Maritime Homeland Security

Coast Guard Celebrates 212 Years of Service

Coast Guard men and women celebrated America’s oldest, continuous sea-going service observes its 212th birthday on Sunday. The Coast Guard, one of America’s five armed services, traces it roots to Aug. 4, 1790, when the first Congress authorized the construction of a fleet of “revenue marine” cutters to enforce the fledgling nations tariff and trade laws and protect the collection of federal revenue. The service expanded in size and responsibilities as the nation grew and today is responsible for many diverse missions; including maritime law enforcement, aiding mariners in distress, maintaining maritime navigation aids, protection of the marine environment, merchant marine licensing and merchant vessel safety, and serving as the lead maritime homeland security agency. The service received its present name in 1915 under an act of Congress when the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the Life-Saving Service. The Coast Guard is one of the oldest organizations of the federal government and, until the Navy Department was established in 1798, served as the nation’s only armed force afloat. The Coast Guard has continued to protect the nation throughout its long history, and Coast Guardsmen have served proudly in every one of the nation’s conflicts. Maritime homeland defense remains one of the Coast Guard’s most important functions and has received renewed emphasis since last year’s terrorist attacks

USCG, NJ Police Enter Partnership

As the mandate to secure U.S. waterways continues to evolve, the U.S. Coast Guard and the New Jersey State Marine patrol forged an important partnership which highlights the necessity for cooperation among federal, state and local authorities. Rear Adm. David Pekoske, Commander, First Coast Guard District, Rear Adm. Sally Brice O'Hara, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District and New Jersey Acting Governor Richard J. Codey formalizes the maritime security partnership last month

Coast Guard Admiral Testifies on Chemical Facility Security

Coast Guard Director of Port Security, Rear Adm. Craig E. Bone, testified today on chemical facility security before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. His written statement submitted for the record, follows. "Good morning Madam Chairperson and distinguished members of the Committee. It is a pleasure to be here today to discuss the U.S. Coast Guard’s role in securing the chemical facilities on the navigational waterways of the United States.

America's Western River: A Unique Security Challenge

By RADM Robert Duncan, USCG, Captain Ron Branch, USCG, Chris Doane and Joe DiRenzo III Since 9-11 all facets of the media have combined to focus national policy makers, in and out of government, along with the general public on the asymmetric terrorist threat facing the United States and its global trading partners. Lengthy newspaper articles or Op-ed pieces, documentaries on television such as The Learning Channel and the Discovery Channel

Coast Guard Takes Delivery of High Tech Facility

The U.S. Coast Guard, Integrated Coast Guard Systems, and Lockheed Martin completed the final phase of the $20m Command, Control, Computers, Communications Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) simulator at Training Center Petaluma in Petaluma, Calif. The completion of this state-of-the-art training suite represents a milestone in the Coast Guard's $24b, 25-year modernization and recapitalization plan known as Deepwater.

USCG Accepts Nat’l Security Cutter Bertholf

The U.S. Coast Guard took final acceptance of the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf, the first of the Legend class National Security Cutter fleet, at the cutter's homeport of Alameda, Calif., Friday, May 8. Bertholf's final acceptance is part of the Coast Guard's deliberative acquisition process and represents the moment when the Coast Guard acknowledges that the cutter is ready to transition from an acquisition project to the operations and sustainment phases of the cutter's service life

Panel Rejects Port Security Proposal

Republicans on the House Homeland Security Economic Security Subcommittee on March 30 rejected a proposal from Democrats that would have required all cargo containers headed for the United States to have tamper-resistant seals and be scanned for illicit materials. The proposal, offered as an amendment to the Security and Accountability for Every Port bill, was defeated on an 8-6 party-line vote before the subcommittee passed the bill by unanimous voice vote

Hearing – Homeland Security: The Next Five Years

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs conducted a hearing entitled Homeland Security: The Next Five Years. As explained in her opening statement, Senator Susan M. Collins (R-ME) wants to assess the homeland security challenges the next five years will bring. Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security, discussed those challenges, including port and maritime security. He noted that not every risk can be eliminated

USCG Protect Plan Dubbed Neptune Shield

New security regulations and specially trained port security teams are among the newest tools being employed in Operation Neptune Shield, the Coast Guard's plan for fighting the global war on terrorism here at home, as military operations continue against Taliban and Al-Qaida fighters overseas. "Since Sept. 11, the Coast Guard has implemented a multi-layered strategy for protecting our ports and waterways," said Atlantic Area Commander Vice Adm. Thad Allen

Secretary Ridge Announces Steps in Enhancing Maritime Security

Within one year of President Bush’s signing of the Maritime Transportation Security Act on November 25, 2002 U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge today announced approval and publication of the final maritime industry security rules which are designed to significantly improve protection of America’s ports, waterways, and ships from a terrorist attack. “With 95 percent of our nation’s overseas cargo carried by ship