Ship Photo of The Day - Despite What You May Be Told, Sometimes Size DOES Matter

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Galveston Island (that little ship in the background), alongside the People’s Republic of China Maritime Safety Administration ship Haixun 31 (that big ship in the foreground) eight miles offshore of Honolulu, Sept. 6, 2012. Photo: USCG

I’ve honestly never been known to have an inferiority complex, but I’m feeling REALLY inferior right about now.

The photo was taken during two days of search and rescue exercises held off the coast of Hawaii this week between the the U.S. Coast Guard and People’s Republic of China Maritime Safety Administration.

The exercise began Wednesday with a table top discussion in Honolulu between the two agencies and culminated eight miles south of Oahu where the crews of the Haixun 31, the Coast Guard Cutter Galveston Island and helicopter aircrews from the Haixun 31 and Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point coordinated a simulated rescue.

“This historic engagement further improves the coordination of search and rescue operations at sea,” said Rear Adm. Charles Ray, commander 14th Coast Guard District. “This is the first visit to the United States by the Haixun 31 and is an opportunity to strengthen our relationship on a number of common maritime missions.”

Now I’m glad to hear that the exercises went well and I’m sure mariners in the Pacific will be better off because of them, BUT IS THIS THE BEST PHOTO THE USCG CAN COME UP WITH?