Posted on 02/02/2019 12:19:42 PM PST by rktman
The border is in emergency. Latest news, a gargantuan fentanyl bust at the border, showing how dangerous the tide of illegally procured opiates is. At least three huge caravans of illegal immigrants, totalling more than 12,500 uneducated, unskilled, Central Americans, are about to roll in. President Trump has shown a willingness to actually shut the government down in a desperate bid to get a handle on the free-for-all engulfing the U.S. southern border.
And now Democrats have presented their big border security counter-offer.
With pork. For their buddies. As they always do.
Breitbart News' Joel Pollak reports that their big $8 billion rollout for border security features ... an icebreaker. For the U.S. and Canadian northern border:
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
I think 5 of the 6 diesels are kaput. It’s too expensive to refit. https://news.usni.org/2017/02/17/coast-guard-refurbishing-icebreaker-polar-sea-costly-focus-polar-star-new-build
I have “navigable” waters in the yard today. Not for long though.
I think he’ll wait till the end of the 3 weeks.
I don’t think he wants to tip his hand just yet.
But I do expect him to make the case for it during the SOTU.
I agree. Part of my job is to provide support for the Coast Guard's shipyard. The age of their ships is an embarrassment. Their shipyard is ancient as well. One of the warehouses is so old that the floor is made of wood blocks (not concrete) and one of their dry docks is a mobile dry dock from WWII that has Japanese war damage.
There is no excuse for the US not having a bunch Heavy and Medium class 'Breakers else we cede the Arctic and Antarctic to the Russians like we ceded manned space flight to them. Just how pathetic are we, any way?
Arktika class icebreakers are the bulk of the Russian nuclear icebreaker fleet; six of Russia's ten nuclear civilian ships are Arktikas. Since they have been built over a period of thirty years, ships of different classes vary among one another; thus specifications are listed as a range of values. In general, the newer ships are larger, faster, and require smaller crews.
Specifications:
Length: 148 m to 159 m (approximately 136 m at the waterline)
Beam: 30 m (28 m at the waterline)
Draft: approximately 11.08 m.
Height (keel to masthead): approximately 55 m
Displacement: 23,000 to 25,000 tons
Maximum speed: 18 to 22 knots
Cruising speed: approximately 18 to 20 knots
Crew: 138 to over 200
Passengers: approximately 100
Reactors: 2 OK-900A, 171 megawatt each
Propulsion: 3 propellers totaling approximately 75,000 hp
Maximum ice thickness: 2 to 2.8 m
Endurance: 7.5 months at sea, 4 years between refueling
Arktika-class icebreakers have a double hull, with the outer hull being approximately 48 mm thick at the ice-breaking areas and 25 mm thick elsewhere. There is water ballast between the inner and outer hulls which can be shifted to aid icebreaking. Icebreaking is also assisted by an air bubbling system which can deliver 24 m³/s of air from jets 9 m below the surface. Some ships have polymer coated hulls to reduce friction. Arktika-class ships can break ice while making way either forwards or backwards. Although they have two reactors, normally only one is used to provide power, with the other being maintained in a standby mode.
Most nuclear-powered icebreakers in the Russian service today have a swimming pool, a sauna, a cinema, and a gymnasium.[citation needed] In the restaurants aboard there is a bar and facilities for live music performances. Some also have a library and at least one has a volleyball court.
IMO - The Coast Guard should be transferred to the DOD immediately, if not sooner. I know that much of their responsibilities fall under the purview of Homeland Security, but they are a uniform service subject to duty in foreign places - remember the landing crafts of WWII, the rivers of Vietnam, and more. They should not be under Navy control, but a separate entity with membership on the Chief’s of Staff. Somebody make it happen!!
See # 25. We need not one but several of each class.
See # 25. We need not one but several of each class.
Most nuclear-powered icebreakers in the Russian service today have a swimming pool, a sauna, a cinema, and a gymnasium.[citation needed] In the restaurants aboard there is a bar and facilities for live music performances. Some also have a library and at least one has a volleyball court.
Who said or implied that it was a bad thing?
I see your point. Trump strategizes.
“The Coast Guard does need another ice breaker. Last I checked they have three. Only two are operable. The third has irreparable engine damage.”
I agree. Part of my job is to provide support for the Coast Guard’s shipyard. The age of their ships is an embarrassment. Their shipyard is ancient as well. One of the warehouses is so old that the floor is made of wood blocks (not concrete) and one of their dry docks is a mobile dry dock from WWII that has Japanese war damage.
1. On who’s watch does this lack of icebreaker upgrading fall? Obama? Bush? Surely not Trump...Pres. for just 2 years.
2. Did Trump attempt any funding for new icebreakers in any of his past budgets, etc.?
I am asking because I have a lib friend who has Coastie in family and they are very frustrated with funding, the shutdown, etc...They have been talking about needing Icebreakers for a while...during Obama.
However, they will be thrilled that it was the DEMS PUT ICEBREAKERS IN THEIR BILL...:(
Personally, I wish it had been the GOP!
Well then you have a short time to ship 41 million metric tons of goods on it.
A new ice breaker would be good to keep the sea route to Europe open when the next ice age kicks in.
There was a framework agreement between Repubs, Dems and the President before he agreed to open the government. That agreement said what was to be discussed and the order, with the wall first. Once again Pelosi and Schumer lied — as they always do. Note that McConnell is also knee deep in this betrayal/doublespeak. McConnell has been betraying Trump from day one, just like lying Ryan.
Icebreaker is for the hordes of undocumented Polar Bears. Because Global Warming et. al.
Pelosi voted for it. Thought it was a kind of mixed drink.
Seriously ... that’s how far behind we are.
Our ships are barely functional let alone competitive. Mostly ours are held together by bailing wire and duct tape - really. If it wasn’t for constant repairs by the crews they would all be totally inoperable.
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