The US Navy has begun using a live fire range in Scotland to qualify warships in the specialized task of providing off shore gunfire for Marines on the ground. This is necessary since the firing range in Vieques, Puerto Rico has been closed because of political problems (the locals would prefer that the firing range be developed into vacation resorts to provide jobs and taxes.) Operations off Scotland are more difficult than off Puerto Rico, as the weather is worse and the seas heavier. In a way, this is a good thing, for potential hot spots are not always likely to be where the seas are as calm as off Vieques.