Yards Moving Forward - GL Group

Protecting America’s
Maritime Interests
Since 2004, 16,000 vessels have been caught violating the law,
144 vessels have not been allowed to enter US waters.
On August 4, 1790, the US Congress authorized the construction
of a fleet of “revenge Marine” cutters to enforce
the nation’s tariff and trade laws. he military history of
the Coast Guard is impressive: The cutter “Harriet Lane” fired
the first shots of the American Civil War at sea, Coast Guard
cutters participated in rescue operations during the Second
World War, and a number of Coast Guardsmen died in combat
during the Vietnam War. Today, the Coast Guard has primarily
civilian duties; it operates under the jurisdiction of the
Department of Homeland Security; however in wartime it
operates as part of the U.S. Navy.
According to the US Code of Federal Regulations, vessels
entering American waters must provide a “Notice of Arrival”
form to the Coast Guard. The form includes data about
the ship’s cargo, the names and passport numbers of each
crew member, details about ownership and agents, and a list
of recent port calls. 96 hours prior to a vessel’s arrival in the
United States, the Coast Guard screens the vessel’s cargo,
people and data on the operating companies. A risk profile
is established – risks associated with the safety and security of
the ship, or any environmental threats the ship might bring.
On that basis it determines whether the ship will be boarded
in open sea or be allowed to anchor near shore or proceed to a
pier. If a vessel is found to be non-compliant with US and inter-
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national law, the Coast Guard can direct the vessel to correct
its condition at the dock, offshore, or not allow the vessel in.
Offenders have to expect high fines for committing
and concealing water pollution offences. The Coast Guard
wants to crack down on deliberate marine pollution incidents.
“We see no reason to protect people who deliberately
break the law; but we are not interested in criminalizing seafarers,”
said Rear Admiral Thomas Gilmour. Most pollution
incidents could be avoided. Of 27 criminal cases involving
THE US COAST GUARD – FACTS AND FIGURES
Staff: The organization consists of 36,000 active-duty men and women,
8,000 reservists and 6,300 civilian employees.
Mission: It enforces federal laws on the high seas and waters within
US territorial jurisdiction; it monitors marine safety, directs vessel traffic
management, protects the environment, develops and operates aids
to navigation, maintains a network of lifeboat and search-and-rescue
stations, prevents terrorist attacks, and it protects US economic and
security interests in any maritime region.
Fleet: The Coast Guard employs 1,400 boats – including cutters, motor
life boats, seagoing tenders, and coastal patrol boats. And it operates
210 aircraft.