The U.S. Coast Guard is the primary organization involved in the maritime security of the United States.  The Coast Guard is a multi-mission service; with a wide range of missions it is responsible for conducting.  The Coast Guard’s organizational structure allows the organization to be readily adaptable to changing operational priorities, and it has shown, since 9/11, its ability to complete with distinction the missions it is called upon to perform.  Increasingly important to the nation’s maritime security is the management of what is known as Maritime Domain Awareness, which allows law enforcement and security agencies the ability to see threats, at a distance, and maintain the “big picture” of maritime security.  The Coast Guard is one of the most important contributors to, and users of, Maritime Domain Awareness information.  In an effort to evolve to meet the post-9/11 security missions, the Coast Guard has undertaken several major projects to modernize its ability to complete its missions, including the Deepwater modernization.  The Coast Guard, although a well performing organization, does not operate in a vacuum, and it is absolutely necessary that the Coast Guard operates in close cooperation with other government agencies and the maritime industry.  The Coast Guard must continue to define itself and its primacy in maritime security if it is able to compete for the resources it needs to complete its modernization projects and evolve into the premier maritime security agency it is striving to become.

U.S. Coast Guard:  Evolution of the Homeland Security Mission

Since its creation in 1915, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has been a “military, multi-mission, maritime service” and is the country’s primary maritime law enforcement agency (U.S. Coast Guard [USCG], 2002).  As the nation’s primary maritime law enforcement agency, the U.S. Coast Guard has experienced a unique, and organizationally shocking, transition since the terrorist attacks of 9/11.  The missions of the USCG are multi-faceted, requiring a unique set of organizational structure and skills.

The USCG is responsible for enforcing laws and treaties along 95,000 miles of shore, including 3.4 million square miles of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) (USCG, 2002).   This enormous area of responsibility is conducted by an active duty force of only 40,790 members (USCG, 2006) compared with 37,838 members of the New  York City Police Department (New York Police Department Frequently Asked Questions, n.d.).  The small size of the USCG is unique, given the fact that the organization is responsible for ensuring the safety of the nation’s maritime transportation, which includes 300 ports and over 3,700 cargo and passenger terminals (Frittelli, 2006).

The USCG is essential to ensuring the national security of the United States.  Port facilities and waterways are essential elements of our economy, and a successful attack upon the ports and waterways of the nation could reap havoc upon the economic system.  The 9/11 Commission Report (2004) stated that, “While commercial aviation remains a possible target, terrorists my turn their attention to other modes.  Opportunities to do harm are great, or greater, in maritime and surface transportation.”  The USCG is uniquely suited to assume the lead role in the nation’s maritime security, but they must continue to receive better funding and resources to keep pace with the size and enormity of ever increasing security responsibilities.

The USCG is a multi-mission service.  The difference between the USCG and other agencies is the diversity of the missions assigned to the organization.  The five main missions of the USCG are: maritime security; maritime safety; protection of natural resources; maritime mobility; and national defense (USCG, 2002).  Each of these missions is multi-faceted, and requires the USCG to maintain a unique set of assets and skills.  The USCG has been historically known for their mission of maritime safety, specifically the mission component of Search and Rescue (SAR).  However, since 9/11, the USCG has modified its mission priorities, and maritime security has taken the lead priority.

Although the USCG’s role in maritime security had not been highlighted during the time prior to 9/11, maritime security was the USCG’s original mission.  In 1790, when the Revenue Marine was commissioned, the Revenue Marine’s primary mission was to enforce the fledgling nation’s laws, and to stop smuggling (USCG, 2002).  Over the history of the USCG, new missions had been added, resulting in the multi-mission organization that exists today.  However, the USCG must, and is in the process of, refocus its mission priorities and scarce resources to ensuring that maritime security is its top priority.