One of the problems with the current C3 concept is that it is trying to cover too many requirements everything from survey to mines countermeasures, EEZ protection to offshore patrol. If one looks at the type of vessels it is going to replace the scale of the challenge is obvious, HMS Scott and HMS Gleaner for example. Some of the ships it will be replacing are relatively new or in existing PFI’s, the Think Defence mantra for ruthless commonality to drive down cost has been made in several posts, but there is a limit.
One of our other proposals touched on in previous posts has also been establishment of a more robust Coastguard. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is likely to assume the airborne search and rescue mission, already operates a variety of surface craft and supports other agencies like DEFRA and the devolved governments. There is some overlap between what the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, DEFRA and the RN do for EEZ of fisheries protection and that is before one looks at the role of the devolved governments and various constabularies. The UK has quite a complicated patchwork of maritime agencies and organisations carrying out similar roles, although it must be said it all seems to work together quite well it simply cannot be efficient. These constabulary roles should be transferred to a more robust paramilitary coastguard, as happens in most other nations. If these roles were transferred out of the RN it would provide greater clarity of role but would reduce crewing and promotion opportunities so it might not be as simple as swishing a pen.
Currently in repair following a flooding incident, HMS Endurance is the Antarctic Patrol Ship, supporting the British Antarctic Survey in the area. The role is currently being fulfilled by other vessels but the UK should reaffirm its commitment to the area and ensure that HMS Endurance is returned.
A number of P2000 Class patrol boats form the University Royal Naval Units and a couple of P2000’s have been detached to Cyprus for force protection. A similar type is also used at Gibraltar.
The two Echo class (HMS Enterprise and HMS Echo) are multi-purpose survey and MCM support vessels procured and operated under a PFI, HMS Gleaner is a small inshore survey craft and the large HMS Scott completes the RN Hydrographic Squadron. Mines Countermeasures are carried out by two squadrons equipped with either 8 Sandown or 8 Hunt class mines countermeasures vessels. Secondary roles include fisheries protection and diver support. Three River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels carry out the EEZ function and a larger, helicopter capable River class acts as the Falkland Islands Patrol Vessel.
Despite possible problems, the first proposal is to transfer policing and extended EEZ protection type duties in home waters, the Falkland Islands, Cyprus, Gibraltar and other locations to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency with the appropriate transfer of assets, should that be needed.
The URNU does a good job for what it costs and should be left as, the vessels act as a useful reserve for inshore security type roles should they ever be needed. When the P2000′s need replacing it should be with something similar.
QUICK IDEAS
- Transfer EEZ/fisheries protection role to MCA
- Retain Antarctic Patrol Ship
- Retain URNU with no change
Nice to see the Coastguard idea being followed through although I’ve no idea how well it will work abroad in overseas territories as these would especially need to be paramilitary in other words armed. If we are going as far as including the main overseas territories I would also include the Caribbean islands and although they have devolved local coastguard an additional layer would be useful. This additional layer would be useful for maritime security operations such as helping the RN in counter narcotics and could support disaster relief efforts after each hurricane passes through. Maybe at some point we could have a post to discuss what we would like to see as a UK or preferably HMCG, as I think most people would agree it’s pretty important that a coastguard gets discussed.
A special note on the Antarctic patrol ship, Endurance in my opinion could possibly do with a friend for when accidents happen or when local shipyard workers have a strike
A new ship could be co-operated by the RN and BAS or HMS Endurance could be transferred over to the BAS and a new ship bought for the RN or possibly for HMCG if they are patrolling the Falklands and South Atlantic territories. A new ship that is a bit more military and a bit less passenger/research ship as well as being better equipped for rescuing the civilians visiting for some eco-tourism as over the last decade the number of visiting cruise ships has increased considerably. Or possibly both a new ship bought and HMS endurance kept to better cover this vast area with potential riches awaiting under the seabed.
Agree with you on Endurance, a partner for it would be a good investment but perhaps more coastguard biased (anti pollution, towing etc) something like one of the Rolls Royce UT or Ulstein designs.
The Coastguard idea would only work with a decent onshore infrastructure and a relatively benign environment which was why I thought only in terms of FI, Gib, Cyprus and the UK. Anti piracy and drug interdiction would require a more muscular approach and likely in unpleasant places so this will be covered in my next part on C3
I was thinking of the Norwegian Coastguard Vessel Svalbard which covers most of HMS Endurances current roles and is broadly similar in a few areas. NoCGV Svalbard also has a 100ton bollard pull useful for helping get those tourist ships out of trouble and as you mentioned an important must have capability. I’m pretty sure it’s capable in the areas of pollution control but I’ll check up on that as it would certainly be a necessity. For $80-$100 Million (excluding radar and helicopters) it’s certainly an investment worth making to further bolster security and safety in the South Atlantic and would be able to provide an expanded presence alongside Endurance. The reason for mentioning this specific vessel is it’s already in service with Norway and has been for a few years, while it might not be British I think the Norwegians know how to build these vessels and HMS Endurance was built in Norway. Canada is also reportedly interested in acquiring a decent number of these vessels for patrolling the Canadian Arctic so there seems to be confidence in the design. There is also I feel a message that would be sent if the UK switched the majority of its Falklands and South Atlantic territories patrol tasking from the military RN to a Coastguard service. It would show a continued commitment to the area and a solid enduring presence while being less overtly military in its function although I would still like to see an RN presence even if this is reduced to a deployment each summer by a frigate.
Fair point about anti-piracy and drug interdiction it maybe is asking a bit too much of a future coastguard to go trolling the Caribbean looking for trouble like the RN currently does. I think a Coastguard presence in the Caribbean would be desirable for patrolling the EEZ’s of our dependencies alongside the local coastguard’s although these tend to lean more towards coast watches. In time a wider role could be adopted if possible especially cross training with the UK’s friends such as Jamaica etc.
I think the whole ‘robust coastguard’ idea is turning into a very interesting discussion point.
It was only an abstract thought when I first started this but the more I think of it and pick up on everyones comments its seems like a totally logical and sensible thing to do, allowing the Royal Navy to get out of checking fishing net sizes which hardly seems a core task. It seems very strange that the RN have retained this role.
I have never seen any suggestions that HMS Scott and HMS Gleaner would be replaced by C3 – only the Echo and the Enterprise. Scott is too big and specialized, while Gleaner is probably too small.
I am also not sure why you bring Endurance and the P2000′s into the C3 discussion either ?
I am all for a properly funded, paramilitary coast guard – doubt we will ever get one though. However if we did, they would have no role in Cyprus (down to the Cypriot coast guard) or Gib. Gib and Cyprus Sovereign base areas (Akrotiri) need the P2000 sized boats with MG’s for ‘security’. I supposed detachment of a ‘Coast Guard’ vessel to the FI is actually a ‘de-escalation’ compared to a ‘Navy’ vessel.
However details aside, agree with your 3 points in the summary.
I left the really small vessels in for completeness really, perhaps they should have had their own post rather than including them in the C3. Sorry for any confusion. Perhaps the Gib and Cyprus ones should be MoD Plod rather than coastguard
Jed Said “I supposed detachment of a ‘Coast Guard’ vessel to the FI is actually a ‘de-escalation’ compared to a ‘Navy’ vessel.”
You’re right in thinking this, for us British it seems to be de-escalation and it is but from another viewpoint it could be seen almost the other way in my opinion. Some in Argentina still view us as ‘occupying’ the Islands and having the area patrolled by a military vessel is consistent if you occupy somewhere. Coastguards however only really patrol home waters and handing over the role to a semi-civilian coastguard agency is emphasising the fact that we see the area as home waters and are serious about a permanent long term commitment. Unlike what the RN has sometimes struggled and failed to provide at times when some daft politician goes and volunteers the RN for a mission and they end up pulling a destroyer off of APT(S). Or our one and only Antarctic patrol vessel has a problem which is not surprising as the South Atlantic is no boating pond hence why I think the RN should have another vessel or the ‘Coastguard’ should have 2. I don’t think a Coastguard operating ships and the RN operating Endurance should be mutually exclusive, the Coastguard should have a presence doing Coastguard things while HMS Endurance does what it does.
The argument could also be made that a Coastguard presence is also more visible considering they should be doing less British Antarctic Survey support and more of the patrolling, fisheries protection and helping cruise ships stuck in ice etc. This will make them a much more common sight to the people in the South Atlantic on various tourist ships etc compared to Endurance these people talk and take pictures and live all over the world. A Coastguard will most likely be sailing around in some nice big orange ships with possibly a gun on the bow and with HMCG or something similar painted quite large on the side. Compared to HMS Endurance that does a lot of BAS support work looks like some other icebreakers operated by other nations and has no big lettering or gun a Coastguard vessel might stick out more. More visible could be good for the UK as a Coastguard does some things universally seen as nice while on a big easy to recognise orange ship. Mainly when people are around to remember and document such acts like rescuing Cruise ships or otherwise helping ships and people in distress. Cleaning up pollution in an environmentally sensitive part of the world is also something seen as good although there are not people around to document it.
Any establishment of a Coastguard presence especially in the Falklands or change will hit the Argentine press even if it’s plainly obvious were doing the same elsewhere and it’s peaceful blah de blah it will still be spun. No doubt new vessels will have to be built which will also hit the Argentine press multiple times when they are ordered, when they are launched and when they appear in the South Atlantic and will probably be reported as new ‘Warships’. If this is not spun to its maximum potential then frankly the Argentine politicians should come and visit the UK as they would be missing an opportunity.
That is what I think but it could be seen as an escalation from a certain point of view. They keep asking for more talks, on what to me and to others is a closed matter, and we go and establish a Coastguard presence in the South Atlantic or otherwise change the Status Quo in our favour. That could be contrived as a slap in the face and no doubt will be.
Admin, as you have pointed out the duties which are sensibly done by a Coastguard in almost every other country on earth are split between the Royal Navy and numerous other organisations under various Governmental departments. It only seems logical that moving the roles responsibilities and control under one dedicated organisation would both be cheaper and more effective although I fully agree with “it might not be as simple as swishing a pen.”
Nice and interesting thoughts Euan. Perhaps we could buy 2 of the planned Canadian “summer ice” capable patrol ships.
Actually on blogs over here the Canadian Coast Guard regularly gets slammed for having a ‘culture’ akin to the UK’s Trinity House (if that still exists), they are often decried as “buoy wranglers” who have no interest in SAR never mind ‘armed’ norther sovereignty patrols, and governments over here, Tory or Liberal are very capable of screwing procurement projects and procrastinating on budgets and decisions – so its not just the home land (UK) that has these problems !