An Affordable, Capable Maritime Emergency Response System

Abstract

Responding to emergencies for coastal communities in remote regions often involves a maritime (Coast Guard) component.  However, Coast Guard ships can be few in number, widely dispersed, difficult to crew, expensive to operate and build.  A solution to this problem from a Naval perspective has been proposed by the US Naval Postgraduate School; a relatively small and inexpensive vessel, lightly crewed operating with a flotilla of uncrewed surface vessels.  From a Coast Guard perspective, this could assist with response to coastal community, offshore infrastructure and maritime emergencies, while at the same time provide maritime domain awareness, enhance coastal sovereignty, protect critical underwater infrastructure (an increasingly important part of life in the Arctic and worldwide) and respond to maritime search and rescue and pollution incidents. The Need, the Problem, a Solution and its Technology are explored.  Potential applications are described.