U.S. Coast GuardU.S. Coast GuardUSCG_67ab9e35-b44a-45c5-a83c-72fe37640ad5Maritime safety, security, and stewardship_64783520-d65f-4935-b451-b6dfc025d628Maritime RegimesStrengthening regimes for the U.S. maritime domain_ab00ab15-9e28-4116-b971-d1e1b67712531The nation needs a set of coordinated and interlocking domestic and international regimes that increase transparency of activity, reduce risk, and balance competing uses within the maritime domain. Strengthened rules, authorities, and agreements also enable consistent, coordinated action on threats and provide an acceptable framework of standards that facilitate commerce and maritime use. The Coast Guard will work with Department of Homeland Security (DHS), interagency partners, U.S. maritime stakeholders, and the international community to update and strengthen existing maritime regimes and put in place new regimes where needed to address emerging challenges and threats.AwarenessAchieving Awareness in the Maritime Domain_6d82fc35-a59d-4559-a344-c96c219d35182The nation needs a greater awareness and effective understanding of maritime activity. This will require greater collection and sharing of data, as well as increased cooperation in fusing, analyzing, and disseminating maritime information. The Coast Guard will work with the Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. interagency partners, state and local governments, the private sector, and the international community to implement the National Plan to Achieve Maritime Domain Awareness as intended by the National Strategy for Maritime Security (NSMS).Planning and OperationsEnhancing unity of effort in maritime planning and operations_454a79cb-7caa-495d-a75e-c5ca4dd06da83The nation must better integrate its operational capabilities and efforts across government and with private sector partners. To support this, the Coast Guard will improve its integrated planning with all partners, its network of command and control centers, and its operational capabilities. In doing this, the Coast Guard will advance unity of command where possible, and unity of effort at all times. The Coast Guard will also align its operational structure around shore based, maritime patrol, and deployable specialized forces to better allow force packaging and scalable response to all threats and all hazards. This will support the NSMS and its Maritime Operational Threat Response Plan (MOTR), as well as the National Response Plan.National DefenseIntegrating Coast Guard capabilities for national defense_84484403-e035-438a-be3c-025ab674ad6b4The nation needs both U.S. Navy and Coast Guard capabilities along its own coasts, on the high seas, and deployed abroad in support of U.S. national security interests. Coast Guard assets should be ready to serve in support of the Combatant Commanders and the National Military Strategy (NMS). To achieve this, the Coast Guard will better integrate its capabilities with DoD and optimize its forces within a Navy/Coast Guard relationship. This will build upon the “National Fleet” model and support the NMS as well as the NSMS and its subordinate plans.Marine Transportation System RecoveryDeveloping a national capacity for Marine Transportation System recovery_3e33460f-ffd0-44ad-99f8-0cadb1b65ed85The nation needs a coordinated, integrated approach to planning for and responding to major disruptions in the MTS. To support the NSMS and its Maritime Infrastructure Recovery Plan (MIRP), the Coast Guard will leverage its authorities, responsibilities, and capabilities to lead the national planning agenda for assuring the continuity of commerce and critical maritime activities.International EngagementFocusing international engagement on improving maritime governance_930ad2b1-88c1-40c2-9384-25b72483b4416The nation benefits from strong maritime relationships and capacities around the world, because today’s global maritime system ties U.S. interests and welfare to the effective maritime governance of all nations and the global commons. The Coast Guard will focus its international efforts to assist maritime organizations and partner nations in building the sustainable regimes, awareness, and operational capabilities necessary to improve the governance of the global maritime domain.Maritime SafetyProtect the lives and safety of citizens and minimize damage to property, the environment, and the U.S. economy._819d0c23-fa4d-4120-bae3-188ffc4ec8807The most basic responsibility of the U.S. government is to protect the lives and safety of its citizens. In addition to the value of lives saved, Coast Guard maritime safety activities minimize damage to property, the environment, and the U.S. economy.Marine Transportation SystemEnsure safe operation of the Marine Transportation System (MTS) and protect the lives and safety of those on the sea._2dabb936-58fb-4a82-97e7-dfa02801272c7.1The Coast Guard will advance the safety of recreational and commercial activities in the maritime domain, using focused prevention and response programs and activities. When incidents do occur, the Coast Guard will lead in rendering aid to those in distress to minimize injury or loss of life and property damage or loss.Maritime DisastersRespond to maritime disasters, natural or man made, to protect lives and ensure safety in U.S. communities._3c984db6-653a-44b9-8692-9894d1b2cea77.2The Coast Guard will prepare for and respond to natural or man-made disasters affecting the U.S. public in concert with other federal agencies, U.S. and foreign military services, state and local governments, private relief organizations, and international agencies. In partnership with other federal agencies, state and local governments, marine industries, and individual mariners, the Coast Guard advances the safety of maritime communities, trade, transportation, and recreational boating through focused prevention and response programs. Prevention is founded on domestic and internationally harmonized regulatory regimes aimed at ensuring maritime safety and the efficient flow of commerce. Prevention efforts are developed by virtue of the service’s strong maritime expertise, emphasize the human element, and work best when implemented through strong partnerships with the commercial and recreational users of the nation’s ports and waterways. Through domestic regulations and programs and active participation in the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Coast Guard shapes effective maritime safety regimes. Using its broad legal authorities,4 the Coast Guard enforces safety regimes through inspection of U.S. and foreign vessels and investigation of incidents that occur, with the goal of preventing future marine casualties. The sea is an unforgiving environment where mariners or others may find themselves in distress. As the designated Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) coordinator under the National SAR Plan, the Coast Guard operates command, communications, and rescue facilities and leads activities that save lives and property. The Coast Guard also engages the world’s merchant fleet to rescue mariners in distress worldwide through the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) System. SAR capacity is also instrumental in responding to disasters in coastal and maritime communities, including hurricanes, flooding, maritime casualties, and any other incidents of national significance requiring rescue and assistance. Under its broad Captain of the Port (COTP) authorities and responsibilities, the Coast Guard also coordinates response efforts to ensure public safety and restore commerce on U.S. waterways in the aftermath of mishaps or disasters.Maritime SecurityExert and safeguard sovereignty in the nation’s internal waters, ports and waterways, and littorals, as well as protect vital national interests on the high seas._9179f3e1-cb24-4ecd-aa1e-b37f5b55ace98An essential attribute of any nation is its ability to protect its citizens and to maintain sovereign control of its land, air, and sea borders. In the maritime domain, this means exerting and safeguarding sovereignty in the nation’s internal waters, ports and waterways, and littorals, as well as protecting vital national interests on the high seas.U.S. Maritime Domain and Maritime Transportation SystemProtect the U.S. maritime domain and the Marine Transportation System, and deny their use and exploitation by terrorists as a means for attacks on U.S. territory, population, vessels, and critical infrastructure._a4dfe913-4bab-4b6c-9c07-afddf5b26af28.1The Coast Guard will work with federal, state, and local agencies and with the private sector to protect the maritime domain, deny its use by terrorists, prepare for and respond to attacks and minimize any consequences, and ensure the continued vitality of U.S. national interests within the maritime domain.Maritime Sovereignty and EnforcementUphold U.S. maritime sovereignty and enforce U.S. law, international conventions, and treaties against criminal activities._0ff4ee5b-cbe8-48fb-a532-60996873f5b18.2The Coast Guard will enforce all laws, conventions, and treaties in the maritime domain aimed at suppressing illegal migration, human traffi cking, smuggling of drugs and other contraband, and all other federal or international crime. These enforcement actions are integral to national initiatives that secure air, land, and sea borders.Hostile ActsDefend U.S. national interests in the maritime domain against hostile acts through military action._ba5babb8-e969-4afd-adff-cb3dfcfbe8ed8.3The Coast Guard will help to defend the United States from direct attacks on its territory through planning and execution of homeland defense, and from threats to its national security through military activities wherever needed. The Coast Guard works closely with its governmental and non-governmental partners to safeguard America’s maritime interests and ensure its maritime sovereignty. Deterring crime on the sea relies on a foundation of strong laws, awareness, and active presence. Patrols, interceptions, and inspections, supported by detection, tracking, monitoring, and operational intelligence, serve to counter contraband smuggling, human trafficking and mass migrations, criminal activities, and terrorist threats. The U.S. Coast Guard also leads in developing security standards and international enforcement agreements, and partners with the private sector to develop effective self-regulatory regimes. As part of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Coast Guard supports the National Security Strategy and related defense strategies. The Coast Guard complements the capabilities of the U.S. Navy, as an essential component of the National Fleet, and operates alongside the U.S. Marine Corps, as it has done throughout the past two centuries. In this capacity, the Coast Guard provides unique, non-redundant support to the military Combatant Commanders, including maritime interception, military environmental response, port security, peacetime military engagement, and coastal sea control. The Coast Guard has long been responsible for protecting ports, harbors, vessels, and waterfront facilities from accidents, criminal acts, terrorism, and sabotage. After the “9/11” terrorist attacks, the Coast Guard took on new authorities as the Federal Maritime Security Coordinator (FMSC) within U.S. ports and adjacent waters. As a result, the Coast Guard is now responsible for coordinating all maritime security planning and operations in the nation’s ports and waterways, including efforts to prevent terrorist attacks and to respond as necessary to mitigate the consequences of an attack, should one occur.Maritime StewardshipMaintain an efficient, resilient MTS in order to facilitate maritime mobility and protect the nation’s economy and protect the marine environment against threats from pollution, environmental degradation, the spread of invasive species, and the illegal harvesting of marine resources._3d7eda30-d1ea-410f-b9e8-8a7bca817b6b9The nation’s prosperity relies on the balanced and sustainable use of inland, coastal, and ocean waters and resources. The foundation for this prosperity—an efficient, resilient MTS—must be maintained in order to facilitate maritime mobility and protect the nation’s economy. At the same time, the marine environment must be protected against threats from pollution, environmental degradation, the spread of invasive species, and the illegal harvesting of marine resources.Goods and RecreationFacilitate the economical movement of goods and people through the MTS and maximize access for recreational boating activity._9db60c8c-ba54-491f-bb3f-a6215b214a639.1The Coast Guard will provide navigation systems, information, and services that enable a safe, secure, efficient, effective, accessible, and environmentally responsible MTS for moving goods and people.Marine ResourcesSafeguard U.S. marine resources, threatened and endangered species, and the ocean from unlawful acts and environmental degradation._72007535-3f01-441c-a249-1ab0428f1e379.2The Coast Guard will conduct vigorous enforcement against all activities that lead to harming endangered species, over-fishing, ocean pollution, and the introduction and spread of invasive species.Recovery OperationsConduct maritime recovery operations in the aftermath of incidents of national signifi cance, including transportation security incidents, to ensure the continuity of commerce and other critical port and waterway functions._fd7aa489-cc74-4e7d-85a5-393c6a25bbea9.3The Coast Guard will coordinate maritime recovery operations and rapidly restore the functionality of the ports and waterways affected by an incident of national significance or other emergency that significantly impacts the MTS. Competing demands in America’s ports and waterways– –commerce, national security, public health and safety, environmental concerns, recreation, fisheries, and more––must be balanced. To achieve this balance, the Coast Guard provides services as well as coordination and leadership among government and private sector partners. Through waterways information and infrastructure, vessel traffic services, aids to navigation, domestic icebreaking, bridge administration, and waterways management activities the Coast Guard helps ensure the nation’s waterways remain efficient and safe for commercial and recreational use. These same Coast Guard capabilities are brought to bear in a disaster, natural or man-made, ensuring the quick recovery of waterways and the restoration of essential commerce within U.S. ports. The Coast Guard works across multiple partners towards a common purpose: To ensure that America has safe and reliable maritime gateways to the world. The Coast Guard, in coordination with other federal and state agencies, enforces marine resource management and protection regimes that preserve healthy stocks of fish and other living marine resources. Fisheries protection requires oversight and presence throughout and beyond the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. The Coast Guard patrols these ocean regions to uphold U.S. sovereignty and protect marine resources. The Coast Guard also operates the nation’s only polar icebreakers, which provide U.S. capability to advance national interests in the polar regions. The Coast Guard works to keep the nation’s waters free of oil, chemicals, other marine pollution, and invasive species. Prevention strategies are foremost among the Coast Guard’s environmental initiatives, but stewardship of the marine environment also requires education, surveillance, interception, inspection, investigation, enforcement, and contingency planning. In the event of a spill, the Coast Guard coordinates response activities as the Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) for the Coastal Zone. The Coast Guard has built strong partnerships with government agencies, academia, interest groups, private industry, and international organizations to carry out all of these critical tasks.2007-01-192010-02-08http://www.piersystem.com/posted/786/CGS.144829.pdfArthurColman (www.drybridge.com)colman@drybridge.com