The Coast Guard is the principal
Federal agency responsible for maritime safety, security,
and environmental stewardship in U.S. ports and waterways.
In this capacity, the Coast Guard protects and defends more
than 100,000 miles of U.S. coastline and inland waterways,
and safeguards an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) encompassing
4.5 million square miles stretching from North of the Arctic
Circle to South of the equator, from Puerto Rico to Guam,
encompassing nine time zones – the largest EEZ in the world.
As one of the five Armed Services of the United States, the
Coast Guard is the only military branch within the
Department of Homeland Security.
In addition to its role as an Armed Service, the Coast Guard
is a first responder and humanitarian service that provides
aid to people in distress or impacted by natural and
man-made disasters whether at sea or ashore. The Coast Guard
is a member of the Intelligence Community, and is a law
enforcement and regulatory agency with broad legal
authorities associated with maritime transportation,
hazardous materials shipping, bridge administration, oil
spill response, pilotage, and vessel construction and
operation.
U.S. Coast Guard video by Telfair
Brown (October 2016) Video edited by USA Patriotism!
