Homeland Security and the Maritime Nation
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
By Wayne Spivak
When Lief Ericson, the Norse explorer first stepped ashore in Newfoundland, he began what was to become a long standing tradition of that maritime nation. Both Canada and the United States share this proud tradition. Using the great Atlantic Ocean as a means to explore, raid, pillage, grow, fish, prosper and live, the ocean and the harbors and ports of these two nations have been active now for over 1,000 years.
Defending this tradition became a national interest during the pioneer years of
this nation, as British and privateer fought for control of the sea lanes. Both
parties understood the need to control access of the sea lanes, as well as
access to protected harbors and ports. It is these same ports which have always
been the key to the success of our nation, as well as an Achilles heel.
A Brief History of the Coast Guard
Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, not only understood
what wealth lay in our maritime traditions, but that these same ports could hold
additional revenues for a young and struggling nation. This young nation had
limited sources of income and a limited means to impose and collect taxes. It
was the imposition of duties on foreign products that was introduced by the
fledging Congress.
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Congress was taking a major risk, since the recently fought American Revolution
was based partially on just this type of taxation. However, Hamilton and the
Congress realized they needed a vehicle in which to enforce collection of taxes.
In addition, they needed a way to stem the tide of pirates and smugglers.
Hamilton's idea was a fleet of cutters dedicated to these tasks. This bold
venture was the beginning of the Revenue Cutter Service, the precursor service
to today's United States Coast Guard.
In the intervening years, from the creation of the Revenue Cutter Service (1790)
and today, five different maritime entities were created and then merged into
today's Coast Guard. In addition to the Revenue Cutter Service, the Lighthouse
Service (created in 1789, transferred to the Coast Guard in 1939), the Steamboat
Inspection Service (created in 1852, transferred to the Coast Guard in 1946),
the Bureau of Navigation (created in 1884, transferred to the Coast Guard in
1946), and the Lifesaving Service (created in 1878, transferred to the Coast
Guard in 1939) are at the heart of the Coast Guard.
In 1967, one of the last major changes to the Coast Guard occurred when the
President transferred the Coast Guard from the Treasury Department, where it had
been housed since its beginnings to the newly formed Transportation Department.
Thirty-six years later, a new transformation will occur, one predicated on the
defense of our maritime heritage.
Homeland Security
In March of 2003, the Coast Guard, in its entirety (which consists of active
duty, reserve, auxiliary and civilian components, along with all assets) will be
transferred to the newly formed Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This new
cabinet-level department was formed in the wake of the simultaneous Sept 11,
2001 commercial jet airliner attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City,
the Pentagon, in Arlington, VA and at least a third target, which we can only
theorize about, since that aircraft was brought down in the Pennsylvanian
countryside.
The DHS will take 22 different agencies and combine them into four operational
directorates plus two agencies that will directly report to the Secretary (the
Coast Guard and the Secret Service), along with parts of the Immigration and
Naturalization Service that will be renamed and report to the deputy secretary.
But how will this move between departments affect the Coast Guard and maritime
safety? More importantly, how can you and I, as part of the public and more
importantly the boating public, help protect our shores, our families and
livelihoods?
Some of these questions still remain unanswered or only partially answered, but
this is what we currently know:
The Coast Guard will be moving (currently slated for March 1) pardon the pun,
lock, stock and barrel from the Department of Transportation to the Department
of Homeland Security. All current missions assigned to the Coast Guard will
remain with the Coast Guard. From search and rescue to environmental protection,
stewardship of the ocean's resources to recreational boating safety, the Coast
Guard will be there, providing oversight, manpower and security.
As a boater you will, for all intents and purposes, see no real difference in
the varied services the Coast Guard provides to the public. But there will be
changes. The Coast Guard Commandant is the Military Commander of the Maritime
Defense Zone. This means the Coast Guard is the lead agency for maritime
defense.
The Department of Homeland Security is charged with: *
"The many men and women who daily protect our borders and secure our country are
committed to the safety of our homeland. The new Department will help them do
their jobs better with increased communication, coordination and resources.
Specifically, the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will have three
primary missions:
" • Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States,
" • Reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and
" • Minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters."
*DHS Website (29 December 2002)
Each of the points relate directly to not only one or more of the 22 agencies
that are moving to DHS, but ultimately to the Coast Guard. Our nation's
navigable water and ports need to be protected. Freedom of the high seas needs
to be maintained. And the safety of all coastal communities needs to be assured.
To meet these expanded demands, the Coast Guard will increase in size. This
means the Coast Guard will need more men and women to fill roles in both their
enlisted ranks and officer corps. They will need highly trained, qualified and
motivated people who will be able to meet the demands of today while planning
for the requirements of tomorrow.
For the boater, who may not be of "enlistable" age or may have other plans, the
Coast Guard can use your skills and talents. Since 1939, men and women have been
volunteering their time and energy to the Coast Guard, first in the Coast Guard
Reserves, and later in the Coast Guard Auxiliary (in 1941, Congress recreated
the Reserves into military service, and redesignated the volunteer force the
Auxiliary).
The Auxiliary will be involved in all aspects currently allowed by both law
(Title 14, USC Chapter 23) and Coast Guard Policy. The 37,000 members of the
Auxiliary will be involved in both homeland security and all the other missions
they have been performing side by side with the active duty members of the Coast
Guard.
Proposed areas in which the Auxiliary will become more
involved in are:
"While it likely means many things, from my view, it foremost means more on the
water (and in the air) support to Coast Guard missions. More Auxiliary presence
on our Nation's lakes, rivers, coasts and bays. Clearly, the Coast Guard is
counting, more than ever, on the Auxiliary to carry out boating safety
activities, in the classrooms and on the boat ramps.
That has been and will continue to be a major, cornerstone mission for the
Auxiliary. But, at the same time, there is an operational need for the
Auxiliary, as the volunteer arm of Coast Guard Forces, to carry out a major
support role in maritime security operations. That role includes many things,
starting with more backfill support for many normal as well as high tempo
"surge" Coast Guard station, group, air station, and maritime safety office
functions and activities. It also means more volunteer search and rescue,
multi-mission safety surface patrol, and air operations capability and capacity.
We will need more operational facilities [boats, and planes], more coxswains,
pilots, and crew, and more training to do it all safely. With more and more
Auxiliary presence on the water and in the air, a new and most significant
supporting role for maritime domain awareness is likely to emerge.
Who else knows our Nation's waters better, than our thirty seven thousand
Auxiliarists. Besides, America's Volunteer Lifesavers are already out there,
doing what they do best, every day. "
[Capt. David B. Hill, Chief Director, USCG Office of the Auxiliary; A MESSAGE
FROM THE CHIEF DIRECTOR AUXILIARY #1, December 24, 2002.]
Keeping Informed
As members of the public and the boating public, how can you be kept abreast of
the changes in homeland security, and its impact on boating? One way is to stay
in contact with your local merchants who participate with the Coast Guard
Auxiliary Marine Dealer program.
These merchants, be they marinas, boat stores, or even your local dry cleaners
or pharmacy, will be kept up to date with brochures and information about
changes in boating laws, rules and policies. Frequent these merchants because
not only do they provide you with normal services you need, they are there to
educate you!
The second way is to read articles such as these. The Coast Guard and Coast
Guard Auxiliary will be providing news organizations both in and out of the
marine industry with articles on the changing tides of homeland security and how
it affects the boating industry, and the sport of boating.
The last way is by stepping up to the proverbial plate and becoming a member of
the United States Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve or Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Team Coast Guard, as these three units are called, work together to provide
safety and security to the boating public and this country.
To find out more information about the Coast Guard active duty and reserve,
either see your local Coast Guard recruiter (tell them I sent you) or go on the
web to http://www.gocoastguard.com/.
If you’re interested in volunteering your time and receiving valuable training,
either contact your local Auxiliary flotilla by contacting your local Coast
Guard unit or go to http://www.cgaux.org.
Homeland security and maritime defense, pleasure boating and you - information
you need to know.