"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in message
...

. There have been 23 hull breaches - holes that let in water - requiring
emergency dry-dock repairs in the 49 110- and 123-foot patrol boats since
2001.

. Each of the dozen 378-foot cutters, most of which operate in the
Pacific, suffers a significant engine or hydraulic or refrigeration
system breakdown on every patrol.

. For all major cutters and patrol boats, the number of unscheduled
maintenance days was 742 in fiscal 2004, up from 267 in fiscal 1999. The
loss of cutter days in fiscal 2004 equated to losing 10% of the major
fleet for an entire year.



Yep.

What, exactly, is the mission of the Coast Guard?

Eisboch


Let's play with this one, especially since, in many locations, there is
nobody else who can handle it.

National Defense: Defend the nation as one of the five U.S. armed services.
Enhance regional stability in support of the National Security Strategy,
utilizing the Coast Guard’s unique and relevant maritime capabilities.