Coast Guards’ Role in the South China Sea

[rangerrebew]

Coast Guards’ Role in the South China Sea

Far from being a source of conflict, coast guards can help bolster cooperation between states.
By Jay Tristan Tarriela
November 17, 2018

In June 2018, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad emphasized that there is an impending danger if naval vessels – gray hulls — are continuously deployed in the contested waters of the South China Sea. Mahathir argued that in the event of dangerous and miscalculated maneuvers, navy ships are more likely to trigger an armed conflict that may eventually lead to war. He has recognized that contested maritime space is better left for maritime law enforcement ships – white hulls — to patrol.

While some maritime security analysts would agree, others contend that since the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) does not cover these white hulls, there is a high possibility that future skirmishes between coast guards may sooner or later spark a war. In countering such claim, it is necessary to emphasize that the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGS) govern these vessels and all of the South China Sea claimant states are signatories to this convention. In fact, as part of the complaint filed by the Philippine government the arbitral tribunal of 2016 denounced the dangerous maneuvers of the China Coast Guard by referring to the provisions of this convention.  Thus, even without CUES, white hulls are still governed and regulated to prevent dangerous maneuvers that could lead to a collision.

https://thediplomat.com/2018/11/coast-guards-role-in-the-south-china-sea/

[Fishrrman]

My opinion only, but the U.S. Coast Guard has no business in The South China sea, nor in any OTHER sea except those territorial waters around the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii.

OK, perhaps around Guam, American Samoa and Puerto Rico as well.
But, beyond that, nada.