Project boat anyone?

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

OTOH, they have few expenses that aren't covered by the job. USCG is basically another branch of the US Armed Forces; moreso now that they are part of Homeland Security.

Not so in Canada, eh! Our Coasties don't even carry guns I don't think, at least on the Great Lakes. They are part of the department of Fisheries and Oceans... One larger CCG patrol boat that comes into town once in a while is "shared" by the CG, Fisheries and the RCMP...

[pathalla]

Originally Posted by Stoo

Not so in Canada, eh! Our Coasties don't even carry guns I don't think, at least on the Great Lakes. They are part of the department of Fisheries and Oceans... One larger CCG patrol boat that comes into town once in a while is "shared" by the CG, Fisheries and the RCMP...

My understanding is that the Canadian government is not too happy with our Coast guard crews getting machine guns, Canada and the U.S. share the longest (5525 miles) undefended border between two countries in the world, and do not maintain military forces on that boundary. I can see how the Canadian gov't might be upset seeing as having a Browning M2 .50 on bow and a M-60 .308 on the starboard side of a 26 ft. Whaler is not exactly what someone might describe as undefended. Truth be told, I am a gun nut but I really don't like it either, not my idea of a leisurely afternoon cruise to be coming out on Lake Erie and pass by a C.G. crew armed to the teeth on a nice summer day. Takes some of the peaceful out of a peaceful day when you have that to contend with. Let's not even talk about getting pulled over if and when they happen to be training for "live fire" exercises, there is talk of some new Firing areas for training besides Camp Perry on Lake Erie as well. This is probably going on anywhere there are border waters between Canada and the U.S. I think this basically... SUCKS!!