THE COAST GUARD: AMERICA’S OLDEST MARITIME DEFENDERS
The Coast Guard is one of the oldest organizations of
the federal government. Established in 1790, the Coast Guard served as the
nation's only armed force on the sea until Congress launched the Navy
Department eight years later. Since then, the Coast Guard has protected
the United States throughout its long history and served proudly in every one
of the nation's conflicts.
THE COAST GUARD THROUGH HISTORY
4 August 1790 – President George Washington signs the Tariff
Act that authorizes the construction of ten vessels, referred to as
"cutters," to enforce federal tariff and trade laws and to prevent
smuggling. The Revenue Cutter Service expanded in size and
responsibilities as the nation grew.
1915 – The Revenue Cutter Service merges with the U.S.
Life-Saving Service, and is officially renamed the Coast Guard, making it the
only maritime service dedicated to saving life at sea and enforcing the
nation's maritime laws.
1939 – President Franklin Roosevelt orders the transfer of
the Lighthouse Service to the Coast Guard, putting it in charge of maritime
navigation.
1946 - Congress permanently transfers the Commerce
Department's Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation to the Coast Guard,
putting merchant marine licensing and merchant vessel safety in its control.
1967 – The Coast Guard is transferred to Department of
Transportation.
2003 – The Coast Guard is again transferred, this time to
the Department of Homeland Security, where it currently serves.
THE COAST GUARD TODAY
The Coast Guard is both a federal law enforcement agency and
a military force, and therefore is a faithful protector of the United States in
peacetime and war. In times of peace, the Coast Guard operates as part of
the Department of Homeland Security, enforcing the nation's laws at sea, protecting
the marine environment, guarding the nation's vast coastline and ports, and
performing vital life saving missions. In times of war, or at the
direction of the President, the Coast Guard serves under the Department of
the Navy, defending the nation against terrorism and foreign threats.
STATISTICS
The Coast Guard is the principal Federal agency responsible
for maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship in U.S. ports and
waterways. In this capacity, the Coast Guard protects and defends more than
100,000 miles of U.S. coastline and inland waterways, and safeguards an
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) encompassing 4.5 million square miles stretching
from North of the Arctic Circle to South of the equator, from Puerto Rico to
Guam, encompassing nine time zones – the largest EEZ in the world. As one of
the five Armed Services of the United States, the Coast Guard is the only
military branch within the Department of Homeland Security. In addition to its
role as an Armed Service, the Coast Guard is a first responder and humanitarian
service that provides aid to people in distress or impacted by natural and
man-made disasters whether at sea or ashore. The Coast Guard is a member of the
Intelligence Community, and is a law enforcement and regulatory agency with
broad legal authorities associated with maritime transportation, hazardous
materials shipping, bridge administration, oil spill response, pilotage, and
vessel construction and operation.
The over 56,000 members of the Coast Guard operate a
multi-mission, interoperable fleet of 243 Cutters, 201 fixed and rotary-wing
aircraft, and over 1,600 boats. Operational control of surface and air assets
is vested in two Coast Guard geographical Areas (Pacific and Atlantic), nine
Coast Guard Districts, and 37 Sectors located at strategic ports throughout the
country. Six Mission Support Logistics and Service Centers provide services for
operational assets and shore facilities. Coast Guard program oversight, policy
development, and personnel administration are carried out at Coast Guard
Headquarters located on the St. Elizabeths campus in Washington, DC.
ON AN AVERAGE DAY, THE COAST GUARD:
- conducts
45 search and rescue cases;
- saves
10 lives;
- saves
over $1.2M in property;
- seizes
874 pounds of cocaine and 214 pounds of marijuana;
- conducts
57 waterborne patrols of critical maritime infrastructure;
- interdicts
17 illegal migrants;
- escorts
5 high-capacity passenger vessels;
- conducts
24 security boardings in and around U.S. ports;
- screens
360 merchant vessels for potential security threats prior to arrival in
U.S. ports;
- conducts
14 fisheries conservation boardings;
- services
82 buoys and fixed aids to navigation;
- investigates
35 pollution incidents;
- completes
26 safety examinations on foreign vessels;
- conducts
105 marine inspections;
- investigates
14 marine casualties involving commercial vessels;
- facilitates
movement of $8.7B worth of goods and commodities through the Nation’s
Maritime Transportation System.
THE COAST GUARD: AMERICA’S OLDEST MARITIME DEFENDERS