"but I doubt that the Iranians have their guys in the speedboats equipped with the most modern gimmicks"

Do you have anything other than your opinion to arrive at this conclusion?
If not, why would you even hazard a guess what the Iranian navy has or doesn't have on its boats?

You sound like a kid in an argument at a school...
Are Belgians the only Navy finding WW2 mines are they? Think you'll find the Royal Navy and US Navy and a lot of other Navies all over the world for that matter doing the same sterling work and finding mines or bombs everywhere. There are plenty to go about and find, especially in the North Sea and English Channel.

You'll find the crew onboard HMS Endurance use the Sextent and other means of navigation other than GPS on their route down to the cold place as well.

I'm sure your budget would allow spare GPS systems, even a Garmin hand held would work for navigating most seas if not all.

Why has this thread suddenly turned into a "Yank bashing" thread?. They are on the same f$%^^& side... working alongside the Royal Navy and other Coalition Navies. The Iranians "clearly" on video were speeding around all over the place obviously testing the patience of the DDG's and CCG and getting within 600ft of USS Hopper. That is too close. You saw clearly on the video the erratic and wreckless manoeuvres the Iranians were doing to provoke the US Convoy.

So what if those 'words' didn't come from the speed boats, the fact is, the speed boats were wreckless and provoking in International Waters. There is video evidence of that.

If the Iranians want to come up the English Channel let them do it, like someone on this forum said, we intercept Ruskie Bombers and Ships(!) in the North Sea and shadow them, say hello, and wave goodbye, we don't go round barrell rolling over their bomber or weaving in and out like a tw%t.
Nor does our Government go round saying they will wipe countries off the map and have an aggressive stance in whatever they do or say against most other countries.

I seem to remember the Royal Navy doing some sweeping in the late 80's - Op Calendar / Cimmnel IIRC? It got me a couple of long weekends in Dubai whatever they were doing.

Non agressive shadowing? Phoo-ee.

How do you explain that ace fighter pilot called Maverick giving the Bird to that baddie. Think it was in a documentry a while back. He even has a Polaroid to prove it.

Interesting new video with a US warship on an anti speedboat exercise. Seems the aerial proximity 5 inch rounds and Phalanx did the most damage.

Looking at the light arms fire landing, and considering some of the weapons they might carry for short range work i think these are not a viable option.

Anyway here it is, some with sound and some without.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=c76_1200107941

I read that 'script' over 12 years ago. It was straight from the O***** **** and word perfect. The engagement range clearly would be dependent on the defensive and offensive weapons systems.

From the video I didn't see any tube launched weapons systems so a minimum approach distance of 200 yards would possibly have been acceptable. Any rifle fire at that range would have been inaccurate. For defence, OTOH, 200 yards would have been ideal.

On the original script I mentioned the 'target' was an aircraft and the open fire range was 15 miles. The weapon system? It was the 15 inch guns of the BBG :)

Just to lighten things up a little, still as funny as ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkt_jXHm6u0

:)

Although before we get inundated with persons missing the joke, yes, we know it's not actually true and was made up by the US Coast Guard in a spot of inter-service banter....

http://www.snopes.com/military/lighthouse.asp

Belgium has a navy?