"I'm incredibly proud of our dedicated Coast Guard men and women," said Adm. Thad W. Allen, commandant of the Coast Guard. "As a multi-mission, maritime, and military service, we continue to grow and evolve to help guarantee the maritime safety, security and stewardship of our oceans and waterways. Whether it's saving lives, supporting the global war on terrorism, preserving our maritime environment and its resources, or protecting our vital waters for trade and commerce, Coast Guard men and women perform their duties every day with relentless courage, commitment and ingenuity."

The Coast Guard is one of America's five armed forces and traces it roots to Aug. 4, 1790, when the first Congress authorized the construction of a fleet of "revenue marine" cutters to enforce the fledgling nation's tariff and trade laws and protect the collection of federal revenue. The service expanded in size and responsibilities as the nation grew and today is responsible for many diverse missions, including maritime homeland security, national defense, enforcing maritime law, aiding mariners in distress, maintaining maritime navigation aids, protecting the marine environment, licensing merchant mariners and ensuring merchant vessel safety. The Coast Guard transferred into the newly created Department of Homeland Security in 2003.

The service received its present name in 1915 under an act of Congress when the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the Life-Saving Service.

The Coast Guard is one of the oldest organizations of the federal government and, until the Navy Department was established in 1798, served as the nation's only armed force afloat. The Coast Guard has continued to protect the nation throughout its long history – both at home and abroad – and Coast Guardsmen have proudly served in every one of the nation's major conflicts, including Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Around the clock and around the globe, the Coast Guard protects America's interests and keeps its citizens and resources safe and secure. Each day the dedicated men and women of the Coast Guard will:

– Save 15 lives

– Assist 114 people in distress

– Conduct 82 search-and-rescue cases

– Protect $4.9 million in property

– Enforce 103 security zones

– Interdict and rescue 26 illegal migrants at sea

– Board four high interest vessels

– Enforce 115 security zones

– Board 202 vessels of law enforcement interest

– Board 122 large vessels for port safety/security checks

– Seize 27 pounds of marijuana and 927 pounds of cocaine with a street value of $12.4 million

– Conduct 311 vessel safety checks and teach 57 boating safety courses

– Conduct 19 commercial fishing vessel safety exams and issue seven fishing vessel compliance decals

– Respond to 11 oil, chemical, or hazardous material environmental pollution incidents totaling 2,181 gallons

– Process 280 mariner licenses and documents

– Service 140 aids to navigation

– Monitor the transit of 2,557 commercial ships through U.S. ports

– Track 3,004 vessels in the Automated Merchant Vessel Reporting system

– Investigate 27 activities for marine violation of federal statutes

The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America.

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Copyright 2009 U.S. Coast Guard. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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