Brian, this is a difficult task to answer.. The only way I see this question being answered is by the dynamic duo of 1110 & keepingupwiththejones They have everything under control from VA to AK. Right 1110?
They are the professionals when it comes to this type of stuff.... I'm sure they will give you an answer... hope you like it...
Martinson's prediction came true. Murray "had to work hard to get the Coast Guard to take the boat," he said. "There was a group that was upset because they felt the vessel was shoved down their throat." Murray added a $4.65 million earmark to the 2002 defense bill and left the Coast Guard no choice about which boat it would buy, specifying in the bill that it had to be "a currently-developed 85-foot fast patrol craft that is manufactured in the United States." "The Coast Guard did not request this vessel, does not need this vessel, nor does this vessel meet the Coast Guard's requirements," he said on the Senate floor. "The Coast Guard's resources are already stretched thin and this will only hamper its ability to meet its new challenges since Sept. 11." The bill passed with all its pork intact. After several evaluations, the Coast Guard concluded it couldn't use the Guardian boat. It didn't need it to chase drug smugglers because it uses helicopters to do that more easily and safely. "It's a fine boat for what it is," said Lt. Cmdr. Bill Brewer, who led some of the testing. "It didn't fit well into what the Coast Guard operates." The Coast Guard gave it to a sheriff's office that uses it to patrol San Francisco Bay.
I had the mispleasure of driving this piece of pig crap around for a little while. Well at least we found somebody to unload it on.
"The Coast Guard gave it to a sheriff's office that uses it to patrol San Francisco Bay."
When i was on the Sherman, i used to stand on the flight deck during watch and stare at that thing. Always wondered where they got it from. I can think of only one time i have seen it underway.
I remember that boat well. I was in Seattle when it was "delivered". The boat crews at the Station thought it was a nice yacht, but they didn't like it as a patrol boat. They even had to re-wire the boat slip because it took an odd voltage and they couldn't use the 41's shoretie.
Richard Martinson was the Deputy Group Commander at Seattle in the late 80's. He made his fortune selling off fishing boats his family had owned. If I remember correctly, he was an ex-Navy Radarman. It never surprised me when that boat showed up and I later found out that he was involved with Guardian Marine.
They have everything under control from VA to AK. Right 1110?
