Did you know that in an average day the Coast Guard will...
- Save 15 lives?
- Protect $2.8 million in property?
- Monitor 2,557 commercial vessels entering US ports?
- Seize $21 million in illegal drugs?
- Assist 117 people in distress?
- Execute 90 SARs?
The USCG is able to do this with an aging fleet of vessels and aircraft. Some of their vessels are 50 years old. On average, a USCG HH-65 helicopter will lose power from its engine after 304 hours of flight hours (all HH-65 cg helicopters combined). Since 2001, there have been 23 hull breaches in various classes of cutters and patrol vessels. Most 378-ft cutters will suffer an engine or hydraulic breakdown on every patrol. Despite all these problems, the Deepwater program will take 20 years to complete even though its current fleet is expected to last for 10 more years.
Despite its very small budget, the Coast Guard still manages to shoulder the most important military, homeland security, and rescue missions in the entire US. Unlike the navy, the Coast Guard doesn't get every new piece of equipment it wants.
The world-class team of 40,000 active USCG personnel, 8,100 reservists, and 7,000 civilians makes this possible.
Thanks to the Coast Guard personnel who are always ready even through surf, storm, gale, and shot and shell.
- Save 15 lives?
- Protect $2.8 million in property?
- Monitor 2,557 commercial vessels entering US ports?
- Seize $21 million in illegal drugs?
- Assist 117 people in distress?
- Execute 90 SARs?
The USCG is able to do this with an aging fleet of vessels and aircraft. Some of their vessels are 50 years old. On average, a USCG HH-65 helicopter will lose power from its engine after 304 hours of flight hours (all HH-65 cg helicopters combined). Since 2001, there have been 23 hull breaches in various classes of cutters and patrol vessels. Most 378-ft cutters will suffer an engine or hydraulic breakdown on every patrol. Despite all these problems, the Deepwater program will take 20 years to complete even though its current fleet is expected to last for 10 more years.
Despite its very small budget, the Coast Guard still manages to shoulder the most important military, homeland security, and rescue missions in the entire US. Unlike the navy, the Coast Guard doesn't get every new piece of equipment it wants.
The world-class team of 40,000 active USCG personnel, 8,100 reservists, and 7,000 civilians makes this possible.
Thanks to the Coast Guard personnel who are always ready even through surf, storm, gale, and shot and shell.
