Tag Archives: coast guard
Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC), the Other LCS
This is another post I prepared for Center for International Maritime Security (CIMSEC) as part of “Corvette Week.”
The US Coast Guard is currently in the first part or a two part program to select a design for a planned class of 25 ships referred to as Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC) also called the Maritime Security Cutter, Medium (WMSM). In many respects these might be thought of a third class of Littoral Combat Ships. They have different characteristics and different strengths and weaknesses, but there is considerable overlap in there characteristics. Like the LCS they will be small, shallow draft, helicopter equipped warships with the 57mm Mk110 gun. It seems likely the OPC will be 2,500 to 3,500 tons, similar in size to the Freedom and Independence class LCS.
The existing LCS classes emphasize adaptability, are faster and have more spacious aviation facilities. The cutters will emphasize seakeeping and will:
- have greater range (minimum 7,500…
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Trade-Offs In Patrol Vessels
Think Defence has brought to my attention, a paper that addresses a way to consider the various possible trade-offs that might be applied to the design of patrol ships. Specifically they look at a ship very similar in concept to the Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC). This straw-man ship is the latest version of BMT Defence Services’ “Venator” concept. It’s dimensions are on the large side but within the range previously used to describe the OPC.
- Waterline Length: 107 m (351 ft)
- Beam: 15 m (49.2 ft)
- Draft: 4.3 m (14.1 ft)
- Displacement: 3,200 tons (approx.)
You can read the paper here (pdf). The ThinkDefence’s post is here. Their discussion is always lively. There is a claim there, quoted from the Royal Navy’s web site, that the current Royal Navy OPVs…
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PHOTEX: HMCS Shawinigan alongside CCGS Pierre Radisson
HMCS Shawinigan pulls alongside the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Pierre Radisson off the coast of Resolution Island, Nunavut during Operation Nanook on August 20, 2013. Photo: Cpl I. Thompson
Russia opens Arctic SAR centre on Northern Sea Route
Naryan-Mar is located north of the Arctic Circle on the Pechora River, 68-miles (110 kilometers) upstream its mouth on the Barents Sea.
Russia opens first Arctic search and rescue center
Deputy Minister of EMERCOM Aleksander Chupriyan opening the first Russian SAR center in Naryan-Mar, Nenets (Photo: Andrey Vokuev)
NARYAN_MAR: The first of a total of ten search and rescue centers along the Northern Sea Route has opened in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug.
With increased traffic on the Northern Sea Route comes the need for more onshore safety infrastructure. Russia in 2009 allocated 910 million rubles (app €20.6 million) to construction of ten search and rescue (SAR) centers from Murmansk in the west to Provideniya in the East. All centers are planned to be operational by 2015.
The first of the new SAR centers was officially opened in Naryan-Mar on August 20 by Nenets Governor Igor Fyodorov and Deputy Minister of EMERCOM Aleksander Chupriyan.
The center includes a fire department, a department for search and rescue operations with vehicles and boats, a berth and training facilities.
Similar rescue centers will open in Murmansk, Arkhangelsk, Dudinka, Pevek, Vorkuta, Nadym, Anadyr, Tiksi and Provideniye.
See photos from EMERCOM facilities in Naryan-Mar, Dudinka and Arkhangelsk:
The SAR center in Naryan-Mar hosts the region’s first EMERCOM cadet class. Andrey Vokuev / BarentsObserver
Governor of Nenets Autonomous Okrug Igor Fyodorov openinge the SAR center in Naryan-Mar. Andrey Vokuev / BarentsObserver
The center in Naryan-Mar is the first of ten centers that will open along the Northern Sea Route. Andrey Vokuev / BarentsObserver
EMERCOM representatives in Naryan-Mar. Andrey Vokuev / BarentsObserver
Construction of the new SAR center in Naryan-Mar started in December 2010. Andrey Vokuev / BarentsObserver
Search and rescue facilities in Arkhangelsk on the banks of the Dvina river. Thomas Nilsen / BarentsObserver
Search and rescue facilities in Dudinka on the inlet of the Yenisei river. Thomas Nilsen / BarentsObserver
EMERCOM vehicle in Dudinka. Thomas Nilsen / BarentsObserver
EMERCOM worker in Dudinka. Thomas Nilsen / BarentsObserver
4 confirmed dead in Shetland helicopter crash
The next time you complain about the cost of filling your tank, think on. People die to bring you the black gold.
RNLI lifeboats involved in rescue operation following North Sea helicopter crash
Volunteer lifeboat crew members from two Shetland lifeboat stations have spent the night involved in a multi-agency rescue operation after a helicopter crashed in the North Sea.
The RNLI lifeboats from Aith and Lerwick were both launched yesterday evening (23 August) at the request of the Coastguard, following reports that a helicopter had ditched into the sea west of Sumburgh airport on the Shetland Isles.
It is believed the helicopter, a Super Puma L2 helicopter, was carrying 16 passengers and two crew from the Borgsten Dolphin oil platform in the North Sea and was operated by CHC for Total, taking people to and from oil and gas platforms.
Both lifeboats made their way to the scene throughout the evening and assisted in the search for passengers with other agencies, including two rescue helicopters, a passenger ferry and a cargo vessel.
Whilst the lifeboats were still making their way to the scene, 14 people were rescued. Once on scene both lifeboats assisted in the search for four people that were unaccounted for.
Earlier today (Saturday 24 August) Police Scotland confirmed that three bodies had been recovered, two of which were recovered by Lerwick RNLI lifeboat and taken to a nearby pier. Work is now underway to recover the fourth deceased person.
A spokesman for the RNLI said: ‘Sadly the bodies of three people have been recovered in the aftermath of yesterday’s crash, and we know that agencies are working to recover the body of the fourth person. We can confirm that the RNLI lifeboat crew from Lerwick lifeboat station recovered two of those people. The lifeboat crew transported them to Sumburgh and we are liaising with other authorities as things develop.
‘Obviously this is the news that everyone, included our lifeboat volunteers, dreaded – our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those four people. We can also confirm that one of our lifeboats has also been involved in reclaiming wreckage from the scene as part of the operation.’
The wreckage of the helicopter had been situated in a fairly inaccessible position near cliffs, and weather conditions at the time was described as not particularly good. Lerwick RNLI lifeboat managed to tow the wreckage off rocks and it was being held in the shelter of a bay until a recovery operation could commence.
Media enquiries can be addressed to Police Scotland press office on 01224 306436.
Video of USCG rescue of F-16 pilot (2 August, 2013) BZ Coasties!
Video released of USCG rescue of F-16 pilot.
DC Guard F-16s collide, 1 pilot ejects, rescued by US Coast Guard
The District of Columbia Air National Guard based at Joint Base Andrews operates the F-16C/D and is among the units providing combat air patrols over US cities as part of Operation Noble Eagle. The United States Coast Guard Station at Elizabeth City, NC was the first USCG unit to operate the HH-60J/MH-60T multi-mission helicopter.
Coast Guard Rescues F-16 Pilot After Late Thursday Crash
A US Coast Guard HH-60 Jayhawk. US Coast Guard
An Air National Guard flier is in the hospital with minor injuries after two F-16Cs collided in mid-air late Thursday night, officials with the 113th Wing D.C. Air National Guard told USNI News on Friday.
The collision occurred late Thursday near Chincoteague, Va. One F-16 was able to return to Joint Base Andrews, Md. while the second crashed after the pilot ejected.
The pilot of the crashed plane was recovered by the crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City after being notified by the Coast Guard’s 5th District Command Center and Navy’s Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Va.
The crew of the HH-60 Jayhawk from Elizabeth City recovered the pilot from the water and returned the flier to Andrews at about 12:30 a.m. EST.
As of Friday morning, the pilot of the crashed F-16 was at the base hospital with minor injuries, said U.S. Air National Guard Capt. Michael Odle with the 113th.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
http://news.usni.org/2013/08/02/coat-guard-rescues-f-16-pilot-after-late-thursday-crash
Natural gas rig ‘Hercules 265’ explodes, burns in Gulf of Mexico
BZ to the US Coast Guard for their prompt response and thank the Lord for the successful evacuation of 44 workers from the platform.
Natural gas rig explodes, burns in Gulf of Mexico
The Hercules 265 drilling rig pictured is jacked-up over the smaller unmanned platform, with natural gas flowing from the well.
(CNN) — A natural gas platform exploded in the Gulf of Mexico late Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard reported.
The rig, leased by Houston-based Walter Oil & Gas Corp., was burning about 60 miles southwest of Grand Isle, Louisiana, early Wednesday, according to Petty Officer Carlos Vega. A Coast Guard vessel witnessed the blast.
Forty-four workers were evacuated from the rig earlier Tuesday after a blowout occurred, officials said.
Natural gas was leaking, but no oil was being released, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement said.
Crew members aboard the Hercules 265 were preparing the well for production when they hit an unexpected pocket of gas.
No injuries were reported.
While gas is flowing from the well, “no oil is being released,” according to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.
A light sheen about a half-mile wide was spotted by environmental inspectors, but was “dissipating almost immediately,” the safety bureau said.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/24/us/gulf-rig-explosion/index.html
Operation Deep Freeze I (1957)
Naval History and Heritage Command, Photographic Section, UM-26.
Naval Matters 