Coast Guard Celebrates 218th Birthday

MIAMI - Coast Guard men and women throughout the Seventh Coast Guard District celebrate the service's 218th birthday.

"Our birthday coincides with another historic moment as we commission the Cutter Bertholf, the first National Security Cutter in the Legend Class," said Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen. "This Cutter, the most technologically advanced ship ever introduced into the fleet, bridges our proud history with a powerful future."

The Coast Guard is one of America's five armed forces and traces its founding to Aug. 4, 1790, when the first Congress authorized the construction of 10 vessels to enforce tariff and trade laws, prevent smuggling, and protect the collection of federal revenue. Responsibilities added over the years included humanitarian duties such as aiding mariners in distress.  The service received its present name in 1915 when the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the U.S. Life-Saving Service to form a single maritime service dedicated to the safety of life at sea and enforcing the nation's maritime laws.

The Bertholf and its sister ship, Waesche are at the forefront of our fleets modernization. The Coast Guard also introduced new technologically advanced assets such as the HH-65C Dolphin helicopter, the response boat medium and the HC-144A Ocean Sentry Patrol Aircraft.

"We've always had great people doing great things," said Capt. Dean Lee, acting Seventh Coast Guard District commander. "Our new Rescue 21 system, new aircraft, updated helicopters and advanced boats will help us do even greater things in the future."

The Coast Guard is a multi-mission, maritime, military service and the smallest of the five Armed Services. Its mission is to protect the public, the environment and U.S. economic interests in the nation's waterways, along the coast, on international waters, or in any maritime region as required to support national security.