MSC supports homeland security initiatives
The contracts will help the Coast Guard better support homeland security missions.
Two Coast Guard training projects will be supplemented by
Civilian contractors.
The Coast Guard conducts over-the-water helicopter training with government owned and Coast Guard operated small boats at the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center, Mobile, Ala. Under one contract, an MSC contractor will provide and operate a boat for the Coast Guard to train helicopter pilots and qualify them in over-the-water operations including rescues. The contractor-supplied vessel will permit the Coast Guard to phase out the small boats presently in use and redirect the Guardsmen operating the boats to other duties.
The Coast Guard Training Center in Yorktown, Va., trains Guardsmen in many specialties including the boatswain's mate rating. Boatswain's mates operate the small Coast Guard boats that handle port security around the United States.
Currently, the boatswain's mate class size is limited by the number of small craft available for training. Under the new contract, a contractor-owned and operated boat will replace smaller Coast Guard owned and operated boats and enable more boatswain's mates to be trained per class. Using a civilian contractor also frees Guardsmen for
assignment to other duties.
Coast Guard homeland security responsibilities have increased dramatically since September 11, 2001," said
Captain James Maes, USCG, Chief of the Boat Platform Division at Coast Guard Headquarters. "This contract will permit us to redirect Coast Guard boats and billets to operations."
"We have provided services for the Coast Guard in the past," said Bill Carty, of MSC's business development office. "This contract is somewhat unique since it allows Guardsmen to focus on mission critical issues.
"MSC and the Coast Guard are examining other areas where
Coast Guard operated boats may be replaced by contractor-owned and operated small boats. "We're always looking for ways to assist," said Carty.
C-Port Marine Services of Anchorage, Alaska, will be
supplying and operating the vessels for both the USCG Aviation Training Center and for the boatswain's mate training in Yorktown, Va.
The Navy's Military Sealift Command, is the ocean transportation provider for the Department of Defense. The command operates more than 120 active ships daily around the world. Ship missions vary from the transport and afloat prepositioning of defense cargo; to underway replenishment and other direct support to Navy ships at sea; to at-sea data collection for the U.S. military and other U.S. government agencies.
Follow Us On:
