coastguard - Gizmodo

posts about #coastguard more →
"We're Going To Need A Bigger Boat"
Home-Made Drug Running Submarines Used To Counter Engine-Sniping Helicopter Coast Guard

Your version of Internet Explorer is not supported. Please upgrade to the most recent version in order to view comments.

Dsmvwl Admin Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×

Firebrand
06/21/09

In reply to "We're Going To Need A Bigger Boat"
How do the pirates get on board the tanker with "the wall" so high up?

Like this?

Reply

Firebrand was starred Firebrand was unstarred

Firebrand
06/21/09

@Firebrand:

Or like this

Reply

Firebrand was starred Firebrand was unstarred

Takamofo
06/21/09

@Firebrand: Or like this
Reply

Takamofo was starred Takamofo was unstarred

GitEmSteveDave_DefinesTurgid
06/21/09

@Firebrand: They could try this approach:

Reply

Titus_Andronicus
06/21/09

In reply to "We're Going To Need A Bigger Boat"
having been a dock guard on land at this exact scene (exeleon plant for distrigas) i can tell you that the hub-bub around the lng tanker is all smoke and mirrors. a terrorist attack on the lng tanker would not be as devastating as they would have you believe. this liquid is cooled to -400 f and will not explode. if it were attacked and blown up by explosives there would a fair amountof shrapnel so the guys in the coast guard boats, and the land guard at the dock would have a bad day, but the worst case scenario is a rather large fire on the water.
Reply

Titus_Andronicus was starred Titus_Andronicus was unstarred

Stingers
06/21/09

@Titus_Andronicus: -400? Shit, that's like... really cold.

Isn't it awfully inefficient to cool the massive amount of liquid they carry to such a low temp?
Reply

Stingers was starred Stingers was unstarred

GitEmSteveDave_DefinesTurgid
06/21/09

@Stingers: Uhhhh, most gases, when made into liquid, HAVE to be kept cold, otherwise they revert back to their gaseous state, and/or when released from the tank, achieve that cold. Think about opening a CO2 tank, which is usually liquid CO2, and how cold that is.
Reply

GitEmSteveDave_DefinesTurgid
06/21/09

@Titus_Andronicus: Uhhh, correct me if I am wrong, while yes, the gas itself might not explode, when it reaches the proper Fuel-Air Ratio, which it would if a tank was breached, then it in essence is a huge FAE, and is VERY devestating.
Reply

switchblade saints
06/21/09

In reply to "We're Going To Need A Bigger Boat"
I think the idea is the smaller boats have more maneuverability to scoot around and keep the Tanker from running into things near the harbor etc, not just to ward off pirates, right? I don't know though, I am currently in a landlocked state.

that is a great shot though.
Reply

switchblade saints was starred

GitEmSteveDave_DefinesTurgid
06/21/09

@switchblade saints: A boat that small could NEVER keep something that big from running into things. Usually, when near the harbor, the Captain must relinquish control to a "pilot" who brings the ship into port. This guy usually has at least 10+ years experience docking ships in his harbor, so he knows his way. They also have the turbo tugs, which are usually slightly larger than the boat shown, but can stop one of these tankers from going forward.
Reply

IphtashuFitz
06/21/09

@switchblade saints: That boat is a 25 foot "Defender" class USCG utility boat that was designed as a direct response to the 9/11 attacks and the need of the USCG to provide better security in ports. That boat has the ability to mount M60 or M240 machine guns in both the bow or stern and are capable of speeds in excess of 45 knots. See [en.wikipedia.org] for details on it.

The way these LNG tankers are brought into Boston Harbor since 9/11, they create two layers of security around the tanker. The outer ring consists of a combination of various USCG, USCG Auxiliary, Boston Police, etc. boats. The inner ring consists typically of two or more Defenders. From what I understand the outer ring is meant to keep everybody away from the tanker as it traverses the harbor. They'll shoo anybody in the path of the tanker away and make sure nobody gets too close in back or alongside the tanker. If a boat ignores the outer security ring and makes an effort to encroach on the tanker for any reason whatsoever the Defenders have the authority to shoot them out of the water.
Reply

IphtashuFitz was starred IphtashuFitz was unstarred

GitEmSteveDave_DefinesTurgid
06/21/09

@IphtashuFitz: Wouldn't it be "Shoot them UNDER the water"?
Reply

Earlier discussions Other discussions Show all discussions Show featured discussions only Start a new discussion

#coastguard

Gizmodo

Gizmodo Team

SUBSCRIBE TO Gizmodo

"We're Going To Need A Bigger Boat"

Home-Made Drug Running Submarines Used To Counter Engine-Sniping Helicopter Coast Guard

Login

Reset Password

Register

Submit Your Comment