What are Navies for these days?

[easyrider]

The Norwegian Coast Guard - a distinct organisation, but part of the Norwegian Navy - has put one of its inshore patrol vessels up for sale:



(full details, including lots of interior pics, at http://www.apolloduck.com/feature.phtml?id=111435)

At €750,000 for a 34 metre vessel, even if it is 20 years old, seems like a bargain.

[Goldie fish]

I forgot, the ESB also do fisheries..

[DeV]

The idea of a coastguard in Ireland, is to take all the Government and voluntary maritime agencies, and put them under one umbrella. Irish Lights, Current coastguard and cliff rescue, RNLI, Garda boat, Customs boat, Fisheries research, inshore fisheries.. All under a "coastguard" umbrella.

But the reality is we have all of these agencies, how many regional fishery agencies are there for example how much much could be saved to centralise it?

[Goldie fish]

I'd prefer a small Navy, with a minimal self defence capability, than none.

The idea of a coastguard in Ireland, is to take all the Government and voluntary maritime agencies, and put them under one umbrella. Irish Lights, Current coastguard and cliff rescue, RNLI, Garda boat, Customs boat, Fisheries research, inshore fisheries.. All under a "coastguard" umbrella. With the NS at the top of course.

Guess which sector gets the least government interest at the moment?

[mugs]

If the Navy was given over to the Coast Guard is there a risk that someone may decide that it doesn't need to be as Militaristic as it currently is?

I mean would someone, somewhere *cough* the lefties *cough* not argue that a Coast Guard doesn't need all that Fire power in the execution of it's duty as a Coast Guard? Bringing it more into line with the Civilianised Coast Guard that currently exists in Ireland

This could have an effect on Ireland's capacity to contribute to any UN maritime operation that could crop up in the future. not to mention castrating the Navy and reducing it's capacity to apprehend any vessels in Irish Waters.

The Multirole vessel certainly wouldn't happen and any future vessels to the fleet won't be of the same stand as they currently have.

to summaries, if it was to happen then we can say bye, bye to any kind of Martime Defence Force

[Goldie fish]

Compare the USCG to the Canadian Coastguard though. The Canooks are more like the pure definition of coastguard, dealing with clearing shipping channels of ice, maintaining bouyage, towing, SAR.

[DeV]

We have a CG, they do SAR, pollution control and i think they can enforce maritime safety law.

[GoneToTheCanner]

Don't forget that, in WW II, FDR ordered the USCG to be entirely absorbed into the USN, so an organisation with a peacetime function,became a military one overnight.Given how well armed the USCG are, they are, in effect, a second Navy.
regards
GttC

[easyrider]

Landluber question

What is the difference between a Navy and a Coast guard

apart from the obvious difference

is there jurisdictional issues

could the Irish Navy be transformed into a Coast Guard- woud this be a good idea - if not why
if yes why


this curiousity stems for the Aero lovers thread and the picture of the US Navy Coast Guard cutter

whats the difference between a CG Cutter and a Naval Vessel

Hi HH,

The Navy/Coast Guard distinction varies from country to country, depending on the size of the country, the size of its maritime forces, its history and traditions. Basically, a navy is for warfighting whereas a coast guard is more of a maritime policing agency. (The USCG, for example, would encompass the activities not just of our Naval Service, but also the RNLI, the Commissioners for Irish Lights, and other agencies.)

But the lines are often blurred, as in the case of our Naval Service, where most of its operations would be classed as typical coast guard activities. However I suspect there are some people in the NS who might get upset if they were to be officially 'downgraded' from a naval service to a coast guard.

The main differences between a CG cutter and a naval corvette or frigate would be in the areas of sensors, command, control, communications, and of course weapons. However the Bertholf and the rest of the new National Security cutters will have quite sophisticated comms facilities, to enable them to work with the US Navy if required. In fact the NSC design has been touted as the basis for the US Navy's 'Littoral Combat Ship'.

[hedgehog]

Landluber question

What is the difference between a Navy and a Coast guard

apart from the obvious difference

is there jurisdictional issues

could the Irish Navy be transformed into a Coast Guard- woud this be a good idea - if not why
if yes why


this curiousity stems for the Aero lovers thread and the picture of the US Navy Coast Guard cutter

whats the difference between a CG Cutter and a Naval Vessel

[Come-quickly]

How do you propose we pay for them?? We'd have to rent the whole DF to serve in Iraq / Afghanistan.

That would be awesome. if anyone could pay for us.

It'd be a new national industry and one much closer to the Irish spirit than the current spiral of degeneracy.

[Sea Toby]

The navy should also be more than EEZ patrols as well. From this video slide show it appears she can load a company group and their equipment and discharge them over a suitable beach easily. Exactly what the New Zealand Defence Force required, to be able to sea lift a company of their troops abroad without a pier if necessary. And Canterbury can do so without much of a fuss either. Before her, the New Zealand Defence Force lacked this capacity. Not bad for NZ$ 170 million, or about US$ 100 million.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4HiClWmils

[Goldie fish]

That's what the PSNI and Gardai are for. Re-Militarising the border is what these cretins want.

[pilatus]

dont speak too soon border patrols could start again

Since lifford hasnt been sold yet, i wouldnt be surprised if the flag was raised again, given the events in Northern Ireland.Even just temporaily while there is a threat in the North as the continuity IRA or whatever they are calling themselves now, have pledged that there will be more blood.

[turbocalves]

and backed up by a reasonably sized flotilla

not much use in chad.....