THE 21ST CENTURY COAST GUARD
The 21st century Coast Guard will possess many of the critical skills, traits, and characteristics of today’s Service. But, only with an even more capable workforce and new maritime systems of cutters, boats, aircraft, and C 4 ISR, can the Coast Guard meet the changing and increasing demand. Three key characteristics of the Coast Guard will continue to provide significant value to America: the synergy of multimission assets; the discipline of an Armed Service; and the capability to respond to changing national priorities. These enduring qualities will shape both traditional and emerging roles and missions in the decades ahead.
Lifesaver and Guardian of the Sea
Safety on the water – America’s rivers, along its coasts, its deep-ocean approaches and beyond – will remain a national priority. The value of lives saved would be benefit enough, but safety on the water also minimizes damage to property, the environment, and the U.S. economy.
With U.S. maritime trade possibly tripling by 2020, the number of oceangoing vessels transiting U.S. waters will increase. Many will be significantly larger than today’s ships, capable of carrying 8,000 containers, millions of barrels of oil, or thousands of passengers. They will encounter increased barge traffic and high-speed vessels, mass-transit ferries, and high-capacity passenger vessels car rying 5,000 or more people on board. A growing number and variety of recreational boaters will compete for access to coastal and inland waters. The recreational boating industry will continue to develop and market products whose popularity belies their danger. The job of ensuring maritime safety will become more complex as innovative technologies are exploited.
Prevention – the watchword of the future – will be founded on internationally harmonized regulatory regimes that level the safety playing field for international trade. Domestically, risk assessment will drive ongoing efforts to reduce mishaps. Prevention will stress the human element and will work best when there are strong partnerships with the commercial and recreational users of the Nation’s ports and waterways. New accident-prevention technologies, extensive outreach and education, and wider international cooperation among many maritime constituencies will also support prevention. Through participation in the International Maritime Organization, nations will face this challenge together. The United States will retain its international leadership role. The Coast Guard will be the world’s leader in maritime safety.
Despite the best efforts to prevent accidents, manmade and natural disasters will inevitably occur. The sea is an unforgiving environment, and mariners will find themselves in distress in all conditions. Preparedness will mean the difference between lives saved and lives lost, or reduced impacts of an accident. The Coast Guard will remain vigilant on land, at sea, and in the air, from the North Atlantic to the frigid waters of Alaska, from the vast waters surrounding the Hawaiian Island chain to the smuggling havens of the Caribbean, and on America’s Great Lakes and waterways. The Nation will expect and take comfort in knowing that the Coast Guard will continue to provide the highest level of service at what it does best – saving lives and property.
Innovative technologies and new operational concepts will revolutionize maritime emergency response. Global satellites will relay distress alerts within minutes, from any maritime region. Electronic positioning devices, advances in satellite-based sensors, and worldwide vessel tracking systems will make it easier to find those in peril. Coast Guard search efforts will not be hampered by darkness or reduced visibility. Remotely piloted vehicles coupled with automated identification systems will further reduce search times and improve recovery success. Yet, even if maritime accidents occur less frequently through enhanced prevention, the magnitude of a 21st century high-capacity passenger vessel disaster will overwhelm any one responder. The Coast Guard will bring together a vast array of public, private, regional, and international capabilities, linked by proven technology and solid relationships, to continue the maritime heritage of shared responsibility for protecting those in peril at sea.
Technology will not eliminate the dangerous work of rescuing people and protecting property, but will enhance Coast Guard performance. Coast Guard search and rescue experts will provide the world’s best maritime rescue and coordination services. The Coast Guard will remain America’s Lifesaver and Guardian of the Sea.
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Contact rkutz@comdt.uscg.mil
Created: August
1998