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A Station South Padre Island boat crew pulls alongside a Lancha caught fishing illegally in gulf waters, Texas Dec. 11, 2015. Lanchas are Mexican fishing boats that poach thousands of pounds of wildlife from U.S. waters every year. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Corpus Christi)
Maritime Law Enforcement
A Station South Padre Island boat crew pulls alongside a Lancha caught fishing illegally in gulf waters, Texas Dec. 11, 2015. Lanchas are Mexican fishing boats that poach thousands of pounds of wildlife from U.S. waters every year. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Corpus Christi)
Hi-Res | Photo Gallery
A Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook boat crew and New York Fire Department Marine eight rescue crew responded to a boat fire near Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Coast Guard and FDNY crews arrived on scene where a good Samaritan had safely transferred eight people off the vessel in distress. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Station Sandy Hook.)
Maritime Response
A Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook boat crew and New York Fire Department Marine eight rescue crew responded to a boat fire near Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Coast Guard and FDNY crews arrived on scene where a good Samaritan had safely transferred eight people off the vessel in distress. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Station... ...More
Hi-Res | Photo Gallery
Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane crew members from Air Station Clearwater, Florida conduct a pre-flight brief in preparation for a post Hurricane Matthew overflight assessment of Haiti, Bahamas and various surround affected areas. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael De Nyse)
Maritime Response
Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane crew members from Air Station Clearwater, Florida conduct a pre-flight brief in preparation for a post Hurricane Matthew overflight assessment of Haiti, Bahamas and various surround affected areas. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael De Nyse)
Hi-Res | Photo Gallery
The Coast Guard Responds to a sunken tugboat. A Marine Science Technician from Incident Management Division Detachment Portland, points to a sunken motor vessel, which sank in the Columbia River near Goble, Oregon. Personnel from the Coast Guard and several Oregon State agencies are partnering in response to the sinking. (U.S Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Alisha Carr)
Maritime Response
The Coast Guard Responds to a sunken tugboat. A Marine Science Technician from Incident Management Division Detachment Portland, points to a sunken motor vessel, which sank in the Columbia River near Goble, Oregon. Personnel from the Coast Guard and several Oregon State agencies are partnering in response to the... ...More
Hi-Res | Photo Gallery
A team of Coast Guard Marine Science Technicians inspect a shipping container on the back of a truck at Conley Terminal in Boston. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Second Class Luke Pinneo)
Maritime Prevention
A team of Coast Guard Marine Science Technicians inspect a shipping container on the back of a truck at Conley Terminal in Boston. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Second Class Luke Pinneo)
Hi-Res | Photo Gallery
Coast Guard petty officers communicate an environmental health and safety coordinator during a facility inspection. Coast Guard facility inspectors inspect the hoses that transfer oil in order to prevent environmental pollution. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Carlos Vega)
Maritime Prevention
Coast Guard petty officers communicate an environmental health and safety coordinator during a facility inspection. Coast Guard facility inspectors inspect the hoses that transfer oil in order to prevent environmental pollution. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Carlos Vega)
Hi-Res | Photo Gallery
A Coast Guard civilian Marine Inspector from Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Portland conduct a field dry dock examination to educate and train the towing vessel community on new regulatory standards that will come into force in the summer of 2018. The information session held at MSU Portland was the second in a series of national outreach forums designed to educate towing vessel operators on the new regulations, referred to as “Subchapter M.” U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo.
Maritime Prevention
A Coast Guard civilian Marine Inspector from Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Portland conduct a field dry dock examination to educate and train the towing vessel community on new regulatory standards that will come into force in the summer of 2018. The information session held at MSU Portland was the second in a series of... ...More
Hi-Res | Photo Gallery
A Coast Guard Petty Officer K-9 handler at Maritime Safety and Security Team San Francisco, conducts a security sweep of the Alcatraz Island ferry pier with his dog. The Maritime Safety and Security Team members were brought in to conduct security sweeps of ferries entering and departing San Francisco during Fleet Week.
Maritime Security Operations
A Coast Guard Petty Officer K-9 handler at Maritime Safety and Security Team San Francisco, conducts a security sweep of the Alcatraz Island ferry pier with his dog. The Maritime Safety and Security Team members were brought in to conduct security sweeps of ferries entering and departing San Francisco during Fleet... ...More
Hi-Res | Photo Gallery
Crew members aboard a 25-foot Response Boat-Small from Maritime Safety and Security Team 91107 escort the cruise ship Pride of America out of Honolulu Harbor. The Coast Guard conducts escorts of high-capacity passenger vessels to ensure security of the passengers, the vessel and the port. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Melissa E. McKenzie)
Maritime Security Operations
Crew members aboard a 25-foot Response Boat-Small from Maritime Safety and Security Team 91107 escort the cruise ship Pride of America out of Honolulu Harbor. The Coast Guard conducts escorts of high-capacity passenger vessels to ensure security of the passengers, the vessel and the port. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by... ...More
Hi-Res | Photo Gallery
Crew members from Coast Guard Station New York, Coast Guard Cutter Ridley and New York Police Department marine units enforce multiple security zones on the East River during the departure of Pope Francis during his historical visit to New York, Sept. 26, 2015. (U.S Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sabrina Laberdesque)
Maritime Security Operations
Crew members from Coast Guard Station New York, Coast Guard Cutter Ridley and New York Police Department marine units enforce multiple security zones on the East River during the departure of Pope Francis during his historical visit to New York, Sept. 26, 2015. (U.S Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sabrina... ...More
Hi-Res | Photo Gallery
A Chief Petty Officer speaks to local mariners requesting navigational assistance, at Sector Houston-Galveston. The Coast Guard provides these services in major ports throughout the United States as a way of communicating to various mariners about port conditions that would affect safe transit in and out of ports and waterways. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer A. Nease)
Maritime Transportation System Management
A Chief Petty Officer speaks to local mariners requesting navigational assistance, at Sector Houston-Galveston. The Coast Guard provides these services in major ports throughout the United States as a way of communicating to various mariners about port conditions that would affect safe transit in and out of ports and... ...More
Hi-Res | Photo Gallery
A Petty Officer stationed with Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) Woods Hole replaces an outdated lantern with a self-contained LED Carmanah light. ANT Woods Hole is responsible for maintaining 250 buoys, 20 lighthouses, and 54 structures along the coast of southeastern Massachusetts. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Barresi)
Maritime Transportation System Management
A Petty Officer stationed with Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) Woods Hole replaces an outdated lantern with a self-contained LED Carmanah light. ANT Woods Hole is responsible for maintaining 250 buoys, 20 lighthouses, and 54 structures along the coast of southeastern Massachusetts. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty... ...More
Hi-Res | Photo Gallery
A Coast Guardsman assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team South prepares to board a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) from the guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110). Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia Pacific, William P. Lawrence was operating as part of the John C. Stennis Strike Group and Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Emiline L. M. Senn/Released)
Defense Operations
A Coast Guardsman assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team South prepares to board a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) from the guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110). Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia Pacific, William P. Lawrence was... ...More
Hi-Res | Photo Gallery
Members of Coast Guard Port Security Unit 311 based in San Pedro, California conduct a military training exercise in the Port of Los Angeles. The training exercise is designed to test and maintain the proficiency of the unit’s reserve and active duty members. During the drill members were required to conduct high speed small boat maneuvers and simulated automatic weapon fire. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrea Anderson)
Defense Operations
Members of Coast Guard Port Security Unit 311 based in San Pedro, California conduct a military training exercise in the Port of Los Angeles. The training exercise is designed to test and maintain the proficiency of the unit’s reserve and active duty members. During the drill members were required to conduct high... ...More
Hi-Res | Photo Gallery
A Station South Padre Island boat crew pulls alongside a Lancha caught fishing illegally in gulf waters, Texas Dec. 11, 2015. Lanchas are Mexican fishing boats that poach thousands of pounds of wildlife from U.S. waters every year. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Corpus Christi)
A Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook boat crew and New York Fire Department Marine eight rescue crew responded to a boat fire near Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Coast Guard and FDNY crews arrived on scene where a good Samaritan had safely transferred eight people off the vessel in distress. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Station Sandy Hook.)
Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane crew members from Air Station Clearwater, Florida conduct a pre-flight brief in preparation for a post Hurricane Matthew overflight assessment of Haiti, Bahamas and various surround affected areas. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael De Nyse)
The Coast Guard Responds to a sunken tugboat. A Marine Science Technician from Incident Management Division Detachment Portland, points to a sunken motor vessel, which sank in the Columbia River near Goble, Oregon. Personnel from the Coast Guard and several Oregon State agencies are partnering in response to the sinking. (U.S Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Alisha Carr)
A team of Coast Guard Marine Science Technicians inspect a shipping container on the back of a truck at Conley Terminal in Boston. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Second Class Luke Pinneo)
Coast Guard petty officers communicate an environmental health and safety coordinator during a facility inspection. Coast Guard facility inspectors inspect the hoses that transfer oil in order to prevent environmental pollution. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Carlos Vega)
A Coast Guard civilian Marine Inspector from Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Portland conduct a field dry dock examination to educate and train the towing vessel community on new regulatory standards that will come into force in the summer of 2018. The information session held at MSU Portland was the second in a series of national outreach forums designed to educate towing vessel operators on the new regulations, referred to as “Subchapter M.” U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo.
A Coast Guard Petty Officer K-9 handler at Maritime Safety and Security Team San Francisco, conducts a security sweep of the Alcatraz Island ferry pier with his dog. The Maritime Safety and Security Team members were brought in to conduct security sweeps of ferries entering and departing San Francisco during Fleet Week.
Crew members aboard a 25-foot Response Boat-Small from Maritime Safety and Security Team 91107 escort the cruise ship Pride of America out of Honolulu Harbor. The Coast Guard conducts escorts of high-capacity passenger vessels to ensure security of the passengers, the vessel and the port. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Melissa E. McKenzie)
Crew members from Coast Guard Station New York, Coast Guard Cutter Ridley and New York Police Department marine units enforce multiple security zones on the East River during the departure of Pope Francis during his historical visit to New York, Sept. 26, 2015. (U.S Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sabrina Laberdesque)
A Chief Petty Officer speaks to local mariners requesting navigational assistance, at Sector Houston-Galveston. The Coast Guard provides these services in major ports throughout the United States as a way of communicating to various mariners about port conditions that would affect safe transit in and out of ports and waterways. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer A. Nease)
A Petty Officer stationed with Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) Woods Hole replaces an outdated lantern with a self-contained LED Carmanah light. ANT Woods Hole is responsible for maintaining 250 buoys, 20 lighthouses, and 54 structures along the coast of southeastern Massachusetts. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Barresi)
A Coast Guardsman assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team South prepares to board a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) from the guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110). Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia Pacific, William P. Lawrence was operating as part of the John C. Stennis Strike Group and Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Emiline L. M. Senn/Released)
Members of Coast Guard Port Security Unit 311 based in San Pedro, California conduct a military training exercise in the Port of Los Angeles. The training exercise is designed to test and maintain the proficiency of the unit’s reserve and active duty members. During the drill members were required to conduct high speed small boat maneuvers and simulated automatic weapon fire. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrea Anderson)

Mission

The mission of the United States Coast Guard is to ensure our Nation's maritime safety, security and stewardship.


Vision

Ready
We will be prepared to serve and protect the American people and our national interests.

Relevant
We will be a professional and agile armed force, law enforcer, regulator, and maritime first responder on which our partners confidently rely to address the Nation’s increasingly complex maritime challenges.

Responsive
We will employ our bias for action to excel in mission execution as we protect and defend the homeland.

Missions

The Coast Guard manages six major operational mission programs: The operational mission programs oversee 11 Missions codified in the Homeland Security Act of 2002. That act delineates the 11 missions as “homeland security” or “non-homeland security” missions.                        

Homeland Security Missions: Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security; Drug Interdiction; Migrant Interdiction; Defense Readiness; and Other Law Enforcement

Non-Homeland Security Missions: Marine Safety; Search and Rescue; Aids to Navigation; Living Marine Resources; Marine Environmental Protection; and Ice Operations

Learn more about the Coast Guard's six major operational mission programs.

The Coast Guard Manages SIX major operational mission programs:

Diagram showing alignment of Coast Guard and DHS missions.

Additional Readings


   Coast Guard Publication 3.0 Operations
Doctrine for the
U.S. Coast Guard		   Operations