Recognizing and appreciating the United States Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay for protecting the region's ports, providing maritime safety, policing our waterways and the numerous other functions the officers and crewmen of the Sector perform.

WHEREAS,

The United States Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay works closely with other local, state and federal government agencies as well as industry and the maritime community to ensure the safety, security and stewardship of the port receiving annually over 3,000 vessels, one million barrels of crude oil, and $51 billion in cargo; and

WHEREAS,

Sector Delaware Bay encompasses the mid-Atlantic coastal area from Shark River, NJ, to the Delaware-Maryland border, including the ports of Philadelphia, Camden, Wilmington and other smaller ports on the Delaware River. The area of responsibilities also covers over 145 miles of coastline; and

WHEREAS,

In a typical year, Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay performs: 1,100 search and rescue cases; 319 marine casualty (accident) investigations; 4,397 recreational vessel boardings; 197 commercial fishing examinations; 3,679 foreign vessel safety and security examinations; 766 domestic inspections; 1,068 federal Aids to Navigation maintenance operations; 4,772 law enforcement boardings; 254 pollution responses which includes overseeing approx $ 1 million in federally funded clean-up initiatives; as well as other duties too numerous to mention; and

WHEREAS,

Captain Meredith Austin, USCG, assumed responsibilities of command for Sector Delaware Bay in June 2009 as the first female commander of the Sector. As Captain of the Port (COTP), Federal Maritime Security Coordinator (FMSC), Officer in Charge Marine Inspections (OCMI), SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC) and Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC), she commands a staff of more than 750 military and civilian personnel in carrying out all of the Coast Guard's principal activities of marine safety, security and environmental protection, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and waterways management; and

WHEREAS,

The Sector office, located in Philadelphia, PA, serves four functions. First, it is the Operational Commander for all Coast Guard activities within the Sector's Area of Responsibility. Second, it serves as the support element for all activities and personnel assigned to the Sector. Next, it is the “home base” for personnel conducting marine safety, security and environmental protection operations. Finally, the Sector's Command Center operates as a 911 call center and serves as “one stop shopping” to initiate a Coast Guard response to events in the maritime domain; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED,

THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,

recognizes and appreciates the United States Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay for protecting the region's ports, providing maritime safety, policing our waterways and the numerous other functions the officers and crewmen of the Sector perform.

FURTHER RESOLVED,

That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Captain Meredith Austin as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this body.

End