[ao98]

You are mistaken. We used to have great capability and expertise to refuel at sea. Since 1990 the we have lost most of are oilers. Thats why the USS Cole had to go into port to refuel.

I served aboard the USS Caloosahatchee from 1979 to 1983 I've done hundreds of unreps. We never lost a man, but about 1980 we tried to run over the USS America, we had lost steering. We ended up lightly hitting each other.

About 1975 a destoyer lost steering and turned in front of us, we almost cut in in half and decommisioned it. This stuff happens, but when budgets are cut, it's more likely to happen.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"This stuff happens, but when budgets are cut, it's more likely to happen."

I am in training at the local Coast Guard Base as part of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Much of the equipment on the boats is old and needs replacement but they do not have the budget for it.
In March 2001 Congress and the President cut the Coast Guard budget by 10%.
However last week the President was at a Coast Guard Station on the East Coast
and said he would get them more money for equipment AND pay raises.