Coast Guard Atlantic Area includes five Coast Guard Districts spanning 14 million square miles and involves 30,000 personnel. Captain John E. Schrinner discusses his philosophy on making it run smoothly. When the clock strikes midnight June 30, 2004, the world will watch with wonder to see if shipping as we know it will come to a screeching halt off the U.S. coast, as the deadline for companies to comply to the letter of the new maritime security laws enters force. With speculation running rampant and a flurry of last-minute paperwork, retiring Chief of the Marine Safety Division, Coast Guard Atlantic Area, Captain John E. Schrinner, offers this perspective. "I remember as a trainee in 1973 the mantra was (for the USCG) to facilitate commerce," Schrinner said.