On 09 Mar 2004 21:04:02 GMT, 123 (Butch Ammon) wrote:
Isn't there a version of the USCG 200 footers that has a pair of
turbine engines in addition to the diesels? I remember getting a tour
of one about that size or a little larger, and being told that the
turbines used so much fuel in "pursuit" mode, that they were budgeted
for only a few hours per month of running time.

Yes, the 378's have them. The WHEC's can definitely move on the ocean!

http://www.uscg.mil/datasheet/378whec.htm

Click on the photo in the link. That is the USCGC Hamilton. I've been onboard
that Cutter so many times when it was homeported in Boston, MA. Ah, memories!
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That's definitely the boat although I do not remember it being quite
that large. It did have a helicopter deck in the back which I
distinctly recall. I'm not sure which one that I saw, but it was at
the old Governor's Island USCG base in NY harbor, probably in the late
80's or early 90's. We were allowed to tour everything on the boat
but the radio room which we were told was strictly off limits for
security reasons. Big disappointment to me, but it sure did whet my
curiosity about what kind of exotic equipment they were hiding. My
other strong recollection was that the table in the galley/mess area
could be converted into a medical operating table if need be. It's
funny the things that make an impression on you.