Some interesting commentary here on the latest efforts in the drug wars. Although we seem to have made some progress on the demand side in the US, demand is up in Europe, so the corrupting influence in Latin America is as strong as ever, and the web of criminal activity has spread to Africa.
We have been at this for 40 years now. I think its time to try something different.
As noted earlier, today is the deadline for potential contractors to comment on the draft specifications for the Offshore Patrol Cutter. It’s not yet clear when the next step in the process will be taken.
The Acquisition Directorate is reporting, “The Coast Guard on June 7 awarded four firm fixed-price production contracts to deliver the first test boats for the seven-meter Cutter Boat Over-The-Horizon-IV (CB-OTH-IV) project. The contracts were awarded to MetalCraft Marine U.S. (Clayton, NY), SAFE Boats International (Port Orchard, Wash.), Silver Ships, Inc. (Theodore, Ala.) and William E. Munson Company (Burlington, Wash).”
“…Production orders are scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2012.
“The Coast Guard plans to acquire up to 71 seven-meter CB-OTH-IVs. The acquisition also includes up to 20 boats for Customs and Border Protection and 10 boats for the U.S. Navy, for a total of up to 101 boats.
“For more information, check out www.uscg.mil/acquisition/boats/”
The Acquisitions Directorate has published their June Newletter.
It is available as a pdf. You can down load it here.
The economic impact of piracy is likely to take a huge leap, because of changes in the way insurance rates are figured. This is expected to add billions to shipping costs. Of course it won’t hurt the insurance companies, but we can expect the cost to be passed along.
The Practice of hijacking ships rather than simply robbing them is spreading to the South China Sea, an area where piracy was common in the not too distant past. Additionally there is a report that shipping companies may be withholding information from their crews regarding the kind of treatment they can expect at the hands of pirates. (Note: BMP means “Best management Practices” and NSC means National Security Council.)
So far, no ship with armed security guards on board has been taken by pirates. The US has encouraged its ships to hire security, but some other countries still contend it is bad policy. Some even prohibit the practice. The shipping companies seem to be coming around to the conclusion armed security is a good idea. At least one Dutch company is indicating they may re-flag their ships if the Netherlands does not permit them to hire private security.
Another indication this may be a very long campaign. Japan has established its first permanent base outside of Japan since WWII to support their counter piracy effort.
The fact that Yemen, just across the Gulf of Aden from Somalia seems to be devolving into the the same sort of failed state, is not a good sign.
A blogger who spends most of his time on the history of Navy aviation has been good enough to recognize the Coast Guard’s contributions to the larger world of Naval aviation.
Included is a photo of a very unique T-34C.
Interesting photos and story by three photographers about their extended unauthorized stay aboard ships of the Reserve Fleet in Suisun Bay, California. Among the ships there, is the old icebreaker, USCGC Glacier (WAGB-4) readily identifiable by her red hull.
Thanks to the Naval Institute Blog for bringing this to my attention.
Some information here on the efforts of the Japanese Coast Guard following the earthquake and tsunami of 11 March.
US Navy photo, 110312-N-0000X-003
Recently the Commandant mentioned the possibility of a requirement for an Arctic Patrol Cutter. This was the first time I had seen official mention of something less than a full fledged icebreaker for arctic patrol.
There has also been a recent DOD report which referred to the “limited inventory of ice-capable vessels.”
Thought there might be some interest in seeing similar ships the rest of the world is producing. I’ll go from smallest to largest:
Danish Knud Rasmussen class, two ships Knud Rasmussen and Ejnar Mikkelsen, completed 2008/2009. References and analysis here, here, and here:
A LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel) from the U.S. Coast Guard-manned USS Samuel Chase disembarks troops of the U.S. Army’s First Division on the morning of June 6, 1944 (D-Day) at Omaha Beach. USCG photograph
The Coast Guard historian has an excellent collection (broken link) of stories about the Coast Guard’s participation in the invasion. Virtually all the American made video footage you may see of the Normandy invasion was done by the Coast Guard. The Army Signal Corp lost their footage overboard.
Famous Film maker John Ford, who also filmed the attack on Midway, was in the Navy, but he landed on D-Day with Coast Guard Cameramen. The following is from: “We Shot D-Day on Omaha Beach (An Interview With John Ford)” by Pete Martin, the article first appeared in The American Legion Magazine, June 1964.
Ford was head of the Photographic Department of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) under General “Wild Bill” Donovan. The cameramen in his unit were attached to the Coast Guard and trained for every sort of action. They could drop by parachute, land with raiders, commandos, infantry. They knew about amphibious landings. All Ford had to do was name it. They could do it. He’d hand picked his group of helpers. They were a superb team. Ford was told to head that team up and get both color and black-and-white footage of the invasion of Omaha Beach from start to finish.
“I take my hat off to my Coast Guard kids. They were impressive. They went in first, not to fight, but to photograph. They went with the troops. They were the first ones ashore.”
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 