Coast Guard Given Mission in the Arctic

Due to climate changes in the Arctic, the Coast Guard plan to set up a base in the Arctic Ocean for better control of tanks and ships already moving through the icy waters. This base is planned to be located nearby Alaska; it will start out small with an equipped helicopter and a few small boats. Continuous warming and changes in the Arctic may be reason for a larger base initially to more quickly aid oil spills. Shipments being carried through this area and the Bering Strait would cut a journey by 5,000 miles or more. Cruise ships, who have also begun sailing through this waters, will also be watched over and protected by the Coast Guard. American oceanographers in recent surveys have presented proof that much is at stake in this polar region. Thousands of square miles of sea floor may contain vital deposits of oil, gas, or minerals. Though more surveys still need to be done, nations do have the right to make claims on these seabeds and their resources. The addition of this route is useful and beneficial to all trading nations, but requires cooperation and not competition between countries. Ultimately, this increase in Arctic activity will require better protection from the Coast Guard.

The United States Coast Guard is used in both military action and law enforcement. The USCG is mainly involved with American maritime rights and safety. The very first missions of the USCG date back to August 1790. During that time, Congress had ten vessels constructed in order to enforce trade laws and prevent smuggling. As the nation grew, so did this organized form of coastal protection. Until the Navy was established in 1798, the Coast Guard was America's only form of defense on water. As the USCG grew and merged with other organizations, it became specifically responsible for maintaining maritime navigation, merchant marine licensing, and merchant vessel safety. The Coast Guard continues today to serve under many branches of the United States defense and remains responsible for much of national safety.