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.
Russian Nuclear Icebreakers
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Football Kickers and the Coast Guard
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.
Update on Cutter Boats
HSToday.US has a short article here on the new classes of cutter boats.
Two things that might be significant:
- The Coast Guard hopes to use the new 35 foot Long Range Interceptor (CB-LRI-II) on the Offshore Patrol Cutter as well as the National Security Cutter, and
- They are going to test the 26 foot Over the Horizon boat (CB-OTH-IV) on the Fast Response Cutter.
Additional background from the Acquisition Directorate (CG-9) can be found here.
Baltic Ace Sinking Raises Ro-Ro Vessel Safety Issues
Following the sinking of the car carrying RO-RO (roll on-roll off) “BALTIC ACE” in only 15 minutes following a collision with what appears to have been a smaller ship, gCaptain is raising questions regarding the safety of the type. Of the crew of 24, 13 were rescued, five bodies were recovered, and six are missing and presumed dead.
Issues they see with regard to RO-ROs are that the type tends to sink faster and more easily than other types of ships, and that their design may also make it more difficult for the crew to abandon ship.
In the interest of efficient loading and unloading RO-ROs tend to have few water tight bulkheads. They may have large openings in the hull, close to the waterline, covered by equally large hatches, some of which also serve as ramps. Their stability may be compromised by cargo that can shift easily. Because of their high sides, lifeboats are usually positioned high above the water, making lowering and embarkation more difficult.
gCaptain does acknowledge.
“While many experts agree that RoRo’s are dangerous, in 2004, more than 1.3 billion passengers, 188 million cars, 856,000 buses and 28.7 million trailers were carried on 5.9 million crossings globally and non-passenger carrying RoRo’s, like the Baltic Ace, have a similarly impressive safety record in recent years.”
An index of gCaptain’s coverage of the incident here.
Iran Shell Game Helps Syria Evade Sanctions
We have previously noted that the Iranians have attempted to use reflagging and disguised ownership to circumvent sanctions. Now Reuters is reporting Iranian ships appear to be attempting to manipulate the Automatic Identification System (AIS) to help Syria also avoid sanctions.
gCaptain had reported earlier on Irans’s attempts to help Syria here.
Thanks to Phil Leon for bringing this to my attention.
House Passes CG Authorization
The Marine Log is reporting the House of Representatives has passed a compromise CG Authorization and sent it back to the Senate. It looks encouraging, but this is not a budget and if sequestration goes into effect, all bets are off.
Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941
It is now 71 years since the attack. Taney, the last remaining warship that survived the attack, is a museum, and most of the men and women who experienced the attack are gone. But if you would like to learn more about what the Coast Guard was doing, I suggest a visit to the Coast Guard historian’s Pearl Harbor index.
In Service Vessel Sustainment (ISVS) Project
The Acquisition Directorate (CG-9) Master Chief Ayers answered a question regarding what the CG plans to do after the MEP project is over. The longer answer is here, but this is the meat:
“With the current budgetary challenges our government is facing, I really can’t provide specific timelines other than to say that the 140-foot icebreaking tugs will be the first vessels to receive an ISVS-funded service life extension program in FY 2014-2015, at the Coast Guard Yard. The vessels that will follow the 140-footers include the 225-foot seagoing buoy tenders, Coast Guard Cutter Barque Eagle, the 47-foot motor lifeboats, and the 175-foot coastal buoy tenders. It doesn’t take a crystal ball to know that the purse strings will be getting tighter in the future, but we also know that the most cost-effective way to maintain a fleet of vessels is through proactive and well-planned maintenance, so our druthers is to make it happen sooner rather than later.”
Polar Sea to be Scrapped by the End of the Year
Fiercehomelandsecurity, quoting a speech the Commandant made at a Navy League event, reports that despite the efforts of three Senators to delay disposal of the ship, the CG will proceed with its decision to begin scrapping the Polar Sea by the end of the year.
Update–Quoting from a lead in to a revision to the original fiercehomelandsecurity post.
“Updated Dec. 7 to reflect that the status of the Polar Sea’s hull hasn’t been determined; as a result, the Coast Guard says the word “dismantling,” rather than “scrapping” is more accurate. Also revised to include a later statement from Adm. Papp that disposition of the heavy icebreaker is under review following House passage of a bill that would place conditions on the dismantling of the ship.”
BMC Horne, What You Can Do
The following came to me from the Cutterman’s association via facebook:
“In lieu of flowers, the Horne family has asked money to be donated for their children’s college funds. The CG Foundation has set up a web site to accept donations for Chief Horne’s family through the Fallen Heroes Scholarship. If you would like to donate, please see the information below.
“Donate on-line:
“Under “Donation Amount”, there is a drop down box stating “where it is needed most”. Please select Fallen Heroes Scholarship.
“In memory of” box, type in Chief Terrell Horne III.
“Note: The donation web link does not work on the Coast Guard network.
“Checks:
“Checks can be sent to:
Coast Guard Foundation
394 Taugwonk Road
Stonington, CT 06378
“Checks made to the order of Coast Guard Foundation. In the remarks section on the check write “in memory of Chief Terrell Horne III”
“Phone donation:
“The Coast Guard Foundation can be contacted at 860-535-0786.
“Cards to the Horne family and the CGC HALIBUT crew can be sent to:
Commanding Officer
USCGC HALIBUT
13871 Fiji Way
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292-6910
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 