What kind of boat did Kerry command?

[Ready4Change]

Watching the History Channel today, they had a show about the River Boats used by the US in Vietnam. Mentioned the Mark 1s, and later Mark 2s. Any idea which one Kerry commanded? If it was Mark 1's, was he one of the first commanders, who needed to develop tactics for this new vehicles while in combat?

Thanks.

[NMDemDist2]

1. i believe he was one of the first skippers and talked about

making up the rules as they went along

[Ready4Change]

2. The shows continued.

The Mark 1's and 2's were PBRs (Patrol Boat, River, I think?)

Later a larger class of vehicles was used in the Delta. Called Monitors, they had troop carrying versions, and gun laden ones. Heavier armed and armored, but far slower and less manueverable.

Sounds like the PBR's were generally operated more independantly, and also used to land and extract special ops forces.

Interesting stuff.

[Wonk]

3. Early 1969, Swift Boat #44 then Swift Boat #94

This doesn't mention anything about Mark 1 or 2, though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kerry#Kerry.27s_tour_of_duty_as_commander_of_a_Swift_boat

(snip)

During the first three and half weeks of his four month tour of duty as a boat commander, Kerry led a Swift Boat Patrol Craft Fast-94, patrolling the coast on Swift Boat #44 until late January 1969. After this he served on Swift Boat #94.

These Swift boats (an abbreviation for "Shallow Water Inshore Fast Tactical Craft") were fast but lightly armored. The two Swift boats that Kerry successively commanded took part in Operation SEALORD, the brainchild of Admiral Elmo Zumwalt. The plan was to have Swift boats aggressively patrol the narrow waterways — inlets, canals, and coves — of the Mekong River delta, to invite attack and draw out hostile forces.

[WoodrowFan]

5. as seen in "Apocalypse Now"?

is that the same kind as in "Apocalypse Now"???

[Chango]

4. PCF

There were 2 types of boats with the designations Mark I and Mark II.

Some were PBR's - Patrol Boat River.

Kerry's boat was a "PCF" - Patrol Craft Fast.

[Ready4Change]

6. Ah, just showed a PCF.

Bit larger than a PBR, not as manueverable, needs deeper water.

Thanks.

[lebkuchen]

7. I don't know the boat, but know it was one of the most dangerous jobs

in Vietnam, since it was easy for snipers to hide in the reeds and other foliage along the river banks. Eventually, Agent Orange was used to defoliate the banks in hopes of decreasing the sniper activity.

From time to time Vietnam vets receive government notices in the mail regarding any latent adverse effects resulting from contact with Agent Orange.

Kerry gets them. Bush doesn't.