The Maritime Executive reports the Coast Guard Authorization for 2013 and 2014 has been signed into law, authorizing expenditure of $8.6B in 2013 and $8.7 in 2014. Note in our Byzantine budgeting system, this is not the same as having a budget for those years. In fact we are already well into 2013, and I think we have a budget.
It does authorize a number of changes in the way the CG interacts with the public.
The Coast Guard has reactivated the Polar Star. Report from the Seattle Times here.
Polar Sea’s future is still in limbo.
Thanks to Lee for bringing this to my attention.
I’ve just added a new page linking the top ten posts I’ve published on this blog. You will find it at the masthead, along side “Home,” “About,” “Heritage,” “Recommended Blogs,” and “References.” You can also find it here.
This is different from the “top post and pages” list on the home page because that refers only to the past week.
The RNLI is a volunteer charitable organization that provides life saving services to those in distress in the waters around the United Kingdom. In some respects, it is a counterpart of some of elements of the Coast Guard and the CG Auxiliary.
gCaptain posted a video of the RNLI in action. Some of their equipment looks very much like the Coast Guards, but you will also see them using equipment that looks more like a beach front lifeguard service including a surf board, a personal water craft, and a small inflatable dingy.
There is more information about the RNLI here.
Ship position reports received with the NORAIS Receiver during 24 hours, 29th June 2010. (FFI)
An interesting view of maritime traffic posted by Eaglespeak. Tackling the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) problem, it is apparent:
Defense News reports, the Indian Coast Guard is continuing to grow, including development of a radar and electro-optic based Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) system that is expected to include 84 remote sensor sites.
The system is a response to the Nov. 26, 2008, Mumbai terror attacks which came by sea. For them 26/11 has the same meaning 9/11 has for the US.
HSToday is reporting that the Coast Guard has clarified the expected delivery schedule for the Offshore Patrol Cutters, but the result is still not all that clear. Perhaps more importantly they report the Coast Guard will issue “…a “clean” contract in its request for proposals (RFP), reflecting all amendments to the RFP to date, in the week of Jan. 7.” Responses are required by January 23. There is also a statement of intent to hold the maximum price of units four through nine to $310M each.
They state that the interval between units for the first four ships will be one year. Unit five would be expected six months after unit four, with the remaining units of the eleven ship contract being delivered at six month intervals.
Previous information had indicated that FY2015, 2016, and 2017 would be single ship buys and the remaining eight ships would presumably be in four successive two ship buys. The article does not mention it, but the first ship is reportedly expected near the end of calender year 2019. I had hoped for, and expected, only a six month delay between units three and four, but it may be to early to say anyway. The report states,
“Shipbuilders have the option of proposing a different delivery schedule to the Coast Guard in the second phase of the competition, the solicitation noted. The Coast Guard could then incorporate the revised schedule into the final contract for the winning bidder.”
The competition is to be done in two phase. Phase one (expected to last 18 months with completion near the beginning of FY2015) is an initial selection of up to three competitors to complete a preliminary design. Phase two selects a final winner for detail design and construction of the prototype, with options included in the contract for an additional ten ships to be spread over six fiscal years. It might be possible to award all or part of the follow-on construction as a Multi-Year Procurement (MYP) (pdf)). A MYP has the potential to afford substantial savings but requires Congressional commitment.
I’m a bit surprised there is no mention of this clarification on the Acquisitions Directorate (CG-9) web site.
The Air Force is planning to replace their HH-60 “Pave Hawk” Combat Rescue Helicopters with 112 new aircraft.
Until recently their had been significant interest in this contract, but Defense News is reporting,
“EADS North America, Boeing and Northrop Grumman all confirmed to Defense News that they will not be putting in a bid on the program before the Jan. 3 due date. The decision was first reported by Reuters.”
“…leaving a clear path for Sikorsky to land the nearly $7 billion contract.”
The Coast Guard will need to start looking at how to address their aging helicopter fleet in the near future. The Air Force buy may have a significant influence on the Coast Guard’s choice.
Officer of the Watch has a ten and a half minute video and pictorial of Russian Nuclear icebreakers. Interesting to see the number and variety of ships.
A nice three and a half minute video from the NFL pointing out that both kickers and the Coast Guard are under appreciated. Unfortunately you do have to watch the commercial that leads into it.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 