Date: August 3, 2007

Contact: PA1 Jennifer Johnson
(305) 415-6683

Coast Guard Celebrates 217th Birthday,

More Than 1 Million Lives Saved

***Interviews and Video Available***

MIAMI - Coast Guard men and women throughout the Seventh Coast Guard District will celebrate the service's 217th birthday Saturday as well the announcement that the United States Coast Guard has saved more than one million lives since its inception in 1790.

"When things are at their worst, America's Coast Guard is at its best," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff . "What began as a revenue enforcement agency with a fleet of 10 cutters established by Alexander Hamilton more that 200 years ago has evolved into the world's premier multi-mission, maritime and military service. It's fitting that we celebrate the Coast Guard's 217th birthday this Aug. 4th as we recognize its brave men and women for saving more than one million lives over the course of its long and storied history."

The Coast Guard is one of America's five armed forces and traces its founding to Aug. 4, 1790, when the first Congress authorized  the construction of 10 vessels to enforce tariff and trade laws, prevent smuggling, and protect the collection of federal revenue. Responsibilities added over the years included humanitarian duties such as aiding mariners in distress.  The service received its present name in 1915 when the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the U.S. Life-Saving Service to form a single maritime service dedicated to the safety of life at sea and enforcing the nation's maritime laws.

"Americans sleep easier at night knowing you bring a standard of excellence to each of your missions -- maritime safety, security, mobility, national defense, and protection of our natural resources," said  U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  "Whether braving high seas to rescue boaters in distress, or boarding vessels to protect us from illegal cargo entering our ports, your exemplary performance embodies the Coast Guard motto of Semper Paratus...always ready!"

"As a multi-mission, maritime military service we continue to grow and evolve to help guarantee the maritime safety, security and stewardship of our oceans and waterways," said Rear Adm. David W. Kunkel, commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District.  "Over the past 217 years our men and women have rescued more than one million people and that demonstrates the true character and heroism of our members."

Then number of lives saved was calculated by the Coast Guard historian's office through research of logs and records from the Coast Guard, the Revenue Cutter Service, the U.S. Life Saving Service, the Lighthouse Service and other agencies that eventually became today's Coast Guard. In addition to tallying the total number of lives saved, the historian's office has compiled a list of the top ten rescues in the Coast Guard's history. The list shows the breadth of the Coast Guard's efforts to save lives in peril on the seas. 

A video documenting the service's top ten rescues is available here.