Which flash light brand Coast Guard have in service ?
- Thread starter AlexOD86
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Must be Coast
Buh-dum-shpeee!
Back in the 60's and 70's they used Bright Star.
I think Fulton makes lights for them now.
Back in the 60's and 70's they used Bright Star.
I think Fulton makes lights for them now.
A lot of Mags have NSNs and are issued to the military.
Last time I worked with the Coasties (more than a decade ago), I remember one guy had a AA Mini Mag of some sort and a Gerber gator knife, not sure if these were issued or private purchased. Hopefully someone with more up to date knowledge will let us know the real answer.
It really depends on the intended useage and the contract for them. Lots of companies make products with National Stock Numbers.
If it needs to be able to float it may be that they buy floaters from Fulton. If it needs to be intrinsically safe perhaps NiteStick, Fulton or Streamlight or SureFire. Headlamps may come from Pelican while portable may come from Maglite.
It isn't like the old days where they issued a yellow Bright Star 3D or a grey Fulton right angle head.
If it needs to be able to float it may be that they buy floaters from Fulton. If it needs to be intrinsically safe perhaps NiteStick, Fulton or Streamlight or SureFire. Headlamps may come from Pelican while portable may come from Maglite.
It isn't like the old days where they issued a yellow Bright Star 3D or a grey Fulton right angle head.
AFAIK, at one time the military (probably including the Coast Guard) actually specified particular designs or products for items like flashlights. But some years or decades back, that changed, and they just specified features (and testing?) required, i.e. waterproof, brightness, battery life or type, other capabilities (like colored light for special purposes), etc. So there's multiple choices where there used to be just one at any given time, at least as the general purpose flashlight (although likely more than one in circulation much of the time, so full standardization may have been rare even before). As someone else indicated, the ones that are approved and used in any significant numbers probably have an NSN.
That's all quite different from what's Coast Guard "approved" for uses where a private mariner may be required to have a flashlight.
That's all quite different from what's Coast Guard "approved" for uses where a private mariner may be required to have a flashlight.
^^ Good info
Welcome to the site rlhamil.
Welcome to the site rlhamil.
leukos
Flashlight Enthusiast
Here's one light that was Coast Guard issued: the 2-D Tufflite F-81X made by Stewart R. Brown MfgCo, Inc.
This was about 20 years ago but I got to take part in a Canadian Coast Guard training operation. The small vessel I was on had 2 maglite 2D's mounted in the wheel house wall. There were 2 orange 2D's mounted on the wall in the engine room. Im not sure if these were made by Brightstar or by Fulton. The engineer also carried one on his belt. The 2 man dive crew was carrying Pelican Supersabers in Yellow. The deck crew had Maglites I think. Each life vest had a red personal strobe light. I think they were 1 D cell sized. But this was a long time ago.
1970's issue
You'd be surprised what some agencies are still using out there. Lights kept on-board ships instead of directly issued to men, there are likely some Coast Guard ships that still have those old lights in reserve. Most likely inspected a few times a year to keep them in working order.
Bykfixer that light you posted is very similar to the ones used on the boat I was on. Theirs was a little shorter but had a black plastic switch and the flat tail cap that you see on MX-991 Army Flashlight. It may have even had the extra lenses inside but I'm not sure.
Monocrom I think those lights were mounted there for an in case of emergency type situation and not daily use. It would make sense that not everyone would need a light on them at all times. I do remember everyone having those god awful rings on their belts to hold maglites and almost everyone had one on them outside of the bridge crew. The exception was those who wore coverall's. They carried the yellow lights and I assume they were because the engine room is an explosive environment. I'm not much of a boat guy so I don't know for sure. I think there were only 12 to 14 crew on that boat.
It really surprises me to think of what outdated gear some people are still using but when I guess when your on a budget you make due with what you have.
Monocrom I think those lights were mounted there for an in case of emergency type situation and not daily use. It would make sense that not everyone would need a light on them at all times. I do remember everyone having those god awful rings on their belts to hold maglites and almost everyone had one on them outside of the bridge crew. The exception was those who wore coverall's. They carried the yellow lights and I assume they were because the engine room is an explosive environment. I'm not much of a boat guy so I don't know for sure. I think there were only 12 to 14 crew on that boat.
It really surprises me to think of what outdated gear some people are still using but when I guess when your on a budget you make due with what you have.
The one I showed was a 3D for that extra brightness. There may have been mostly 2D for general use. Yes the tailcap is very similar to the MX 991, probably by spec requirements.
