U.4.1. Mission

The United States Coast Guard is a military, multi-mission, maritime service within the Department of Homeland Security and is one of the Nation’s five armed services. Its core roles are to protect the public, the environment, and U.S. economic and security interests in any maritime region in which those interests may be at risk, including international waters and America’s coasts, ports, and inland waterways.

The Coast Guard provides unique benefits to the Nation because of its distinctive blend of military, humanitarian, and civilian law-enforcement capabilities. To serve the public, the Coast Guard has five fundamental roles:

Maritime Safety: Eliminate deaths, injuries, and property damage associated with maritime transportation, fishing, and recreational boating. The Coast Guard’s motto is Semper Paratus- (Always Ready), and the service is always ready to respond to calls for help at sea.\

Maritime Security: Protect America’s maritime borders from all intrusions by:

  • halting the flow of illegal drugs, aliens, and contraband into the United States through maritime routes;
  • preventing illegal fishing; and
  • suppressing violations of Federal law in the maritime arena.

Maritime Mobility: Facilitate maritime commerce and eliminate interruptions and impediments to the efficient and economical movement of goods and people, while maximizing recreational access to and enjoyment of the water.

National Defense: Defend the Nation as one of the five U.S. armed services. Enhance regional stability in support of the National Security Strategy, utilizing the Coast Guard’s unique and relevant maritime capabilities.

Protection of Natural Resources: Eliminate environmental damage and the degradation of natural resources associated with maritime transportation, fishing, and recreational boating.

U.4.2. Gish Island U.S. Coast Guard Station
The Gish Island U.S. Coast Guard Station is uniquely positioned to support all of the missions listed above. Located at the mouth of Columbia Bay where Columbia Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, the Coast Guard Station can monitor all water traffic entering the bay through the pass between Masland Island and Gish Island. The Gish Island Station also maintains a substation on the Turtle River, southeast of Deep River. The Gish Island U.S. Coast Guard Station is assigned to the United States Coast Guard District 7, which is headquartered in Miami, Florida.
U.4.2.1. Equipment Inventory
The Gish Island Station has a diversified fleet of watercraft that can quickly respond to any situation.

Equipment

Length

Quantity

Hurricane Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB)

21'

4 Assigned

Justice Class Boston Whaler

24'

2 Assigned

Motor Lifeboat (MLB)

47'

1 Assigned

Utility Boat (UTB)

41'

2 Assigned

Marine Protector-Class Patrol Boat

87'

1 Assigned

Table U.1. Gish Island Station Equipment – Watercraft

RHIBs are deep-V glass-reinforced plastic hulls to which a multi-compartment buoyancy tube is attached. They are powered by a gasoline outboard motor. The RHIB is a versatile craft. Its ruggedness allows it to be used across many Coast Guard mission areas.

The 21' Hurricane RHIB is the station’s other shallow water resource. It is powered by a 150 horsepower outboard motor. Due to its fast response and shallow water capabilities, it is an excellent vessel for conducting the station’s law enforcement missions. Its design is also suited to heavy weather response for boaters in distress.

The 24' Justice Class Boston Whaler is one of the station’s shallow water resources. It has a fiberglass hull and aluminum T-top and is powered by 2 200-horsepower outboard engines. It also carries a minimum crew of three—a coxswain, an engineer, and a boat crew member. Its mission capabilities focus on law enforcement, search and rescue, training, and public affairs. Compared to the 41', the only appreciable difference (besides length) is that the 24’ provides a quicker response that can transit shallower water.

The 47' MLB is designed as a first response rescue resource in high seas, surf, and heavy weather environments. It is built to withstand the most severe conditions at sea and is capable of affecting a rescue at sea even under the most difficult circumstances. It is self-bailing, self-righting, almost unsinkable, and has a long cruising radius for the size.

The 41' UTB is the general workhorse at multi-mission units. It is designed to operate under moderate weather and sea conditions where its speed and maneuverability make it an ideal platform for a variety of missions.

The 87' Marine Protector-Class Patrol Boat is designed to combat drug smuggling, illegal immigration, marine fisheries enforcement and search and rescue support. It replaced the older Point-Class Cutter.

U.4.2.2. U.S. Coast Guard Station – Gish Island

The Gish Island U.S. Coast Guard Station is divided into two main areas:

  • The maintenance area on the southwest corner of the base has three work areas: ­
    • Dry Docks where major repairs can be made to three water craft simultaneously. ­
    • Boat area where trailer-towed boats can be repaired. ­
    • Equipment repair area where all equipment is maintained and stored.
  • The main station has ten buildings and supports all other non-maintenance activities of the station: ­
    • Headquarters building houses personnel, finance, and other administrative offices. ­
    • Enforcement building houses all of the enforcement activities. ­
    • Operations building houses all of the operational planning and intelligence sections. ­
    • Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel are located in the small building behind the Operations building. ­
    • Training has its own building northwest of the Operations building. ­
    • Billeting: Three barracks for enlisted personnel and one Bachelor Officers’ Quarters (BOQ) are located on the north side of the station. ­
    • All ranks club is located at the southeast corner of the station. This club with swimming pool is open to military members and their families.
 
 
Diagram of the U.S. Coast Guard Base showing locations of: parking; barracks; BO Q; Training; Headquarters; Parade Ground; Enforcement; Operations; Helo Pad; ICE; Club; Equipment; Boat; Maintenance Area; Docks; and Dry Docks.
Figure U.5. U.S. Coast Guard Base Diagram