Clare Baldwin: Navy should help more as they are not doing much actual warfare
 

From today on Jeremy Vine:

She said, referring to the illegal immigrant situation in the channel. Because, of course, our armed forces aren't committed to any security issues right now seeing as there is not much actual warfare occuring. These media people have got absolutely no idea.

A couple of broadsides with the old fifteen inches; that'll stop them.

Too True!

Where did they get the idea the UK still has a Navy?

I'm sure that a few of those matelots with nothing to do, would really like to exchange their pitching and rolling, arctic cruise for the odd jolly out of Brighton to luvvy illegal immigrants trying to break down the door.

Or perhaps Ms Balding might like to take a lower deck cruise in one HM's old war canoes for a couple of months down the Gulf in July. :E

IG

Do you mean Clare Baldwin, special correspondent for Reuters and Pulitzer Prize winner, or do you mean Clare Balding, general broadcaster with a penchant for all things horses?

Out of interest, what "actual warfare" (your words) is the Royal Navy currently involved in?

Yes Clare Balding. My mistake.

Does the UK not have the equivalent of a Coast Guard? In the US, the Coast Guard has the law enforcement mission (including human smuggling/immigration) and USN is forbidden to get directly involved.

The US Coast Guard is a military service, but not part of the Department of Defense. Coast Guard was originally part of the Department of Commerce, but recently was moved to Department of Homeland Security, which is a law enforcement agency. This is an important distinction under our Constitution. DoD assets may not be used for law enforcement duties. However, in times of war, the US Coast Guard can become part of the US Navy.
USCG does maritime law enforcement (fisheries laws, smuggling laws, maritime environmental protection laws, etc etc), operates and maintains waterways navaids (such as light houses, buoys, etc), and is responsible for maritime search and rescue. Apparently all those maritime law enforcement duties in the UK fall to the Royal Navy?

I believe the First Sea Lord flies his flag from HMS Victory.Perhaps it could be refloated ?

I understand that offshore enforcement is split between the Navy, the Border Forces and the police. Naviads are the dept transport, rescue is the lifeboat charity plus the raf and any relevant military resource

Given the numbers that are actually coming over, there's no reason they couldn't get the RNLI to do it.

HM Coast Guard
 

They tend to be land based with Coast Guard stations and are responsible for the Maritime Search and Rescue, particularly with helicopters. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has lifeboats and works with HMCG for rescue; they are not Government funded.

The nearer equivalent to the USCG is Border Force with a number of cutters two of which are in the Mediterranean.

RN Fishery Protection Squadron: Provides fishery enforcement in English, Welsh, and NI water, and occasionally Scottish. Does national tasking such as shadowing Russian or Chinese warships of other vessels of interests. Can be used for Military Aid to Government Departments of Military Aid to The Civil Power - as can other RN ships. MAGD/MACP can include counter narcotics, counter terrorism, SAR, anti pollution, and so on.

Marine Scotland: Performs fishery protection in Scottish waters.

Border Force: Has five cutters used for anti illegal immigration and counter drug tasks. Two are returning to the UK from Med.

Police: Virtually every UK Police force has an area of coast, and have small patrol vessels, RIBs, and can patrol/board. The Ministry of Defence Police has full constabulary powers throughout the UK, and a large fleet of launches, mostly in the naval ports.

HM Coastguard: Coordinates Search and Rescue from shore stations, provides cliff/beach rescue teams and provides SAR helicopters via contract. Also provides marine salvage and towing via a contractor.

RNLI: Provides lifeboats through the UK and Ireland, manned by volunteers.

Trinity House: Responsible for light houses, light ships, and navigation bouys in English, Welsh, and NI waters.

Northern Lighthouse Board: Does the same in the Scottish and Isle of Man coasts.

Wait until you see the whites of their eyes Pike...