UK Defence Forum

Ive always thought a British Caribbean Coast Guard was a good idea, Ive always wondered why the RNLI wasn't in any of the BOTs anyway(can anyone explain?). Because there is a lot of smuggling, piracy etc, as well as SAR and HADR, it will probably need to be a mixture of blue water OPVs and small fast interceptors and ribs, an air wing will also be required some how(is there an SAR air wing already?).

Keithdwat579 wrote:Ive always thought a British Caribbean Coast Guard was a good idea, Ive always wondered why the RNLI wasn't in any of the BOTs anyway(can anyone explain?). Because there is a lot of smuggling, piracy etc, as well as SAR and HADR, it will probably need to be a mixture of blue water OPVs and small fast interceptors and ribs, an air wing will also be required some how(is there an SAR air wing already?).

The British Territories in the Caribbean have an overall population about the size of High Wycombe. How are they meant to resource all that lot?

Keithdwat579 wrote:wondered why the RNLI wasn't in any of the BOTs anyway(can anyone explain?)

Answered already, but have you ever seen that box where you can put in (the charitable) pennies?
- ie. the charity is mainly paid for by 'pub-goers' - esp. in communities by the coast. From where the people doing it - on their own, unpaid time - come from.

HMS Mersey (P283) is in dry dock in Falmouth.

You can see how effective the new paints are at minimizing marine growth.

HMS Mersey's props removed for cleaning

HMS Medwey P-223 now in sea trials. First night ended.

Interesting development, though not sure it's something to get ecstatic about with the tightness of the budget.

I wonder if this will see the early paying off of some T23 GPs?

Jensy

EDIT: Notice that HMS Clyde goes unmentioned. Presumably to be returned to BAE at end of lease.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said the Batch 1 Offshore Patrols Vessels (OPVs) will be retained for at least the next two years in a move the Ministry of Defence said would “bolster the UK’s ability to protect our fishing fleet as well as our shores”.

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk- ... rotection/

So it is at least "for a moment" = 2 years, whilst it is good news.

maybe they have found more problems with the batch 2s and need to cover them off

“By forward-operating these ships from their affiliated locations across the country, including the Tyne, it will not only allow them to react quickly, but also strengthen the bonds between the Royal Navy and local communities.”

Sounds like he's having a machine guns on tractors moment. So much for harmony and morale.

If extra manning is found for the Rivers i would have preferred the RN to re activate one (or two) of the escorts currently laid up as harbour training ships instead. The current fleet appears to be quite stretched as we speak. Whilst increasing UK patrols is important post brexit there are other priorities further up the list IMHO.

Can we have an HMS Meon for the Portsmouth/Spithead region please Mr Williamson?

donald_of_tokyo wrote:“bolster the UK’s ability to protect our fishing fleet as well as our shores”.

Just the start of the post-Brexit relationship negotiations

Caribbean wrote:

donald_of_tokyo wrote:“bolster the UK’s ability to protect our fishing fleet as well as our shores”.

Just the start of the post-Brexit relationship negotiations

There won't be any meaningful "negitiations" if the PM manages to get the current withdrawal agreement through

Our future OPV fleet.It makes you wonder what could have been possible had the RB2 design incorporated a Wildcat hanger.

Could this be an acknowledgment that the T31 build schedule is slipping further?

donald_of_tokyo wrote:Notice that HMS Clyde goes unmentioned. Presumably to be returned to BAE at end of lease.

Would say she would make a good replacement for the Irish Naval ship LÉ Eithne.

Poiuytrewq wrote:Our future OPV fleet.

image.jpg

It makes you wonder what could have been possible had the RB2 design incorporated a Wildcat hanger.

Could this be an acknowledgment that the T31 build schedule is slipping further?

A RB3 design which includes a hangar, now there’s an idea

Hope this is the start of people seeing sense on the T31e - kill it and build more T26s and RB3 Patrol Sloops.

RichardIC wrote:

“By forward-operating these ships from their affiliated locations across the country, including the Tyne, it will not only allow them to react quickly, but also strengthen the bonds between the Royal Navy and local communities.”

Sounds like he's having a machine guns on tractors moment. So much for harmony and morale.

Disagree, his point on close bonds between local communities and ships has been lost and should not be unrated in a country that is “Sea Blind”.

Poiuytrewq wrote:Our future OPV fleet.

image.jpg

It makes you wonder what could have been possible had the RB2 design incorporated a Wildcat hanger.

Could this be an acknowledgment that the T31 build schedule is slipping further?

Or that the B2 delivery schedule is slipping due to the well publicised quality control issues???

Repulse wrote:Disagree, his point on close bonds between local communities and ships has been lost and should not be unrated in a country that is “Sea Blind”.

Misses the point entirely.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has secured the protection of British home waters

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defe ... ome-waters

The hyperbole is just excruciating (honestly, who falls for this nonsense!?).

RichardIC wrote:

Repulse wrote:Disagree, his point on close bonds between local communities and ships has been lost and should not be unrated in a country that is “Sea Blind”.

Misses the point entirely.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has secured the protection of British home waters

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defe ... ome-waters

The hyperbole is just excruciating (honestly, who falls for this nonsense!?).

Plenty of uninformed people in countries around the world think "their" favored government is infallible and drink that sort of thing up. It's why dumb stuff like that keeps getting said.

I just noticed that the B1s will be based at Newcastle, Liverpool and the Cardiff - does anyone know the operational rationale is for basing at these locations? In addition, what facilities does the RN have at these sites for the vessels and the crew?

dmereifield wrote:I just noticed that the B1s will be based at Newcastle, Liverpool and the Cardiff - does anyone know the operational rationale is for basing at these locations? In addition, what facilities does the RN have at these sites for the vessels and the crew?

On the Tyne there's the RNR HMS Calliope, which appears to have a lot of car parking, so bit of room for expansion if needs be. It's also right on the quayside next door to By The River Brewing Company, so irresepective of the facilities HMS Calliope itself has to offer there's an abundance of facilities for the crew!

I wonder if they're going to replace the Archer's as the University Training Vessels at these locations as that would free up those ships to possibly patrol The Channel.