MARITIME SAFETY
When the rescue alarm sounds, we are at our best.
We jump into action, going into the dangerous seas and harm's way – on sea and in the air – to save others.
Put simply, we provide the world's fastest and most effective response to distress calls. In 2008, we saved 4,000 lives, performed over 70,000 U.S. vessel inspections, and conducted more than 24,000 search and rescue operations.
Despite our best efforts, mariners sometimes find themselves in harm's way. When they do, the Coast Guard has a proud tradition of immediate response to save lives and property in peril. To be part of our search and rescue team, it takes more than physical ability. You'll also need that special desire and bravery with which heroes are born.
But we don't just save mariners in peril. We also help protect them by promoting safety. We investigate maritime accidents. We inspect merchant vessels, offshore drilling units and marine facilities. We license mariners, document U.S. flag vessels and implement a variety of safety programs. Our goals are to:
- Reduce crewmember deaths and injuries on U.S. commercial and passenger vessels
- Lower the number of collisions and groundings in the waters under our jurisdiction
As the lead U.S. representative to the International Maritime Organization, a part of the United Nations, we are the driving force behind shipping safety, pollution prevention, mariner training and certification standards.
Commercial vessels are not the only boats in our waterways - more than 76 million recreational boaters share the space as well. Our 35,000-person civilian volunteer branch called the Coast Guard Auxiliary plays a central role in recreational safety programs aimed at lowering the loss of life, property and damage to the environment.
Coast Guard activities in support of maritime safety are inseparable from those we perform to protect the marine environment and economic waterways. The integration of stewardship, security and safety has saved many thousands of lives and helped secure our national wellbeing.
