July 2014 marked the 100th anniversary of the traveling inspection staff, originally created under the Steamboat Inspection Service. These travelers are highly experienced marine inspectors and investigators that help to measure the effectiveness of existing programs and policies. “It is only natural that the agency responsible for rescue activities should be concerned with the prevention of marine casualties,” said Vice Adm. Russell Waeshe. Waeshe’s statement to Congress in 1944 highlighted the need for a Coast Guard prevention program, which includes the missions of maritime safety, security and stewardship. However, the establishment of a unified prevention program took more than 100 years to create. In 1823, 14 percent of all steam vessels in the U.S.
