The US Naval Institute news service reports that USCGC Maui twice fired warning shots totaling about 30 rounds of .50 caliber, first as two Iranian Revolutionary Guard boats out of a total of 13, closed to 300 yards and a second time as they continued to approach to about 150 yards.

Guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG-61); patrol ships USS Thunderbolt (PC-12), USS Hurricane (PC-3) and USS Squall (PC-7), and Coast Guard patrol boats, USCGC Wrangell (WPB-1332) and USCGC Maui (WPB-1304) were escorting an Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN-729). USN helicopters were also overhead.

“The U.S. naval vessels were escorting Georgia as the submarine was transiting on the surface. Two Iranian vessels broke away from the larger group, transited to the opposite side of the U.S. formation, and approached Maui and Squall from behind at a rate of speed in excess of 32 knots with their weapons uncovered and manned,” 

USS Georgia was built as a ballistic missile submarine but was converted to carry cruise missiles and support special operations.

It seems likely that the composition of such escort groups will be more heavily weighted with Coast Guard patrol craft as the Navy decommissions their Cyclone class PCs, including the three that participated in this escort and as Webber class WPCs replace the Island class patrol boats like Maui and Wrangell.

It appears, the Coast Guard intends to expand Base Seattle by 18 to 53 acres and will be adding at least a couple of new buildings and renovating others over the next ten years. There is a report by The Business Journals here. You can see the Federal Register announcement “Modernization of Coast Guard Base Seattle; Preparation of Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement” here, and you can get a better look at the three alternatives using the virtual displays here. It appears the Base will be getting at least two additional large berths.

In addition to basing the three currently planned Polar Security Cutters, the proposal refers to basing other cutters as well.

This suggests either the “Arctic Security Cutter” (medium icebreaker) and/or the Offshore Patrol Cutter. The OPC seems most likely, and we may see as many as three based in Seattle. If so, it probably means none in Port Angeles or Warrenton, OR. This would seem to follow the pattern of concentrating ships of a class together to facilitate support and maintenance.

Before the current round of recapitalization, beginning with the Bertholf class National Security Cutters, PACIFIC AREA had 13 large patrol cutters, 10 WHECs and three 210 foot WMECs. Three OPCs in Seattle, along with the two planned for Kodiak, two planned for San Pedro, and six NSCs in Alameda and Honolulu would restore that number.

Given the greater emphasis on the Western Pacific and Arctic, along with the fact that FRCs are performing missions that used to require WMECs, particularly in the 7th and 8th Districts, we might expect the number of large patrol cutters in the Pacific to increase, but the total number is now expected to shrink from 44 (or 42 depending on when you counted) to 36. Still 13 ships would only constitute just over one third of the total fleet. I would feel a lot more comfortable if we had three OPCs each in Kodiak, San Pedro, and Seattle, in addition to the six NSCs for a total of 15 large patrol cutters in PACAREA, and three ships of a class at a base makes good sense for the support point of view. .

Thanks to Mike for bringing this to my attention.

This would be a routine patrol except for this,

“While on patrol, the Legare provided surface support to Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters that were forward-deployed to Air Station Borinquen, which specialize in airborne interdiction tactics. With the combined efforts of JIATF-S and allied nation assets, the Legare disrupted over $23.5 million dollars in contraband while patrolling known smuggling routes south of the Dominican Republic.”

This may be in response to difficulties keeping H-65s operational. The 270s were always supposed to able to operate H-60s and the Coast Guard has recently added the tail fold feature to some H-60s that will make them easier to hangar. It is not clear if the MH-60 was hangared or if it even operated off Lagare.

Comments from those who may know would be welcomed.

Passing this along from the Acquisitions Directorate (CG-9).

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DHS and Coast Guard invite industry ideas to guide transportable mass rescue lifesaving device

0PRINT  |  E-MAILMay 6, 2021 —

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) in collaboration with the Coast Guard Research and Development Center will hold a virtual industry day from 1-3 p.m. May 25 to support its Mass Rescue Operations (MRO) Lifesaving Device Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). Through the BAA, innovators, industry, academia and laboratories will be able to submit ideas for a large-capacity floating device to keep survivors out of the water during mass rescue operations. The May 25 industry day is being offered to socialize and refine MRO device concepts and facilitate collaboration with industry.

The Coast Guard is looking for an effective solution to provide short-term lifesaving and rescue assistance in the case of disasters that render existing systems such as onboard lifeboats inoperable or infeasible. To mitigate loss of life, the Coast Guard wants to develop a non-standard, one-time use, large-capacity, ultra-lightweight floating device that will be deployed from air or vessel during a mass rescue operation.

“The search and rescue mission has been at the forefront of the Coast Guard’s history for centuries,” said Monica Cisternelli, RDC project manager.  “As the years have passed we have successfully incorporated new technologies and capabilities to improve our ability to respond to those in distress, especially mass rescue operations. We also know that private industry and individual innovators continue to look at this issue and ways to respond to it.”

For example, if a large ferryboat or cruise ship is unexpectedly stranded or sinking, the ship’s crew may not be able to deploy the lifeboats. Coast Guard aircraft or vessels could respond and deploy mass rescue devices at the scene to better maintain passenger safety until all can be rescued. This device would not have to meet Safety of Life At Sea requirements since it is a single-use device.

 “The purpose of a large-capacity floating device is to solely keep survivors out of the water during an MRO,” said S&T program manager Angela Blair. “The commercial marketplace already has large flotation devices, but these are too heavy to be deployed from a USCG helicopter or easily lifted over a vessel’s bulwark for deployment.”

The Coast Guard Office of Search and Rescue says the service “is excited to work with industry to develop this cutting-edge, mission-critical lifesaving capability.”

Said Cisternelli:  “Industry day will provide a public forum for those organizations and people that have new ideas which we should consider. We owe it to the American people to be as ready as possible when the distress call is received or the emergency position indicating radio beacon is activated.”

To register for the virtual industry day, visit Mass Rescue Operations Lifesaving Device Broad Agency Announcement Industry Day on the S&T Events page. Visit the industry day announcement on beta.SAM.gov for more information about the “Mass Rescue Operations Lifesaving Device Broad Agency Announcement” requirement and details on submitting questions.

For information on Coast Guard R&D: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation program page and Research and Development Center page.

For information on DHS S&T opportunities: Work with S&T

Government of Canada announces Polar Icebreakers to enhance Canada’s Arctic presence and provide critical services to Canadians

From: Canadian Coast Guard

News release

May 6, 2021

Ottawa, ON – Canada has three oceans and the longest coastline in the world. Our nation’s blue economy depends on a strong Coast Guard fleet to keep mariners safe, protect our coasts and waterways, and deliver commercial goods and other vital services to Canadians.

The recent growth in commercial shipping, the serious impacts of climate change, and increased maritime activity in the Arctic have all highlighted Canada’s need for a renewed Coast Guard fleet.

Today the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, joined by the Quebec Lieutenant and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced the Government of Canada will move forward with the construction of two Polar icebreakers under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).

Both new Polar icebreakers will have capacity and ability beyond that of Canada’s current largest icebreaker, the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent, and will both be built by Canadian shipyards. Early estimates are that the construction of these ships will generate approximately 300 jobs per vessel at the shipyards, and 2,500 jobs across the marine supply chain. The construction of these new ships is in addition to the $17.49 billion in contracts already awarded to shipyards large and small across Canada under the NSS that have resulted in the revitalization of Canada’s shipbuilding industry, and the creation of thousands of jobs already.

Seaspan Shipyards in Vancouver, British Columbia, which has proven its shipbuilding capability with the completion of the first class of large vessels under the NSS, will build one of the Polar icebreakers. The other Polar icebreaker will be built by Davie Shipbuilding of Lévis, Quebec, pending the successful completion of the ongoing selection process as the third strategic partner for large ships construction under the NSS. Both shipyards are expected to be supported by many small and medium-sized Canadian businesses across the country, ensuring that the construction of these ships will be a historic, cross-country effort to help drive Canada’s economic recovery from COVID-19.

This procurement approach will ensure at least one polar icebreaker is delivered by 2030 when the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent is expected to retire from service. Precise timing of icebreaker delivery will be determined once shipyard agreements are in place.

With their enhanced capabilities, these larger, more powerful Polar icebreakers will enable the Coast Guard to conduct year-round operations in Canada’s Arctic. Their greater endurance will ensure they can operate at higher latitudes for longer periods, and will allow the fleet to better support Indigenous Peoples and northerners, strengthen Arctic sovereignty, advance high Arctic science, and better respond to maritime emergencies. 

Today’s announcement represents a large step forward in ensuring the Canadian Coast Guard has the equipment it needs. It will also have a lasting impact on Canadian marine industry, its workers and their suppliers. Through their construction and service, the Polar icebreakers will contribute to growing Canada’s blue economy and create more opportunities in our coastal communities. They will strengthen our Coast Guard for the long-term, and ensure that maritime services and science platforms are available year-round in Arctic waters.

Quotes

“The new Polar icebreakers will be a game-changer for Canada’s marine industry–both in their construction and the difference that a stronger presence in the Arctic will make. Built by Canadian shipyards, these vessels will enable the coast guard to conduct critical science, supply and other missions in our Arctic region year-round. Under the National Ship Building Strategy, we’re putting thousands of Canadians to work building a fleet that will serve those communities for decades.”

The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

“We are positioning Canada for the future by making investments today to build a more competitive economy. This includes investments to support the domestic construction of two new Polar icebreakers. The Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy will apply to these investments to strengthen Canada‘s shipbuilding industry and create good quality jobs for Canadians across the country.” 

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

“The know-how and expertise of shipyard workers in the Quebec City area is well established. By planning the order for a polar icebreaker, we confirm our confidence in them and support hundreds of jobs on site and throughout the supply chain in our regions. We are here to support the economic recovery and create good jobs for families in the national capital, in the Chaudière-Appalaches region, and in all regions of Quebec.“

The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Quebec Lieutenant and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

“This is a good day for North Vancouver, for Vancouver, for British Columbia and it’s a good day for Canada. Two Polar icebreakers will give Canada a year-round presence in the Arctic to help protect mariners, safeguard our marine environments, ensure the safe and efficient movement of ships, and protect our borders. At the same time, we are continuing to build a thriving domestic shipbuilding industry, creating thousands of jobs and generating economic growth and prosperity in communities across British Columbia and Canada.”

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Today’s announcement is further demonstration of the National Shipbuilding Strategy’s success in bringing together the Canadian marine industry to strengthen and renew our federal fleets. We are honoured to continue to support the delivery of modern, safe and effective vessels to members of the Canadian Coast Guard, which also creates jobs and supports our country’s shipbuilding industry. Thanks to the NSS, these ships will be built at home and support our communities from coast to coast to coast.”  

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement

“This National Shipbuilding Strategy major investment marks an important step in renewing the Coast Guard’s fleet, and equipping our members with modern, safe and reliable ships so they can continue delivering critical services from coast to coast to coast. We look forward to the addition of two new Polar icebreakers to our fleet, which will extend the Coast Guard’s on-water Arctic operations all year long.”

Mario Pelletier, Commissioner for the Canadian Coast Guard 

Real Clear Defense offers rationale for the continued construction of Bertholf class National Security Cutters.

Given the delay in starting the Offshore Patrol Cutter program, there is definitely reason to consider building NSC #12.

The US Naval Institute has selected an article by BMC Phillip Null, USCG as third place winner in their General Prize Essay Contest, “The Fallacy of Presence.”

(Always a good idea to consider the Chief’s opinion.)

The essay is currently a “featured article,” so I think it will be accessible to non-members, at least for a short time. The Chief explains the futility of simply being there, but having no authority to do anything about it.

The article particularly looks at the situation in the Gulf of Maine where a dispute between the US and Canada has resulted in the US Coast Guard essentially taking little or no action against Canadian or other foreign fishing vessels violating waters the US claims as part of its EEZ.

To me an immediate course of action seems obvious.

Take the Gulf of Maine dispute to the International Tribunal. Not only will this result in a resolution of the dispute, it will illustrate for the world that use of the International Tribunal is a proper course for intractable conflict resolution and that its decision should be respected.

Until the tribunal reaches a decision, the US and Canada should agree to continue to allow each others vessels to operate in the area

Meanwhile the US and Canada should agree to firmly enforce their laws against non-US and non-Canadian vessels operating in the area.

Enforcement outside EEZs: Ultimately the UN is going to have to manage fishing on the high seas, limiting it to sustainable levels, otherwise it seems illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing is going to destroy an essential resource and result in massive food insecurity. How that is going to happen is clearly a long term diplomatic challenge.

Military.Com reports that,

“The Coast Guard’s short-range search-and-rescue helicopters are flying at 70% of their potential scheduled hours due to a parts shortage, a situation that could worsen as hurricane season approaches, the service’s top officer told Congress on Wednesday.

“Six Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopters are currently grounded, with four more expected to be out of circulation by June. That’s roughly 10% of the fleet, Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz told the House Appropriations Committee’s homeland security subcommittee April 28.”

The H-65s entered service with the Coast Guard 36 years ago. The Coast Guard is concurrently conducting both service life extension and electronic upgrades on the entire H-65 fleet. I had heard that a couple of airstations would transition from H-65s to H-60s, and that we would begin flying H-60s from cutters, but I was very surprised to see this,

“Schultz said the service must “take immediate action” to transition its entire rotary wing force over to MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters.”

While moving from H-65s to H-60s is something of an upgrade, a complete transition from H-65s to H-60s will be challenging and operating H-60s from 210s may be impossible.

There lots of Airbus 365 derived helicopters out there. Over a 1000 were sold to over 60 different customers. They are used by militaries and civilians all over the world. In 2015 it was announced that Korean Aerospace Industries would begin building new version with an upgraded gearbox. That program apparently resulted in their Light Civil Helicopter and Light Armed Helicopter.

I find it hard to believe we cannot find a source for replacement parts.

Thanks to Walter for bringing this to my attention.

Below is another LantArea news release describing what our cutters are doing, far from the US coast. More photos here.

Found some information on the vessel they were exercising with. Jugurtha (P 610) is a 72 meter (236′) Offshore Patrol Vessel, one of four built by Dutch firm Damen in their Romanian shipyard. Damen also provided the preliminary designs of the Coast Guard’s 87 foot WPBs and the Webber class WPCs.

According to Defence.pk,

Tunisia’s Damen MSOPV 1400 vessels have a length of 72 m, a 12.7 m beam, and a 3.75 m draft. The vessels have a standard displacement of 1,284 tonnes or up to 1,877 tonnes fully loaded.

Tunisia’s OPVs are built with Damen’s “Axe Bow,” designed to reduce pitching, but more conventional bows are also an option.

Of the four OPVs, apparently only the first two have helicopter decks.

News Release U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area U.S. Coast Guard builds ties with partners in Tunisia   TUNIS, Tunisia — The Sentinel-class fast response cutters USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) and USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC 1142) departed Tunis after a routine logistics visit and key leader engagements, April 25, 2021. This port visit marks the cutters’ second stop while conducting operations in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of responsibility en route to their new homeport of Manama, Bahrain. The Moulthrope and Goldman work in Tunis builds on previous military operations with Tunisian forces such as the USCGC Bear (WMEC 901) deployment conducting military-to-military operations with the Tunisian navy and royal Moroccan navy in 1999, and USCGC Dallas (WHEC 716) work with Tunisian navy counterparts to share best practices for responding to maritime issues and at-sea emergencies in 1995 as well as ongoing international training efforts. This visit is a continuation of our commitment to our Tunisian partners, further enhancing cooperation between U.S. and Tunisian forces in support of shared security goals. In January 2021, Military Sealift Command Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport USNS Trenton (T EPF 5) and Tunisian navy partners conducted joint maritime operations to enhance maritime security, critical lifesaving capabilities, and Tunisia’s ability to protect its maritime borders. “The exercises showcased both the Tunisian naval forces and U.S. Coast Guard’s ability to operate as multi-mission partners through a variety of exercises ranging from defense operations to search and rescue and illegal fisheries enforcement — all of which highlighted our services’ similarities in both missions and responsibilities,” said Lt. Cmdr. Samuel Blase, commanding officer, Robert Goldman. During their stop in Tunis, Moulthrope and Goldman engaged with navy leadership, local dignitaries and conducted military-to-military exercises with the Tunisian navy for interoperability and familiarization. “It was an honor to help lead the first U.S. Coast Guard visit to Tunisia in over 25 years and strengthen our partnership with the Tunisian naval force. The engagements and maritime exercises highlighted service capabilities, promoted interoperability between both nations, and enhanced stability throughout the Mediterranean Sea,” said Lt. Cmdr. Steven Hulse, commanding officer of Charles Moulthrope. Charles Moulthrope and Robert Goldman are en route to their new homeport in Bahrain in support of the Navy’s U.S. Fifth Fleet and U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. While in the U.S. Navy’s Sixth Fleet area of responsibility, the crews will support engagements with partner countries strengthening relationships and demonstrating our continued commitment to global maritime security and stability. Charles Moulthrope and Robert Goldman are the first two of six Sentinel-class ships headed to U.S. Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. Established in 2002 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, PATFORSWA played a critical role in maritime security and maritime infrastructure protection operations. It is the U.S. Coast Guard’s largest unit outside of the United States. 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, to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Below is a D17 press release (more photos here). I have to wonder, why we did not take this opportunity to do a sink-ex? Would have loved to see what a 57mm would have done to this little ship. Was it because the last time we attempted a derelict destruction, it was all too embarrassing?

Photo Release U.S. Coast Guard 17th District Alaska Chronic nuisance vessel scuttled at sea off Southeast Alaska  JUNEAU, Alaska –The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) Docks and Harbors and Global Diving and Salvage, assisted by Coast Guard Sector Juneau, scuttled the derelict tugboat Lumberman offshore Southeast Alaska Sunday. The Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick, a 154-foot Sentinel–class vessel, towed the Lumberman, a 107-ft steel hulled tugboat to a position 54 miles west of Cross Sound where it was sunk in over 8,400 feet of water. Sector Juneau accessed the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund in 2017 to remove petroleum product and again in 2020 to secure the vessel when it became adrift in Gastineau Channel. Prior to the scuttling, CBJ hired Global Diving and Salvage to remove hazardous material and approximately 250 cubic yards of debris, conducted a stability assessment and prepped the Lumberman for sinking. Following environmental consultation with key stakeholders CBJ obtained an EPA General Permit for vessel disposal at sea. The decision to dispose of the Lumberman at sea, which had been abandoned in the Gastineau channel in 2016, was made after it was determined to be derelict and posed a significant public safety risk.  “Nuisance vessels are a challenge to address. In this case we were able to coordinate the appropriate resources to safely remove the threat Lumberman posed to navigation, the local environment and the community of Juneau,” said Cmdr. Byron Hayes, Sector Juneau response chief.