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Navy may lend Coast Guard ships for patrols

The National Security Bureau (NSB) yesterday said it has suggested that the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) borrow six of the navy's warships for use in protecting the country's waters and fishermen.

"CGA ships and boats are too small in comparison with the ships of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force. To maintain the country's sovereignty and to effectively protect our fishing boats, I suggested the CGA borrow the navy's warships to patrol the waters disputed with Japan," said NSB Director-General Hsueh Shih-ming (薛石民) yesterday at the legislature.

"Our fishermen should not be caught and bullied by the Japanese," added Hsueh.

Hsueh said that while sending the navy to disputed waters with foreign countries might been seen as being too insensitive and aggressive, the appearance of CGA's ship in disputed waters would not.

Hsueh said he raised the idea at an inter-ministry security meeting.

CGA Minister Shi Hwei-yow (許惠祐) also told legislators that the possibility of borrowing warships from the navy was currently being researched.

However, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Joanna Lei (雷倩) and People First Party (PFP) Legislator Nelson Ku (顧崇廉) said the project is part of Shi's ambition to expand the CGA to become "the second navy" of the country.

Shi said the CGA has been unable to effectively patrol the countries' waters because its ships and boats are too small.

"Currently, the CGA's largest ship is a 1,950-tonne vessel, and the administration has been looking into procuring larger ships to more effectively patrol our territory," added Shi.
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