Department of Homeland Security

Office of Inspector General

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard's 

Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

OIG-10-17 November 2009
Office ofInspector Generaf 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security 

Washington, DC 25028 

Homeland 

Security 

NOV 16 2009 

Preface 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office oflnspector General (OIG) was 

established by the Homeland Security Act of2002 (Public Law 107-296) by amendment 

to the Inspector General Act of1978. This is one of a series of audit, inspection, and 

special reports prepared as part of our oversight responsibilities to promote economy, 

efficiency, and effectiveness within the department. 

This report addresses the annual review of the U.S. Coast Guard's mission performance, 

as required by the Homeland Security Act of2002. It is based on interviews with 

employees and officials ofrelevant agencies and institutions and a review of applicable 

documents. 

We trust this report will result in more effective, efficient, and economical operations. 

We express our appreciation to all of those who contributed to the preparation of this 

report. 

~~c;(,~ 

Richard L. Skinner 

Inspector General 
Table of Contents/Abbreviations 

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Executive Summary.............................................................................................................1

Background..........................................................................................................................2 

Results of Review ................................................................................................................3 

Resource Hours for Non-Homeland Security and Homeland Security Missions..........3 

Coast Guard’s Mission Performance .............................................................................6 

FY 2009 Budget Projections..........................................................................................7 

Management Comments and OIG Analysis ..................................................................7 

Appendices 

Appendix A: Purpose, Scope, and Methodology.........................................................8 

Appendix B: Management Comments to the Draft Report.......................................10 

Appendix C: Non-Homeland Security Missions.......................................................11 

Appendix D: Homeland Security Missions ...............................................................22 

Appendix E: Major Contributors to this Report........................................................35 

Appendix F: Report Distribution ..............................................................................36 

Abbreviations 

DHS Department of Homeland Security 

DOG Deployable Operations Group 

FY Fiscal Year 

GAO Government Accountability Office 

OIG Office of Inspector General 
OIG

Department of Homeland Security 

Office of Inspector General 

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 1 

Executive Summary 

This report presents our annual review of the U.S. Coast Guard’s 

mission performance as required by the Homeland Security Act of 

2002. To address this Act’s requirements, we reviewed the Coast 

Guard’s performance measures and results for each non-homeland 

security and homeland security mission, as well as resource hours 

used to perform the various missions from Fiscal Years 2001 

through 2008. 

Although we did not verify the accuracy of Coast Guard data, the 

data show that for the seventh consecutive year the Coast Guard, in 

fiscal year 2008, dedicated more resource hours to homeland 

security missions than non-homeland security missions. The data 

also show that the gap between homeland security and nonhomeland security resource hours is narrowing. Coast Guard 

performance measurement information shows that it met more 

non-homeland security mission performance measures than 

homeland security measures. Coast Guard-provided budget 

projections for Fiscal Year 2009 show a narrowing of the gap 

between homeland security and non-homeland security missions. 

This report contains no recommendations. The Coast Guard had 

no comments to the report. A copy of the Coast Guard’s response 

is attached at Appendix B.
Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 2 

Background 

Coast Guard Missions. Section 888 of the Homeland Security 

Act of 2002 (Act), Public Law 107-296, dated November 25, 2002, 

directs the Inspector General to conduct an annual review that 

assesses the performance of all the Coast Guard missions, with a 

particular emphasis on non-homeland security missions. This 

Section also defines the Coast Guard’s 11 statutory missions as 

either non-homeland security missions or homeland security 

missions, as follows: 

Non-Homeland Security Missions 

 Marine Safety 

 Search and Rescue 

 Aids-to-Navigation 

 Living Marine Resources 

 Marine Environmental Protection 

 Ice Operations 

Homeland Security Missions 

 Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security 

 Drug Interdiction 

 Migrant Interdiction 

 Defense Readiness 

 Other Law Enforcement 

In addition, Section 888 of the Act prohibits the Secretary from 

substantially or significantly reducing any of the Coast Guard’s 

missions or its capability to perform those missions, subsequent to 

the transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland 

Security (DHS). 

Resource Hours. The Coast Guard uses resource hours—

generally, the number of flight hours (for aircraft) and underway 

hours (for boats and cutters) used to carry out a specific mission—

to determine the amount of time that is expended on each of its 

non-homeland security and homeland security missions. During 

our review, we obtained data on the total number of resource hours 

reported by the Coast Guard from a baseline of pre-September 11, 

2001 data, through Fiscal Year (FY) 2008. The Coast Guardcalculated baseline is an annual average of resource hours based on 

eight FY quarters preceding September 11, 2001. We did not, 

however, verify the resource hour data reported by the Coast 

Guard, nor did we validate whether the Coast Guard accurately 
Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 3 

classified resource hours used for each mission. We assessed total 

resource hours for the 11 individual missions in order to identify 

the changes in each. 

Performance Measures and Results. The Coast Guard’s 

performance is measured as part of the DHS Performance 

Management Framework, which ties DHS’ goals and objectives to 

its mission-oriented programs. Program performance goals are 

reported in terms of their associated performance measures, which 

express tangible and measurable objectives against which actual 

achievements can be compared. 

 

Results of Review 

Although we did not verify the accuracy of Coast Guard data, the data show that 

for the seventh consecutive year the Coast Guard, in FY 2008, dedicated more 

resource hours to homeland security missions than non-homeland security 

missions. The data also show that the gap between homeland security and nonhomeland security resource hours is narrowing. Coast Guard performance 

measure information shows that it met more non-homeland security mission 

performance measures than homeland security measures. Coast Guard-provided 

budget projections for Fiscal Year 2009 show a narrowing of the gap between 

homeland security and non-homeland security missions. 

Resource Hours for Non-Homeland Security and Homeland 

Security Missions 

Prior to FY 2001, the majority of resource hours were dedicated to nonhomeland security missions; however, since FY 2002, the majority of 

resource hours have been dedicated to homeland security missions, as 

illustrated in the following chart 
Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 4 

Resource Hours - All Missions

0

100000

200000

300000

400000

500000

600000

700000

800000

900000

Baseline 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Fiscal Year

Resource Hours

Non-Homeland Security Missions Homeland Security Missions

38% 41%

62% 58% 63%

57% 55% 57% 55%

62% 59% 42% 38% 37% 43% 45% 43% 45%

The Coast Guard data also show that the gap between resource hours for 

homeland security versus non-homeland security missions is narrowing 

from a 26% difference in FY 2004 (63% of resource hours used for 

homeland security missions versus 37% for non-homeland security 

missions) to 10% for FY 2008. Total Coast Guard-reported resource 

hours, composed of the number of flight hours (for aircraft) and underway 

hours (for boats and cutters) used on a specific mission, dropped for the 

third straight year to 742,386 in FY 2008, declining more than 

3.5% compared to 770,716 in FY 2007. Of that total in FY 2008, nonhomeland security resource hours increased to 334,901, increasing 1.9% 

compared to 328,617 the previous year. In contrast, homeland security 

resource hours declined significantly to their lowest level since FY 2002 at 

407,485 in FY 2008, decreasing 7.8% compared to 442,099 the previous 

year. 

The following table shows that the largest percentage of all Coast Guard 

resource hours was utilized for the Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security 

mission, accounting for 27.7% of total resource hours for FY 2008. 
Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 5 

TABLE 1

Mission 

FY 05 

Hours 

% of 

Total 

Mission 

Hours 

FY 06 

Hours 

% of 

Total 

Mission 

Hours 

FY 07 

Hours 

% of 

Total 

Mission 

Hours 

FY 08 

Hours 

% of 

Total 

Mission 

Hours 

Non-Homeland Security 

Search and Rescue 74,974 9.52% 59,914 7.74% 59,999 7.78% 61,321 8.27%

Marine Safety 40,123 5.09% 68,277 8.82% 49,379 6.41% 45,794 6.16%

Aids-to-Navigation 114,469 14.53% 105,566 13.64% 102,088 13.25% 106,638 14.37%

Ice Operations 11,398 1.45% 6,877 0.89% 10,230 1.33% 11,938 1.61%

Marine Environmental 

Protection 5,199 0.66% 4,509 0.58% 2,628 0.34% 3,441 0.46%

Living Marine Resources 88,712 11.26% 99,850 12.90% 104,293 13.53% 105,769 14.24%

Sub- Total 334,875 42.51% 344,993 44.57% 328,617 42.64% 334,901 45.11%

Homeland Security 

Illegal Drug Interdiction 74,678 9.48% 94,116 12.16% 75,175 9.75% 75,892 10.23%

Undocumented Migrant 

Interdiction 71,800 9.11% 67,936 8.78% 98,899 12.83% 74,918 10.09%

Other Law Enforcement 5,794 0.74% 5,112 0.66% 9,213 1.20% 8,272 1.11%

Ports, Waterways, Coastal 

Security 257,411 32.68% 216,595 27.98% 219,662 28.50% 205,715 27.71%

Defense Readiness 43,182 5.48% 45,360 5.85% 39,150 5.08% 42,688 5.75%

Sub-Total 452,865 57.49% 429,119 55.43% 442,099 57.36% 407,485 54.89%

Total 787,740 100.00% 774,112 100.00% 770,716 100.00% 742,386 100.00%

The percentages of total hours by statutory mission areas are illustrated in 

the following graph. 

0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%

Search and Rescue

Marine Safety

Aids-to-Navigation

Ice Operations

Marine Environmental Protection

Living Marine Resources

Illegal Drug Interdiction

Undocumented Migrant Interdiction

Other Law Enforcement 

Ports, Waterways, Coastal Security

Defense Readiness

Statutory Missions

Percentage of Total Resource Hours by Fiscal Year

FY08

FY07

FY06

FY05

Non-Homeland Security Homeland Security
Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 6 

Summaries of each non-homeland security mission and homeland security 

mission are included in appendices C and D, respectively. 

Coast Guard’s Mission Performance 

The Coast Guard reported that it met 12 of its 25 performance measures in 

FY 2008, including meeting 7 of 12 non-homeland security performance 

measures and 5 of the 13 homeland security performance measures. Of 

the 25 performance measures for FY 2008, 17 were new, including 8 new 

measures for non-homeland security missions and 9 new measures for 

homeland security missions. The following table summarizes the Coast 

Guard’s success in meeting its performance measures and highlights its 

performance in meeting the new measures. 

TABLE 2 

Mission Number of 

Performance 

Measures in 

FY 2008 

Number of 

Performance 

Measures 

Met in 

FY 2008 

Number of 

Performance 

Measures 

Used for First 

Time in FY 

2008 

Number of 

Performance 

Measures Met 

That Were Used 

for First Time 

in FY 2008 

Non-Homeland Security 

 Search and Rescue 1 0 of 1 N/A N/A 

 Aids-to-Navigation 2 1 of 2 1 1 of 1 

 Ice Operations 2 2 of 2 1 1 of 1 

 Living Marine Resources 1 0 of 1 N/A N/A 

 Marine Safety 3 2 of 3 3 2 of 3 

 Marine Environmental Protection 3 2 of 3 3 2 of 3 

 Total Non-Homeland 12 7 of 12 8 6 of 8 

Homeland Security 

 Ports, Waterways, and 

 Coastal Security 7 3 of 7 6 2 of 6 

 Drug Interdiction 1 1 of 1 N/A N/A 

 Migrant Interdiction 1 0 of 1 1 0 of 1 

 Defense Readiness 3 0 of 3 2 0 of 2 

 Other Law Enforcement 1 1 of 1 N/A N/A 

 Total Homeland 13 5 of 13 9 2 of 9 

TOTALS 25 12 of 25 17 8 of 17 

The performance measures and results for non-homeland security missions 

and homeland security missions are included in appendices C and D, 

respectively. 
Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 7 

 

FY 2009 Budget Projections 

According to the Coast Guard’s FY 2009 budget projections 

presented in the Annual Performance Report1

, during FY 2009 the 

Coast Guard expects to close the gap between non-homeland 

security missions and homeland security missions. The Coast 

Guard expects to expend 49.3% of its FY 2009 budget on nonhomeland security missions and 50.7% on homeland security 

missions. The Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security mission 

will remain the largest user of Coast Guard resources in FY 2009. 

Management Comments and OIG Analysis 

The Coast Guard had no comments to the OIG’s analysis of the U.S. 

Coast Guard’s Mission Performance for Fiscal Year 2008 report. 

We included the comments from the Chief, Office of Budget and 

Programs for the U.S. Coast Guard in Appendix B. 

1

 Department of Homeland Security Annual Performance Report – Fiscal Years 2008 - 2010 
Appendix A

Purpose, Scope, and Methodology

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 8 

Section 888 (f) (1) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 directs 

the Inspector General to conduct an annual assessment of the Coast 

Guard’s performance of all its missions, with a particular emphasis 

on non-homeland security missions. The objective of this review 

was to determine the extent to which the Coast Guard is 

maintaining its historical level of effort on non-homeland security 

missions. 

We reviewed the following Government Accountability Office 

(GAO) reports and testimonies: 

 Coast Guard Observations on the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget, 

Recent Performance, and Related Challenges, GAO-08-494T, 

March 6, 2008; 

 Coast Guard Deepwater Program Management Initiatives and 

Key Homeland Security Missions, GAO-08-531T, March 5, 

2008; 

 Coast Guard Preliminary Observations on Deepwater 

Program Assets and Management Challenges, GAO-07-446T, 

February 15, 2007; 

 Coast Guard Efforts to Improve Management and Address 

Operational Challenges in the Deepwater Program, 

GAO-07-460T, February 14, 2007; and 

 Coast Guard Observations on the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget, 

Performance, Reorganization, and Related Challenges, GAO07-489T, April 18, 2007.

We analyzed the total number of resource hours reported by the 

Coast Guard prior to September 11, 2001, through FY 2008. We 

did not attempt to verify the resource hour data, nor did we attempt 

to validate whether the Coast Guard had accurately categorized 

such data. We assessed total resource hours for the 11 individual 

Coast Guard missions to identify the changes in each. 

We analyzed performance measures and targets to determine 

whether the measures for each of the Coast Guard’s missions had 

been accomplished. We obtained information on performance 

from the Department of Homeland Security Annual Performance 

Report, Fiscal Years 2008–2010. We also held discussions with 

Coast Guard officials to obtain information on why the Coast 

Guard did not meet its performance measures for certain missions. 

We conducted our review between January 2009 and August 2009 

under the authority of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
Appendix A

Purpose, Scope, and Methodology

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 9 

amended, and according to the Quality Standards for Inspections, 

issued by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and 

Efficiency. We relied on data provided by the Coast Guard, but did 

not verify those data against original documentation. 

We would like to extend our appreciation for the cooperation and 

courtesies extended by the Coast Guard to our staff during the review. 
Appendix B 

Management Comments to the Draft Report

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 10 
Appendix C 

Non-Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 11 

Non-Homeland Security Missions

The Performance Measures and Results for Appendix C were 

taken from the FY 2008 Annual Performance Report, provided by 

the Coast Guard. An “Explanation of Results” and “Corrective 

Actions” were provided in those cases where the current year’s 

target was not met.2

Resource Hours. The FY 2008 total non-homeland security 

resource hours were up 1.9% from FY 2007 reaching 334,901 for 

non-homeland security missions, as illustrated in the following 

graph. 

 

Non-Homeland Security Resource Hours

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

Baseline 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Fiscal Year

Resource Hours

Performance Measures and Results. For FY 2008, the Coast 

Guard met 7 of 12 performance measures for its six non-homeland 

security missions, as compared with meeting two of six nonhomeland security performance measures in FY 2007. 

The performance measures and results for each non-homeland 

security mission are summarized below. 

Search and Rescue

Minimizing the loss of life, personal injury, and property damage 

or loss by rendering aid to persons in distress and property in the 

maritime environment has always been a Coast Guard priority. 

 

2

 Department of Homeland Security Annual Performance Report – Fiscal Years 2008 - 2010 
Appendix C 

Non-Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 12 

Resource Hours. Search and rescue is a demand-driven mission. 

Requirements for search and rescue service increase or decrease 

relative to the number of people at sea and their need for Coast 

Guard assistance. Resource hours for the Search and Rescue 

mission show a significant increase of 14.8% in FY 2005 

attributable to the Coast Guard’s response to Hurricane Katrina. 

Resource hours in FY 2008 increased approximately 2% over 

FY 2007. The following graph shows the number of resource 

hours used by the Coast Guard for the search and rescue mission 

from the baseline period through FY 2008. 

Search and Rescue Resource Hours

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

Baseline 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Fiscal Year

Resource Hours

Performance Measures and Results. The one performance 

measure related to Search and Rescue was not met for the third 

consecutive year. The performance measure used in FY 2008, 

“percent of mariners in imminent danger saved,” will be replaced 

with a new performance measure for FY 2009, “percent of people 

in imminent danger saved in the maritime environment.” 

Search and Rescue 

Performance Measure – Percent of mariners in imminent danger saved 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target 85% 85% 85% 85% 86% 86% 86% 87% 

Actual 84.2% 84.4% 87.7% 86.8% 86.1% 85.3% 85.4% 83.6% 

Result 

X 

Not 

Met 

X 

Not 

Met 



Met 



Met 



Met 

X 

Not 

Met 

X 

Not 

Met 

X 

Not 

Met 

Explanation: According to information provided by the Coast 

Guard and presented in the Department of Homeland Security’s 

Performance Report, Fiscal Years 2008–2010, the FY 2008 target 
Appendix C 

Non-Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 13 

was missed, as both the number of search and rescue cases 

(24,225) and the number of lives saved (4,104) declined from 

FY 2007 levels (26,940 and 4,574, respectively). Most of the 

decrease occurred from spring through fall of 2008, the seasons 

that normally post the highest number of cases and lives saved. 

The performance report notes that the drop in cases mirrors closely 

the economic downturn and may be a result of fewer mariners on 

the water, including those who would otherwise be available to 

assist in search and rescue efforts. The number of lives lost 

increased from 788 in FY 2007 to 808 in FY 2008. 

Corrective Action: According to the Coast Guard, examination of 

case and lives saved data did not indicate any clear reason as to 

why both the number of cases and lives saved declined so 

significantly. Economic issues appear to be the primary driver. 

The Coast Guard will continue to field system improvements and 

work to identify areas of emphasis for improving search and rescue 

response. 

Aids-to-Navigation 

The Aids-to-Navigation mission is a means for the Coast Guard to 

mark the waters of the United States and its territories to assist 

boaters in navigation and alert them to obstructions and hazards. 

Resource Hours. The chart below shows FY 2008 resource hours 

at a 4.4% increase from FY 2007, constituting an approximate 

4.9% decrease from the baseline level. 

Aids-to-Navigation Resource Hours

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

Baseline 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Fiscal Year

Resource Hours
Appendix C 

Non-Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 14 

Performance Measures and Results. There were two 

performance measures related to Aids-to-Navigation in FY 2008. 

One measure was met and one was not met. 

Aids-to-Navigation 

Performance Measure – Federal short range aids-to-navigation availability 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 97.5% 

Actual N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 98.3% 

Result 

Met 

Aids-to-Navigation 

Performance Measure – Five-year average number of collisions, allisions, and groundings 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target 2,261 2,098 2,010 1,923 ≤ 1,831 ≤1,748 ≤ 1,664 ≤ 1,756 

Actual 2,215 2,098 2,000 1,876 1,877 1,816 1,823 1,857 

Result 

Met 



Met 



Met 



Met 

X 

Not Met 

X 

Not Met 

X 

Not Met 

X 

Not Met 

Explanation: According to information provided by the Coast 

Guard and presented in the Department of Homeland Security’s 

Performance Report, Fiscal Years 2008–2010, the program’s 

efforts to limit disruptions to waterways and enhance capacity and 

safety have been successful as the resultant long-term downward 

trend indicates. This positive trend exists despite including a prior 

year increase in the number of allision events being captured in the 

5-year average, and despite vessel traffic increases of more than 

10% since 2002 (measured in terms of total vessel transits, 

deadweight tonnage, and waterborne commerce). The impact of 

vessel traffic is reflected in the target recalculation and resulting 

increase of almost 100 incidents compared to last year’s target. 

Corrective Action: The program uses a number of practices to 

achieve its waterways safety and efficiency goals and to meet the 

targets for this metric. Many factors, such as weather, topography, 

bridge clearance and maintenance, vessel characteristics and 

traffic, mariner experience and competence, and aids-to-navigation 

mix, impact waterways risks. To reduce these risks, aids-to 
Appendix C 

Non-Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 15 

navigation strategy relies heavily on stakeholder involvement for 

risk identification and mitigation. The Coast Guard leads these 

risk-based efforts through its Harbor Safety Committees, local 

waterways assessment studies, and port safety assessments, which 

provide the means to organize, address, and resolve issues. These 

issues include safety and navigation, port congestion, commercial 

issues, dredging, vessel traffic service, port competitiveness, and 

overall port and waterway management. 

Ice Operations

This mission encompasses icebreaking activities in the Great 

Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway, and Northeast.3

 These activities 

facilitate the movement of bulk cargoes carried by regional 

commercial fleets during the winter months. 

Resource Hours. The fluctuations in resource hours are not 

unusual, since this mission is dependent on ice accumulation, 

which fluctuates on an annual basis. In FY 2008, resource hours 

increased by 16.6% from FY 2007, to equal the baseline level. 

Ice Operations Resource Hours

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

Baseline 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Fiscal Year

Resource Hours

Performance Measures and Results. There were two 

performance measures related to Ice Operations in FY 2008, and 

both were met. 

 

3

 In addition to domestic ice operations, the Coast Guard operates the only U.S.-controlled icebreakers 

capable of operations in the polar regions. The Coast Guard operates these cutters and is reimbursed for 

their operation and maintenance by the National Science Foundation. Resource hours for polar operations 

are included in the chart; however, only Coast Guard-directed domestic ice operations performance targets 

are measured. 
Appendix C 

Non-Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 16 

Ice Operations 

Performance Measure – Number of days critical waterways are closed due to ice 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target 8 2 8 2 

2 avg. 

and 8 

severe 

2 avg. 

and 8 

severe 

2 avg. 

and 8 

severe 

2 avg. 

and 8 

severe 

Actual 7 7 7 4 0 0 0 0 

Result 

Met 

X 

Not 

Met 



Met 

X 

Not 

Met 



Met 



Met



Met



Met 

Ice Operations 

Performance Measure – Percent success rate in 

meeting requests for polar ice breaking 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 100% 

Actual N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 100% 

Result 

Met 

The measure of percent success rate in meeting requests for polar 

ice breaking was retired in FY 2008. In FY 2009, this measure 

will be replaced by the measure, “U.S. Coast Guard asset hours 

employed in polar operations.” 

Living Marine Resources

This program’s mission is to provide effective and professional atsea enforcement of federal fisheries and other regulations to 

advance national goals for the conservation and management of 

Living Marine Resources and their environments. 

Resource Hours. Since FY 2002, resource hours have steadily 

increased each year. FY 2008 levels were higher than the baseline 

and all previous years. 
Appendix C 

Non-Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 17 

Living Marine Resource Hours

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

Baseline 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Fiscal Year

Resource Hours

Performance Measures and Results. There was one 

performance measure related to Living Marine Resources in 

FY 2008, and it was not met. 

Living Marine Resources 

Performance Measure – Percent of Coast Guard boardings at sea in which no 

significant violations are detected when domestic fisheries regulations apply 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target 97% 97% 97% 97% 97% 97% 97% 97% 

Actual 98.6% 97.3 % 97.1% 96.3% 96.4% 96.6% 96.2% 95.3% 

Result 

Met 



Met 



Met 

X 

Not 

Met 

X 

Not 

Met 

X 

Not 

Met 

X 

Not 

Met 

X 

Not 

Met 

Explanation: In FY 2008, results ended below the Coast Guard’s 

goal for domestic fisheries at sea-observed compliance rate. The 

missed 97% target is the result of an increase in violations realized 

due to increased agency partnerships and increased use of 

technology, resulting in improved maritime domain awareness. 

The Coast Guard continues to detect the largest proportion of 

significant violations in the Atlantic sea scallops, Gulf of Mexico 

shrimp, and Northern multispecies fisheries. 

Corrective Action: The Coast Guard will continue to target the 

individual fisheries with the preponderance of significant 

violations in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico shrimp, 

Northeast multispecies, and Atlantic sea scallops fisheries. In 

addition, the Coast Guard will continue to focus on improving 

operational effectiveness as well as focus operations and boardings 
Appendix C 

Non-Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 18 

in those fisheries where the observed compliance rates are lowest, 

to achieve the desired deterrence effect, which is intended to 

increase the overall compliance rate. 

Marine Safety

The Marine Safety program ensures the safe operation and 

navigation of United States and foreign-flagged vessels. The Coast 

Guard is responsible for providing safe, efficient, and 

environmentally sound waterways for commercial and recreational 

users. Domestic vessel inspections and port state control (foreign 

vessel) examinations are conducted in order to safeguard maritime 

commerce and international trade. 

Resource Hours. The Coast Guard did not report hours for this 

mission prior to 2005. Resource hours for Marine Safety 

decreased by approximately 7.2% from FY 2007 to FY 2008. 

Marine Safety Resource Hours

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

Baseline 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Fiscal Year

Resource Hours

Performance Measures and Results. There were three 

performance measures related to Marine Safety in FY 2008. Two 

measures were met and one was not met. 

Marine Safety 

Performance Measure – Five-year average number of 

commercial mariner deaths and injuries 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A <501 

Actual N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 479 

Result 

Met 
Appendix C 

Non-Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 19 

Marine Safety 

Performance Measure – Five-year average number of 

recreational boating deaths and injuries 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A <4,252 

Actual N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 4,070 

Result 

Met 

Marine Safety 

Performance Measure – Five-year average number of 

commercial passenger deaths and injuries 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A <225 

Actual N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 244 

Result 

X 

Not 

Met 

Explanation: According to information provided by the Coast 

Guard and presented in the Department of Homeland Security’s 

Performance Report, Fiscal Years 2008–2010, commercial 

passenger deaths and injuries have varied significantly from one 

year to the next. The 5-year average of commercial passenger 

deaths and injuries increased from 216 in FY 2006 to 244 in FY 

20084. In part, the Coast Guard attributes this increase to the 112 

injuries caused by severe listing on the cruise ship Crown Princess

in July 2006. While the 5-year average appears to be increasing, 

actual deaths and injuries in 2007 and 2008 decreased. 

Corrective Action: The program has several initiatives to hire 

more marine inspectors and investigators. According to the Coast 

Guard, this hiring should show positive results as these personnel 

are hired and assigned to field units. A Marine Safety Performance 

Plan was drafted in FY 2008 to raise awareness and increase the 

importance of this mission. The Performance Plan also allows the 

maritime industry to participate and offer ideas for new initiatives. 

 

4

 Fiscal Year 2008, Coast Guard Performance Report, May 2009, page 17 
Appendix C 

Non-Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 20 

Marine Environmental Protection

The Marine Environmental Protection program falls under the 

Coast Guard’s stewardship role and is concerned with averting the 

introduction of invasive species, stopping unauthorized ocean 

dumping, and preventing the discharge of oil or hazardous 

substances into the navigable waters of the United States. 

Resource Hours. The Coast Guard did not report resource hours 

prior to FY 2005. Resource hours declined from FY 2005 to 

FY 2007, before increasing by 30.9% in FY 2008. 

Marine Environmental Protection Resource Hours

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

Baseline 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Fiscal Year

Resource Hours

Performance Measures and Results. There were three 

performance measures related to Marine Environmental Protection 

in FY 2008. Two measures were met and one was not met. 

Marine Environmental Protection 

Performance Measure – Five-year average number of chemical discharge incidents per 

100 million short tons shipped 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A <26.6 

Actual N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 19.7 

Result 

X 

not met 



Met 
Appendix C 

Non-Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 21 

Marine Environmental Protection 

Performance Measure – Five-year average number of oil spills per 

100 million short tons shipped 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A <13.5 

Actual N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 12.7 

Result 

X 

not met 



Met 

Marine Environmental Protection 

Performance Measure – Percent of oil removed or otherwise mitigated as compared to 

the amount of oil released for reported spills of 100 gallons or more 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 15% 

Actual N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A No Data 

Result 

X 

not met 

X 

Not Met 

Explanation: According to information provided by the Coast 

Guard and presented in the Department of Homeland Security’s 

Performance Report, Fiscal Years 2008–2010, the program did not 

establish a methodology to collect the data for the percentage of oil 

removed or otherwise mitigated as compared to released from 

reported spills of 100 gallons or more in time for reporting actual 

results during FY 2008. 

Corrective Action: According to the Coast Guard, the system to 

collect this information in a database is not yet in place. However, 

the program plans to manually collect relevant data to report 

results for the third quarter of FY 2009. Also using manual 

calculations, the program plans to report results for all of FY 2009 

in the FY 2009 DHS Citizens’ Report. 
Appendix D 

Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 22 

Homeland Security Missions 

The Performance Measures and Results for Appendix D were 

taken from the FY 2008 Annual Performance Report, provided by 

the Coast Guard. An “Explanation of Results” and “Corrective 

Actions” were provided in those cases where the current year’s 

target was not met.5

Total resource hours for homeland security missions peaked in 

FY 2004, and resource hours decreased 7.8% from FY 2007 to 

FY 2008. However, the FY 2008 level is significantly (219%) 

above baseline levels, as depicted in the chart below. 

Homeland Security Resource Hours

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

Baseline 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Fiscal Year

Resource Hours

Performance Measures and Results. For FY 2008, the Coast 

Guard met 5 of 13 performance measures for its five homeland 

security missions. 

The performance measures and results for non-homeland security 

mission are summarized below. 

Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security

The Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security mission is to prevent 

and protect against maritime security threats, reduce America’s 

vulnerability to those threats, and minimize the adverse 

consequences of maritime security incidents that occur. 

Resource Hours. Resource hours for Ports, Waterways, and 

Coastal Security rapidly increased in response to the events of 

September 11, 2001. Of all Coast Guard missions, the Ports, 

Waterways, and Coastal Security mission uses the largest 

percentage of resource hours. 

 

5

 Department of Homeland Security Annual Performance Report – Fiscal Years 2008 - 2010 
Appendix D 

Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 23 

PWCS Resource Hours

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

Baseline 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Fiscal Year

Resource Hours

Performance Measures and Results. There are seven 

performance measures related to Ports, Waterways, and Coastal 

Security, and six were used for the first time in FY 2008. Of the 

seven measures, three were met and four were not met in FY 2008. 

Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security 

Performance Measure – Percent risk reduction for the transfer of a weapon 

of mass destruction meta-scenario 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 4% 

Actual N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 12% 

Result 

X 

not 

met 



Met 

Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security 

Performance Measure – Percent reduction in the maritime terrorism risk 

over which the U.S. Coast Guard has influence 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target N/A N/A N/A N/A Est. 14% 15% 15% 

Actual N/A N/A N/A N/A 3.4% 17% 15% 20% 

Result N/A 

Met



Met



Met 
Appendix D 

Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 24 

Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security 

Performance Measure – Percent risk reduction for the transfer of a terrorist 

meta-scenario 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 21% 

Actual N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 29% 

Result 

X 

no met 



Met 

Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security 

Performance Measure – Number of Transportation Workers Identification 

Credential (TWIC) spot checks 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 30,000 

Actual N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0 

Result 

X 

Not 

Met 

Explanation: According to information provided by the Coast 

Guard and presented in the Department of Homeland Security’s 

Performance Report, Fiscal Years 2008–2010, it did not conduct 

any Transportation Worker Identification Credential spot checks in 

FY 2008, due to a delay in the national compliance date of April 

15, 2009. Although a phased-in compliance schedule has been 

implemented for the Marine Transportation Security Act, the Coast 

Guard began enforcement of the identification cards on October 

15, 2008, with the rollout of compliance in Captain of the Port 

Zones Boston, Northern, and Southeastern New England. 

Initially, inspectors will check persons with unescorted access for 

identification card possession and inspect the cards for a photo 

match, any signs of possible tampering using the overt security 

features built into the card, and card validation through an 

expiration date. Inspections will be carried out by Coast Guard 

personnel during required annual facility inspections. According 
Appendix D 

Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 25 

to the Coast Guard, to date there has been a negligible impact on 

maritime commerce and only a few instances of truckers being 

turned away at gates for failure to have a Transportation Worker 

Identification Credential. 

Corrective Action: The Coast Guard awarded a contract at the end 

of September 2008 for the purchase of up to 300 handheld 

Transportation Worker Identification Credential readers to be used 

by facility and vessel security inspectors to check the validity of an 

identification card carried by individuals with unescorted access to 

secure areas on Maritime Transportation Security Act–regulated 

facilities or vessels. The program went into effect on April 15, 

2009; however, the output measure of “number of Transportation 

Workers Identification Credential spot checks” is being retired as it 

does not provide a good measure of performance or compliance. 

The Coast Guard is piloting a new measure at this time and is 

projected to have this new measure in place for FY 2010.

Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security 

Performance Measure – Risk reduction due to consequence management 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 6% 

Actual N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5% 

Result 

X 

not 

met 

X 

Not 

Met 

Explanation: The Coast Guard considers its triad of maritime 

regimes, domain awareness, and operational capability activities in 

characterizing its risk reduction efforts due to consequence 

management. According to the Coast Guard, the changes in 

performance shown by this measure are likely due to changes in 

the methodology, specifically improvements in risk assessment 

methodology within the Maritime Security Risk Assessment 

Model. 

Corrective Action: The Coast Guard is working with START and 

CREATE (DHS Centers of Excellence) to improve the processes 

and methodologies involved in assessing terrorism risk and 

performance against terrorism risk. 
Appendix D 

Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 26 

Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security 

Performance Measure – High-capacity passenger vessel required escort rate 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 100% 

Actual N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 58% 

Result 

X 

not 

met 

X 

Not 

Met 

Explanation: According to information provided by the Coast 

Guard and presented in the Department of Homeland Security’s 

Performance Report, Fiscal Years 2008–2010, lack of other 

government agency participation and shortfalls in performance due 

to a combination of limited Coast Guard boat availability and 

shortages of qualified personnel were the primary reasons for not 

meeting targeted performance. 

Corrective Action: The program is working to establish 

appropriate mounted automatic weapons standards and authority in 

ports where current policies ban the use of these weapons. The 

ban results in the Coast Guard not getting credit for conducting 

critical infrastructure visits in these ports. Some ports in the 

United States do not allow mounted automatic weapon carriage. 

Since the high-capacity passenger vessel escort does not meet 

Coast Guard requirements for this activity, the Coast Guard does 

not take credit for conducting these escorts. Additionally, 

Maritime Critical Infrastructure/Key Resource visits also require 

mounted automatic weapons. The program is continuing to work 

with state and local government partners to improve other 

government agency participation in critical infrastructure patrols. 
Appendix D 

Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 27 

Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security 

Performance Measure – Critical infrastructure required visit rate 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 100% 

Actual N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 69% 

Result 

X 

not 

met 

X 

Not 

Met 

Explanation: According to information provided by the Coast 

Guard and presented in the Department of Homeland Security’s 

Performance Report, Fiscal Years 2008–2010, if the number of 

other government agency and Coast Guard critical infrastructure 

visits were combined, the target percentage rate for this quarter 

would have been 74% instead of the 69%, as shown in the above 

table. The Coast Guard attributes a lack of other government 

agency participation and shortfalls in Coast Guard boats and 

qualified crews as primary reasons for not meeting targeted 

performance. 

Corrective Action: The program is working to establish 

appropriate mounted automatic weapons standards and authority in 

ports where current policies ban the use of these weapons. The 

ban results in the Coast Guard not getting credit for conducting 

high capacity passenger vessel escorts in these ports. Also, the 

program is continuing to work with state and local government 

partners to improve other government agency participation in 

critical infrastructure patrols. 

Drug Interdiction

The Coast Guard’s Drug Interdiction mission is key to combating 

the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. The Coast Guard is 

the lead federal agency for maritime drug interdiction and shares 

responsibility for air interdiction with U.S. Customs and Border 

Protection. 
Appendix D 

Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 28 

Resource Hours. As shown in the chart below, the Drug 

Interdiction mission FY 2008 resource hours increased by 1% from 

FY 2007, but are 38% below baseline levels. 

Illegal Drug Interdiction Resource Hours

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

Baseline 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Fiscal Year

Resource Hours

Performance Measures and Results. There was one 

performance measure related to Drug Interdiction for FY 2008. 

The Coast Guard estimates that it will meet its performance target 

based on forecasted cocaine flows, which will be validated in the 

summer of 2009. 

Drug Interdiction 

Performance Measure – Removal rate for cocaine that is shipped via 

noncommercial maritime means 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target 15% 18.7% 20.7% 15% 19% 22% 26% 28% 

Actual 11.7% 10.6% 16.3% 30.7% 27.3% 26% 32.6% 32.4% 

Est 

Result X 

Not Met 

X 

Not Met 

X 

Not Met 



Met 



Met 



Met



Met



Met 

This measure was retired in FY 2008, and it will be replaced in 

FY 2009 with the measure, “Removal rate for cocaine from noncommercial vessels in maritime transit zones.” 

Undocumented Migrant Interdiction

The Undocumented Migrant Interdiction mission responsibilities 

consist of enforcing immigration laws at sea. To fulfill its 

responsibilities, the Coast Guard conducts patrols and coordinates 

with other federal agencies and foreign countries to interdict 
Appendix D 

Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 29 

undocumented migrants at sea, denying them entry via maritime 

routes to the United States, its territories, and its possessions. 

Resource Hours. Resource hours declined more than 24% from 

FY 2007 to FY 2008; however, they still remained more than 

150% above baseline levels. 

Undocumented Migrant Interdiction Resource Hours

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

Baseline 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Fiscal Year

Resource Hours

Performance Measures and Results. There was one 

performance measure related to Migrant Interdiction for FY 2008, 

and it was not met. 

Migrant Interdiction 

Performance Measure – Percent of undocumented migrants who attempt to enter 

the United States via maritime routes and are interdicted 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 65% 

Actual N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 65.2% 62.7% 

Result X 

Not Met 

Explanation: According to information provided by the Coast 

Guard and presented in the Department of Homeland Security’s 

Performance Report, Fiscal Years 2008–2010, migrant flow was 

below historical trends during the summer months of 2008. The 

Coast Guard is evaluating numerous possible reasons for this 

decrease, including increased operations, recent indictments of 

suspected smugglers, political and economic conditions in Cuba, 

and the use of biometrics to identify and arrest individuals 

interdicted in the Florida Straights. 
Appendix D 

Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 30 

The dramatic rise in the use of high-speed go-fast vessels to 

smuggle Cuban migrants across the Florida Straits, which have a 

significantly greater success rate than traditional rafts and rusticas, 

is the single biggest factor affecting the Migrant Interdiction Rate. 

The interdiction rate of Cuban migrants dropped to a low of 38.6% 

in FY 2008. Haitian flow continues to be sporadic and is 

consistent with the previous 2 years. The decline in Dominican 

flow is most likely due to prosecutions resulting from biometrics. 

According to the Coast Guard, it pilot tested an at-sea, real-time 

biometric capability in 2007 and 2008 as part of its Migrant 

Interdiction mission in the Mona Pass, the body of water 

separating the Dominican Republic from Puerto Rico. The Coast 

Guard’s new capability to quickly and reliably identify smugglers, 

illegal migrants on repeated trips to the United States, and 

Dominicans that had been previously deported from the United 

States has provided a strong deterrent for Dominicans illegally 

attempting to enter the United States via the Mona Pass. 

The biometric capability enables the Coast Guard and the United 

States government to consistently prosecute these individuals and 

deliver a meaningful consequence—jail time. The Coast Guard is 

seeking budgetary support to expand its biometric capabilities to 

support all of its law enforcement missions. The identification rate 

for the fourth quarter of FY 2008 was 62.4%, a decrease from 

68.2% percent when compared to the fourth quarter of FY 2007. 

For FY 2008, the interdiction rate was 62.7%, which is a decrease 

from 65.2% during FY 2007. 

Corrective Action: The Coast Guard is attempting to counter 

Cuban migrants reaching the U.S. via go-fast vessels with 

increased surveillance (for early detection), new tactics (including 

noncompliant vessel-on-vessel use of force), and enhanced 

interagency operations (in coordination with the Homeland 

Security Task Force-South East). 

Defense Readiness

The Defense Readiness mission provides essential capabilities to 

support national security and military strategies. Resource hours 

depict the execution of these defense missions, while the 

performance measures and results measure the Coast Guard’s 

readiness to perform the mission. 
Appendix D 

Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 31 

Resource Hours. As shown in the chart below, resource hours for 

Defense Readiness reached their highest level in FY 2006 in 

comparison with the baseline. Resource hours increased by 9% 

from FY 2007 to FY 2008. 

Defense Readiness Resource Hours

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

Baseline 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Fiscal Year

Resource Hours

Performance Measures and Results. There were three 

performance measures related to Defense Readiness for FY 2008, 

and none of them were met. 

 

Defense Readiness 

Performance Measure – Defense readiness of patrol boats 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 100% 

Actual N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 65.2% 95% 

Result X 

Not Met 

 

Explanation: The Coast Guard missed the patrol boat readiness 

target by 5%. According to information provided by the Coast 

Guard and presented in the Department of Homeland Security’s 

Performance Report, Fiscal Years 2008–2010, the continued 

decline of the patrol boat fleet, due in large part to aging of the 

hulls and mechanical systems, has made achieving readiness 

standards increasingly difficult. Many assets are more than 20 

years old and are beyond their intended service lives. 

Corrective Action: Patrol boat readiness is being addressed in part 

by the Deepwater Program, whose assets are expected to yield 

increased capability for defense readiness mission performance. 
Appendix D 

Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 32 

This includes the new class of patrol boats, the Fast Response 

Cutter. The Fast Response Cutter contract was awarded in 

September 2008 for the design and construction of up to 34 

vessels. The first Fast Response Cutter will be delivered in 2010. 

 

Defense Readiness 

Performance Measure – Defense readiness of Port Security Units 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 100% 

Actual N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 24.45% 

Result 

X 

Not 

Met 

 

Explanation: According to information provided by the Coast 

Guard and presented in the Department of Homeland Security’s 

Performance Report, Fiscal Years 2008–2010, low Port Security 

Unit numbers are due in large part to selected skill shortages and 

training deficiencies. Shortfalls continue because of personnel 

rotation, training quotas to fill, and limited equipment and fuel 

funding. 

Corrective Action: The Deployable Operations Group (DOG) took 

ownership of the Port Security Units in 2008 and has begun several 

initiatives to address readiness issues such as consolidating Port 

Security Unit commands at the DOG, which has allowed for 

increased oversight and focus on the Port Security Units. 

According to the Coast Guard, this consolidation is contributing to 

an increase in readiness. 

Defense Readiness 

Performance Measure – Percent of time that U.S. Coast Guard assets included in the 

Combatant Commander Operational Plans are ready at a Status of Resources and 

Training System (SORTS) rating of 2 or better 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 

Actual 67% 70% 78% 76% 69% 62% 51% 56% 

Result X 

Not Met 

X 

Not Met 

X 

Not Met 

X 

Not Met 

X 

Not Met 

X 

Not Met 

X 

Not Met 

X 

Not Met 
Appendix D 

Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 33 

Explanation: While the Coast Guard did not meet its overall target 

of 100% defense readiness in FY 2008, the readiness level rose 

slightly to 56% from 51% in FY 2007. 

Corrective Action: According to information provided by the 

Coast Guard, resolution of Port Security Unit personnel shortfalls, 

along with unit training requirements, is improving unit readiness. 

Port Security Units have been placed under the command of the 

DOG, allowing for increased focus on these reserve units. The 

DOG is pursuing initiatives to address Port Security Unit shortfalls 

and the Coast Guard expects to see improved readiness in 

FY 2009. High Endurance Cutter readiness is being addressed in 

part by the Coast Guard’s major acquisitions, whose assets are 

expected to yield increased capability for Defense Readiness 

mission performance, including the National Security Cutter. The 

first National Security Cutter, Coast Guard Cutter BERTHOLF, 

was delivered in FY 2008, with additional National Security 

Cutters to follow in 2009 and 2010. 

In addition, the Coast Guard is working with the Navy to ensure 

continued access to the Status of Resources and Training System 

data as the system is phased out and replaced by the Defense 

Readiness Reporting System. The Coast Guard utilizes the Status 

of Resources and Training System to communicate the readiness of 

its assets in a format compatible with Department of Defense 

systems. The Coast Guard is currently developing the Coast Guard 

Readiness Reporting System, which will be compatible with the 

new Defense Readiness Reporting System. Until this system is 

developed, the Navy has agreed to keep the Status of Resources 

and Training System functional so that Coast Guard assets can 

continue to report readiness to Department of Defense commands. 

Other Law Enforcement 

Other Law Enforcement is responsible for preventing illegal foreign 

fishing vessel encroachment in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone.6

 

The Coast Guard focuses on three high-threat areas for illegal 

foreign incursions: the United States–Mexican border in the Gulf of 

 

6

 An Exclusive Economic Zone generally extends to a distance of 200 nautical miles (370 km) out from its 

coast. Within the Exclusive Economic Zone, the coastal state has sovereign rights for the purpose of 

exploring, exploiting, conserving, and managing natural resources, both living and nonliving, of the seabed, 

subsoil, and the subjacent waters; and with regard to other activities, for the economic exploitation and 

exploration of the zone. The U.S. has the largest Exclusive Economic Zone in the world, encompassing 

more than 2.25 million square miles and 90,000 miles of coast line. 
Appendix D 

Homeland Security Missions

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 34 

Mexico, the United States–Russian Maritime Boundary Line in the 

Bering Sea, and the eight noncontiguous Exclusive Economic Zones 

in the Western/Central Pacific. 

Resource Hours. As shown in the chart below, the resource hours 

for the Other Law Enforcement mission were below baseline in 

every year before FY 2007. After increasing dramatically in 

FY 2007, resource hours decreased 10% in FY 2008 to just above 

the baseline level. 

Other Law Enforcement Resource Hours

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

Baseline 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Fiscal Year

Resource Hours

Performance Measures and Results. There was one performance 

measure related to Other Law Enforcement for FY 2008. In 

FY 2008, for the fourth year in a row, the Coast Guard met this 

performance target. 

Other Law Enforcement 

Performance Measure – Number of incursions into the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone 

FY 

2001 

FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

FY 

2006 

FY 

2007 

FY 

2008 

Target <202 <202 <202 <202 <200 <199 <199 <195 

Actual 212 250 152 247 171 164 119 81 

Result X 

Not Met 

X 

Not Met 



Met

X 

Not Met 



Met 



Met



Met



Met 

 
Appendix E 

Major Contributors to this Report

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 35 

Brooke Bebow, Director 

Frank Lucas, Auditor in Charge 

Marisa Martinez, Auditor 

Gloria Medina-Ortiz, Independent Referencer 
Appendix F 

Report Distribution

Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2008) 

Page 36 

Department of Homeland Security

Secretary 

Deputy Secretary 

Chief of Staff for Operations 

Chief of Staff for Policy 

Deputy Chiefs of Staff 

General Counsel 

Executive Secretariat 

Director, GAO/OIG Liaison Office 

Assistant Secretary for Office of Policy 

Assistant Secretary for Office of Public Affairs

Assistant Secretary for Office of Legislative Affairs 

USCG Audit Liaison 

Office of Management and Budget

Chief, Homeland Security Branch 

DHS OIG Budget Examiner 

Congress

Congressional Oversight and Appropriations Committees, as 

appropriate
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND COPIES 

To obtain additional copies of this report, please call the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at (202) 254-4100, 

fax your request to (202) 254-4305, or visit the OIG web site at www.dhs.gov/oig. 

OIG HOTLINE 

To report alleged fraud, waste, abuse or mismanagement, or any other kind of criminal or noncriminal 

misconduct relative to department programs or operations: 

• Call our Hotline at 1-800-323-8603; 

• Fax the complaint directly to us at (202) 254-4292; 

• Email us at DHSOIGHOTLINE@dhs.gov; or 

• Write to us at: 

 DHS Office of Inspector General/MAIL STOP 2600, 

 Attention: Office of Investigations - Hotline, 

 245 Murray Drive, SW, Building 410, 

 Washington, DC 20528. 

The OIG seeks to protect the identity of each writer and caller.