10 Things You Didn’t Know About the U.S. Coast Guard
Since 1899, the U.S. Coast Guard Yard (CGY) in Baltimore has been ensuring that the Coast Guard has the ability to carry out its ever-changing, but always important, mission. From operations overseas, to defending the homeland, drug interdiction and environmental protection, the United States Coast Guard plays an integral role in keeping America steps ahead of those who wish to do us harm. The U.S. Coast Guard has a strong presence across Maryland, promoting homeland security, public safety and supporting jobs.
Here are 10 things you might not have known about the Coast Guard’s impact on Maryland.
1. The Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore is an economic driver: The Yard generates around $217.5 million in economic activity in Maryland and creates or supports about 2,400 jobs earning an estimated $127 million.
2. CGY plays an integral role in the War or Terror: The Yard renovated the vessels that were used in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Many former Coast Guard vessels that were built or serviced in Baltimore are still in service with our allies around the world.
3. CGY bounced back quickly from the worst East Coast storm in 2016: After biggest snowfall in Baltimore’s history (1/22/16 — 1/24/16) CGY maintenance personnel and contractors collectively devoted 2500 hours of work to clearing 3.4 million cubic feet of snow so the Yard could be cleared in two days.
4. Home to over 600 military/civilian personnel: The CGY is one of the larger employers in the area. The enlisted and civilian workforce at CGY ensure that the Coast Guard can carry out missions across Maryland, America and the world.
5. CGY has been world-renowned since the early 1900s: CGY has a global reputation for laying down and maintaining everything from small rescue boats to large cutters.
6. CGY is partnered with the UMD system: University of Maryland University College (UMUC) holds undergraduate classes at the Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay in Baltimore, Maryland, for active-duty Coast Guard service members and Coast Guard civilians.
7. The Coast Guard operates a floating museum: The U.S.S. Constellation, which was built in 1854, is stationed at the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay to show visitors what a typical ship built by CGY in the organizations’ early years looked like. It was most recently refurbished in 2014.
8. The Coast Guard plays a role in environmental protection: CGY has managed wastes including petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, paints, acids, corrosion inhibitors, mercury batteries and lithium batteries. The Coast Guard is committed to a healthy Chesapeake Bay.
9. The Coast Guard is getting a major development grant: $10 billion was included in the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill for the Coast Guard, this money will partially be used to build and upgrade ships, including a new Arctic icebreaker, a ninth national security cutter, 25 offshore patrol cutters and 58 fast response cutters.
10. They are the best at what they do:
