at every step, and no two are ever the same,” said Cmdr. Adam Disque, Active’s commanding officer. “The cases we encountered on this patrol were particularly difficult, and the crew fought through obstacles at every turn, working extremely hard to accomplish this mission. I could not be more proud of the team as they fully embodied our cutter’s nickname, ‘The Li’l Tough Guy’.”

On April 12, Active received notification of a single-handed sailor in distress more than 300 nautical miles northeast of the Galapagos Islands. The sailor’s boat was disabled, and he was adrift at sea after reporting a pod of whales damaged his sailboat.

Active diverted over 200 nautical miles at high speed to conduct a search and rescue operation. Upon arrival, the crew safely embarked the mariner and brought him back to shore.

“This sailor was very fortunate that we happened to be in the area; he was far from normal shipping lanes and well out of range for any coastal rescue system,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Gordon Smith, an Active crewmember who participated in the search planning. “It was fortunate that we were able to find him relatively quickly and get him on board before the weather or situation deteriorated.”

Active’s two pursuit boats were supplemented by an MH-65E helicopter and aircrew from the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) to respond in a multi-mission environment on the high seas. HITRON, based in Jacksonville, Florida, conducts airborne use of force to stop vessels suspected of breaking U.S. and international laws on the high seas.

During this patrol, specialized law enforcement members from the Coast Guard’s Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team and the Maritime Security and Response Team – West deployed aboard to support their mission and augment Active’s crew.

Active regularly patrols international waters off southern Mexico and Central America to combat transnational organized crime in the Western Hemisphere, specifically the smuggling of narcotics.

Active, a 57-year-old medium endurance cutter, is homeported in Port Angeles. The multi-mission cutter falls under the operational command of the Coast Guard Pacific Area Commander. Patrolling from the northernmost part of the contiguous United States to the equator, Active is critical in conducting search and rescue, counter-narcotics law enforcement, living marine resource protection, and homeland defense operations.

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