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Had one experience with one of their engineers that I had worked with in at another job 15 years ago. He called and asked a price. Told him commercial price should be about $6,000, but by the time CG gets done with the specs it would be 3 times that. Was told that would not happen because he is writing the specs. This was a simple requirement for a tug, nothing sophisticated.

Three months later a very goofy specification came out. I bid $21,000 each. Lost the bid to someone who bid $20,000 each. CG made the decision they could not afford it and never bought.

Also learned in this process, if it says "Buy American" they don't tell you due to NAFTA that Mexico and Canada are included. On another quote they bought Mexican, and I protested. Was told they added 17% to the Mexican quote to compare to pay for inspection in Mexico. Did not take into account the 10 plus pages of FAR requirements (nondiscrimination, hire the handicap, non hazardous components, proper waste disposal etc....)that I have to meet that the Mexicans don't.

Well after the Mexicans had the contract they did not send inspectors due to budget restraints, accepted the items, and then sent them out to shops all over the country to bring to spec. In the end they bought garbage.

As a company policy we do not quote Coast guard work. All repair is paid on delivery. They even showed up to pick up a repair and their credit card was declined. Love the system.

Spent time on an 82' and a 270'(anyone ever find that missing 100 ft?). Plastic lifelines (4 MOB in 3yrs),thin skin. CG enginering milestones; the maiden voyage of the Bear, short trip. HH65 tupperwolf, "just change the engines", 270', enough said, 110' upgrade, "Captain we just lost the fantail", 41' pitchpole "issue" in following seas (Sta Rockaway 41301). An on and on. However, 82, 95's tough boats, the old 40 boats,beasts! 44's, wet, beat the stuffin' out of you, a screaming 11 kts, but you're gonna get home! HH52, slow single engine flying breadtruck, but it was reliable and it floated (usually).
Ah, the good old days