Should the military purchase cruise ships?

Question

In the past two years there have been two instances where thousands of Americans needed to be evacuated. Beruit and New Orleans.

These cruise ships could be under the command of the Navy and Coast Guard. They would be kept at US naval facilities throughout the world. It would be up to the military to keep them ready to go at a moments notice.

Just a thought.

It has taken at least a week in both instances to get to these people out of harms way. Yes they have transport ships but like you said they are in service somewhere. If you had ships emtpy and kept ready to go at a moments notice it would drasticlly cut down the to response time to evacuating citizens.

For all of you who think that it is faster to rent them, why has it taken a week to get our people of Beruit? Because there were no ships available right away.

Answer 1

I believe that the idea has merit. But not cruise ships. Just some large ships capable of carrying many passengers. It's not necessary that these ships have the amenities of cruise ships. After all, the passengers they will be handling are not going on a holiday/

The way the world is more and more in turmoil, the positioning of quite q few of these ships worldwide, ready for service at any time, is probably necessary from now on. Perhaps the major economically sound nations should get together save people either from warfare or cataclysmic events that will inevitably follow global warming.

Of course those that don't believe in the threat of global warming can opt out.

Later on they can swim to safety!

Answer 2

WHY? Why does it always have to be the government or military to serve in this fashion? It's a military, not the Red Cross. Where was Carnival cruise ships? They have ports in major cities, yes. What about the other cruise liners? Norweign, etc.

Why didn't they run up and dock and say, "HEY, all you people stranded, hey, come on board!"

Well ... for one thing, they weren't around. Because they were smart enough to know that "red sky at night, sailors delight. Red sky in morning, sailors take warning."

They actually LISTENED to the news and got their trillion dollars of cruise ships out of the freaking PORT that was doing to be hit with a CAT 5 hurricane.

And the Israel wasn't sneak attacking anyone. They said what they would do.

And why just rescue the "Americans" from Beruit? And leave the Lebanese citizens? Did you ever see "Hotel Rwanda?" WOW -- you're a tad on the insensitive side.

If people would watch their OWN backs, and get out when the getting out is good . . . then the cruise ship idea that you obviously think is a good idea ... wouldn't be needed.

You try to gain the position of President . . . go to Israel and become President, or run for President of the US. See what you would do in these situations ... and have the ACTUAL weight of these things on your shoulders.

Or, try to become an "advisor" to the President. Try "floating" your cruise ship idea ....

HA HA HA HA HA

Suddenly, I'm getting a sinking feeling!

Answer 3

Any reserve or ready reserve force ship takes a minimum of 5 days to crew and make ready to sail. The mercy and comfort are in reduced operating status and would have to muster a crew as well. Most warships don't have the room to carry that many passengers so the cruise ship idea is the best one at this time but why not a mass airlift? And it would also take at least 7 to ten days to sail to that area.

Answer 4

I think it is a great idea, yet the US Coast Guard and The Department of Homeland Securtiy would be more suitable.

The ships could be maintained by US Naval and IS Coast Guard Reservist. As well as a training site.

Perhaps trainiing for Special Forces and Naval and Coast Guard Boarding Parties for possible terrorist acts on the high seas and near our coastal areas.

Money could be raised by tours and fantail cookouts. Perhaps rented out for certain ceremonies such as Proms, Retirements, Graduations, and Promotions.

Answer 5

the guy above has a rather solid answer. Wars are not fought at that time anymore, nonetheless, the place mass casualties are a objective; it is greater geopolitics and a few squaddies take the hit right here and there, yet no longer almost the uncooked numbers of casualties as in the nineteenth-twentieth centuries, so China having over 1000000000 human beings is largely puffed up. yet the two worldwide places are good adequate the place one area does not invade the different. greater so, the wars that ought to take place could be greater under-the-table as for tips, inclusive of how we backed Afghanistan vs. Russia and how Russia/China helped North Korea/Vietnam vs. us. nevertheless, if China needs, they probable ought to take over a lot of Asia. i'm unsure if it relatively is their objective, nonetheless. they have adequate problems coping with their very very own undesirable. Why hardship approximately different undesirable international locations?

Answer 6

Or we could just stick with the current plan of renting them as needed so they don't sit languishing in port when they aren't in use (as will be most of the time). Plus, getting on a cruise ship in the middle of a hurricane is NOT a good idea. After going through one, trust me on this. Now is not the time to be spending money on such pursuits.

Answer 7

its ridiculous, because most commercial liners are constructed for pleasure and not for the durability that a military vessel offers. While you do have your heart in the right place, the financial aspect of things, just wouldn't work in the long-term.
I suggest that while the Constitution grants each citizen individual sovereignty, each state or county, could plan better to evacuated themselves and petition the federal government for the necessary funds.
But alas, that plan would mean that the local representatives would have to take initiative, as well as responsibility for their constituents welfare, and that would take time out from securing there position in office for another term and making themselves comfortably wealthy in the process.

Answer 8

not economically feasable. it costs money to maintain a ship, even as it's tied up to pier.

besises.. the US Navy already has two ships ..COMFORT and MERCY. These two Hopsital ships are also equipped to house thousands of refugees. I should know.. I WAS one during the San Diego wildfires a few years ago.

Answer 9

It would still be cheaper and faster to charter local ships. Remember how long it took the USNS hospital ship to make the trip to New Orleans.

Answer 10

in the event of an emergency I think they should be able to comandeer the vessle and use it for what they need to similar to letting a cop use your car if he needs to. it would save the costs of buying a ship that they may need only intermittantly and the cost of the crew toman it 24/7 365