Technology & Equipment
Fir is equipped with a dynamic positioning system that utilizes a bow thruster, stern truster and the ship's controllable pitch propellor to hold the ship's position and heading at the push of a button. The dynamic positioning system relies on inputs from the Differential Global Positioning System. In dynamic positioning mode the ship can be driven with a joystick from several locations on the bridge, and from a mobile ship control console.
The ship recently converted all of its lighted aids to navigation from incandescent to LED lights. Fir is the first unit in the Coast Guard to do so.
As a heavy lift platform Fir has a 20-ton hydraulic crane, a chain in-haul system and 4 heavy cross-deck winches.
Fir carries two small boats; a cutter boat large (CB-L), specifically designed for law enforcement, and a CG Standard Utility Boat (UTL).
Fir is armed with several .50cal Machine Guns, M240 light machine guns, and small arms for law enforcement and defense operations. In accordance with United States and international law,Fir is a United States warship.
Read more about this topic: USCGC Fir (WLB-213)
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