The Great Ships: The Coast Guard Ships (DVD, 2005)

This was a very good look at the smaller vessels of the Coast Guard. It mainly focused on the 110 cutter's, the 41 foot patrol boat and the 47 foot rescue boat. Also a lot of past history on the Life Saving Service and their boats. The 378's and 210's were not covered. Interesting and informative.

This DVD by the History is disappointing. They forgot one of the most important Ships. The Hamilton Class.I went to Vietnam on the Morgenthau one of the 378's.The first of the Hamilton-class 378 foot high endurance cutters, USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715) was laid down in January of 1965, launched in December of that same year, and entered commissioned service with the USCG in February of 1967. The last of the class, USCGC Midgett (WHEC-726) was commissioned in March of 1972. There are 12 cutters in this class, and all were constructed at the Avondale Shipyards in Louisiana. The Hamilton-class cutters are the largest vessels in service with the Coast Guard, with the exception of the 420-foot Healy-class icebreaker. Between 1985 and 1992 all Hamilton-class cutters underwent FRAM (Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization) which entailed the upgrading and standardization of the ship's propulsion systems, the replacement of the original 5"/38 gun and Mk 56 fire control system with a more modern Mk 75 3"/62 cannon and Mk 92 fire control system, and the replacement of the SPS-29 air search radar with the SPS-40 air search radar. In addition, the flight deck and hangar were modified to accommodate an HH-60J Jayhawk SAR helicopter. In addition, during the FRAM refit several units were equipped with Harpoon ASM launchers and a single Mk 15 Phalanx 20mm CIWS (close in weapon system), with all ships eventually having the CIWS installed by 1993. To improve the Hamilton's ASW capabilities, SQR-4 and SQR-17 sonobouy signal receivers and passive signal processing systems, while the ship's defenses were augmented with the addition of a SRBOC (super rapid blooming overhead chaff) launcher. In late 1993 it was decided to refocus the ship's mission on more traditional Coast Guard duties and all ASW, sonar, missiles were removed. This refit was accomplished by 1994. In addition, the original Mk 67 20mm cannons were replaced by improved Mk 38 25mm cannons. Currently all 12 members of the class are in active service, with 2 assigned to the Atlantic Ocean, and 10 assigned to the Pacific Ocean.

I really enjoyed watching it. It would have been alot better with more of the larger ships...378'. Over all it was good.

It is great because it went up to current date Coast Guard Boats. I purchased it because I am in the Coast Guard Aux teaching safe boating, and the history of the Coast Guard.

It's a good film for the money, worth the price. Unfortunatly none of the ships
I served on were featured..

I bought this DVD on a whim. It is excellent. It tells a story of a branch of the US Armed Forces that most Americans know little about. It is presented in logical and cronological fashion. It covers the history of the USCG from its' foundings through the current drug wars. It deals with the aims and objectives of the USCG, and the various vessels that made up its fleet throughout its history. If you know someone who was in the USCG...they would thank you immensively if they received it as a Christmas or birthday present ! It's that good ! Don't short change yourself and forget to purchase one for yourself !

Alot of cool info on the coast guard,how it became and all that they do.I never knew they have that many boats and ships.

I don't know what inspired me to browse for Coast Guard items one night but this DVD was one of the first things I saw and at the asking price ($3 plus S&H), I figured I couldn't go wrong.

For an ex-Coastie, this show was a trip down memory lane. I knew some of the history presented but there was some new stuff as well. I spent some time on the Spencer, long after the WWII era where it was highlighted in the show. It still made me proud. It was also interesting to see the additions to the Coast Guard's fleet since I left.

My bf is former Coast Gaurd, I bought him this DVD as a gift and he loved it, and amazingly I found it interesting!! I would recommend this DVD.