Many people are unaware the Staten Island is the home to
both the United State Coast Guard Sector New York and USCG Station New York. Currently, the Coast Guard operates under the
auspices of the Department of Homeland Security, and they’re fully in charge of
security for the Ports of New York and New Jersey. Though they actively work with the NYPD and
FDNY, the Coast Guard is top dog when it comes to port security. On their website, they refer to duty at
Station New York as “one of the most demanding environments in the country.”
Demanding environment, indeed. It is the busiest east coast port in America.
What would eventually become the United States Coast Guard
actually started in 1790 under the Treasury Department: they were a Revenue
Cutter Service. In 1915, Revenue-Marine
was merged with the U.S. Lifesaving Service and the Coast Guard was born.
By law, the Coast Guard has 11 missions, all pretty much
self-explanatory:
•Ports, waterways, and coastal
security
•Drug interdiction
•Aids to navigation
•Search and rescue
•Living marine resources
•Marine safety
•Defense readiness
•Migrant interdiction
•Marine environmental protection
•Ice operations
•Other law enforcement
A USCG “Sector” is a geographical area that contains multiple
Coast Guard Stations. Sector New York,
located on the grounds of Ft. Wadsworth and commanded by Captain Michael Day,
has three stations under its jurisdiction: Kings Point (at the Merchant Marine
Academy), Sandy Hook and New York, which is located on Bay Street.
I’m proud to say that Station New York is the largest
station in the Coast Guard, with over a hundred active duty members and 10
small boats assigned.
The legal basis for the Coast Guard is Title 14 of the
United States Code, which states: "The Coast Guard as established January
28, 1915, shall be a military service and a branch of the armed forces of the
United States at all times." Upon the declaration of war or when the
President directs, the Coast Guard operates under the authority of the
Department of the Navy.
As members of a military service, Guardians on active duty
and in the Reserve are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice and
receive the same pay and allowances as members of the same pay grades in the
other four armed services.
Coast Guard Day is celebrated throughout the country on
August 4th each year – commemorating that day in 1790 when Revenue-Marine
was born. The celebration is at the
station in Ft. Wadsworth, a fantastic and fascinating place to bring the
family. Consider attending – I know I
will.
Finally, I want to mention that we are in the process of
applying to become a Coast Guard Community – a formal title bestowed upon a
community by an act of Congress for developing a unique and supportive relationship
with a Coast Guard Station or Sector. As
a borough, I believe it should install a deep pride in our identity should we
succeed.