United States Coast Guard

Annual Performance Report

Fiscal Year 2020
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page i

LETT ER FR OM TH E DEP UTY CO MMANDANT F OR OP ERA TIONS

Vice Admiral Scott A. Buschman

United States Coast Guard

Deputy Commandant for Operations

I am pleased to present the Coast Guard’s Annual Performance 

Report for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020.

The Coast Guard impacts the lives of nearly all Americans by 

ensuring the continued safety, security, and prosperity of our 

nation and FY 2020 was no exception, despite the impacts of 

COVID-19. We protected and supported the Marine 

Transportation System to ensure uninterrupted U.S. commerce; 

safeguarded our maritime borders from terrorist threats, illegal 

drugs and other contraband, undocumented migrants, and 

illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing; and continued to 

live up to our reputation as one of the world’s premier 

lifesaving and crisis response organizations, tested repeatedly 

by yet another record hurricane season with 30 names storms 

and 5 major hurricanes making landfall, and other human and natural caused disasters.

Our greatest strength and most important resource has always been and will continue to be our 

people. They are a diverse and talented group of active duty and reserve service members, civilian 

employees, and volunteer Auxiliarists—exceptional people who despite the impact of the 

pandemic, on a daily basis saved lives, stopped transnational criminals, protected the environment,

and supported international diplomacy and national security. They did this through their 

commitment to excellence in all they do, exemplified by their adherence to the Coast Guard’s core

values of Respect, Honor, and Devotion to Duty.

S. A. BUSCHMAN

Vice Admiral, U. S. Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page ii

Table of Contents

Letter from the Deputy Commandant for Operations..................................................................................... ii

Coast Guard Missions and Mission Programs................................................................................................ 1

Coast Guard Measures and Target Setting Process ........................................................................................ 2

FY 2020 Summary of Coast Guard Mission Performance ............................................................................. 3

FY 2020 Selected Performance Highlights .................................................................................................... 4

Prevention Mission-Programs ........................................................................................................................ 5

Maritime Prevention Program .................................................................................................................... 9

Marine Transportation System (MTS) Management Program ..................................................................16

Response Mission Programs..........................................................................................................................21

Maritime Security Operations Program.....................................................................................................28

Maritime Law Enforcement Program........................................................................................................30

Maritime Response Program .....................................................................................................................37

Defense Operations ...................................................................................................................................41

Coast Guard Intelligence ...............................................................................................................................43

International Engagement..............................................................................................................................47

Cyberspace Operations..................................................................................................................................51

Appendix - Performance Measure Definitions........................................................................................... A-1

Cover Photo: The Landing Signal Officer on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) MIDGETT gives 

direction to a Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew while operating in 

the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2020. (Coast Guard photo)

U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 1

COAST GUARD MISSIONS AND MISSION PROGRAMS

The Coast Guard upholds and safeguards the Nation’s maritime interests, protects those on the sea, 

protects the Nation against threats delivered by sea, and protects the sea itself. The Coast Guard

ensures the territorial integrity of America’s maritime domain, comprised of 95,000 miles of 

shoreline and a nearly 4.5 million square mile exclusive economic zone. In the Nation’s ports and 

harbors, and across the vast expanse of the ocean, coastal and inland waterways, we protect the 

safety and security of the American people and ensure the stewardship of natural and commercial

resources, against all threats internal and external, natural and man-made.

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 transferred the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland 

Security (DHS). It delineated 11 Coast Guard’s missions to ensure performance is reasonably 

tracked and non-homeland security results did not suffer because of the transfer. These are managed 

within six mission programs comprising the Coast Guard’s strategic mission management 

construct, which is based on the prevention and response architecture. The six Coast Guard mission 

programs and their Homeland Security Act mission responsibilities are listed in the table below.

U.S.COAST GUARD MISSION PROGRAMS HOMELAND SECURITY ACT MISSIONS

Maritime Prevention

Ports, Waterways & Coastal Security — Prevention Activities (PWCS-P)

Marine Safety (MS)

Marine Environmental Protection — Prevention Activities (MEP)

Marine Transportation System

Management

Aids to Navigation (ATON)

Ice Operations (ICE)

Maritime Security Operations Ports, Waterways & Coastal Security — Response Activities (PWCS-R)

Maritime Law Enforcement

Migrant Interdiction (MIGRANT)

Drug Interdiction (DRUG)

Living Marine Resources (LMR)

Other Law Enforcement (OLE)

Maritime Response

Search and Rescue (SAR)

Marine Environmental Protection — Response Activities (MER)

Defense Operations Defense Readiness (DR)

The Coast Guard has other mission responsibilities not explicitly listed in the Homeland Security 

Act, including products and services for the Intelligence Community; activities and efforts provided 

in support of U.S. diplomacy and international relations; Cyber Security; and Bridge 

Administration, Great Lakes Pilotage, and other Waterways Management functions.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 2

COAST GUARD MEASURES AND TARGET SETTING PROCESS

The Coast Guard established a balanced set of indicators for measuring and assessing progress 

toward attaining or maintaining primary mission outcome goals. Actual results inform performance 

discussions, initiative development, strategic plans, operational direction, and budget priorities. 

The results also provide a means of communicating Coast Guard actual and expected performance.

Outcome metrics are the most useful for assessing progress toward achieving enterprise purposes; 

and the Coast Guard Annual Performance Report consequently focuses on key outcome indicators.

Output and activity measures are not reported, nor are all outcome measures presented. The Coast 

Guard report includes measures not used by the Department of Homeland Security; and measures 

named and defined in the Appendix may differ somewhat from corresponding names and 

definitions adopted by the Department. Developing meaningful measures and ensuring data 

availability and validity is challenging; consequently the suite of reported measures evolves as new 

and improved measurement and reporting capabilities are developed.

Each year, the Service completes a comprehensive process of performance assessment, 

improvement planning, and target setting to coincide with its annual budget submission. Targets 

are ambitious, yet realistic expectations of future results. They are derived from reliable baselines

and credible performance benefits anticipated from initiatives and improvement plans. In 

determining such expectations, the Coast Guard presumes every target will always be attained.

Identifying and understanding target variance is a key function and benefit of performance analysis.

The baseline is the reference point from which expectations of change are determined. In a stable 

environment, where results are expected to deviate within normal limits of variation, the baseline 

is typically just a forward projection of the past several years’ average. In a period of dynamic 

change, the baseline is more appropriately determined from a trend line with due care given to both 

the type of trend line and its expected duration.

Each target is set by the Coast Guard, but some are derived from external mandates. Except for 

targets that reflect performance standards established with specific stakeholders, we annually refine 

targets by:

 Determining the anticipated out-year benefits of Coast Guard performance initiatives (e.g.,

strategy modifications to incorporate new technology);

 Identifying the expected benefits of Coast Guard continuous improvement efforts (e.g.,

improved operational execution);

 Ascertaining the impact of any constraints on Coast Guard capabilities such as budget or 

operational limits on staffing, training, equipment, infrastructure, and information; and

 Assessing external driver impacts (such as an increase or decrease in economic activity).
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 3

FY 2020 SUMMARY OF COAST GUARD MISSION PERFORMANCE

MARITIME PREVENTION

SECURITY ACT 

MISSION

Prior

Year

(Note 1)

FY20

Actual

FY20

Target

FY21

Target

M

Annual MTSA facility compliance rate with transportation worker ID 

credential regulations PWCS-P 99.0% 99.6% ≥99% ≥99%

S Annual Number of Breaches at High Risk Maritime Facilities PWCS-P 337 320 ≤312 ≤311

S 3-yr Average number of serious marine incidents MS 764 612 ≤644 ≤686

M

3-yr Average number of commercial mariner deaths and critical, serious 

& severe injuries MS 129 120 ≤112 ≤109

M

3-yr Average number of commercial passenger deaths and critical, 

serious & severe injuries MS 131 126 ≤110 ≤109

M 3-yr Average number of recreational boating deaths MS 637 635 ≤620 ≤618

M 3-yr Average of Chemical Discharge Incidents per 100M ST shipped MEP 8.7 7.9 ≤8.0 ≤7.9

M

3-yr Average of Oil Spills in the Maritime Environment per 100M ST

shipped MEP 9.1 8.2 ≤9.5 ≤9.4

MARINE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM MANAGEMENT

S Availability of maritime navigation aids ATON 96.9% 96.5% ≥97.5% ≥97.5%

M

Percent of time high-priority waterways in Great Lakes & Eastern 

Seaboard open during ice season ICE 97.2% 100% ≥95% ≥95%

M 5-yr Average number of navigational accidents ATON 1,326 1,211 ≤1,300 ≤1295

MARITIME SECURITY OPERATIONS

S Percent risk impact of maritime security operations (new for FY 2020) PWCS-R N/A 27% ≥42% ≥43%

M Maritime security operations efficiency (new for FY 2020) PWCS-R N/A 87% ≥80% ≥80%

MARITIME LAW ENFORCEMENT

Number of undocumented migrants attempting to enter U.S. by maritime 

routes MIGRANT 7,093 7,583 ≤9,000 ≤7,300

M

Number of undocumented migrants attempting to enter U.S. by maritime 

routes interdicted by USCG and partners MIGRANT 5,535 6,107 ≤4,718 ≤5,475

S Migrant interdiction effectiveness in the maritime environment MIGRANT 84.9% 80.5% ≥75.0% ≥75.0%

Percent undocumented migrants attempting to enter U.S. by maritime 

interdicted by USCG alone MIGRANT 37.4% 32.2% ≥50% ≥30%

Metric tons of cocaine removed DRUG 207.9 144.7 ≥240.0 ≥240

M

USCG removal rate for cocaine from non-commercial vessels in 

maritime transit zone DRUG 9.3% 7.4% ≥10.0% ≥10.0%

S Fishing regulation compliance rate LMR 97.9% 97.4% ≥97.0% ≥97.0%

Percent of federal fisheries found in compliance with laws and 

regulations LMR 37.4% 32.2% ≥28.0% ≥28.0%

Number of detected incursions of foreign fishing vessels violating U.S. 

waters OLE 185 351 ≤206 ≤190

S Interdiction rate of foreign fishing vessels violating U.S. waters OLE 46.0% 39.6% ≥35.0% ≥30.0%

MARITIME RESPONSE

S Percent of people in imminent danger saved in the maritime environment SAR 78.1% 86.5% ≥80% ≥80%

M Percent of time rescue assets are on-scene within 2 hours SAR 94% 93.9% 100% 100%

Percentage of property “in danger of loss: saved SAR 49.2% 56.3% ≥66% ≥66%

Marine Environmental Response Compliance MER 90.5% 95.4% ≥90% ≥90%

DEFENSE OPERATIONS

Defense readiness of major cutters for Department of Defense 

contingency planning DR 92.9% 80.7% 100% 100%

Defense readiness of patrol boats for contingency planning DR 100% 100% 100% 100%

Defense readiness of port security units (deployed) DR 100% 100% 100% 100%

Defense readiness of port security units (ready to deploy) DR 100% 100% ≥85% ≥85%

S – [Strategic] measure reported publically by DHS M – [Management] measure not reported publically by DHS, but provided to Congress

Note 1: Prior Year numbers may have been updated to reflect additional information received after the FY 2019 Annual Performance Report was published
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 4

FY 2020 SELECTED PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

 Conducted over 4,600 Maritime Transportation Security Act-related inspections.

 The Auxiliary completed 27,617 exams and 24,033 safety decals on multiple types of vessels.

 Conducted 370 transfer monitors of regulated facilities.

 Completed 23,002 U.S. vessel safety/security inspections; resulted in 87 flag state detentions.

 Conducted 7,931 foreign-flagged vessel inspections resulting in 65 detentions.

 Conducted 22,543 container safety inspections.

 Completed 4,820 fishing vessel exams and issued 2,904 decals.

 Conducted over 2,880 investigations into reportable marine casualties. 

 Conducted 76 International Port Security Program assessments in 70 countries.

 Issued 48,056 merchant mariner credentials and 49,471 medical certificates.

 Issued 233,666 Certificates of Documentation.

 Reviewed over 18,000 commercial vessel plans for compliance.

 Oversaw 45,288 Aids to Navigation; corrected 5,718 discrepancies.

 Issued 34 bridge permits with an estimated construction cost of $1.53 billion.

 Implemented 289 regulatory actions associated with drawbridge operations.

 Conducted 4,500 hours of icebreaking. 

 Tracked 169 icebergs drifting into trans-Atlantic shipping lanes.

 Established 663 waterways controls; reviewed 2,338 applications for marine event permits.

 Completed 58,529 patrols of critical infrastructure/key resources.

 Conducted 779 waterborne enforcement activities of fixed security zones.

 Completed 8,500 hours of coverage and 112 layered defense escorts in the Arabian Gulf.

 Air crews responded to 102 active air defense events in the National Capital Region.

 Interdicted 1,857 undocumented migrants.

 Removed 145 metric tons of cocaine.

 Conducted 6,620 boardings of U.S. fishing vessels; interdicted 139 foreign fishing incursions. 

 Responded to a total of 16,845 SAR cases; saved 4,286 lives; assisted 21,050 people.

 Responded to 10,202 pollution incident reports; managed 246 federal cleanup projects. 

 Conducted 2,003 pollution investigations and 2,101 enforcement actions.

 Completed the review/approval of 6,755 Vessel Response Plans.

 Conducted 135 site inspections of Oil Spill Removal Organizations.

 Directed 76 Government Initiated Unannounced Exercises. 

 Performed 394 exercises and 93 Preparedness for Response quarterly notification drills.

 Screened 102,926 commercial vessels, 7,142,296 crew members, and 11,846,693 travelers. 

 Hosted 157 international students from 53 countries.

 Coordinated 25 Mobile Training Team missions to 17 countries.

 Initiated 87 Interagency Agreements and funding orders.

 Defended against 408 cybersecurity incidents.

 Activated and deployed 209 reservists in support of operations along the U.S. southern border

and 446 in support of COVID-19 response efforts.

 250,000 cruise ship passengers disembarked from 120 vessels in U.S. ports, and 31 medical 

evacuations off cruise ships in or near U.S. waters since onset of COVID-19.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 5

PREVENTION MISSION-PROGRAMS

The Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, through its Maritime Prevention Program and 

Marine Transportation System Management Program, develops and promulgates mission strategy, 

doctrine, and policy guidance to enable the safe and efficient flow of people and commerce on the 

Nation’s waterways. The Assistant Commandant also provides strategic planning direction to 

ensure successful operational execution against programmatic standards; and maintains outreach 

to key stakeholders and federal, state, tribal, military, industry, and international partners.

HIGHLIGHTS

 Conducted over 4,600 Maritime Transportation Security Act-related inspections.

 The Auxiliary completed 27,617 exams and 24,033 safety decals on multiple types of 

vessels.

 Conducted 370 transfer monitors of regulated facilities.

 Completed 23,002 U.S. vessel safety/security inspections; resulted in 87 flag state 

detentions.

 Conducted 7,931 foreign-flagged vessel inspections resulting in 65 detentions.

 Conducted 22,543 container safety inspections.

 Completed 4,820 fishing vessel exams and issued 2,904 decals.

 Conducted over 2,880 investigations into reportable marine casualties. 

 Conducted 76 International Port Security Program assessments in 70 countries.

 Issued 48,056 merchant mariner credentials (including endorsements and

Documents of Continuity) and 49,471 medical certificates.

 Issued 233,666 Certificates of Documentation.

 Reviewed over 18,000 commercial vessel plans for compliance.

 Oversaw 45,288 Aids to Navigation with maintenance on 13,707; corrected 5,718 

discrepancies.

 Issued 34 bridge permits with an estimated construction cost of $1.53 billion.

 Implemented 289 regulatory actions associated with drawbridge operations.

 Conducted 4,500 hours of icebreaking. 

 Tracked 169 icebergs drifting into trans-Atlantic shipping lanes.

 Established 663 waterways controls; reviewed 2,338 applications for marine event permits.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 6

SUCCESS STORIES

Coast Guard Maintains Steady Service During the Global Pandemic. In 2020, the COVID-19 

pandemic significantly impacted the U.S. and the world, with 

broad effect on international commerce and providing endless 

challenges to the maritime industry. Since the domestic supply 

chain and continued operations within the MTS are critical for 

both national security and national economic well-being,

prevention professionals continued their mission to safeguard this 

vital flow of commerce, while simultaneously protecting 

personnel, property, and the environment from potential harm.

To reduce potential COVID-19 risks to Coast Guard personnel and 

stakeholders, the Coast Guard provided increased flexibility to 

inspectors in the field. The Inspections and Compliance 

Directorate issued Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) 09-

20 in March 2020, detailing the Coast Guard’s position on 

commercial vessel compliance activities during COVID-19. Not 

only did inspectors and examiners continue in-person activities with proper protective equipment, 

they also liberally used remote inspection techniques where possible. This flexibility allowed for 

safe completion of 8,000 foreign vessel exams; 23,000 domestic inspections; and almost 5,000 

commercial fishing vessel exams, all of which promoted commercial vessel safety without placing 

undue burden on industry stakeholders.

The response to COVID-19 challenges in the MTS extended well beyond the Coast Guard’s vessel 

compliance mission. COVID-19 resulted in a myriad of unique conditions warranting special 

considerations for port and facility operations. MSIB 07-20 provided critical guidance and options 

for port facility leadership to maintain safety and security compliance while reducing COVID risks 

to personnel, keeping the Nation’s vital maritime supply chain open. Additionally, facility 

inspectors leveraged virtual inspections, in-person spot checks following Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC) precautions, and deferred inspection intervals for up to 90 days 

where needed; allowing for the continued verification of safety and compliance while facilitating 

commerce across an already strained MTS.

Prevention professionals at all levels of the organization played a vital role ensuring passenger and 

crew safety when COVID-19 outbreaks manifested aboard commercial vessels around the world. 

The Marine Transportation System Response Unit (MTSRU) at Coast Guard Headquarters was 

responsible for tracking and reporting on the status of more than 200 cruise ships during the initial 

onset of COVID-19. The MTSRU coordinated efforts to monitor and track the sudden 

disembarkation of more than 250,000 passengers from these vessels. Highlighting the importance 

of effective communication and coordination during times of crisis, these personnel also met the 

growing information demands from Congress, the White House Coronavirus Task Force, DHS, and 

CDC for the effects of COVID-19 on the maritime industry. 

Port State Control Officer inspects an 

inert gas system on a foreign tanker, 

May 2020. (Coast Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 7

ARCTIC SHIELD Deployments Maximize National Sovereign Presence in the Arctic During 

COVID-19. The Prevention Program’s Office of Arctic 

Policy is chartered to lead the execution of the Coast 

Guard’s Arctic Strategy and its related Implementation 

Plan, requiring cross-programmatic coordination to meet 

planned initiatives and operations. Leading this charter, 

Arctic staff oversaw Operation ARCTIC SHIELD 2020 

despite a myriad challenges presented by COVID-19. 

ARCTIC SHIELD is the Coast Guard’s year-round 

planning and operations effort that incorporates an expeditionary approach for deploying resources 

and conducting integrated operations to meet statutory mission demands, buy-down maritime risk, 

and advance national security objectives through maritime operations in the Alaskan Arctic. 

ARCTIC SHIELD 2020 objectives included advancing National and Coast Guard strategic goals; 

enhancing capabilities to operate effectively in a dynamic Arctic; strengthening the rules-based 

order; and adapting to promote Arctic resilience and prosperity. An emergent priority for the 2020 

season was to protect Arctic residents from COVID-19 transmission while conducting missions. 

The pandemic imposed challenges on engagements and presence, but also afforded opportunities 

to broaden experience, training, and readiness to safeguard the U.S. Arctic.

Through numerous patrols during the summer of 2020, the Coast Guard monitored foreign research 

activity, enhanced policing of our maritime border with Russia, supported scientific research, and 

protected sovereign interests. This included a joint patrol by USCGC MUNRO and a Russian 

Border Guard vessel along the U.S./Russian border that highlighted the Coast Guard's continued 

focus on the regional cooperation critical to addressing shared trans-Arctic threats such as illegal, 

unregulated, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The medium endurance cutter ALEX HALEY joined the Service’s largest icebreaker, HEALY in 

conducting additional, unscheduled patrols in Arctic waters this season in support of these national 

objectives. COVID-19 resulted in the cancellation of HEALY’s planned annual science-support 

cruises, which allowed the icebreaker to complete a 26-day Alaska-based patrol, projecting critical 

U.S. presence and influence in the Bering Sea and along the Maritime Boundary Line (MBL) in 

the U.S. Arctic. This patrol availability enhanced protection of U.S. sovereign rights against foreign 

fishing vessels illegally poaching protein stocks critical to national economic and food security. It 

also provided a foundational understanding of the law enforcement and security roles for the futurePolar Security Cutter (PSC). 

HEALY supported District Seventeen’s operational readiness by completing four days of deck 

landing qualifications with rotary-wing aircrews based at Air Station Kodiak, in addition to day 

and night training for aircrews based at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kotzebue – ensuring Coast 

Guard response proficiency in the high latitudes. These operations resulted in the completion of 

critical aircrew qualifications and re-certifications, ensuring Alaska-based aviation assets met 

required training demands. Additionally, aircrews trained with the ALEX HALEY as they patrolled 

USCGC MUNRO conducts a joint patrol of the Maritime 

Boundary Line with a Russian Border Guard vessel, July 

2020. (Coast Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 8

in the Bering Strait region, recertifying aircrews in shipboard landings in order to extend the 

operational reach of the Coast Guard further into Arctic waters.

AUXSCOUT Program Partners the Coast Guard Auxiliary with the Sea Scouts. In 2020, the 

Coast Guard Auxiliary and Sea Scout program completed their 

first full year of a formalized multi-year partnership under the 

Auxiliary-Sea Scout Youth Development (AUXSCOUT) 

program. This is the Auxiliary’s first official youth program with

a reduced minimum age limit that allows Sea Scouts as young as 

14 to enroll in the Auxiliary and gain exposure to a broad array of 

enriched Auxiliary maritime training opportunities.

The AUXSCOUT program enabled Auxiliary units to create much stronger organizational ties 

through chartering and sponsoring local Sea Scout units. More than 40 Auxiliary flotillas 

nationwide have initiated charters with local Sea Scout stakeholders to formalize partnerships under 

the AUXSCOUT program. This partnership provides Sea Scouts a broad pool of adult leaders 

possessing high quality seamanship skills, training, and access to vessels. Auxiliary units are also 

facilitating advanced science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-oriented training 

under this partnership. More importantly, the AUXSCOUT program promotes exposure, 

highlighting new pathways to Coast Guard service and Auxiliary membership, while providing Sea 

Scouts opportunities to gain unique, enhanced exposure to Coast Guard personnel and missions.

Coast Guard Homeport Integration with FEMA 

NRCC. In 2020, the Office of Port & Facility 

Compliance (CG-FAC) initiated an effort to 

modernize the way the Coast Guard monitors port 

statuses following natural and man-made disruptions

to the Marine Transportation System (MTS). 

Working with the Response Geospatial Office at 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 

CG-FAC developed an interactive dashboard to 

display port status. FEMA Geospatial Analysts linked the dashboard to Coast Guard Homeport to 

provide real-time updates that feed the Senior Leadership Briefing Report Transportation Lifeline, 

and port status displays at the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC). The port status 

dashboard was beta tested during NRCC activations for Hurricane Sally and Zeta with great 

success. CG-FAC continues to work with FEMA to finalize major port details, build out a separate 

dashboard for additional ports, and assist with linking port status details into the Senior Leadership 

Briefing Report.

FEMA Dashboard for Major US Ports is displayed at the NRCC 

using real-time data from Coast Guard Homeport. (Coast Guard 

photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 9

MARITIME PREVENTION PROGRAM

The Maritime Prevention Program prevents personnel casualties and property losses, minimizes 

security risks, and protects the marine environment. The Coast Guard develops and enforces federal 

marine safety, security, and environmental regulations. The Coast Guard reviews and approves 

vessel and maritime facility security plans, conducts security and safety inspections, and enforces 

Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) regulations. The program conducts 

domestic and international port security assessments, analyzes maritime security risk nationwide 

to identify high-risk targets and support risk reduction measures, and supports administration of 

port security grant funding. The program periodically reviews the effectiveness of anti-terrorism 

measures in foreign ports by conducting assessments of those ports to determine compliance with 

the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) International Ship and Port Facility Security 

(ISPS) Code, and requires vessels arriving in the United States from ports with inadequate antiterrorism measures to take additional security precautions. The Coast Guard develops and applies 

design, construction and equipment standards for vessels; conducts compulsory, as well as 

voluntary vessel exams and inspections; certifies and licenses U.S. mariners; and promotes best 

practices by investigating marine casualties and sharing its findings. It provides grants to states to 

improve recreational boating safety, and supports a variety of government and nongovernment 

boating safety efforts in partnership with other federal agencies, state and local governments, 

marine industries and associations, including the Coast Guard’s uniformed volunteer Coast Guard 

Auxiliary. The Coast Guard also maintains strong leadership roles in many international maritime 

organizations, contributing shared inspection techniques and best practices.

PORTS,WATERWAYS, AND COASTAL SECURITY—PREVENTION ACTIVITIES

The focus of the Coast Guard’s Ports, Waterways and 

Coastal Security—Prevention Activities mission is to 

prevent security incidents, including terrorist attacks, 

sabotage, espionage, or subversive acts in the maritime 

domain, upon the global supply chain, or to the U.S. 

Marine Transportation System (MTS). It also seeks to 

improve security in the world’s ports and thus reduce 

risk to the Nation. The Coast Guard strives to deny 

terrorists the ability to use or exploit the maritime 

domain as a means for attacks on U.S. territory, 

population centers, vessels, and maritime critical 

infrastructure and key resources. The mission requires 

intelligence support, establishment and oversight of 

maritime security regimes, employment of maritime 

domain awareness activities, and initiatives that enhance the resilience of the marine transportation 

Coast Guard members from Sector Maryland-National 

Capital Region in Baltimore begin an inspection at the Port 

of Baltimore, November 11, 2019. The inspection was part 

of the Multi-Agency Strike Force Operation which involved 

other federal, state and local agencies, including the 

Maryland Port Authority, the U.S. Customs and Border 

Protection, and the Transportation Security 

Administration. (Coast Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 10

system, maritime critical infrastructure and key resources. To do so, the Coast Guard employs a 

layered and collaborative strategy that relies upon the cooperation of U.S. citizens, and 

governmental, private sector, and international partners.

FY 2020 Performance Results

Annual MTSA Facility Compliance Rate with Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) 

Regulations

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

99% 99% 99% 99.4% 99% 99.6% ≥99% ≥99%

Annual Number of Breaches at High Risk Maritime Facilities

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

282 238 255 330 337 320 ≤312 ≤311

Explanation of Results

In FY 2020, the Coast Guard conducted over 4,600 Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) 

related inspections. These inspections revealed just 17 instances of non-compliance with TWIC 

regulations. The resulting compliance rate of 99.6%, was higher than any of the previous five years 

and exceeded the established FY 2020 target by 0.6 percentage points. During the same period, 

there were 320 breaches of security at MTSA regulated facilities. Although the total number of 

breaches dropped from last year’s updated total of 337, this result exceeded the target expectation. 

None of the 320 breaches of security resulted in a Transportation Security incident.

MARINE SAFETY

The Marine Safety mission focus is prevention of deaths, 

injuries, and property loss in the U.S. Maritime Domain. 

Marine Safety responsibilities include ensuring the safe 

and environmentally sound operation of millions of 

recreational vessels and thousands of U.S. flagged 

commercial vessels wherever they are in the world, as 

well as exercising Port State Control for foreign vessels 

in U.S. waters. The Coast Guard develops and enforces 

federal marine safety regulations, certifies and provides 

credentials to over 200,000 mariners, administers the 

approval program for marine safety equipment and materials, provides vessel documentation, 

A Coast Guard Petty Officer examines an emergency 

escape breathing device (EEBD), during an inspection 

aboard a gas carrier vessel near Freeport, TX, 

December 13, 2019. (Coast Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 11

investigates commercial marine casualties and shares its findings, conducts compulsory 

inspections, and utilizes the Coast Guard Auxiliary extensively to conduct voluntary safety exams.

FY 2020 Performance Results

3-year Average Number of Serious Marine Incidents

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

709 709 715 733 764 612 ≤644 ≤686

3-year Average Number of Commercial Mariner Deaths and Critical, Serious & Severe Injuries

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

153 147 134 130 129 120 ≤112 ≤109

3-year Average Number of Commercial Passenger Deaths and Critical, Serious & Severe Injuries

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

141 122 105 105 131 126 ≤110 ≤109

3-year Average Number of Recreational Boating Deaths

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

592 638 667 665 637 635 ≤620 ≤618

Explanation of Results

Performance results are those reports of casualties recorded to date. Casualty reports are often 

delayed in reaching the Coast Guard. For example, recreational boating deaths are based on reports 

submitted by state reporting authorities; these reports lag, often by months if not longer.

Consequently, results are expected to rise as additional reports are received, and the published data 

is subject to revision with the greatest impact affecting recent quarters. Thus, all numbers for FY 

2019 and other prior fiscal years have been revised to reflect the most current data. Experience 

suggests the number of FY 2020 deaths could increase roughly 15% as additional state reports are 

received, reviewed, and reconciled with media accounts. All prior-year results have been updated 

to reflect data current as of October 2020.

Serious Marine Incidents (SMIs) comprise deaths or injuries requiring professional treatment 

beyond first aid, reportable property damage greater than $200,000, actual or constructive loss of 

certain vessels, discharge of oil of 10,000 gallons or more, or a discharge of a reportable quantity 
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 12

of a hazardous substance. The three year average SMIs dropped significantly to 612, exceeding the 

established target for FY 2020 which had already been adjusted for the impacts of COVID-19. As 

predicted, the Coast Guard received historically low reports of SMIs in quarter three and quarter 

four (96/101) which can likely be attributed to the expected reduced activity in the maritime 

domain due to COVID-19 impacts. No, COVID-19 adjustment has been made to the FY 2021 

target, though ongoing efforts to focus on risk-based inspection of passenger vessels following the 

CONCEPTION tragedy may help maintain this low level of SMIs even after COVID-19 impacts 

subside.

In FY 2020, there were 94 commercial mariner deaths and critical, serious, or severe injuries (38 

deaths, 56 injuries), contributing to a three year average of 120. While this average is an 8.5% 

improvement over FY 2019 (129), this result exceeds the established target of 112. Approximately 

40% of mariner deaths and injuries in FY 2020 occurred on fishing vessels. Although 33% of 

mariner deaths and injuries occurred aboard tugs and barges, this number is anticipated to drop as 

more towing vessels are certified for inspection.

In FY 2020, there were 73 commercial passenger deaths and critical, serious, or severe injuries (14 

deaths and 59 injuries, contributing to a three year average of 126. This represents a 3.8% decline 

compared to updated FY 2019 numbers; however, this measure exceeded the established target of 

110. Despite low quarterly totals attributed to COVID-19 impacts (14 total deaths and injuries in 

quarter three and quarter four), this measure continues to be impacted by the casualties resulting 

from the CONCEPTION and STRETCH DUCK 07 tragedies in 2018 and 2019.

COVID-19 likely played a role in the spike in recreational boating deaths. Agencies tracking 

recreational boating report that it increased starting in the spring and continued through the summer 

and early fall given its nature as an outdoor activity limited to smaller groups of participants. This 

situation also meant an increased proportion of newer or less experienced operators on the water, 

supported by an increase in reported recreational vessel purchases. Combined with decreased law 

enforcement activity and challenges in providing on-water education and vessel safety checks, the 

spike boating activity directly correlates to an increase in boating-related deaths in quarter three 

and quarter four. The three year average recreational boating deaths for this year was 635. This FY 

2020 result is an improvement over each of the last three years (-0.3% from FY 2019), but the result 

missed the established target (620). The 12-month boating death total increased 9% from 2019 

(615) to 2020 (678), and this number is likely to further increase as reports from state authorities 

continue to be collected. The Office of Auxiliary & Boating Safety is aware of this trend and 

continues outreach efforts to increase lifejacket wear, decrease boating under influence incidents, 

and promote following navigation rules, all top contributing factors to recreational boating deaths. 
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 13

MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION—PREVENTION ACTIVITIES 

The Marine Environmental Protection (MEP) Prevention 

mission preserves natural resources by regulating 

handling of oil, hazardous substances, and other 

shipboard wastes. This regulation prevents illegal

discharge into U.S. and international waterways, 

reducing ship-based air emissions, stopping unauthorized 

ocean dumping, and averting the introduction of invasive 

species. The Coast Guard develops regulations and 

operating standards for domestic vessels and marine 

facilities; and advocates for responsible environmental 

and operational standards at the International Maritime 

Organization (IMO) and the International Organization for Standardization. The Coast Guard 

enforces standards by conducting vessel examinations and inspections, performing inspections and 

spot-checks of waterfront facilities, and conducting criminal investigations into violations. Transfer 

monitoring activities are performed to ensure vessels and facilities engaged in the movement of oil, 

hazardous materials, and explosives have implemented required safeguards. Containers used in the 

transport of hazardous materials are examined to ensure structural integrity is enough to withstand 

global transport and hazardous materials are packaged, labeled, and declared properly.

FY 2020 Performance Results

3-year Average Number of Chemical Discharge Incidents in the Maritime Environment per 100 million 

short tons shipped

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

19.8 13.4 7.9 8.2 8.7 7.9 ≤8.0 ≤7.9

3-year Average Number of Oil Spills in the Maritime Environment per 100 million short tons shipped

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

11.2 9.9 8.9 9.2 9.1 8.2 ≤9.5 ≤9.4

Explanation of Results

In FY 2020 there were 12 hazardous chemical discharge incidents. The three-year average number 

of chemical discharge incidents in the maritime environment per 100 million short tons shipped 

was 7.9, an improvement over FY 2019 (8.7) which met the FY 2020 target. Mobile offshore 

drilling units, offshore supply vessels, and facilities accounted for two thirds of the hazardous 

chemical discharges. 

Coast Guard Vice Admiral Scott Buschman, Atlantic 

Area Commander, listens as a Chief Warrant Officer 

from Sector Houston-Galveston explains the process 

of completing an annual barge inspection near 

Houston, TX, January 9, 2020. (Coast Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 14

In FY 2020, there were 65 spills of 100 gallons or more of oil, a 42% improvement over FY 2019 

and the lowest 12-month total in any of the previous 5 years. 26% of the oil spills over 100 gallons 

occurred at maritime facilities. The most frequent vessel-related sources of spills over 100 gallons 

were tugs and barges, representing 18% of the total. The three-year average number of oil spills 

over 100 gallons in the maritime environment per 100 million short tons shipped was 8.2, an 11% 

improvement over FY 2019, which met the FY 2020 target.

It should be noted that the onset of COVID-19 and the associated economic downturn, particularly 

in spring and early summer, corresponded to a decrease in activity in the maritime domain. This 

decrease in activity likely also contributed to the drop in both chemical and oil discharge totals for 

the year. Finally, the reported performance results are subject to change, as shipping tonnage data 

is available from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approximately 13 months after the end of a 

calendar year. Prior year results have been updated using the most current available information.

REGULATIONS,STANDARDS,LICENSING, AND DOCUMENTATION

The Coast Guard develops and enforces federal marine safety 

regulations. Additionally, it certifies and provides credentials to 

over 200,000 mariners, administers the approval program for 

marine safety equipment and materials, and provides vessel 

documentation.

Project management methodologies and International Organization 

for Standardization (ISO) 9000 compliant best practices form the basis of the regulatory 

development process. The goal is timely and cost-effective regulations that balance government, 

industry and the public’s needs. The Administrative Procedures Act, various Executive Orders, and 

other statutory and Administrative directives require proving the benefits of proposed actions 

exceed costs or costs are minimized for statutory mandates; impacts to small businesses or other 

entities mitigated; and environmental impacts characterized, all of which must be reviewed by the 

Administration and subject to public comment before implementation. Statutes, international 

agreements, changes in technology and lessons learned from marine accidents are driving forces. 

The Regulatory Development Program is also a key mechanism for outreach and engagement with 

the regulated public, industry and international partners. The Coast Guard further develops and 

applies design, construction and equipment standards for vessels to ensure compliance with U.S. 

and international requirements, including the review of vessel designs and modifications.

The Coast Guard develops regulations and sets policies governing U.S. merchant mariner 

credentialing and maritime labor issues; and issues merchant mariner licenses and other credentials. 

It provides a register of vessels available in time of war or emergency to defend and protect the 

nation through vessel documentation that provides evidence of nationality for international 

purposes and unhindered commerce between the states. 
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 15

Discussion of Results

During FY 2020, the Coast Guard reduced the regulatory burden on the public and industry by an 

estimated $70 million. In addition, personnel also supported development of almost 100 industry 

standards, further promoting the advantages of standardization in the maritime community. 

The Coast Guard also continued its stellar support of the commercial and recreational boating 

communities. Despite the personnel and administrative challenges brought on by a global 

pandemic, the National Maritime Center issued over 48,000 Merchant Mariner Credentials, 

verifying compliance with the stringent standards and regulations protecting those working in the 

maritime industry. Additionally, the National Vessel Documentation Center issued over 233,000 

Certificates of Documentation this FY, a 1.5% increase over the FY 2019 total. Finally, the Marine 

Safety Center (MSC) maintained its FY 2019 standard of excellence, verifying that more than 

18,000 submitted vessel plans complied with the applicable technical standards for design, 

construction, alteration, or repair of commercial vessels. 

After a tragic lifeboat accident on the offshore production facility AUGER claimed two lives, the Coast Guard led a 

diverse investigative team to identify potential causal factors and prevent future casualties. Using independent 

laboratories, the team found that control cable sheathing damage could trigger inadvertent lifeboat deployments, 

which may have contributed to the casualty on the AUGER. (Coast Guard Photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 16

MARINE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM (MTS) MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

The Marine Transportation System (MTS) Management Program ensures a safe, secure, efficient, 

and environmentally sound waterways system. The Coast Guard minimizes disruptions to maritime 

commerce by assessing and mitigating risks to safe navigation, and by providing waterway 

restoration capabilities after extreme weather events, marine accidents, or terrorist incidents. The 

Coast Guard works in concert with other Federal agencies, state and local governments, marine 

industries, maritime associations, and the international community to optimize balanced use and 

champion development of the Nation’s marine transportation system.

AIDS TO NAVIGATION

The Aids to Navigation (ATON) mission mitigates transit 

risk while promoting the safe, economic and efficient 

movement of military, commercial, and other vessels. 

This is accomplished by assisting mariners in determining 

their position, setting a safe course, and providing 

warning of dangers and obstructions. The Coast Guard 

establishes, maintains, and operates more than 45,000 

buoys and beacons across the MTS and ensures system 

compliance with international standards, such as those 

promulgated by the International Association of Marine 

Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities. The 

Coast Guard is responsible for the administration of an 

equivalent number of private ATON. The Service also 

provides electronic navigational aids, including 

Automatic Identification System (AIS) Aids to Navigation, to facilitate efficient and reliable 

transfer of Marine Safety Information between and among vessels and shore facilities. Marine 

Safety Information provided by the Coast Guard includes navigation rules; schemes and standards; 

support for mapping and charting; and tide, current, and pilotage information.

FY 2020 Performance Results

Availability of Navigation Aids

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

97.9% 98.0% 97.8% 97.1% 96.9% 96.5% ≤97.5% ≤97.5%

Coast Guard crew members from Aids to Navigation 

Team Mobile and Coast Guard Cutter Saginaw repair 

Mobile Alfa Range Front Light, September 28, 2020, 

following Hurricane Sally. (Coast Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 17

Explanation of Results

Short-range Aids to Navigation (ATON) were available 96.5% of the time in FY 2020. This 

performance result fell below the target for the year, which is derived from standards established 

by the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities. 

Resource constraints have created an extensive and growing repair backlog for fixed ATON, which 

will continue to drive down the future overall aid availability rate. The Coast Guard is exploring 

solutions to mitigate risks to the MTS which include systemic efficiencies in ATON maintenance 

and centralized prioritization of fixed structure repairs and recapitalization.

ICE OPERATIONS

U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers, in cooperation with the 

Canadian Coast Guard, ensure the Great Lakes and that 

Northeastern U.S. connecting waterways remain open for 

commercial traffic, assist vessels transiting ice-filled 

waterways, and prevent ice-related flooding during the 

winter months. The International Ice Patrol (IIP) promotes 

safe navigation through the monitoring of icebergs and 

broadcasting the iceberg geographical limit to vessels 

transiting the North Atlantic Ocean between North 

America and Europe. Coast Guard Polar icebreakers 

support national security and sovereignty, and National 

Science Foundation missions in the Polar Regions. These 

assets are used to determine and demonstrate the extent of U.S. Extended Continental Shelf claims, 

enforce U.S. laws and international treaty obligations in the Polar Regions, and provide a science 

platform in the Arctic region for obtaining vital ecological and geographic data necessary to protect 

U.S. Arctic marine environment and resources.

FY 2020 Performance Results

Percent of Time High Priority Waterways in the Great Lakes and along the Eastern Seaboard are Open 

during Ice Season

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

85.5% 81.9% 100% 89.5% 97.2% 100% ≥95% ≥95%

Explanation of Results

The availability of Tier One waterways is essential to public health and safety and the economies 

of the Great Lakes and Northeastern United States. The Coast Guard exceeded performance 

USCGC POLAR STAR in the fast Ice January 2, 2020, 

approximately 20 miles north of McMurdo Station, 

Antarctica. The 399-foot icebreaker is the only ship in 

U.S. service capable of clearing a path through the 

Antarctic ice to escort three refuel and resupply ships 

to McMurdo Station during Operation Deep Freeze. 

(Coast Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 18

standards in FY 2020 by maintaining 100% availability rate for high-priority waterways in the 

Great Lakes and along the eastern seaboard that are open during ice season. Coast Guard 

icebreaking operations, combined with a mild ice season, resulted in the highest waterway 

availability since FY 2017.

WATERWAYS MANAGEMENT

The Waterways Management Program leverages other 

federal agencies, harbor safety committees, pilots, port 

authorities, and other industry and waterway 

stakeholders to foster a safe, secure, resilient, and 

environmentally sound marine transportation system. 

This includes cooperative work with the U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, Marine Board of the 

Transportation Research Board, the Committee on the 

Marine Transportation System, and regional Federal Advisory Committee Act bodies. 

Waterways Management encompasses Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), which minimize safety risks 

in the Nation’s most congested ports by monitoring and coordinating vessel traffic; Great Lakes 

pilotage, which ensures navigation safety on the Great Lakes by regulating pilotage for foreign 

trade vessels; and Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning, which collaborates with other federal 

agencies and stakeholders to support the balanced use of national waters in forums such as the 

regional planning bodies created by the President’s National Ocean Policy.

FY 2020 Performance Results

5-Year Average Number of Navigational Accidents

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

1,842 1,772 1,585 1,455 1,326 1,211 ≤1,300 ≤1,295

Explanation of Results

Navigational accidents consisting of distinct collisions, allisions (vessel striking a fixed object), 

and grounding events provide a proxy measure of Waterways Management effectiveness in 

preventing disruptions to commerce since they can and often do result in waterway closures. In FY 

2020, there were 895 reported navigational accidents, the lowest 12-month total since FY 2016 

quarter one. This annual total contributed to a 5-year average of 1,211 navigational accidents, which 

met the established target.

Coast Guard Sector San Francisco established a safety 

zone to regulate vessel traffic during the San Francisco 

Fleet Week air shows, October 10-13, 2019. (Coast 

Guard graphic)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 19

These performance results are those reports of accidents recorded to date. Reports are often delayed 

in reaching the Coast Guard. Consequently, results are expected to rise as additional reports are 

received. Thus, all numbers for FY 2019 and other prior fiscal years have been revised to reflect 

the most current data. Additionally, the reduction in maritime activity attributed to COVID-19 

impacts likely played a role in the reduced accident total for FY 2020. However, the long-term 

nature of this measure, which considers five years’ worth of data, corrects for such annual variation. 

This measure result has trended downwards by between 8.9-11.8% since FY 2017, and the drop 

from 2019 to 2020 (9.5%) is within that range. 

BRIDGE ADMINISTRATION

The Coast Guard collaborates with federal, state, local agencies, 

industry, and other stakeholders to ensure that over 20,000 

bridges and causeways spanning the navigable waters of the U.S.

do not unreasonably obstruct navigation. This includes issuing 

permits, establishing bridge lighting and marking requirements; 

approving drawbridge schedules; investigating bridges that may 

be unreasonably obstructive; monitoring rehabilitation, repair, 

maintenance and construction activities; and managing design 

construction and funding for Truman Hobbs projects.

Discussion of Results

In FY 2020, the Coast Guard issued 34 Bridge Permits with an estimated construction cost of $1.53

billion. These permits included: replacement of the Governor Harry W. Nice Bridge between 

Newburg, Charles County, MD and Dahlgren, King George County, VA; construction of a 

causeway across the existing waterway to allow access to the proposed new ammunition pier at 

Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Orange County, CA; replacement of the St Johns River SR 16 

Bridge at Green Cove Springs, FL; and five bridges as part of the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas 

Line Project. Additionally, the Coast Guard evaluated and redeveloped best practices to comply 

with requirements to reduce infrastructure permitting review times as outlined in Title 41 of the 

Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST-41), and EO 13807 (One Federal Decision). 

On average, the Coast Guard permit processing time for each bridge project was within six months 

of receipt of completed applications. The Coast Guard also issued 289 regulatory actions including 

44 rulemaking actions for permanent changes to drawbridge operation regulations and 245 general 

deviations for temporary operation changes. Of the 245 general deviations, 67 were for temporary 

changes to drawbridge operating schedules due to the impacts of COVID-19. Actual impacts to the 

movement of vessels due to COVID-19 were minimal due to coordination between District Bridge 

Offices, Sector/Captain of the Port, facilities, and waterway users.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 20

ARCTIC OPERATIONS

As an Arctic nation, the U.S. has significant equities, 

including the Coast Guard’s responsibilities to protect and 

regulate safe, secure, and environmentally responsible 

maritime activity throughout this domain. Included is the 

exertion of U.S. maritime rights and responsibilities; 

safeguarding Arctic interests; advancing maritime domain 

awareness; protecting natural resources; demonstrating 

responsible governance, and leadership in collaboration 

with allies and partners; and promoting cooperation in 

forums, such as the Arctic Council, the International 

Maritime Organization, and Arctic Coast Guard Forum.

Discussion of Results

During FY 2020, the Coast Guard and partners worked collaboratively to advance Arctic security. 

The Coast Guard is diligently working to implement the 2019 Arctic Strategic Outlook, continue 

efforts in the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) acquisition program, and provide leadership across key 

forums to include the Arctic Council’s Emergency Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (EPPR) 

working group, the Arctic Coast Guard Forum, and similar organizations. These activities all work 

towards achieving goals and positive end states for Arctic commerce, governance, and stewardship.

The Coast Guard also executed multiple Arctic operations and exercises. This included Operation 

ARCTIC SHIELD in Alaska, conducting unscheduled patrols in Arctic waters, enhanced 

monitoring and enforcement of maritime activity, and expanded high latitude training between 

surface and aviation assets. The Coast Guard forward deployed aviation assets to enhance response 

operations and provide direct support to communities in the U.S. Arctic region. On shore, the Coast 

Guard made over 80 visits to Arctic communities in 2020 to conduct marine safety missions, bolster 

community relations, and expand the resiliency of Arctic communities and Coast Guard operations.

In FY 2021, the Coast Guard’s Arctic presence will be further bolstered by the deployment of the 

USCGC POLAR STAR, the Coast Guard’s only heavy icebreaker. Normally assigned to Antarctic 

deployments, this will be the POLAR STAR’s first winter deployment to the Arctic since 1982.

The Coast Guard also expanded influence, leadership, and experience on the eastern side of the 

Arctic. The Coast Guard deployed medium endurance cutters in the North Atlantic region to 

participate in joint military and Search and Rescue exercises. This included engagements with the 

Danish Joint Arctic Command, Canada, and France. Participation by these cutters in these events 

represented an historical first in this portion of the Arctic, being the furthest north a medium 

endurance cutter has ever sailed, thus demonstrating the Coast Guard’s competence and 

adaptability to operate effectively in some of the most remote areas of the world.

USCGC TAHOMA became the first Coast Guard 

270-foot medium endurance cutter crew to cross 

the Arctic Circle, August 17, 2020. They took part 

in joint Arctic Operations NANOOK and ARGUS. 

(Coast Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 21

RESPONSE MISSION PROGRAMS

The Assistant Commandant for Response Policy, through its four Coast Guard mission programs: 

Maritime Security Operations, Maritime Law Enforcement, Maritime Response, and Defense 

Operations, develops and promulgates doctrine and policy guidance for all Coast Guard forces to 

effectively and efficiently accomplish operational maritime missions in the areas of law 

enforcement, maritime security, counterterrorism and defense operations, incident management 

and preparedness, search and rescue, and contingency exercises. The Assistant Commandant also 

provides strategic planning direction to ensure successful operational execution against 

programmatic standards, and maintains outreach to key stakeholders and federal, state, tribal, 

military, industry, and international partners.

HIGHLIGHTS

 Executed 58,529 patrols of critical infrastructure and key resources; 1,477 high-capacity 

passenger and 438 vessels carrying certain dangerous cargos escorts; and 185 Navy vessel 

escorts.

 Conducted 779 waterborne enforcement activities of fixed security zones, and supported

28 military out load security zones.

 Tactical Law Enforcement Teams completed 33 major cutter deployments and 30 

deployments on board U.S. Navy (19 deployments) and Allied (11 deployments) ships.

 Conducted 35 Integrated Cross Border Maritime Law Enforcement Operations patrols with 

the Royal Canadian Police, resulting in 187 patrol hours and 35 law enforcement boardings, 

which deterred cross border criminality along the Northern Border. 

 Cutter Forces deployed to U.S. Central Command completed 8,500 operational hours and 

112 layered defense escorts in the Arabian Gulf.

 Air crews responded to 102 active air defense events in the National Capital Region, and 

responded to 36 active air defense events over 19 deployments while supporting 

Presidential Protection and National Special Security Events.

 Interdicted 1,857 undocumented migrants.

 Removed 145 metric tons of cocaine.

 Conducted 6,620 boardings of U.S. fishing vessels; interdicted 139 foreign fishing 

incursions. 

 Responded to a total of 16,845 SAR cases; saved 4,286 lives; assisted 21,050 people; 

protected $60.9 million of property from loss.

 Responded to 10,202 pollution incident reports; managed 246 federal cleanup projects with 

associated costs over $22.6 million. 

 Completed the review/approval of 6,755 Vessel Response Plans.

 Conducted 135 site inspections of Oil Spill Removal Organizations.

 Directed 76 Government Initiated Unannounced Exercises. 

 Performed 394 exercises and 93 Preparedness for Response quarterly notification drills.

 Certified approximately 736 members in Incident Command System competencies.

 Activated and deployed 209 reservists in support of operations along the U.S. southern 

border and 446 reservists in support of COVID-19 response efforts.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 22

SUCCESS STORIES

Counter Narcotics Surge Operations Net Record Cocaine Seizures. Starting April 1, 2020, U.S. 

Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) began enhanced counter narcotics operations in the Western 

Hemisphere in support of Presidential National Security Objectives. Working alone and with 

domestic international partners the Coast Guard had significant success in disrupting the flow of 

narcotics and the influence of Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCO) throughout the eastern 

Pacific and Carribean, removing 145 metric tons (320,000 lbs) of cocaine in FY 2020.

In collaboration with Department of Defense (DOD), the Coast Guard 

worked closely with its domestic and international partners in support 

of these operations. Highlighting the robust interoperability between 

the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard Deployable Specialized Forces during 

counterdrug operations, U.S. Navy ships USS NITZE and 

TORNADO diverted to intercept a go-fast vessel in the eastern Pacific 

Ocean. NITZE’s H-60 helicopter with an embarked airborne use of 

force (AUF) Controller / precision marksman from Coast Guard Law 

Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 406 and TORNADO’s pursuit 

boat with an embarked Marine Safety and Security Team (MSST) 

pursuit team / LEDET 408 vectored to intercept. The vessel was 

interdicted without the use of force, resulting in the disruption of 175 

kilograms of cocaine, the apprehension of two suspected smugglers, 

and seizure of valuable evidence. 

Interoperability with partner nations was also a critical 

success factor. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the 

increased interdiction capacity of partner nations

contributed to over 65% of Joint Interagency Task Force 

- South (JIATF-S) supported cocaine removals in FY 

2020. One notable example was in June 2020, when 

USCGC VIGILANT and the Colombian Navy conducted

a multi-day boarding of the 75’ motor vessel CAP 

WHITE in the Western Caribbean. Extensive efforts 

during the at-sea and dockside boarding by multiple U.S. 

and Colombian agencies led to the seizure of 7,575 

kilograms of cocaine that was mixed with a soft white 

clay concealed within 50 pound bags. This marked the largest Coast Guard cocaine interdiction in 

the Caribbean region in 12 years.

Offshore handoff of Motor Vessel CAP WHITE from 

the Coast Guard (right) to the Columbian Navy

(left) after multi-day boarding in June 2020. A 

subsequent Colombian dockside boarding resulted 

in seizure of 7.5 metric tons of cocaine. (Coast 

Guard photo)

USS NITZE’s H-60 helicopter and 

USS TORNADO’s pursuit boat 

standby the interdicted go-fast 

vessel in September 2020. (Coast 

Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 23

Coast Guard Provides Support During COVID-19 Response. During the onset of COVID-19 

in the U.S., Northern Command’s Defense Support to 

Civil Authorities deployed the U.S. Naval Ship (USNS)

COMFORT to New York City to alleviate pressure on 

regional medical facilities within the major metropolitan 

area. USNS COMFORT arrived with 1,100 Navy 

medical personnel to provide beds for up to 1,000 

patients. Marine Safety and Security Team (MSST) New 

York and MSST Cape Cod supported Sector New York 

and escorted the COMFORT on 30 March 2020, while it 

transited to its Pier 90 mooring along the Hudson River. Upon mooring, MSST crews commenced 

a two-boat, 24-hour security zone for 32 consecutive days, accumulating 1,696 underway hours.

Additionally, canine explosive detection teams conducted sweeps of all critical maritime vessels 

entering the port of New York.

Several practices were implemented to ensure the safety and health of the tactical crews, including 

temperature checks and medical screenings prior to daily operations. Coast Guard tactical teams 

refrained from interacting with members outside their designated section to minimize exposure. In 

addition, staging areas, gear and boats were sanitized daily. 

As previously noted, Coast Guard Prevention and Response personnel teamed to track the status of 

more than 200 cruise ships when COVID-19 took hold. This included the disembarkation of more 

than 250,000 passengers.

Across the nation, as COVID cases continued to rise, Coast Guard members personally volunteered 

their time and skills. Sector North Bend volunteered their time and skills to address the need for 

additional medical supplies. Rescue Swimmers, also known as Aviation Survival Technicians

(ASTs), regularly employ sewing skills to repair damaged supplies and equipment. When their 

local hospital experienced a shortage of medical supplies and requested help, the AST shop set up 

a rotation amongst its members to fabricate needed surgical masks. 

While Coast Guard members, assisted their local community’s first responders, Coast Guard 

Administrative Support Teams provided support to Department of Homeland Security partners, the 

Transportation Security Administration (TSA). When airport screening operations quickly 

outnumbered available TSA personnel, multiple Coast Guard teams deployed to airports around 

the country, including New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The deployed members assisted 

with national COVID-19 screening operations and completed nearly one thousand data entries.

USNS COMFORT guarded by Coast Guard air and 

surface assets arrives in New York Harbor on March 

30, 2020. (Coast Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 24

Coast Guard and Interagency Partners Secure Maritime Borders. The Coast Guard and 

interagency partners continue to deter and interdict those 

who attempt to illegally enter the U.S. and through 

coordinated efforts, promote safe, legal, and orderly 

migration. These efforts send a clear message to 

transnational criminal organizations, through aggressive 

prosecution, that the illegal and unsafe transportation of 

foreign nationals is not tolerated. In FY 2020, interagency 

partners in the Caribbean Region transferred over 175 

migrants ashore for prosecution by the federal court system. These coordinated efforts signify the 

Service’s dedication to promoting safe, legal, and orderly migration. 

Additionally, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coast Guard amended tactics and 

procedures to protect migrants and crews, while effectively deterring illegal immigration. In May 

2020, the Coast Guard encountered a vessel suspected of smuggling approximately 20 migrants, 

21 miles north of Haiti. USCGC DAUNTLESS escorted the vessel back to Haitian territorial seas, 

which ensured the safety of the suspected migrants and Coast Guard personnel.

OPERATION KUARTAM. In August 2020, the Coast Guard executed OPERATION 

KUARTAM in support of South American partners and 

South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management 

Organizations (SPRFMO). In response to the Republic 

of Ecuador’s request for assistance resulting from

concerns of suspected illegal, unreported, and 

unregulated (IUU) fishing, OPERATION KUARTAM 

provided on scene presence near more than 350 Chinese 

vessels congregated near the Ecuadorian Exclusive 

Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Galapagos Islands. 

USCGC BERTHOLF, with support from Coast Guard 

Intelligence, patrolled in the vicinity of the Galapagos 

Islands to maximize detection of potential Chinese IUU fishing. The operation focused on 

increasing maritime domain awareness to further support the IUU mission. Through intel-driven 

operational planning, BERTHOLF collected information on potential IUU targets, non-registered 

vessels, and vessels that exhibited activities contrary to SPRFMO regulations and Ecuadorian 

sovereignty. In addition, BERTHOLF conducted a joint patrol with the Ecuadorian Coast Guard 

vessel LAE ISLA SAN CRISTOBAL in the Ecuadorian EEZ. OPERATION KUARTAM 

highlighted the critical importance of U.S., Central, and South American partnerships in the fight 

against nation-state sponsored IUU fishing in the Western Hemisphere. As a result of OPERATION 

KUARTAM, the Republic of Ecuador is petitioning SPRFMO to add six Chinese fishing vessels 

to the IUU vessel list. 

Migrant vessel being escorted back to Haiti by USCGC 

DAUNTLESS, May 12, 2020. (Coast Guard photo)

USCGC BERTHOLF and Ecuadorian Coast Guard Vessel 

SAN CRISTOBAL conducted a joint steam and COMEX 

on August 28, 2020, near the Galapagos EEZ. (Coast 

Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 25

Increase of Coast Guard Presence Pays Big Dividends. Coast Guard Ports, Waterways & Coastal 

Security (PWCS) missions are vital to port protection and 

waterway enforcement activities. Coast Guard presence during 

PWCS missions deter terrorist activities at national security 

events, and monitor critical commercial activities in port and 

coastal waterway environments. These actions uphold safety 

and security for all maritime vessels and is only one way in 

which the Coast Guard protects mariners on a daily basis. 

During a routine PWCS security patrol, Coast Guard Station St. 

Petersburg detected and intercepted an illegal charter vessel 

navigating in the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). The boarding team performed pre-boarding 

questions, acquiring critical information pertaining to the vessel’s operations. This particular vessel 

was transiting in one of the Station’s PWCS patrol areas where many charter vessels are known to 

operate. Exercising Coast Guard authorities, the Boarding Officer and crew conducted a law 

enforcement boarding, adhering to CDC direction, and terminated the vessel’s voyage for operating 

an illegal charter. 

Illegal charters, such as the one pictured above, pose a significant risk. These particular vessels fail 

to follow the higher safety standards of inspection for passenger vessels operating in the U.S. When 

these vessels are intercepted, Coast Guard boarding team members must be knowledgeable in these 

standards so as to enforce life-saving protocols as well as interdict potential suspicious threats. 

Halting these operations preserves the well-being of our country’s commercial and recreational 

mariners. 

AMVER Saves Lives. The Coast Guard manages the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel 

Rescue (AMVER) system, a worldwide mutual 

assistance program operating since 1958. This system 

continues to be relevant today, saving over 4,000 lives in 

the last 10 years. 

On December 23, 2019, the Coast Guard District 

Fourteen Command Center was notified of a missing 

sailing vessel transiting from Japan to Hawaii. 

Leveraging the AMVER system, the Coast issued a 

SAFETY NET broadcast to notify passing civilian vessels of the possible distressed mariners.

These volunteer vessels joined Coast Guard and Naval assets in a six-day search. The extensive 

search performed using participating AMVER vessels contributed to the distressed sailors being 

located and recovered unharmed. Ultimately, it was the Motor Vessel (M/V) NOBILITY that 

located the disabled vessel. This effort illustrates the importance of the AMVER program to the 

international SAR system.

A team from Coast Guard Station St. 

Petersburg boards a suspected illegal charter 

during a PWCS patrol on August 22, 2020. 

(Coast Guard photo)

The AMVER volunteer assist vessel M/V NOBILITY 

alongside COC HAZ III. (Coast Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 26

Coast Guard Coordinated Efforts Result in Rescue of Seven People Lost in the Pacific. On 

September 9, 2020, Coast Guard Joint Rescue Sub-Center (JRSC) 

Guam received a report from the Federated States of Micronesia 

(FSM) Police, stating that four adults and three children were 

overdue while transiting 16 miles from Lukunor Atoll to the Satawan 

Atoll. The FSM Police deployed their patrol boats to search for the 

missing persons, while JRSC Guam deployed a Coast Guard HC130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii while 

coordinating additional support from the U.S. Navy and Air Force. 

The weather throughout the region was challenging, with 7-8’ foot 

seas, strong winds, and frequent squall lines. Throughout the 

multiday search, JRSC Guam coordinated with technical experts and response crews to refine the 

search area. The HC-130 Hercules deployed self-locating datum marker buoys (SLDMB) to 

determine the movement of the ocean currents in the area. Using the Search and Rescue Optimal 

Planning System (SAROPS), Sector Guam created 21 search patterns covering an astounding 

69,758 square nautical mile area in a six day period, coordinating patterns between multiple assets 

in simultaneous searches and using data from the SLDMB to continuously refine the search area. 

As a result, the seven family members were found and rescued.

2020 Spill of National Significance Executive Seminar. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Karl 

Schultz hosted the 2020 Spill of National Significance 

(SONS) Executive Seminar in September 2020. Due to 

COVID-19 restrictions, the event was limited to 10 

personnel at Joint Base Andrews, but also included a 

webinar component to maximize participation. Thus, in 

spite of myriad challenges relating to the COVID-19 

pandemic, the Coast Guard and SONS Executive 

Steering Committee were able to successfully, and safely, 

host 150 participants, which included 22 agency 

principals and their advisors from 16 federal agencies. 

The overarching goal of the seminar, held every one to three years, was to familiarize agency 

principals with national oil spill response policies and provide principal-level officials across the 

federal government with an opportunity to explore and discuss complex policy and coordination 

considerations related to a major oil spill and/or hazardous substance release. The seminar was 

designed as a three-hour discussion-based exercise that addressed three major objectives including: 

government familiarization with SONS events, incident notification and coordination, and 

transitioning response management from the inland zone to the coastal zone. These objectives were 

tested through the backdrop of an exercise scenario involving a major oil spill due to a 

petrochemical tank explosion at an oil refinery near Chicago and adjacent to the Lake Michigan 

shoreline. The 2020 SONS Executive Seminar was nominated and approved to be part of the 

Admiral Karl Schultz, Commandant of the Coast Guard, 

hosts the 2020 Spill of National Significance Executive 

Seminar at Joint Base Andrews, MD on September 9, 

2020. (Coast Guard photo) 

Located family members as the result 

of joint search efforts led by the Coast 

Guard’s JRSC Guam. (Coast Guard 

photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 27

National Exercise Program (NEP), the principal exercise mechanism for examining preparedness 

and measuring readiness across the nation. These SONS Executive Seminars also serve as a 

valuable opportunity to promote a common understanding of the federal government’s roles, 

responsibilities, and capabilities under the National Response System (NRS). 

Signing of the Cuba – United States Bilateral Coordination Plan. On December 16, 2019, then 

Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations, Vice Admiral Daniel 

Abel, signed the Bilateral Coordination Plan between the U.S. and the 

Republic of Cuba Regarding Marine or Coastal Environmental Pollution 

Events caused by Spills of Hydrocarbons and other Noxious and 

Potentially Hazardous Substances (CUBUS Plan). Representatives from 

the Republic of Cuba signed the CUBUS Plan on March 12, 2020 and the 

Plan is active as of Cuba’s signature date. The CUBUS Plan establishes 

a coordinated system for national preparedness, planning, mitigation, and 

response to pollution events that may affect the coastal waters or marine 

environment of Cuba and/or the U.S. 

The CUBUS Plan is the resultant product of the Joint Statement between the United States of 

America and the Republic of Cuba on Cooperation on Environmental Protection (2015) and the 

Cooperation Agreement between the United States of America and the Republic of Cuba on 

Preparedness for and Response to Pollution Caused by Spills of Hydrocarbons and Other Noxious 

and Potentially Hazardous Substances in the Gulf of Mexico and the Straits of Florida (2017), both 

negotiated and signed by the Department of State. These agreements, subsequent formal Coast 

Guard led negotiations with Cuba in 2018 and 2019, and constant informal discussions between 

the National Security Council, the Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, 

the Office of Marine Environmental Response Policy, Coast Guard District Seven, and relevant 

Cuban agencies and authorities in 2020 led to the eventual signing of the CUBUS Plan. The 

CUBUS Plan directly supports both the President’s National Security Strategy and the 

Commandant’s Western Hemisphere Strategy. Specifically, the CUBUS Plan protects the U.S. 

environment, safeguards global energy infrastructure, and ensures energy security.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 28

MARITIME SECURITY OPERATIONS PROGRAM

The Maritime Security Operations Program encompasses activities required by executive and 

policy mandates to detect, deter, prevent, disrupt, and recover from terrorist attacks and other 

criminal acts in the maritime domain. It includes the execution of antiterrorism, counterterrorism, 

and security response operations. The program conducts and oversees the operational elements of 

the Coast Guard Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security (PWCS) mission, which is complemented 

by the Service’s Maritime Domain Awareness and PWCS—Prevention Activities.

PORTS,WATERWAYS, AND COASTAL SECURITY -RESPONSE ACTIVITIES

The PWCS - Response Activities (PWCS-R) mission of 

the Maritime Security Operations Program is to prevent 

and disrupt terrorist attacks, sabotage, espionage, or 

subversive acts in the maritime domain and Marine 

Transportation System (MTS). Coast Guard Maritime 

Security Operations deny the use and exploitation of the 

MTS by terrorists as a means for attacks on U.S. territory, 

population centers, vessels, and critical maritime 

infrastructure and key resources. PWCS-R efforts 

complement the establishment and oversight of maritime 

security regimes and employment of maritime domain 

awareness capabilities; execution of antiterrorism, 

counterterrorism, response and recovery operations; and related preparedness activities.

FY 2020 Performance Results

Maritime Security & Response Operations (MSRO) Activity Compliance

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

N/A N/A 67.6% 75.7% 61.5% 68.2% ≤84.0% ≤88.0%

Percent risk reduction of coordinated anti-terrorism activities throughout the marine transportation system

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

N/A N/A 39.1%% 44.4% 34.9% 27.0% ≥42.0% ≥43.0%

A Coast Guard Station Miami Beach 29-foot Response 

Boat-Small crew patrols a security zone in Miami, FL, 

January 27, 2020. A security zone was set up in the 

Biscayne Bay in preparation for Super Bowl traffic. 

(Coast Guard Photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 29

Percent of coordinated anti-terrorism activities contained in Port Tactical Activity Plans that were executed

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

N/A N/A 89.2%% 90.3%% 89.1%% 87.0% ≥80.0% ≥80.0%

Explanation of Results

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted both the demand for MSRO activities and the Coast Guard’s 

ability to perform them. This impact is evident in all MSRO measures. Predicting the Coast Guard’s 

ability to meet future years’ targets will be challenging until the pandemic is brought under control 

and operations within the MTS return to pre-pandemic or “new normal” levels.

The Coast Guard did not meet the FY 2020 MSRO activity compliance target. Mandated 

quarantines and high infection rates of military personnel precluded some units from fielding boat 

crews and/or boarding teams necessary to perform the required minimums of MSRO activities 

germane in their areas of operation. 

The Coast Guard did not meet its FY 2020 target for percentage risk reduction of coordinated antiterrorism activities throughout the Marine Transportation System. This was the result of a 

combination of decreased availability of boat crew and boarding team availability to perform 

MSRO activities due to mandatory quarantines, isolation, and social distancing in addition to 

quarterly performance reporting/crediting issues resulting from new risk-based MSRO tool users. 

Personnel turnover at units put new tool users in place and pandemic-related travel restrictions 

denied them critical in-person training that is key to preventing reporting/crediting errors. 

The Coast Guard exceeded the FY 2020 target for percent of coordinated anti-terrorism activities 

contained in Port Tactical Activity Plans that were executed. As a result of the pandemic, some 

units’ FY 2020 Port Tactical Activity Plans differed significantly from the FY 2019 plans, e.g., FY

2020 plans did not include demands for high capacity passenger vessel (cruise ship) escorts. Some 

of these differences offset the boat crew and boarding team availability issues and aided the 

efficient use of Coast Guard and other government agency assets to perform MSRO activities. The 

decreased percentage from FY 2019 reflects availability issues that could not be overcome. 

With the implementation of virtual training and the scheduled integration of Risk Based Maritime 

Security Response Operations “MSRO 101” training into the Coast Guard Learning Management 

System (LMS), the Maritime Security Operations program projects improved MSRO activity 

reporting and a significant upward trend in PWCS-Response activity measures. 
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 30

MARITIME LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM

The Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE) Program protects America’s maritime borders from 

encroachment, defends U.S. maritime sovereignty from illicit activity, facilitates legitimate use of 

the waterways, and suppresses violations of federal law on, under, and over the high seas and waters 

subject to U.S. jurisdiction. The Coast Guard is the lead federal maritime law enforcement agency 

and the only agency with both the authority and capability to enforce national and international law 

on the high seas, Outer Continental Shelf, and inward from the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone 

(EEZ) to inland waters. Coast Guard responsibilities include detecting and interdicting contraband 

and illegal drug traffic; at sea enforcement of U.S. immigration laws and policies; enforcing U.S. 

fisheries and marine protected resource laws and regulations; ensuring the integrity of the EEZ; 

monitoring compliance with international living marine resource regimes and international 

agreements to which the U.S. is party; and through compliance with international agreements, 

combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing that negatively impacts maritime and 

economic security in coastal and regional areas worldwide.

UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANT INTERDICTION

Coast Guard at-sea interdiction of undocumented 

migrants provides effective law enforcement presence 

and achieves the three main objectives of safe, legal, and 

orderly migration. Coast Guard migrant interdiction 

operations also stem the flow of human smuggling and

trafficking through maritime routes and U.S. approaches. 

Leveraging statutory authority, bilateral agreements and 

policy, the Coast Guard conducts these interdictions as 

far from U.S. borders as possible. Doing so facilitates the 

return of migrants to their home country while further 

protecting them from an often-perilous sea voyage. 

Strong partnerships and information sharing with other agencies, such as Citizenship and 

Immigration Services (CIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border 

Protection (CBP), and the Department of State are critical. While the Coast Guard leads the U.S. 

high seas interdiction mission, partnerships with other agencies are essential for carrying out timely 

disposition of interdicted migrants via repatriation and removal operations and for conducting 

further investigation and prosecution in the case of human smugglers or traffickers.

USCGC RICHARD DIXON near Desecheo Island, Puerto 

Rico, January 27, 2020. Two days later, the RICHARD 

DIXON interdicted 37 illegal migrants in the area. The 

interdiction was one of three accomplished by Coast 

Guard cutters off Puerto Rico and the Dominican 

Republic totaling 69 migrants of Dominican Republic 

nationality. (Coast Guard Photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 31

FY 2020 Performance Results

Number of Undocumented Migrants Attempting to Enter U.S. via Maritime Routes

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

8,057 10,319 4,760 5,197 7,093 7,583 ≤9,000 ≤7,300

Number of Undocumented Migrants Attempting to Enter U.S. via Maritime Routes Interdicted by the Coast 

Guard and Partners

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

6,028 8,165 3,952 3,603 5,535 6,107 ≤4,718 ≤,5,475

Migrant Interdiction Effectiveness in the Maritime Environment

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

74.8% 79.3% 83.3% 72.0% 84.9% 80.5% ≥75.0% ≥75.0%

Percent of Undocumented Migrants who Attempt to Enter the United States via Maritime Routes 

Interdicted by the Coast Guard Alone

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

47.5% 61.5% 52.8% 33.4% 37.4% 32.2% ≥50% ≥30%

Explanation of Results

Performance results are those reports of migrants recorded to date. The Coast Guard is reporting 

the total known flow of undocumented migrants attempting to enter the U.S. by maritime routes. 

This data is based upon Coast Guard law enforcement reporting along with other U.S. and partner 

nation government reporting. As reports are often delayed in reaching the Coast Guard, results are 

expected to rise as additional reports are received. Numbers for FY 2019 and other prior fiscal years 

have been revised to reflect the most current data. Total known flow of undocumented migrants 

attempting to enter the U.S. by maritime routes increased from 7,093 in FY 2019 to 7,583 in FY 

2020 (+5%). The Coast Guard interdicted 1,857 undocumented migrants, with a total of 6,107

interdicted by the Coast Guard and its partners. This was 80.5% of the total known flow, a decrease 

of 5% from FY 2019. 

Additionally, partner nations have improved their reporting of successful migrant landings without 

interdiction. This is a primary reason for the increase in flow rate and decrease in the FY 2020 

percentage of migrants interdicted by the Coast Guard. In the past few years, the Coast Guard has 
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 32

made a concerted effort to train partner nations and increase their participation in interdictions. The 

Coast Guard effectively leveraged bilateral agreements for interdiction and disposition with 

countries like the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Haiti. Achievements like this have 

lead to discussions with other partner nations for them to consider similar bilateral agreements. 

Likewise, interagency cooperation through Maritime Operational Threat Response standing 

concurrences has allowed expedited disposition and afforded Coast Guard assets more time for 

interdiction efforts. Additionally, partner nations continue to improve their reporting processes, 

allowing more accurate and timely capture of undocumented migrant flow and interdictions. The 

Coast Guard itself interdicted 32.2% of the undocumented maritime migrants.

ILLEGAL DRUG INTERDICTION

The Drug Interdiction mission supports national and 

international strategies to deter and disrupt the market for 

illegal drugs, dismantle Transnational Criminal 

Organizations (TCO) and drug trafficking cartels, and 

prevent transnational threats from reaching U.S. borders. 

The Coast Guard is the lead federal agency for drug 

interdiction on the high seas. In the territorial seas of the 

U.S., it shares the lead with U.S. Customs and Border 

Protection (CBP) and receives assistance from numerous 

other agencies. The Coast Guard strategy is to maintain a strong interdiction presence that denies 

smugglers access to maritime routes and deters trafficking activity; to strengthen ties with source 

and transit zone nations to increase their willingness and ability to reduce the production and 

trafficking of illicit drugs within their sovereign boundaries and territorial seas; and to support 

interagency and international efforts to combat drug smuggling through increased cooperation and 

coordination.

FY 2020 Performance Results

Metric Tons of Cocaine Removed

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

144.8 201.3 223.8 209.6 207.9 144.7 ≥240.0 ≥240.0

Coast Guard Removal Rate for Cocaine from Non-Commercial Vessels in Maritime Transit Zone

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

11.5% 7.2% 8.2% 7.3% 9.3% 7.4% ≥10.0% ≥10.0%

USCGC BERTHOLF crewmembers inspect a low-profile 

semi-submersible in international waters of the Eastern 

Pacific Ocean, August 14, 2020. The cocaine, worth an 

estimated $390 million, was seized in 13 suspected drug 

smuggling vessel interdictions off the coasts of Mexico, 

Central and South America between late May and late 

August. (Coast Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 33

Explanation of Results

Ever shifting smuggling trends, changes in TCO tactics, and the unforeseen impacts of COVID-19

throughout the Western Hemisphere presented unique challenges to the counterdrug mission in FY 

2020. Coast Guard personnel remained at the frontlines, diligently and successfully executing this 

vital national defense and homeland security mission, removing 145 metric tons (320,000 pounds) 

of cocaine as well as other drugs, depriving TCOs of more than $5.6 billion in revenue while

apprehending 456 suspected smugglers for U.S. and foreign prosecution. 

Starting April 1, 2020, SOUTHCOM began enhanced counter narcotics operations in the Western 

Hemisphere in support of Presidential National Security Objectives. As part of this effort and in 

collaboration with DOD, the Coast Guard surged resources that included modern cutters, maritime 

patrol aircraft, and Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) comprised of LEDETs with precision 

marksmen and MSSTs with surface use of force-capable pursuit teams. Coast Guard DSF personnel 

answered the demand signal by increasing deployment levels aboard U.S. Navy and allied nation 

ships by 150% compared to FY 2019. This adaptive force package is a critical force multiplier that 

enables these ships to seamlessly transition to Coast Guard law enforcement action. 

By prioritizing force packages consisting of armed helicopters and specialized pursuit boats, the 

Coast Guard interdicted 90% of high-speed go-fast and low profile vessels in the SOUTHCOM 

area of responsibility. The Coast Guard also increased employment of HC-130 Hercules and HC144 Ocean Sentry maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) in the drug transit zone by 13%, the highest 

number of Coast Guard MPA hours ever contributed to the counter narcotics mission. The increased 

MPA support resulted in the Coast Guard doubling supported cocaine removals to nearly 58,000 

pounds, the highest MPA contribution to cocaine removal in service history.

Overall, the surge of resources were a direct contributor to a 44% increase in cocaine and other 

drugs interdicted by the Coast Guard from April through September, compared to the first half of 

FY 2020. Additionally, the amplified contribution of patrol assets and DSF teams directly increased 

average monthly drug removals from 26,680 pounds to 38,435 pounds during the final six months 

of the fiscal year. 

The Coast Guard continues to leverage over 25 counterdrug bilateral agreements and operational 

procedures, which facilitate interdiction and multilateral engagements with countries such as the 

Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and others throughout South 

America, Central America, and the Caribbean. These partnerships extend the Coast Guard’s sphere 

of influence well beyond what is achievable by Coast Guard assets alone. Despite COVID-19, 

partner increased interdiction capacity, contributing to over 65% of Joint Interagency Task Force -

South (JIATF-S) supported cocaine removals in FY 2020, surpassing last year’s historical record

as the highest in JIATF-S history. 
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 34

LIVING MARINE RESOURCES LAW ENFORCEMENT

Living Marine Resources Law Enforcement is an 

obligation under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 

Conservation and Management Act, the Endangered 

Species Act, and several other federal laws focused on 

the protection of marine resources. The core objective of 

these efforts is to provide effective and professional 

enforcement to advance national goals for the 

conservation, management, and recovery of living 

marine resources, marine protected species, and national 

marine sanctuaries and monuments. This includes the 

enforcement of Living Marine Resource (LMR) 

regulations in addition to numerous other activities that strengthen both domestic and international 

fisheries management regimes.

FY 2020 Performance Results

Fishing Regulations Compliance Rate

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

97.1% 96.8% 97.1% 97.8% 97.9% 97.4% ≥97.0% ≥97.0%

Percent of Federal Fisheries Found in Compliance with Laws and Regulations

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

21.0% 20.0% 23.0% 23.0% 37.4% 32.2% ≥28.0% ≥28.0%

Explanation of Results

The Coast Guard uses the percentage of fishing vessels observed at-sea complying with domestic 

regulations as an indirect measure of the Coast Guard's impact on the health of U.S. fisheries and 

marine protected species. During FY 2020, the Coast Guard conducted 6,620 boardings on U.S. 

flagged vessels, just a 6% decrease from the record-high in FY 2019, while citing 180 significant 

fishery violations, a 21% increase from FY 2019. In FY 2020, the observed at-sea regulation 

compliance rate was 97.4% for LMR, as compared to 97.9% in FY 2019. 

In order to best understand Coast Guard’s LMR mission effectiveness, we also measure level of 

effective enforcement (LEE). LEE is the percentage of fisheries in which the Coast Guard met its 

boarding standard and found an adequate level of compliance (the standard is to board 20% of 

vessels in high precedence fisheries and 10% in low precedence fisheries). The Coast Guard met 

Personnel from Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi, as 

well as other South Texas Coast Guard units, work 

alongside the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 

and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration 

(NOAA) during Operation Reel-It-In August 5, 2020. 

(Coast Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 35

its combined boarding and compliance standards in 28% of the 202 fishery components for which 

there is an enforcement obligation. This was a decrease of only 1% from last year and represented 

the second time the Coast Guard has met its target since 2014. The Coast Guard’s Office of 

Maritime Law Enforcement (CG-MLE) continues to refine its data analytics and collection 

methods to increase operational efficiency and improve resource management.

OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT – INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES ENFORCEMENT

Other Law Enforcement (OLE) mission responsibilities 

include issues related to international fisheries 

enforcement through two key lines of effort. The first is 

the deterrence, detection, and interdiction of illegal 

foreign fishing vessel incursions into the U.S. Exclusive 

Economic Zone (EEZ), which represents a threat to U.S. 

renewable natural resources and a violation of U.S. 

sovereignty. Protecting the U.S. EEZ is a fundamental 

Coast Guard maritime security objective. The second 

aspect is ensuring compliance with international 

agreements for the management of transboundary fish 

species by combatting Illegal, Unreported, and 

Unregulated (IUU) fishing. Combatting IUU fishing, 

promotes effective resource management, adherence to international norms, and supports collective 

international oceans governance. This is accomplished through enforcement of conservation and 

management measures created by Regional Fishery Management Organizations (RFMOs).

Through bilateral “ship-rider agreements” the Coast Guard also helps build organic enforcement 

capacity within likeminded partner coastal nations for resource management and commercial 

fishery regulations. These partnerships serve as force multipliers, helping to monitor compliance 

with various international agreements and deter IUU fishing activity worldwide. 

FY 2020 Performance Results

Number of Detected Incursions of Foreign Fishing Vessels Violating U.S. Waters

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

224 176 136 201 185 351 ≤206 ≤190

Interdiction Rate of Foreign Fishing Vessels Violating U.S. Waters

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

17.4% 25.5% 22.8% 31.3% 46.0% 39.6% ≥35.0% ≥30.0%

The crew of the USCGC MIDGETT boards a fishing 

vessel to conduct a law enforcement boarding to 

ensure compliance with international fisheries 

regulations and counter IUU fishing in the Pacific 

Ocean, April 27, 2020. MIDGETT's crew protected U.S. 

fisheries by patrolling the EEZ surrounding Johnston 

Atoll, Kingman Reef, and Palmyra Atoll. (Coast Guard 

photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 36

Explanation of Results

In FY 2020, there were 351 detected incursions of foreign fishing vessels in U.S. waters, an 89% 

increase from the 185 detected incursions in FY 2019. Of the total number of foreign fishing vessels 

detected, over 93% of the documented incursions in FY 2020 were Mexican lanchas located in the 

Gulf of Mexico along the Mexico/U.S. EEZ border. Coast Guard units interdicted an all-time high 

of 139 lanchas, resulting in an interdiction rate of 39.6%. Lanchas are active along the Mexico/U.S. 

EEZ boundary and will typically deploy fishing gear in the U.S. EEZ, then return to Mexican waters 

until they are ready to retrieve their gear. Their small size, low profile, and homemade floats make 

these incursions difficult to detect. 

The FY 2020 increase in the number of Mexican lancha incursions was attributed to three factors. 

The first was the increased detection capabilities of the Coast Guard’s new Fast Response Cutters 

(FRC) giving a better estimation of total incursions. The second was the reduced presence of Coast 

Guard units due to COVID-19 operational restrictions. The third, and the one with the greatest 

impact, was the change in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processing of interdicted lancha 

crews. Due to COVID-19, CBP no longer accepted crewmembers for deportation – meaning the 

Coast Guard could not detain the crews and seize the vessel in the pre-COVID environment. This 

change resulted in Coast Guard crews seizing the catch and gear from illegal fishing vessels, but 

having to allow individual lanchas and crews to return to Mexico. Ultimately for the lancha crews, 

the cost of doing business was greatly reduced and as a result there was an uptick in recidivism as 

well as new actors engaging in illegal fishing. Assuming that in FY 2021, circumstances allow CBP 

to again detain lancha crews for deportation allowing for seizure of the vessels, the number of 

incursions should decrease.

Combatting IUU fishing beyond the U.S. EEZ is of vital importance for economic, natural resource 

conservation and national security reasons. In FY 2020, the Coast Guard conducted 25 of these 

types of boardings, 10 of which resulted in potential violations. These boardings were conducted 

under the authority of a bilateral ship rider agreement or under the authority of a Regional Fisheries 

Management Organization (RFMO) High Seas Boarding and Inspection (HSBI) scheme. The Coast 

Guard continues to work with the RFMOs and partner nations to help eradicate IUU fishing around 

the world.

To further bolster IUU fishing focus, in September 2020, the Commandant released the Coast 

Guard’s IUU Fishing Strategic Outlook which outlines the Service’s efforts to combat the scourge 

of IUU fishing over the next decade through three lines of effort; Promote Targeted, Effective, 

Intelligence Driven Enforcement Operations; Counter Predatory and Irresponsible State Behavior; 

and Expand Multilateral Fisheries Enforcement Cooperation.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 37

MARITIME RESPONSE PROGRAM

The Coast Guard is the Nation’s maritime first responder. It searches for and rescues persons in 

distress, alleviates human suffering, and mitigates marine casualties and other disastrous events. 

The Maritime Response Program also mitigates pollution and damage to the marine environment 

through incident response operations. The Coast Guard’s all-threats and all-hazards preparedness 

efforts ensure incident response and recovery resources are fully ready and capable of scalable 

mobilization in coordination with, and in support of, local, state, tribal, federal, and private sector 

partners. Additionally, the Coast Guard provides these same services in support of U.S. interests 

during international incidents.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

The Coast Guard is the lead agency for maritime 

Search and Rescue (SAR) in U.S. waters and works 

with other nations through the International 

Maritime Organization (IMO), International Civil 

Aviation Organization (ICAO), and other regional 

forums to save lives and advance the SAR system

both nationally and globally. The Service strives to 

alleviate human suffering and minimize loss of life 

and property by rendering aid to those in distress in 

the maritime environment and elsewhere when 

Coast Guard intervention can influence the outcome 

of life-threatening incidents. The Coast Guard maintains a high state of vigilant readiness and 

continuous distress monitoring, and employs sophisticated drift modeling and search optimization 

tools to improve SAR planning and execution. When someone is in peril, the Service coordinates 

search and rescue efforts using afloat and airborne Coast Guard units, and those of other federal, 

state, and local responders. The Coast Guard manages the maritime mass rescue response 

preparedness program, and under its Captain of the Port authorities and responsibilities, coordinates 

response efforts on waterways after an incident or disaster.

In support of the global and U.S. SAR system, the Coast Guard is one of four federal partners in 

the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT) Program and participates alongside 44 

partner nations in the governance and operation of the International Cospas-Sarsat Program. The 

Coast Guard is also partner with the world’s merchant fleet to rescue mariners in distress around 

the globe through the Automated Mutual-assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) system, a computer 

based voluntary global ship reporting system used worldwide by SAR authorities to arrange for 

assistance to persons in distress at sea. 

The aircrew attached to the USCGC CAMPBELL deploys a

rescue swimmer out of a MH-65D Dolphin Helicopter for 

hoist training harness deployment and recovery on 

September 3, 2020. (Coast Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 38

FY 2020 Performance Results

Percent of People in Imminent Danger Saved in the Maritime Environment

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

79.8% 79.3% 78.8% 78.0% 78.1% 86.5% ≥80.0% ≥80.0%

Percent of Time Rescue Assets on Scene within Two Hours

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

95.8% 90.3% 91.0% 93.0% 94.0% 93.9% 100% 100%

Percentage of property "in danger of loss" saved

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

59.7% 59.4% 57.9% 60.0% 49.2% 56.3% ≥66.0% ≥66.0%

Explanation of Results

In FY 2020, the Coast Guard responded to a total of 16,845 SAR cases, assisted 21,050 people, and 

saved 4,286 lives in imminent danger. These statistics do not include people saved or assisted by 

Coast Guard disaster response efforts, such as hurricane recovery operations.

The percentage of people in imminent danger in the maritime environment saved by the Coast 

Guard in FY 2020 was 86.5%, which is higher than the 78.1% achieved last year. However, before 

FY 2020, the measure accounted for lives that were at risk before and after the Coast Guard was 

notified of a distress incident. For FY 2020, the measure was adjusted to only include cases with 

lives at risk after the Coast Guard was notified of an incident. This modification placed greater 

focus on the Coast Guard's search and rescue performance because it only includes those instances 

where the service had an opportunity to respond. The Office of Search and Rescue (CG-SAR) has 

determined that the number of cases the Coast Guard is called to respond to are becoming 

increasingly complex, requiring greater levels of SAR planning proficiency and expertise.

The time it takes to reach the scene of distress is a key performance factor that may influence the 

response outcome. The Coast Guard’s performance benchmark is to arrive on-scene within two 

hours of notification 100% of the time. In FY 2020, Coast Guard assets met this standard 93.9% of 

the time. This result is near FY 2019’s performance mark of 94% and above the five-year average 

of 92.8%. Factors, including adverse weather conditions, geographical proximity, and asset 

availability, influence the Coast Guard’s ability to arrive on-scene within the benchmark timeframe. 
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 39

Saving lives is always the Coast Guard priority. Thus, recovery of property is a secondary 

consideration and undertaken only if it can be done with minimal risk and without degrading search 

and rescue effectiveness. The prospects for property recovery are always case dependent and vary 

widely. In many instances, such as when a vessel sinks before a Coast Guard asset arrives on-scene, 

there is no opportunity for recovery. In FY 2020, the Coast Guard was able to save 56.3% of 

property in danger of loss. The Coast Guard continues to work closely with partners in the salvage 

industry to strengthen marine property recovery capabilities to improve these results.

MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION—RESPONSE ACTIVITIES

The Coast Guard is the lead federal agency for directing 

the removal and mitigation of oil and hazardous 

substances from spills and releases in the waters and 

shorelines of the coastal zone. The Coast Guard achieves 

the marine environmental response and preparedness 

mission through strategically distributed Marine 

Environmental Response elements at the national, 

regional, and local level. The Coast Guard conducts 

review, approval, and monitoring activities to ensure 

regulated and non-regulated vessels and facilities 

comply with required pollution response plans and 

safeguards in the event of an actual or potential 

discharge. The Coast Guard enforces standards by conducting civil and criminal investigations of 

environmental and International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards and regulations with 

strategically distributed Marine Environmental Response Program elements at the national, 

regional, and local level. Strategic program management and policy support is provided at Coast 

Guard Headquarters and National Contingency Plan Special Teams, which include the Coast Guard 

National Strike Force (NSF) and District Response Advisory Teams, Federal On-Scene 

Coordinators (FOSCs), FOSC Representatives, and Pollution Responders at Sectors, Marine Safety 

Units, and Marine Safety Detachments.

FY 2020 Performance Results

Marine Environmental Response Compliance 

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

75.0% 80.4% 84.3% 86.5% 90.5% 95.4% ≥90% ≥90%

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sally, Petty Officers from 

Coast Guard Sector Mobile, assess damage and 

oversees contractors tasked with booming off and 

cleaning up oil and fuel leaks in the water near 

downtown Pensacola, FL, September 19, 2020. (Coast 

Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 40

Explanation of Results

In FY 2020, the Coast Guard responded to 3,021 actual or threatened discharges of oil or releases 

of hazardous substances into the U.S. navigable waters. Part of the Coast Guard’s pollution 

response mission is compelling compliance through mariner and industry education and 

enforcement of violations of applicable laws and regulations. The Marine Environmental Response 

Compliance measure examines the number of pollution events where an enforcement action was 

taken. In FY 2020, 95.4% of pollution events resulted in some form of enforcement action. The 

steady rise in the marine environmental compliance rate can be attributed to the revision of internal 

policies and field guidance to operational commanders that has improved mission execution.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND DISASTER RESPONSE

Coast Guard Emergency Management and Disaster Response provides strategic level policies to 

harmonize emergency management programs, functions, and activities to prevent, protect, mitigate, 

respond, and recover from all hazards events. It establishes processes and procedures to ensure 

effective employment of all Coast Guard resources in coordination with partner responders during 

significant incidents. Through active outreach to mission program managers, Coast Guard 

Emergency Management and Disaster Response assesses, maintains, and improves the knowledge, 

skills, and abilities necessary to ensure consistency within the Service, agency interoperability, and 

support to the National Preparedness and Planning Systems as established by Presidential Policy 

Directive-8. Program efforts ensure response readiness for all threats and all hazards, and include 

exercises and real-world events that cut across all Coast Guard missions and support programs.

Discussion of Results

The purpose of an effective continuity program across the Coast Guard enterprise is to ensure 

continuous performance of Mission Essential Functions (MEFs) when a catastrophic incident, such 

as a pandemic, disrupts normal Coast Guard operations. The Coast Guard’s robust continuity 

program has proven highly effective and successful throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continuity of operations was a central theme throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in FY 2020, 

which was focused on maintaining flexibility in response to essential missions. Specific continuity 

of operations considerations conducted included, but were not limited to, social distancing 

measures at operational and staff units; development of quarantine and isolation guidance; 

incorporation of telework when possible within continuity plans; pre-established alternate facilities 

to assist sanitization of the unit’s primary facilities following a positive COVID-19 test;

Vessel/Facility Entry Health Screening; distribution of personal protective equipment to 

operational units; and adhering to CDC guidelines for travel to include a complex transfer season.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 41

DEFENSE OPERATIONS

As a unique instrument of national power, 

the Coast Guard bridges the lethality of the 

Department of Defense (DOD) and the 

diplomacy of the Department of State to 

promote a rules-based free and open global 

maritime commons. Coast Guard forces 

leverage capabilities, capacity, access, and 

partnerships to carry out homeland security 

and defense operations under both Coast 

Guard and DOD Geographic Combatant 

Commander (GCC) authorities in support 

of U.S. national security, and foreign 

policy objectives. The Coast Guard participates in extensive DOD steady-state and contingency 

planning efforts, globally integrated exercises and war-games, and force management plans. 

Careful risk analysis ensures of the Service optimization as an integral force multiplier for DOD,

and best determines the ways to utilize high-demand, low density Coast Guard Defense Operations 

including: Maritime Interception/Interdiction Operations (MIO); Military Environmental 

Response; Port Operations, Security and Defense (including maintaining a Title 10 Reserve force 

and providing Aids to Navigation support for battle-space preparation); Theater Security 

Cooperation (TSC); Coastal Sea Control (including providing DOD with the only assured surface 

access in ice-covered and ice-diminished waters); Rotary Wing Air Intercept (RWAI); Combating 

Terrorism; Maritime Operational Threat Response (MOTR) support; and military cyberspace 

operations. 

FY 2020 Performance Results

Defense Readiness of Major Cutters for DoD Contingency Planning

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

100% 99.5% 97% 100% 92.9% 80.7% 100% 100%

Defense Readiness of Patrol Boats for DoD Contingency Planning

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

USCGC STRATTON transits San Francisco Bay as the cutter returns on 

November 22, 2019 to their homeport in Alameda, CA following a 162-

day patrol in the Western Pacific. The STRATTON deployed June 13, 2019, 

under the tactical control of the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet, enforcing 

United Nations Security Council resolutions against North Korea. (Coast 

Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 42

Defense Readiness of Port Security Units (Deployed)

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

100% 100% 100% 93.5% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Defense Readiness of Port Security Units (Ready to Deploy)

2015

Actual

2016

Actual

2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Actual

2020

Target

2021

Target

89% 57.8% 100% 100% 100% 100% ≥85% ≥85%

Explanation of Results

The reduced Defense Readiness of Major Cutters was primarily due to cutters undergoing 

scheduled major dockside maintenance, repairs, or shipyard modifications which were impacted 

and delayed due to COVID-19. This metric was impacted by material casualties suffered by 

USCGC WAESCHE as a result of a shipboard fire during operations in the Western Pacific Ocean. 

Other major cutters, however, completed significant planned modifications, resulting in 

considerably improved readiness starting in the fourth quarter a trend that is expected to continue. 

The USCGC HAMILTON underway in the Pacific Ocean, August 19, 2020. The HAMILTON is one of two 418-foot 

National Security Cutters homeported in Charleston, SC. (Coast Guard Photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 43

COAST GUARD INTELLIGENCE

Today’s evolving and complex operating environment presents unprecedented challenges. In this 

resource-constrained environment, intelligence ensures the most effective employment of assets 

towards Coast Guard, DHS, and national security missions. Effectively 

integrating intelligence leverages all Coast Guard Intelligence 

capabilities to support planning, mission execution, cyber security, 

international engagement, force protection, and other activities. Coast 

Guard Intelligence produces and disseminates timely, actionable, and 

relevant intelligence that provides mission support to Coast Guard 

tactical and operational commanders, Coast Guard senior leaders in 

their strategic management and policy-making roles, DHS for 

homeland security missions, DOD and other national intelligence and federal law enforcement 

agencies in support of national security objectives. In these roles, Coast Guard Intelligence provides 

decision advantage, knowledge about adversaries, threats, and the surrounding environment. The 

Coast Guard collects and reports information of intelligence value for Coast Guard, DHS, and 

national objectives using its federal law enforcement and regulatory authorities. In addition, the 

Coast Guard is a member of the Intelligence Community (IC), a group of departments and agencies 

that conducts intelligence activities necessary to protect National Security outlined in Executive 

Order 12333. 

HIGHLIGHTS

 Shore-based intelligence contributed to the interdiction of over 121.6 metric tons of cocaine 

valued at nearly $4.8 billion, and the detention or arrest of 361 suspected narcotics 

traffickers. 

 Screened and cleared 102,926 commercial vessels, identifying 1,494 high interest vessels. 

 Provided 458 telecommunication analytical products in support of 48 separate Coast Guard 

Investigative Service (CGIS) investigations. 

 Screened 7,142,296 crewmembers, and 11,846,693 travelers, ultimately identifying and 

warning of the pending arrival to the U.S. of 6,703 travelers of concern, and 26 persons 

identified as Known or Suspected Terrorists or other threats.

 Developed analytical models and techniques to support the Counter Transnational 

Organized Crime (CTOC) effort. In coordination with Joint Interagency Task Force - South 

(JIATF-S), analysts identified 46 likely targets of interest, supported the creation of 13 

critical movement alerts, and cued four U.S. - partner nation interdictions, resulting in the 

seizure of 3.4 metric tons of illicit narcotics.

 Identified approximately 400 vessels operating in the Pacific that likely utilized human 

trafficking and forced labor practices.

 Coast Guard COASTWATCH personnel directly supported 9,232 law enforcement 

encounters, including vessel boardings, base access requests, and investigative support, 

identifying 155 active wants/warrants and over 1,200 potential threats to officer safety.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 44

SUCCESS STORIES

IUU Fishing Enforcement Support. Coast Guard Intelligence has a demonstrated track record of 

providing the strategic tipping and cueing necessary for

interdiction success in combating a host of illicit 

activities on the sea. This includes protection against 

threats that range from the smuggling of illegal narcotics 

and the associated violence perpetrated by transnational 

criminal organizations, to countering international 

Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported (IUU) fishing

threatening at-risk economies of our partner nations. 

Effective counter-IUU fishing operations are supported 

by robust intelligence information in order to effectively identify, target, and interdict illicit actors 

in the vast maritime domain.

Coast Guard Maritime Intelligence Fusion Center (MIFC) Pacific analysts provided intelligence 

support to Operation NORTH PACIFIC GUARD, which led to the identification of 15 potential 

IUU fisheries violations, and the withdrawal of the suspect fishing fleet from the patrol area.

Coast Guard MIFC Pacific identified numerous foreign-based fishing companies that engage in 

IUU fishing operations throughout the Pacific, to include the Eastern Pacific and Oceania. MIFC

analysts provided detailed targeting lists for Operation BLUE PACIFIC which identified ties 

between companies, malign influence activity, and financial fraud in the U.S. This included 

espionage operations, public corruption, and human trafficking, and resulted in the creation of a 

joint agency team to target the companies for criminal prosecution and possible Office of Foreign 

Assets Control (OFAC) nominations. 

Intelligence-driven Counter Drug Operations. Coast 

Guard use of Tactical Cryptology Afloat (TCA) 

capabilities contributed to the removal of 42 metric tons 

of cocaine valued at over $1.6 billion and the detention or 

arrest of 145 suspected narcotics traffickers in FY 2020.

In addition, cryptologic personnel ashore provided 

intelligence that contributed to the U.S. interdiction of 

another 121.6 metric tons of cocaine valued at nearly $4.8 

billion and the detention or arrest of 361 suspected 

narcotics trafficked. TCA is a critical mission enabling 

capability first fielded as part of the National Security 

Cutter (NSC) acquisition program, enables the detection, reporting, disruption, and interdiction of 

illicit activity that threatens our borders, and directly supports Coast Guard, DHS, DoD, 

Intelligence Community, and allied partner missions and operations. These systems condense the 

At sea Coast Guard IUU fishing boarding. (Coast Guard 

photo)

USCGC BERTHOLF boarding teams interdict a lowprofile go-fast vessel while patrolling international 

waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean, seizing more than 

3,100 pounds of suspected cocaine, November 4, 

2019. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 45

Commanding Officer’s decision cycle, enabling operational advantage over adversaries, efficient 

asset allocation, and tactical cueing to less capable cutters. 

Intelligence Support for Hurricane Response. The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was one of 

the most active in recorded history, with 10 hurricanes 

recorded by late October 2020, over a month before the 

official end of the hurricane season. Of these 10 

hurricanes, six made landfall in the U.S., and Coast Guard 

Intelligence was there to support. The geospatial 

intelligence (GEOINT) teams at the Intelligence 

Coordination Center (ICC) and Maritime Intelligence 

Fusion Center Atlantic (MIFC LANT) collaborated with 

other GEOINT mission partners and ensured Coast Guard operational commanders and senior 

leaders had access to the first-available commercial overhead and tactical imagery-based damage 

assessment products, providing critical situational awareness in the aftermath of the storms. MIFC 

LANT’s GEOINT team produced over 165 post-storm damage assessment products and provided 

processing, exploitation and dissemination (PED) support to 14 Coast Guard and CBP collections 

flights. This support enabled operational commanders across three Coast Guard Districts to 

prioritize mission objectives and make critical resource allocation decisions in the aftermath of 

hurricanes Hanna, Isaias, Laura, Marco, Sally, and Delta. Damage assessment products were posted 

to a storm collaboration website and the ICC GEOINT Event Viewer, where they could be viewed 

in conjunction with other GEOINT data layers, such as storm surge information and Coast Guard 

unit locations, providing decision advantage to Coast Guard leadership at all echelons. 

Discussion of Results

The Coast Guard continued to employ intelligence systems on the NSC which enabled detection, 

reporting, disruption, and interdiction of illicit activity in support of Homeland Security and Coast 

Guard missions. These systems shortened the field commander’s decision cycle and enabled 

operational advantage over adversaries, efficient asset allocation, and tactical cueing to less-capable 

cutters. This capability directly supported cutter operations while also benefiting DHS, DOD, 

Intelligence Community, and allied partner missions and operations. 

Coast Guard Intelligence initiated a plan to deliver actionable intelligence that will support 

prevention and defense of the MTS from cyber threats, including initiatives to increase cyber 

information collection and processing through a comprehensive pilot that will revolutionize 

maritime cyber threat data management. Early efforts with federal and local governments and 

Maritime industry partners to standardize cyber reporting and improve analytic collaboration 

promise to enhance situational awareness. Coordination across the Coast Guard Intelligence 

Enterprise to better utilize scarce resources, coordinate intelligence dissemination, and inform the 

field through briefings and intelligence notes will heighten awareness of strategic and operational 

Hurricane Laura, August 26, 2020. (NOAA photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 46

threats. This comprehensive approach to maritime cyber threat collection, analysis, and reporting 

represents an unparalleled Federal cyber response in support of the MTS. 

Coast Guard Intelligence utilized qualitative analytic techniques to produce the Congressionallymandated National Maritime Terrorism Threat Assessment (NMTTA). This assessment provided 

decision advantage to senior U.S. policy-makers and Coast Guard leadership across the strategic 

and tactical levels. The report examined foreign and domestic terrorist organizations and assessed

their intentions and capabilities of executing kinetic attacks within the Homeland Maritime 

Domain.

Coast Guard Intelligence employed sophisticated counter-network exploitation techniques which 

identified four new tankers and one new import network with six feeder vessels engaged in 10 illicit 

ship-to-ship transfers by foreign-flagged vessels in direct violation of United Nations Security 

Council (UNSC) Resolutions.

The Coast Guard Foreign Disclosure Program successfully adjudicated over 1,240 requests to 

disclose information to U.S. Partner Nations in support of bilateral and multilateral initiatives. 

These authorized disclosures enhanced USCGC WAESCHE’s participation in Operation EX 

CARAT with the Seventh Fleet and the Government of Brunei, as well as promoted maritime safety 

and security through the Coast Guard’s involvement in the AFRICOM Maritime Exchange with 

Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles.

The Coast Guard Counterintelligence Service conducted approximately 20 investigations, 11 new 

operations, and produced 200 intelligence reports, which protected Coast Guard personnel, 

information, assets, and technology from Foreign Intelligence Entities, Transnational Criminal 

Organizations, and International Terrorist Organization threats. Two Counterintelligence Agents, 

who were fully integrated into the Coast Guard’s Research Development Acquisitions and Supply 

Chain Risk Management program, responded to nine incidents involving threats that ranged from 

computer intrusions to product substitutions. 
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 47

INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT

The U.S. Coast Guard is a unique instrument of national power that promotes rules-based global 

maritime governance in support of U.S. national security, homeland security, and foreign policy. 

The Coast Guard pursues meaningful international engagements to advance national strategic 

objectives and support operations, and employs an array of tools and methods to accomplish this, 

including a robust foreign visits program; key leader engagements with senior maritime and 

government officials from around the world; and subject-matter expert exchanges with partner 

nations. In addition, the Coast Guard conducts maritime assessments for partner nations, provides 

a diverse set of training and technical services, and assists in strengthening their maritime service 

capacity and professionalism through resident training programs and exportable Mobile Training 

Teams. Through The Excess Defense Article and Foreign Military Sales Program, the Coast Guard 

transfers and sells asset, and provides partner-nations with necessary training and assistance in the 

sustainment of these assets while supporting maritime missions.

HIGHLIGHTS

 Hosted 157 international students from 53 countries, including the Ukraine Maritime 

Border Guard and Philippine Coast Guard.

 Coordinated 25 Mobile Training Team (MTT) missions to 17 countries.

 Supported 29 overseas personnel in the United Kingdom, Germany, Saudi Arabia, 

Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Philippines, Vietnam, and Fiji.

 Initiated 87 Interagency Agreements and funding orders.

SUCCESS STORIES

Historic Deployment Enhances National Equities in the Atlantic Arctic. From July through 

September 2020, the Coast Guard deployed USCGCs 

CAMPBELL and TAHOMA to participate in Operation 

NANOOK (OP NANOOK) and Search and Rescue 

Exercise ARGUS (SAREX ARGUS), furthering the arcticfocused goals and objectives of the MTS Directorate. OP 

NANOOK is the Canadian Armed Forces’ annual military 

exercise in the Arctic. SAREX ARGUS is a multinational 

exercise in the Arctic between the U.S., Denmark, France, 

and Greenland. Hosted by the Joint Arctic Command, the 

exercise’s primary focus is to practice search and rescue operations for air, naval, and local surface 

assets. 

CAMPBELL’s and TAHOMA’s participation in these events represented an historical first for 

Coast Guard Atlantic Arctic activities, with this patrol being the furthest north a medium endurance 

USCGC CAMPBELL conducts joint exercises with 

Danish Navy vessel HMDS KNUD. (Coast Guard 

photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 48

cutter (270 WMEC) has ever sailed. OP NANOOK and SAREX ARGUS allowed Coast Guard 

Atlantic Area to operationalize the three lines of efforts of the Coast Guard’s Arctic Strategic 

Outlook. This deployment demonstrated the competence and adaptability of the Coast Guard to 

operate effectively in support of key national interests in some of the most remote areas of the 

world. It also presented an opportunity to test limitations when operating in the high latitudes, 

enabling quick identification of critical communication gaps when operating in the Arctic.

Internationally, participation in OP NANOOK and SAREX ARGUS strengthened the Coast 

Guard’s operational partnership and inter-service trust with Canadian, Danish, French, and 

Greenlandic partners. Additionally, interoperability with the U.S. Navy Second Fleet increased 

through this strategic operational opportunity for a major Coast Guard cutter to exercise with a 

Navy destroyer in the Arctic. Moreover, the Coast Guard’s strong, coordinated presence in the 

Arctic theater demonstrated by this deployment affirmed the ability of the U.S. to be a regional 

partner of choice while stunting malign foreign interests in the high latitudes.

Coast Guard Resumes Training for the Yemen Coast Guard. 

The Coast Guard, in partnership with the U.S. Department of 

State, Saudi Arabia Joint Forces Command, and Saudi Border 

Guard, completed the first mobile training event for the Yemen 

Coast Guard since the start of the Yemen civil war.

Prior to the beginning of the Yemen civil war in 2014, the Coast 

Guard helped develop and professionalize the Yemen Coast 

Guard. In January 2020, a Coast Guard training team helped 

restore the partnership and executed a two-week Outboard Motor 

Maintenance course in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The Coast Guard is working closely with international partners to help reconstitute the Yemen 

Coast Guard in efforts to effectively patrol maritime zones and prevent weapons smuggling into 

the country.

Coast Guard Supports Saudi Arabia Border Security 

on the Red Sea. The Coast Guard supported the Maritime 

Infrastructure Protection Force (MIPF)’s expansion to the 

Red Sea to prevent attacks on critical port facilities. Coast 

Guard advisors assigned to the Maritime Infrastructure 

Protection Force Training and Advisory Group 

(MIPFTAG) worked to operationalize the first MIPF unit 

on the Red Sea in Jizan through an extensive Ready for 

Operations program. 

Rear Admiral Meredith Austin tours a Maritime 

Infrastructure Protection Force unit in October 2019. 

(Coast Guard photo)

Coast Guard members demonstrate Outboard 

Motor Maintenance techniques to the Yemen 

Coast Guard. (Coast Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 49

In June 2020, the MIPFTAG program received funding to support the project through 2022 with a 

new Foreign Military Sales case. In addition, four 33’ Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement 

boats were purchased by Saudi Arabia and are due to arrive in the Kingdom by the summer of 2021 

to support MIPF training.

Coast Guard Hosts International Students. The Coast 

Guard Office of International Affairs (CG-DCO-I) 

coordinated logistics and attendance for the Officer Candidate 

and Officer Indoctrination School, and Coast Guard Academy 

(CGA) international cadet program. These efforts reinforced 

the Coast Guard’s commitment to foreign partners while 

ensuring the safe execution of travel and academics in the

2020 pandemic environment. 

The Officer Indoctrination School graduated students from 

Jamaica, the Bahamas, Malta, and Lebanon. The staff and 

students overcame numerous hurdles related to COVID-19, 

including new base restrictions prohibiting off-base liberty 

during the later weeks of the program. All students successfully completed the 17-week program

at the CGA in New London, CT; which included an underway period onboard USCGC EAGLE. 

Despite COVID challenges, six graduates from the Coast Guard Academy Class of 2020 made it 

to their home countries allowing for these newly graduated officers to integrate quickly into their 

Country’s Armed Services. Additionally, Coast Guard personnel supported the transition of all 

newly arriving international cadets admitted to Coast Guard Academy Class of 2024.

Discussion of Results

The Coast Guard had a successful year in international relations, adapting to countless challenges 

in order to maintain critical international partnerships around the globe. Working closely with the 

U.S. interagency, the Coast Guard released the organization’s first-ever IUU Fishing Strategic 

Outlook. Several regional priorities, were also advanced, including the release of the Oceania 

Regional Engagement Plan. The Coast Guard maintained strategic relationships through virtual 

Key Leader Engagements, alongside a visit by the Commandant to European and Scandinavian

partners across the Atlantic. Despite the immense hurdles faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, 

the Coast Guard maintained vital relationships with multi-national working groups, successfully 

and safely transferred personnel overseas, and preserved portions of the world-renowned training 

program critical to the development of partner nation’s maritime security capacity.

The Coast Guard Foreign Disclosure Program concluded new bilateral partnerships with the 

Brazilian Navy and Australian Border Forces Command, which will provide additional 

opportunities for maritime cooperation and foreign ship-rider embarkation aboard Coast Guard Fast 

Students from Jamaica, the Bahamas, Malta, and 

Lebanon pose during attendance to the Coast Guard’s 

Officer Indoctrination School. (Coast Guard photo)
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 50

Response (FRC) and National Security Cutters (NSC). The program supported Security 

Cooperation and local procurement processes, through technical exchange on the HC-27J airframe 

with the Australian DOD and export of Polar Security Cutter (PSC) technical data to authorized 

Foreign Industry partners, and the transfer of Coast Guard Excess Defense Articles (EDA) and 

services to the governments of Vietnam and Bahrain. These efforts strengthened ties with new and 

long standing maritime partners and enhanced the Coast Guard’s international standing as a Premier 

Maritime Service.

Coast Guard Attachés (COGATTs) represented the Coast Guard and DOD in 15 embassies, 

protecting and promoting U.S. interests abroad. With specialized training in foreign country 

operations, diplomatic duties, and language skills, they observed and reported on developments in 

their countries, advised their Ambassadors, and acted in official representative capacities. In 

Ecuador, the COGATT supported USCGC BERTHOLF as the cutter conducted the first joint IUU 

fisheries patrol with the Ecuadorian Coast Guard off the Galapagos Islands, which ensured 

Ecuadorian sovereignty and protected the fragile ecosystem of the Galapagos UNESCO World 

Heritage site. The Colombia COGATT worked with National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration (NOAA) representatives to deliver time-sensitive equipment to their Colombian 

counterparts, which allowed NOAA to receive upper air weather data for the western Caribbean, 

ultimately improving weather models for the 2020 hurricane season. In Brazil, the COGATT helped 

finalize an Information Sharing MOU between the U.S. Coast Guard and the Brazilian Navy,

improving maritime initiatives and collaboration. The Japan COGATT coordinated the repatriation 

of 318 U.S. citizens from a cruise ship in Yokohama during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 

Jamaica COGATT was instrumental in supporting the donation of a U.S. Southern Command field 

hospital. 
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 51

CYBERSPACE OPERATIONS

Primarily coordinated by Coast Guard Cyber Command (CGCYBER), the 

Coast Guard identifies, protects against, and counters cybersecurity 

threats to the maritime interests of the U.S.; provides cyber capabilities 

that foster excellence in the execution of Coast Guard operations; supports 

DHS cyber missions, and defends Coast Guard systems. CGCYBER

serves as the Service Cyber Component to the U.S. Cyber Command.

HIGHLIGHTS

 Defended against 408 cybersecurity incidents.

 Responded to significant increase in demand for system capabilities and user support 

associated with workforces expanding teleworking needs in response to COVID-19.

 Performed over 40 assessments of enterprise mission systems including the Marine 

Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database, and the C-27 aircraft 

acquisition identifying vulnerabilities and recommending hardening actions tailored to 

each system.

 Reached full staffing levels for the Coast Guard’s first Cyber Protection Team, 1790 CPT.

 Established the Maritime Cyber Readiness Branch, a specialized team that fuses maritime 

safety and cyber expertise, primarily focused on protecting the MTS.

SUCCESS STORIES

Securing Marine Transportation System Cyber. The Coast Guard successfully stood-up the 

Maritime Cyber Readiness Branch (MCRB) in FY 2020, 

and represents a specialized team within CGCYBER that 

fuses Marine Safety paradigms and Cyber expertise in 

support of the MTS. The Branch tracks, investigates, and 

analyzes all reported and known cyber incidents in the 

MTS. In FY 2020, the MCRB investigated 24 cyber 

incidents and directly supported over half of the Coast 

Guard’s Sectors and Marine Safety Units. By combining 

data collected from new investigations with available 

historical data, MCRB maintains the “big picture” for 

MTS cybersecurity. The MCRB leverages this situational awareness to correlate disparate 

incidents and provide information to industry partners to better secure the MTS. 

The MCRB collaborated closely across key Coast Guard, interagency, maritime industry, and 

academic MTS Cyber Stakeholders to increase maritime cybersecurity competency, capabilities, 

and consistency across the MTS. This included close coordination with Sectors to prioritize and 

plan CPT operations within their areas of responsibility. To enhance cyber training, the MCRB 

CGCYBER 

MTS 

MISSION
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page 52

worked in concert with the Coast Guard Force Readiness Command (FORCECOM) to develop 

cyber literacy training for Coast Guard inspectors and collaborated with Stevens Institute of 

Technology to develop and deliver a maritime cybersecurity course for Coast Guard personnel. 

The MCRB also partnered with the Navy and Indiana University Center for Applied Cybersecurity 

Research to conduct a comprehensive cyber assessment of a large U.S. semi-automated container 

facility in a research and development pilot program sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of 

Defense.

Cyber Protection Team begins drive to Full Operating 

Capability. The Cyber Protection Team (CPT) achieved 

Initial Operating Capability (IOC) staffing during the 

summer of 2020. The full complement includes three 

mission elements and a support element. The team 

continued pursuing full operating capability requirements 

set by U.S. Cyber Command including training on the 

Deployable Mission Support System kits, enabling 

CGCYBER to support Sector Commanders by executing 

Hunt and Incident response operations in the Marine 

Transportation System (MTS). The team is now working 

closely with Captains of the Port to secure and harden the MTS.

Discussion of Results

CGCYBER supported seamless continuity of operations during the COVID-19 pandemic with key 

teleworking infrastructure and online collaboration capabilities, to ensure members working 

remotely could continue to support the mission. CGCYBER installed the Coast Guard’s Virtual 

Private Network on over 10,000 laptops and rapidly deployed online collaboration tools, such as 

the Department of Defense Commercial Virtual Remote (CVR) environment. The mission-ready 

Reserve cyber workforce helped meet the increase of critical capability requirements with a timely 

mobilization and integration into CGCYBER operations to ensure adequate contnuity of operations 

during the pandemic. 
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-1

Appendix - PERFORMANCE MEASURE DEFINITIONS

MARITIME PREVENTION

Annual MTSA facility compliance rate with transportation worker ID credential regulations A-2

Annual Number of Breaches at High Risk Maritime Facilities A-3

3-yr average number of serious marine incidents A-4

3-yr average number of commercial mariner deaths and critical, serious & severe injuries A-5

3-yr average number of commercial passenger deaths and critical, serious & severe injuries A-6

3-yr average number of recreational boating deaths A-7

3-yr average of chemical discharge incidents per 100 million short tons shipped A-8

3-yr average of oil spills per 100 million short tons shipped A-9

MARINE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM MANAGEMENT

Availability of maritime navigation aids A-10

Percent of time high-priority waterways in Great Lakes and Eastern Seaboard open during ice season A-11

5-yr average number of navigational accidents A-12

MARITIME SECURITY OPERATIONS

Percent risk impact of maritime security operations (new for 2020) A-13

Maritime security operations efficiency (new for 2020) A-14

MARITIME LAW ENFORCEMENT

Number of undocumented migrants attempting to enter U.S. by maritime routes A-15

Number of undocumented migrants attempting to enter U.S. by maritime routes interdicted A-16

Migrant interdiction effectiveness in the maritime environment A-17

Percent undocumented migrants attempting to enter U.S. by maritime routes interdicted by USCG A-18

Metric tons of cocaine removed A-19

USCG Removal rate for cocaine from non-commercial vessels in maritime transit zone A-20

Fishing regulation compliance rate A-21

Percent of federal fisheries found in compliance with laws and regulations A-22

Number of detected incursions of foreign fishing vessels violating U.S. waters A-23

Interdiction rate of foreign fishing vessels violating U.S. waters A-24

MARITIME RESPONSE

Percent of people in imminent danger saved in the maritime environment A-25

Percent of time rescue assets are on-scene within 2 hours A-26

Percentage of property “in danger of loss” saved A-27

Marine EnvironmentalResponse Compliance (new for 2020) A-28

DEFENSE OPERATIONS

Defense readiness of major cutters for DoD contingency planning A-29

Defense readiness of patrol boats for contingency planning A-30

Defense readiness of port security units (deployed) A-31

Defense readiness of port security units (ready to deploy) A-32
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-2

Annual MTSA Facility Compliance Rate with Transportation Worker ID Credential Regulations

Measure Description The percentage of the more than 3,400 maritime facilities subject to Maritime Transportation Security Act 

regulation, which are determined to be in compliance with Transportation Worker Identification Card 

regulations.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Prevention

USCGMISSION Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security—Prevention Activities

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 2 - Secure and Manage Our Borders

Goal 2.2 – Safeguard and Expedite Lawful Trade and Travel

Sub-Goal 2.2.1 - Safeguard Key Nodes, Conveyances and Pathways

SCOPE This measure reports results of Coast Guard inspections of maritime facilities subject to the Maritime 

Transportation Security Act (MTSA), where a notice of violation or civil penalty is recorded for 

Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) infractions—workers subject to the regulation who do 

not have and display a valid TWIC card. More than 3,400 MTSA regulated facilities constitute a subset of 

all waterfront facilities. These are facilities that handle certain dangerous cargoes, liquid natural gas or 

transfer oil or hazardous materials in bulk; or receive foreign cargo vessels greater than 100 gross tons, U.S. 

cargo vessels greater than 100 gross tons carrying certain dangerous cargoes, or vessels carrying more than 

150 passengers.

DATA SOURCE The Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act requires the Coast Guard to conduct at least 

two security inspections each year of maritime facilities subject to the Maritime Transportation Security 

Act (MTSA); one announced and one unannounced. Inspections include random sampling of workers 

subject to the TWIC regulation. These inspections, and any notices of violation or civil penalties issued, are 

documented in the Coast Guard’s Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given year are the number of MTSA facilities that have not received notices of violation or 

civil penalties for Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) infractions in the reporting period, 

expressed as a percentage of the total number of MTSA regulated facilities.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION To ensure consistency and integrity, MISLE data entry is controlled through program logic and pull-down 

menus that require key elements, prohibit the inappropriate, and limit choices to pre-determined options. 

Comprehensive training and user guides help ensure reliability and the MISLE application itself contains 

embedded Help screens. Data verification and validation is also affected through regular records review by 

the Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis (CG-INV) and Coast Guard Program managers. To 

ensure random sampling of workers subject to the TWIC regulation, statistical guidelines based on the size 

of the facility have been developed to aid inspectors.

LIMITATIONS The measure is a proxy indicator of maritime security risk; it provides insight into the level of adherence to 

the TWIC requirement. It does not encompass facilities that have a waiver or exemption, including 

shipyards, public access facilities, military facilities and facilities that do not store minimum established 

amounts of dangerous cargoes. It is based on random sampling and the observed TWIC compliance or noncompliance at that point in time; some non-compliance may be unobserved or may emerge and be resolved 

in between scheduled inspections or unscheduled spot checks. Some infractions can be corrected on the 

spot, and issuance of a notice of violation or civil penalty will depend on inspector or Captain of the Port 

judgment of violation severity.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-3

Annual Number of Breaches at High Risk Maritime Facilities

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The annual number of breaches of security at any of the more than 3,400 maritime facilities subject to 

Maritime Transportation Security Act regulation, which are investigated and confirmed incidents where no 

Transportation Security Incident has occurred, but established security measures have been circumvented, 

eluded or violated.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Prevention

USCGMISSION Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security—Prevention Activities

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 1 - Prevent Terrorism and Enhance Security

Goal 1.3 - Reduce Risk to Critical Infrastructure, Key Leadership and Events

Sub-Goal 1.3.1 - Enhance Security for Critical Infrastructure from Terrorism & Criminal Activity

SCOPE This measure reports breach of security incidents at facilities subject to the Maritime Transportation 

Security Act (MTSA) where no Transportation Security Incident has occurred, but established security 

measures have been circumvented, eluded or violated. MTSA facilities that discover such security incidents 

must report them to the National Response Center. More than 3,400 MTSA regulated facilities constitute 

subset of all waterfront facilities. These are facilities that handle certain dangerous cargoes, liquid natural 

gas or transfer oil or hazardous materials in bulk; or receive foreign cargo vessels greater than 100 gross 

tons, U.S. cargo vessels greater than 100 gross tons carrying certain dangerous cargoes, or vessels carrying 

more than 150 passengers.

DATA SOURCE Qualified Coast Guard Inspectors investigate incidents reported to the National Response Center by MTSA 

regulated facilities where security measures have been circumvented, eluded or violated. Verified incidents 

are documented in the Coast Guard’s Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) 

database as a Breach of Security Investigation.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given year are the total number of confirmed breaches of security that occurred over the past 

12-months at any of the more than 3,400 MTSA regulated facilities.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION To ensure consistency and integrity, MISLE data entry is controlled through program logic and pull-down 

menus that require key elements, prohibit the inappropriate, and limit choices to pre-determined options. 

Comprehensive training and user guides help ensure reliability and the MISLE application itself contains 

embedded Help screens. Data verification and validation is also affected through regular records review by 

the Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis (CG-INV) and Coast Guard Program managers.

LIMITATIONS The measure is a proxy indicator of maritime security risk, which Coast Guard inspectors and facility 

owners use to collaboratively assess and strengthen security regimes. Reporting requirements are not 

applicable to facilities that have a waiver or exemption, including shipyards, public access facilities, 

military facilities and facilities that do not store minimum established amounts of dangerous cargoes. Some 

reportable incidents may not be reported and some reports are delayed in reaching the Coast Guard; current 

results are therefore likely to be understated and revised upwards in the future, with the greatest impact 

affecting recent quarters.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-4

3-yr Average Number of Serious Marine Incidents

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The 3-year average number of serious marine incidents, which are defined by 46 CFR 4.03-2 as any marine 

casualties or accidents that include death, injury requiring professional treatment beyond first aid, reportable 

property damage greater than $100,000, actual or constructive loss of certain vessels, discharge of oil of 

10,000 gallons or more, or a discharge of a reportable quantity of a hazardous substance.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Prevention

USCGMISSION Marine Safety

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 5 - Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience

Goal 5.2 - Mitigate Hazards and Vulnerabilities

Sub-Goal 5.2.3 - Prevent Maritime Incidents by Establishing and Ensuring Compliance

SCOPE This measure reports the 3-year average number of serious marine incidents. Owners, agents, masters, 

operators or persons in charge are required by Federal regulation to notify the nearest Coast Guard office 

of any serious marine incidents. These are defined in 46 CFR 4.03-2 as any marine casualty or accident that 

includes death, injury requiring professional treatment beyond first aid, reportable property damage greater 

than $100,000, actual or constructive loss of certain vessels, discharge of oil of 10,000 gallons or more, or 

a discharge of a reportable quantity of a hazardous substance.

DATA SOURCE Reports of Serious Marine Incidents received by Coast Guard offices are investigated and recorded in the 

Coast Guard’s Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given year are the annualized average of total serious marine incidents for the most recent 

three years.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION To ensure consistency and integrity, MISLE data entry is controlled through program logic and pull-down 

menus that require key elements, prohibit the inappropriate, and limit choices to pre-determined options. 

Comprehensive training and user guides help ensure reliability and the application itself contains embedded 

Help screens. MISLE system quality control, and data verification and validation, is affected through 

regular review of records by the Coast Guard Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis.

LIMITATIONS Some incidents are never reported and some delayed in reaching the Coast Guard; previously published 

data is therefore subject to revision—with the greatest impact affecting recent quarters. Deaths and injuries 

include crewmembers or employees aboard U.S. commercial vessels, but not those aboard foreign flag 

vessels; and commercial passengers on U.S. vessels operating in any waters and foreign vessels in U.S. 

waters. Deaths, disappearances or injuries determined to be the result of natural causes or intentional acts—

such as heart attack, altercation, or the like—are excluded. Passenger casualties associated with diving are 

excluded as well. Serious marine incidents arising from recreational craft, government vessels, fixed 

platforms, pipelines or other non-Coast Guard regulated facilities are also excluded. A 3-year average is 

used to mitigate year-to-year variation and ensure any near-term trend is more apparent.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-5

3-yr Average Number of Commercial Mariner Deaths and Critical, Serious and Severe Injuries

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The 3-year average annual number of commercial mariner fatalities and critical, serious or severe injuries.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Prevention

USCGMISSION Marine Safety

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 5 - Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience

Goal 5.2 - Mitigate Hazards and Vulnerabilities

Sub-Goal 5.2.3 - Prevent Maritime Incidents by Establishing and Ensuring Compliance

SCOPE This measure reports the 3-year average annual number of commercial mariner fatalities and critical, serious 

or severe injuries. Owners, agents, masters, operators or persons in charge are required by Federal 

regulation to notify the nearest Coast Guard office of any loss of life or injury that requires professional 

medical treatment beyond first aid. Included are casualties of crewmembers or employees aboard U.S. 

commercial vessels. Casualties of commercial passengers, crewmembers or employees aboard foreign 

vessels, and those from recreational craft, government vessels, fixed platforms and facilities are excluded. 

Minor and moderate injuries, and deaths, disappearances or injuries determined to be a result of natural 

causes or intentional acts—such as heart attack, altercation, or the like—are also excluded.

DATA SOURCE Notices of mariner casualties received by Coast Guard offices are investigated and recorded in the Coast 

Guard’s Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given year are the annualized average number of applicable commercial mariner deaths, 

disappearances, and critical, serious, and severe injuries for the most recent three years.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION To ensure consistency and integrity, MISLE data entry is controlled through program logic and pull-down 

menus that require key elements, prohibit the inappropriate, and limit choices to pre-determined options. 

Comprehensive training and user guides help ensure reliability the application itself contains embedded 

Help screens. MISLE system quality control, and data verification and validation, is effected through 

regular review of records by the Coast Guard Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis.

LIMITATIONS Some incidents are never reported and some delayed in reaching the Coast Guard; previously published 

data is therefore subject to revision—with the greatest impact affecting recent quarters. A 3-year average is 

used to mitigate year-to-year variation and ensure any near-term trend is more apparent.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-6

3-yr Average Number of Commercial Passenger Deaths and Critical, Serious and Severe Injuries

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The 3-year average annual number of commercial passenger fatalities and critical, serious or severe injuries.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Prevention

USCGMISSION Marine Safety

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 5 - Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience

Goal 5.2 - Mitigate Hazards and Vulnerabilities

Sub-Goal 5.2.3 - Prevent Maritime Incidents by Establishing and Ensuring Compliance

SCOPE This measure reports the 3-year average annual number of commercial passenger fatalities and critical, 

serious or severe injuries. Owners, agents, masters, operators or persons in charge are required by Federal 

regulation to notify the nearest Coast Guard office of any loss of life or injury that requires professional 

medical treatment beyond first aid. Included are commercial passengers on U.S. vessels operating in any 

waters and foreign vessels in U.S. waters. Casualties of crewmembers or employees, and those from 

recreational craft, government vessels, fixed platforms and facilities are excluded. Minor and moderate 

injuries, and deaths, disappearances or injuries determined to be a result of natural causes or intentional 

acts—such as heart attack, altercation, or the like—are also excluded. Passenger casualties associated with 

diving are excluded as well.

DATA SOURCE Notices of passenger casualties received by Coast Guard offices are investigated and recorded in the Coast 

Guard’s Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given year are the annualized average number of applicable commercial passenger deaths, 

disappearances and critical, serious and severe injuries for the most recent three years.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION To ensure consistency and integrity, MISLE data entry is controlled through program logic and pull-down 

menus that require key elements, prohibit the inappropriate, and limit choices to pre-determined options. 

Comprehensive training and user guides help ensure reliability the application itself contains embedded 

Help screens. MISLE system quality control, and data verification and validation, is effected through 

regular review of records by the Coast Guard Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis.

LIMITATIONS Some incidents are never reported and some delayed in reaching the Coast Guard; previously published 

data is therefore subject to revision—with the greatest impact affecting recent quarters. A 3-year average is 

used to mitigate year-to-year variation and ensure any near-term trend is more apparent.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-7

3-yr Average Number of Recreational Boating Deaths

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The 3-year average annual number of recreational boating fatalities.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Prevention

USCGMISSION Marine Safety

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 5 - Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience

Goal 5.2 - Mitigate Hazards and Vulnerabilities

Sub-Goal 5.2.3 - Prevent Maritime Incidents by Establishing and Ensuring Compliance

SCOPE This measure reports the 3-year average annual number of recreational boating deaths. 33 CFR 173.55 

requires operators of vessels used for recreational purposes to file a Boating Accident Report when a person 

dies, is injured and requires medical treatment beyond first aid or disappears under circumstances that 

indicate death or injury. Included are deaths caused by or attributed to a vessel, its equipment or appendages. 

Also included are swimming deaths due to carbon monoxide exposure; electrocution due to improper 

connection to shore power; a swimmer unable to get back to a drifting vessel not properly anchored, moored 

or docked; and persons struck by a vessel or associated equipment. Deaths or disappearances determined 

to be the result of natural causes or intentional acts are excluded as well.

DATA SOURCE Boating Accident Reports are recorded in the Coast Guard's Boating Accident Report Database (BARD).

METHODOLOGY Results for a given fiscal year are the average number of all applicable recreational boating deaths and 

injuries for the most recent three years. Only casualties recorded in BARD are counted. A one percent 

correction is added to compensate for under-reporting.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION To ensure boating casualties are accurately captured, the Coast Guard Office of Auxiliary and Boating 

Safety (CG-BSX) crosschecks BARD with incidents reported in the Coast Guard’s Marine Information for 

Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database and recreational boating casualties reported in media 

announcements and articles provided by a news clipping service.

LIMITATIONS Some incidents are never reported and some delayed in reaching the Coast Guard; previously published data is therefore 

subject to revision—with the greatest impact affecting recent quarters. A 3-year average is used to mitigate year-to-year 

variation and ensure any near-term trend is more apparent.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-8

3-yr Average Number of Chemical Discharge Incidents per 100 Million Tons Shipped

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The 3-year average annual number of chemical discharge incidents where a reportable quantity of a 

hazardous substance is discharged into navigable waters of the United States per 100 million short tons of 

Chemical and Chemical Products shipped in U.S. waters.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Prevention

USCGMISSION Marine Environmental Protection—Prevention Activities

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 5 - Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience

Goal 5.2 - Mitigate Hazards and Vulnerabilities

Sub-Goal 5.2.3 - Prevent Maritime Incidents by Establishing and Ensuring Compliance

SCOPE This measure reports the 3-year average annual number of chemical discharge incidents, where a reportable 

quantity of a hazardous substance is discharged into U.S. navigable waters, per 100 million short tons of 

Chemical and Chemical Products shipped. 40 CFR 300 requires vessel or facility operators to report 

discharges of any hazardous substance that equals or exceeds reportable quantities listed in 40 CFR 302. 

Discharges onto land, into the air, or into enclosed spaces are excluded. Discharges from non-maritime 

sources such as aircraft, trucks and other vehicles, rail cars and rail equipment, U.S. Navy and other public 

vessels, fixed platforms and pipelines are also excluded. Discharges from unspecified, unclassified and 

unknown sources are excluded as well.

DATA SOURCE Notices of chemical discharge incidents received by Coast Guard offices are investigated and recorded in 

the Coast Guard’s Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database. Data on 

chemical and chemical products shipped in U.S. waters is obtained from the Army Corps of Engineers, 

Waterborne Commerce of the United States. Shipping statistics for a given year are not generally available 

until December of the following year; the measure uses a simple least-squares projection of the most recent 

three years of data.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given fiscal year are the average over the most recent three years of the number of chemical 

discharge incidents per 100 million short tons of Chemical and Chemical Products shipped.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION To ensure consistency and integrity, MISLE data entry is controlled through program logic and pull-down 

menus that require key elements, prohibit the inappropriate, and limit choices to pre-determined options. 

Comprehensive training and user guides help ensure reliability the application itself contains embedded 

Help screens. MISLE system quality control, and data verification and validation, is effected through 

regular review of records by the Coast Guard’s Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis.

LIMITATIONS Some incidents are never reported and some delayed in reaching the Coast Guard; previously published 

data is therefore subject to revision—with the greatest impact affecting recent quarters. A 3-year average is 

used to mitigate year-to-year variation and ensure any near-term trend is more apparent. Current year 

shipping statistics are derived from a simple least-squares projection of recent past data and likely differs 

from actual levels. The number of chemical discharge incidents is reported as proportionate to chemical 

and chemical product shipping, but not all chemical discharges are transit related.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-9

3-yr Average Number of Oil Spills per 100 Million Short Tons Shipped

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The 3-year average annual number of oil spills greater than 100 gallons discharged into navigable waters 

of the United States per 100 million short tons of Oil and Oil Products shipped in U.S. waters.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Prevention

USCGMISSION Marine Environmental Protection—Prevention Activities

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 5 - Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience

Goal 5.2 - Mitigate Hazards and Vulnerabilities

Sub-Goal 5.2.3 - Prevent Maritime Incidents by Establishing and Ensuring Compliance

SCOPE This measure reports the 3-year average annual number of oil spills greater than 100 gallons discharged 

into navigable waters of the United States per 100 million short tons of Oil and Oil Products shipped in 

U.S. waters. 40 CFR 300 requires vessel or facility operators to report any discharge of oil or oil products 

that cause a sheen, discoloration, sludge, or emulsion. Discharges onto land, into the air, or into enclosed 

spaces are excluded. Discharges from non-maritime sources such as aircraft, trucks and other vehicles, rail 

cars and rail equipment, U.S. Navy and other public vessels, fixed platforms and pipelines are also excluded. 

Discharges from unspecified, unclassified and unknown sources are excluded as well.

DATA SOURCE Notices of reportable oil spills received by Coast Guard offices are investigated and recorded in the Coast 

Guard’s Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database. Data on oil and oil 

products shipped in U.S. waters is obtained from the Army Corps of Engineers, Waterborne Commerce of 

the United States. Shipping statistics for a given year are not generally available until December of the 

following year; the measure uses a simple least-squares projection of the most recent three years of data.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given fiscal year are the average over the most recent three years of the number of oil spills 

greater than 100 gallons per 100 million short tons of Oil and Oil Products shipped.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION To ensure consistency and integrity, MISLE data entry is controlled through program logic and pull-down 

menus that require key elements, prohibit the inappropriate, and limit choices to pre-determined options. 

Comprehensive training and user guides help ensure reliability the application itself contains embedded 

Help screens. MISLE system quality control, and data verification and validation, is effected through 

regular review of records by the Coast Guard Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis.

LIMITATIONS Some incidents are never reported and some delayed in reaching the Coast Guard; previously published 

data is therefore subject to revision—with the greatest impact affecting recent quarters. A 3-year average is 

used to mitigate year-to-year variation and ensure any near-term trend is more apparent. Current year 

shipping statistics are derived from a simple least-squares projection of recent past data and likely differs 

from actual levels. The number of oil spills greater than 100 gallons is reported as proportionate to oil and 

oil product shipping, but not all oil spills are transit related.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-10

Availability of Maritime Navigation Aids

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The percentage of time Federal Short-Range Aids to Navigation were available and performing their 

specified functions, where an aid to navigation is counted as not being available from the initial time a 

discrepancy is reported until the time the discrepancy is corrected.

USCG PROGRAM Marine Transportation System Management

USCGMISSION Aids to Navigation

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 2 - Secure and Manage Our Borders

Goal 2.2 – Safeguard and Expedite Lawful Trade and Travel

Sub-Goal 2.2.2 – Manage the Risk of People and Goods in Transit

SCOPE This measure reports the hours Federal Short Range Aids to Navigation were available as a percent of total 

hours they were expected to be available. Short-range aids to navigation are those intended for use within 

the visual, audible or radar range of the mariner; which term encompasses lighted and unlighted beacons, 

ranges, leading lights, buoys, and their associated sound signals. The measure includes all short-range aids 

to navigation in the Coast Guard inventory on the day a report is generated.

DATA SOURCE The Integrated Aids to Navigation Information System (I-ATONIS) is the official system used by the Coast 

Guard for information relating to short-range aids to navigation.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given year are the total hours that all Federal Short Range Aids to Navigation were available, 

expressed as a percentage of total hours they were expected to be available. Expected availability is the 

total number of federal aids deployed on the day a report is run times the number of days in the reporting 

period, multiplied by 24 hours. Availability is determined by subtracting from expected hours, the total time 

any of these Aids were recorded as not available, which is the time between the initial reporting of a 

discrepancy until the time the discrepancy is corrected.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION To ensure consistency and integrity, data entry in the I-ATONIS system is limited to specially trained 

personnel in each District. I-ATONIS data is also subject to review by Unit and District personnel, and by 

Coast Guard and National Ocean Service managers in the process of generating local Notices to Mariners.

LIMITATIONS This measure provides an overall assessment of availability across the entire system of Federal Short-Range 

Aids to Navigation; it does not distinguish any lack of availability by significance. An individual Aid to 

Navigation can be distinguished by its navigational significance, which is influenced by factors such as its 

position and function in a waterway, the waterway importance, traffic density, climate and the mix and 

coverage of other aids in the system. A temporary change to a short-range aid to navigation is not considered 

a discrepancy.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-11

Percent of Time High-Priority Waterways in Great Lakes and Eastern Seaboard Open during Ice Season

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The percent of time Tier One Waterways, in the Great Lakes and along the eastern seaboard, are open to 

vessel transits during the icebreaking season. Tier One waterways are those connecting waterways of the 

Marine Transportation System determined to be the highest-priority due to their geographical location or 

importance of cargo to public health and safety.

USCG PROGRAM Marine Transportation System Management

USCGMISSION Ice Operations

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 2 - Secure and Manage Our Borders

Goal 2.2 – Safeguard and Expedite Lawful Trade and Travel

Sub-Goal 2.2.2 – Manage the Risk of People and Goods in Transit

SCOPE This measure reports the percentage of time Tier One Waterways in the Great Lakes and along the eastern 

seaboard are not closed to vessel transits due to ice-related conditions during the icebreaking season. 

Icebreaking operations in the Great Lakes and waterways along the eastern seaboard are generally 

conducted during a January to April season. Tier One Waterways are those identified and categorized as 

such due to their geographical location or importance of cargo to public health and safety. A closure is 

defined as an event or condition preventing vessels from transiting a waterway, including ice-related 

waterway restrictions or Captain of the Port limitations.

DATA SOURCE Data is obtained from end-of-season reports submitted to Coast Guard Headquarters by 01 July each year.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given year are total hours Tier One Waterways are not closed due to ice-related conditions 

during the icebreaking season, expressed as a percentage of total waterway hours. Total waterway hours 

are determined by multiplying the number of Tier One Waterways by ice season days times 24 hours. Total 

hours Tier One Waterways were closed is ice-related closures reported in days times 24, plus ice-related 

waterway closures reported in hours, plus ice-related waterway restrictions or Captain of the Port limitations 

in hours.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION Icebreaking and waterway closure data provided in end-of-season reports are reviewed for accuracy and 

consistency by Unit and District staff and by the Office of Waterways and Ocean Policy (CG-WWM) at 

Coast Guard Headquarters.

LIMITATIONS The measure is a proxy gauge of navigational mobility on the Great Lakes and along the eastern seaboard 

during the winter icebreaking season; it records closures due to ice only for Tier One Waterways. Results 

are sensitive to the severity of winter weather, and do not necessarily reflect Coast Guard performance; an 

exceptionally severe winter may produce more closures despite impressive Coast Guard icebreaking 

performance.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-12

5-yr Average Number of Navigational Accidents

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The 5-year average annual number of distinct Collision, Allision and Grounding events involving a 

commercial vessel, which includes marine casualties where two or more vessels collide, a vessel strikes a 

stationary vessel or object, or a vessel runs onto a shore, reef or bottom of a body of water.

USCG PROGRAM Marine Transportation System Management

USCGMISSION Aids to Navigation

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 2 - Secure and Manage Our Borders

Goal 2.2 – Safeguard and Expedite Lawful Trade and Travel

Sub-Goal 2.2.2 – Manage the Risk of People and Goods in Transit

SCOPE 46 CFR 4.05-10 requires the owner, agent, master, operator, or person in charge to notify the Coast Guard 

of any occurrence involving a vessel that results in a Collision, Allision or Grounding. Only distinct 

incidents involving a commercial vessel are counted; incidents that involve only non-commercial or 

recreational vessels are excluded. A vessel striking one or more other vessels, at least one of which is a 

commercial vessel, is counted as a distinct Collision event. A commercial vessel striking one or more 

stationary vessels or a stationary object is counted as a distinct Allision event. A distinct Grounding event 

might include a tug and a perhaps several barges in tow running onto a shore, reef or bottom of a body of 

water.

DATA SOURCE Marine casualties are recorded in the Coast Guard’s Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement 

(MISLE) database.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given year are the annualized average number of distinct Collision, Allision and Grounding 

events for the most recent five years.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION To ensure consistency and integrity, MISLE data entry is controlled through program logic and pull-down 

menus that require key elements, prohibit the inappropriate, and limit choices to pre-determined options. 

Comprehensive training and user guides help ensure reliability the application itself contains embedded 

Help screens. MISLE system quality control, and data verification and validation, is effected through 

regular review of records by the Coast Guard Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis.

LIMITATIONS Some incidents are never reported and some delayed in reaching the Coast Guard; previously published 

data is therefore subject to revision—with the greatest impact affecting recent quarters. The number of 

Collisions, Allisions and Groundings is a proxy indicator of adverse impacts to maritime mobility; they can 

result in waterway closures and disruptions to maritime commerce. They may also result in personnel 

casualties, pollution incidents and property losses. Minimizing their occurrence is an objective of the Coast 

Guard Marine Transportation System Management Program, though their cause is often not related to a 

navigation or waterways management concern. A 5-year average is used to mitigate year-to-year variation 

and ensure any near-term trend is more apparent.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-13

Percent Risk Impact of Maritime Security Operations

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The estimated annual maritime security risk impact achieved as a percentage of the risk impact assessed as 

achievable with unconstrained availability of Coast Guard resources performing Maritime Security 

Operations activities.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Security Operations

USCGMISSION Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security—Response Activities

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 1 - Prevent Terrorism and Enhance Security

SCOPE This measure reports estimated risk impact achieved by maritime security operations across all 37 Captain 

of the Port-level sectors and units as a percentage of the risk impact assessed as achievable with 

unconstrained availability of Coast Guard resources performing Maritime Security Operations activities. It 

includes risk reduction benefits of Coast Guard and Other Government Agency performed security 

boardings, patrols, fixed security zone enforcements, and vessel escorts.

DATA SOURCE Annual risk reduction impact values are generated by the Coast Guard’s Risk-Based Maritime Security and 

Response Operations (RBMSRO) tool, which relies on activity data imported from the Coast Guard’s

Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database and Other Government Agency 

sources, and associated annual risk-reduction parameters determined and validated using the Coast Guard’s 

Maritime Security Risk Analysis Model (MSRAM).

METHODOLOGY Results for a given period are the annualized risk impact achieved divided by the risk impact assessed as 

achievable with unconstrained availability of Coast Guard resources performing Maritime Security 

Operations activities—expressed as a percentage. Risk impact achieved is the risk reduction values 

associated with each activity conducted through the end of the period—aggregated for all 37 Captain of the 

Port-level sectors and units; the risk impact assessed as achievable is determined from the activity levels 

that would have been appropriate absent any resource constraints.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION To ensure consistency and integrity, MISLE data entry is controlled through program logic and pull-down 

menus that require key elements, prohibit the inappropriate, and limit choices to pre-determined options. 

Comprehensive training and user guides help ensure reliability and the MISLE application itself contains 

embedded Help screens. Data verification and validation is also affected through regular records review 

by District, Area, and Headquarters staffs. Annual risk exposure and activity risk reduction parameters are 

determined and annually validated using the Coast Guard’s Maritime Security Risk Analysis Model 

(MSRAM).

LIMITATIONS The measure estimates risk for a select range of potential maritime security events, which are inferences 

determined in the absence of actually occurring incidents. Potential likelihood and consequences are also 

estimated. The projected risk impact does not include the deterrence benefits of maritime security 

operations, which are difficult to quantify; also not included are the impacts of Maritime Prevention 

Program security regimes.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-14

Maritime Security Operations Efficiency

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The estimated annual risk impact achieved by Coast Guard maritime security operations, as a percentage 

of what would have been expected with optimal utilization of available resources.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Security Operations

USCGMISSION Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security—Response Activities

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 1 - Prevent Terrorism and Enhance Security

SCOPE This measure reports estimated risk impact achieved by actual maritime security operations across all 37 

Captain of the Port-level sectors and units as a percentage of the risk impact that otherwise could have been 

achieved with optimal use of available resources. It includes risk reduction benefits of Coast Guard and 

Other Government Agency performed security boardings, patrols, fixed security zone enforcements, and 

vessel escorts.

DATA SOURCE Annual risk impact values are generated by the Coast Guard’s Risk-Based Maritime Security and Response 

Operations (RBMSRO) tool, which relies on activity data imported from the Coast Guard Marine 

Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database and Other Government Agency sources, 

and associated annual risk-reduction parameters determined and validated using the Coast Guard’s 

Maritime Security Risk Analysis Model (MSRAM).

METHODOLOGY Results for a given period are the annualized risk impact achieved divided by the impact that would have 

been achieved by optimal employment of available resources—expressed as a percentage. Risk impact 

achieved is the risk reduction values associated with each activity conducted through the end of the period—

aggregated for all 37 Captain of the Port-level sectors and units; the optimized expectation is derived from 

activity levels prescribed in plans generated by the Risk-Based Maritime Security and Response Operations 

(RBMSRO) tool.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION To ensure consistency and integrity, MISLE data entry is controlled through program logic and pull-down 

menus that require key elements, prohibit the inappropriate, and limit choices to pre-determined options. 

Comprehensive training and user guides help ensure reliability and the MISLE application itself contains 

embedded Help screens. Data verification and validation is also affected through regular records review 

by District, Area, and Headquarters staffs. Annual risk exposure and activity risk reduction parameters are 

determined and annually validated using the Coast Guard’s Maritime Security Risk Analysis Model 

(MSRAM).

LIMITATIONS The measure estimates risk for a select range of potential maritime security events, which are inferences 

determined in the absence of actually occurring incidents. Potential likelihood and consequences are also 

estimated. The projected risk impact does not include the deterrence benefits of maritime security 

operations, which are difficult to quantify; also not included are the impacts of Maritime Prevention 

Program security regimes.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-15

Number of Undocumented Migrants Attempting to Enter U.S. by Maritime Routes

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The number of known undocumented migrants attempting to enter the U.S. by maritime means, which is comprised of 

those interdicted by the Coast Guard, plus those interdicted by other agencies or foreign entities in partnership with the 

Coast Guard, plus those who self-report their entry by maritime means or are apprehended by CBP after so entering.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Law Enforcement

USCG MISSION Migrant Interdiction

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 2 - Secure and Manage Our Borders

Goal 2.1 - Secure U.S. Air, Land and Sea Borders and Approaches

Sub-Goal 2.1.1 - Prevent Illegal Import and Entry

SCOPE This measure includes all undocumented migrants of all nationalities who attempt direct entry by maritime means into the 

United States, its territories and possessions, who are interdicted by the Coast Guard or by other agencies or foreign entities 

in partnership with the Coast Guard. The measure also includes those undocumented migrants who self-report entry by 

maritime means or are apprehended by CBP after entering the United States, its territories and possessions.

DATA SOURCE Coast Guard migrant interdiction data is extracted from Daily Operational Summaries compiled by the Coast Guard 

National Command Center from operational reports received from Coast Guard units. Additional interdiction data is 

compiled from notifications received from other agencies or foreign entities acting in partnership with the Coast Guard.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given year are a compilation of all undocumented migrants of all nationalities who attempt direct entry by 

maritime means into the United States, its territories and possessions. It is the sum of interdictions during that period by 

the Coast Guard, plus any notifications of interdictions provided by other law enforcement agencies or foreign entities, 

plus self-reported entries or apprehensions reported by CBP of undocumented migrants entering by maritime means.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION Coast Guard data is subject to review at multiple levels; discrepancies are reviewed and corrected as necessary. Data 

provided by other foreign entities acting in partnership with the Coast Guard are also reviewed and corrected as needed.

LIMITATIONS Notifications received from other entities may be delayed in reaching the Coast Guard or not provided at all. The number 

of known undocumented migrants attempting to enter the U.S. by maritime means is not likely all who attempt entry—the 

total flow of undocumented migrants is difficult to determine, as the number not interdicted (who succeed, turn back or 

are lost in transit) is not directly measured.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-16

Number of Undocumented Migrants Attempting to Enter U.S. by Maritime Routes Interdicted by USCG and Partners

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The number of undocumented migrants attempting to enter the U.S. by maritime means interdicted by the 

Coast Guard and other partners before reaching the U.S. land border—including maritime interdictions by 

Customs and Border Protection and other agencies or foreign entities in partnership with the Coast Guard 

for migrant interdiction operations.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Law Enforcement

USCGMISSION Migrant Interdiction

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 2 - Secure and Manage Our Borders

Goal 2.1 - Secure U.S. Air, Land and Sea Borders and Approaches

Sub-Goal 2.1.1 - Prevent Illegal Import and Entry

SCOPE This measure includes all undocumented migrants of all nationalities who attempt direct entry by maritime 

means into the United States, its territories and possessions who are interdicted by the Coast Guard or by 

other agencies or foreign entities in partnership with the Coast Guard.

DATA SOURCE Coast Guard migrant interdiction data is extracted from Daily Operational Summaries compiled by the 

Coast Guard National Command Center from operational reports received from Coast Guard units. 

Additional interdiction data is compiled from notifications received from other agencies or foreign entities 

acting in partnership with the Coast Guard.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given year are a compilation of all undocumented migrants of all nationalities who attempt 

direct entry by maritime means into the United States, its territories and possessions who are interdicted. It 

is the sum of interdictions during that period by the Coast Guard, plus apprehensions reported by CBP, plus 

any notifications of interdictions received from other law enforcement agencies or foreign entities.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION Coast Guard data is subject to review at multiple levels; discrepancies are reviewed and corrected as 

necessary. Data provided by other foreign entities acting in partnership with the Coast Guard are also 

reviewed and corrected as needed.

LIMITATIONS Notifications received from other entities may be delayed in reaching the Coast Guard or not provided at 

all. The number of undocumented migrants interdicted is best understood in the context of the flow of such 

migrants who are attempting to enter the U.S. by maritime means. 
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-17

Migrant Interdiction Effectiveness in the Maritime Environment

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The percentage of known undocumented migrants attempting to enter the U.S. by maritime means who are 

interdicted by the Coast Guard and other partners before reaching the land border, where the number of 

known migrants attempting entry is comprised of those interdicted by the Coast Guard and its partners plus 

undocumented migrants who self-report their entry by maritime means or are apprehended by CBP after so 

entering. 

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Law Enforcement

USCGMISSION Migrant Interdiction

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 2 - Secure and Manage Our Borders

Goal 2.1 - Secure U.S. Air, Land and Sea Borders and Approaches

Sub-Goal 2.1.1 - Prevent Illegal Import and Entry

SCOPE This measure includes all undocumented migrants of all nationalities who attempt direct entry by maritime 

means into the United States, its territories and possessions, who are interdicted by the Coast Guard or by 

other agencies or foreign entities in partnership with the Coast Guard. The determination of known flow 

includes undocumented migrants interdicted by the Coast Guard or by other agencies or foreign entities in 

partnership with the Coast Guard plus those undocumented migrants who self-report entry by maritime 

means or are apprehended by CBP after so entering the United States, its territories and possessions.

DATA SOURCE Coast Guard migrant interdiction data is extracted from Daily Operational Summaries compiled by the 

Coast Guard National Command Center from operational reports received from Coast Guard units. 

Additional interdiction data is compiled from notifications received from other agencies or foreign entities 

acting in partnership with the Coast Guard.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given year are the sum of Coast Guard and partner interdictions divided by the known flow of 

undocumented migrants attempting to enter the U.S. by maritime means, expressed as a percentage. It is 

Coast Guard interdictions plus maritime apprehensions by CBP plus notifications of interdictions by other 

agencies or foreign entities, divided by and expressed as a percentage of these interdictions plus any entries 

by maritime means that are self-reported or afterwards apprehended and reported by CBP.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION Coast Guard data is subject to review at multiple levels; discrepancies are reviewed and corrected as 

necessary. Data provided by other foreign entities acting in partnership with the Coast Guard are also 

reviewed and corrected as needed.

LIMITATIONS Notifications received from other entities may be delayed in reaching the Coast Guard or not provided at 

all. The number of undocumented migrants interdicted is best understood in the context of migrant flow; 

but the number of known undocumented migrants is not likely all who make the attempt—the total flow is 

difficult to determine, as the number not interdicted (who succeed, turn back or are lost in transit) is not 

directly measured.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-18

Percent Undocumented Migrants Attempting to Enter U.S. By Maritime Routes Interdicted by USCG Alone

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The percentage of known undocumented migrants attempting to enter the U.S. by maritime means who are 

interdicted by the Coast Guard, where the number of known migrants attempting entry is comprised of 

those interdicted by the Coast Guard and its partners plus undocumented migrants who self-report their 

entry by maritime means or are apprehended by CBP after so entering. 

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Law Enforcement

USCGMISSION Migrant Interdiction

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 2 - Secure and Manage Our Borders

Goal 2.1 - Secure U.S. Air, Land and Sea Borders and Approaches

Sub-Goal 2.1.1 - Prevent Illegal Import and Entry

SCOPE This measure includes all undocumented migrants of all nationalities who attempt direct entry by maritime 

means into the United States, its territories and possessions, who are interdicted by the Coast Guard. The 

determination of known flow includes undocumented migrants interdicted by the Coast Guard or by other 

agencies or foreign entities in partnership with the Coast Guard plus those undocumented migrants who 

self-report entry by maritime means or are apprehended by CBP after so entering the United States, its 

territories and possessions.

DATA SOURCE Coast Guard migrant interdiction data is extracted from Daily Operational Summaries compiled by the 

Coast Guard National Command Center from operational reports received from Coast Guard units. 

Additional interdiction data is compiled from notifications received from other agencies or foreign entities 

acting in partnership with the Coast Guard.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given year are Coast Guard interdictions divided by the known flow of undocumented migrants

attempting to enter the U.S. by maritime means, expressed as a percentage. It is Coast Guard interdictions 

for the period, divided by and expressed as a percentage of the sum of these interdictions plus maritime 

apprehensions by CBP plus notifications of interdictions by other agencies or foreign entities plus any 

entries by maritime means that are self-reported or afterwards apprehended and reported by CBP.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION Coast Guard data are subject to review at multiple levels; discrepancies are reviewed and corrected as 

necessary. Data provided by other foreign entities acting in partnership with the Coast Guard are also 

reviewed and corrected as needed.

LIMITATIONS Notifications provided by other entities may be delayed in reaching the Coast Guard or not provided at all. 

The number of undocumented migrants interdicted is best understood in the context of migrant flow; but 

the number of known undocumented migrants is not likely all who make the attempt—the total flow is 

difficult to determine, as the number not interdicted (who succeed, turn back or are lost in transit) is not 

directly measured.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-19

Metric Tons of Cocaine Removed

MEASURE DESCRIPTION Metric tons of cocaine removed by the Coast Guard from non-commercial vessels in the maritime domain, 

which includes cocaine seized by the Service plus the estimated amount of unrecovered cocaine jettisoned 

or destroyed as a result of Coast Guard law enforcement efforts. 

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Law Enforcement

USCGMISSION Drug Interdiction

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 2 - Secure and Manage Our Borders

Goal 2.1 - Secure U.S. Air, Land and Sea Borders and Approaches

Sub-Goal 2.1.1 - Prevent Illegal Import and Entry

SCOPE This measure includes the amount of cocaine physically seized by the Coast Guard from non-commercial 

vessels in the maritime domain, which is weighed and assigned a Federal Drug Identification Number. Also 

included is cocaine not physically recovered by the Service that is jettisoned or destroyed during interdiction 

operations, which is typically determined from pursuit video or other intelligence-analysis.

DATA SOURCE Cocaine removal data is from the Consolidated Counter-Drug Database (CCDB) maintained by the United 

States Interdiction Coordinator, Office of National Drug Control Policy. CCDB source data includes 

interdiction reports of Coast Guard and other Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S) members, 

intelligence reports from Coast Guard LANT and PAC Maritime Intelligence Fusion Centers, and other 

authoritative sources for cocaine production, trafficking and consumption information.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given year are the sum total metric tons of cocaine seized by the Service plus the amount of 

cocaine observed, reported or determined as having been jettisoned or destroyed by smugglers to avoid 

seizure by the Coast Guard.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION Both the physically seized and jettisoned or destroyed components of this measure are tracked, collected, 

and analyzed by the Coast Guard Office of Law Enforcement Policy (CG-MLE). Consolidated Counterdrug Database (CCDB) source data is verified and validated quarterly by representatives from the agencies 

involved in transit zone interdiction, who meet and review the data for each source event and resolve any 

discrepancies. Coast Guard seizure data is also tracked and verified by Federal Drug Identification 

Numbers.

LIMITATIONS This measure reflects Coast Guard efforts, and is focused on cocaine removed from non-commercial vessels 

in the maritime domain. The amount of cocaine jettisoned or destroyed is a good estimate based on 

empirical evidence; it is not an absolutely certain quantity. The amount of cocaine removed is best 

understood in the context of total flow; but even the most authoritative transit information available from 

the CCDB remains an estimate.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-20

USCG Removal Rate for Cocaine from Non-Commercial Vessels in Maritime Transit Zone

MEASURE DESCRIPTION Percentage of cocaine removed by the Coast Guard, where the amount removed includes cocaine seized 

plus the estimated amount jettisoned or destroyed in the course of interdiction efforts, expressed as a 

percentage of 3-year average annual maritime flow of cocaine on non-commercial vessels.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Law Enforcement

USCGMISSION Drug Interdiction

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 2 - Secure and Manage Our Borders

Goal 2.1 - Secure U.S. Air, Land and Sea Borders and Approaches

Sub-Goal 2.1.1 - Prevent Illegal Import and Entry

SCOPE This measure includes the amount of cocaine physically seized by the Coast Guard from non-commercial 

vessels in the maritime domain, which is weighed and assigned a Federal Drug Identification Number. Also 

included is cocaine not physically recovered that is jettisoned or destroyed during interdiction operations, 

which is typically determined from pursuit video or other intelligence analysis. The amount of cocaine 

removed is expressed as a percentage of the 3-year average annual maritime flow of cocaine on noncommercial vessels over the previous 12 quarters.

DATA SOURCE Cocaine flow and removal data is from the Consolidated Counter-Drug Database (CCDB) maintained by 

the United States Interdiction Coordinator, Office of National Drug Control Policy. CCDB source data 

includes interdiction reports provided by the Coast Guard—as well as other Joint Interagency Task Force 

South (JIATF-S) members, intelligence reports from Coast Guard LANT and PAC Maritime Intelligence 

Fusion Centers, and other authoritative sources for cocaine production, trafficking and consumption 

information. 

METHODOLOGY Results are the sum total metric tons of cocaine seized during the current 12-month period by the Coast 

Guard plus the amount of cocaine observed, reported, or determined as having been jettisoned or destroyed 

by smugglers to avoid seizure; and this is expressed as a percentage of the unweighted 3-year average 

annual maritime flow of cocaine on non-commercial vessels over the previous 12 quarters.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION Both the physically seized and jettisoned or destroyed components of this measure are tracked, collected, 

and analyzed by the Coast Guard Office of Law Enforcement Policy (CG-MLE). Consolidated Counterdrug Database (CCDB) source data is verified and validated quarterly by representatives from the agencies 

involved in transit zone interdiction, who meet and review the data for each source event and resolve any 

discrepancies. Seizure data is also tracked and verified by Federal Drug Identification Numbers.

LIMITATIONS This measure is focused on cocaine removed from non-commercial vessels in the maritime domain. The 

amount of cocaine jettisoned or destroyed is a good estimate based on empirical evidence; it is not an 

absolutely certain quantity. The amount of cocaine removed is best understood in the context of total flow; 

but even the most authoritative transit information available from the CCDB remains an estimate.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-21

Fishing Regulation Compliance Rate

MEASURE DESCRIPTION Percent of those fishing vessels boarded and inspected at sea by the Coast Guard, which had no documented 

violations of domestic fisheries regulations.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Law Enforcement

USCGMISSION Living Marine Resources Law Enforcement

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 2 - Secure and Manage Our Borders

Goal 2.2 – Safeguard and Expedite Lawful Trade and Travel

Sub-Goal 2.2.3 - Maximize Compliance with U.S. Trade Laws

SCOPE This measure includes boardings and inspections of U.S. commercial and recreational fishing vessels inside 

the portion of state waters that extend from three to nine nautical miles seaward of the state boundary line; 

U.S. commercial and recreational fishing vessels in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); foreign 

fishing vessels permitted inside the U.S. EEZ; and U.S. commercial and recreational fishing vessels outside 

the U.S. EEZ. Violations are of domestic fisheries regulations, which are documented by Coast Guard 

Boarding Forms and entered into the Coast Guard’s Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement 

(MISLE) database.

DATA SOURCE Boardings and violations of domestic fisheries regulations are documented by Coast Guard Boarding Forms 

and entered into the Coast Guard’s Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given year are the number of boarded fishing vessels with no documented violations of 

domestic fisheries regulations divided by the number of fishing vessels boarded and inspected at sea by the 

Coast Guard, expressed as a percentage.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION MISLE data consistency and integrity is controlled through program logic and pull-down menus that require 

key elements, prohibit the inappropriate, and limit choices to pre-determined options. Reliability is further 

ensured by comprehensive training and user guides, and the application itself has embedded Help screens. 

District, Area and Headquarters staffs review, validate and assess the data on a quarterly basis as part of the 

Coast Guard's Standard Operational Planning Process; and Program managers review and compare MISLE 

data to after-action reports, message traffic and other sources of information.

LIMITATIONS Fishing regulation compliance is relevant in terms of Coast Guard enforcement of other-agency established 

regulations; it is an intermediate outcome and not the ultimate fishery health outcome these regulations are 

intended to influence. Observed compliance rates are determined from that portion of fishing vessels 

boarded and inspected; these may not be representative of the total population of fishers. It is also an 

average across all fisheries that is not indicative of compliance within a specific fishery.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-22

Percent of Federal Fisheries Found in Compliance with Laws and Regulations

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The percentage of federal fisheries where an acceptable Level of Effective Enforcement was attained, where 

individual fishery components are considered acceptable if their observed compliance rates—discounted 

by their ratio of actual versus targeted enforcement effort—is 97% or better.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Law Enforcement

USCGMISSION Other Law Enforcement

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 2 - Secure and Manage Our Borders

Goal 2.2 – Safeguard and Expedite Lawful Trade and Travel

Sub-Goal 2.2.3 - Maximize Compliance with U.S. Trade Laws

SCOPE A List of Fisheries is compiled annually, designating each as high or low precedence based upon relevant 

economic, biological, environmental or other factors. The number of active fishing vessels is determined 

for each fishery component and targets established for boarding 20% of these in high-precedence fisheries 

and 10% in low-precedence fisheries. Actual boardings are determined and enforcement effort expressed 

as the ratio of actual to target boardings. Associated compliance rates are determined, which are the 

percentage of boardings where no significant violations were found. Significant violations are those that 

result in significant damage or impact to a resource or fishery management plan, result in significant 

monetary advantage over competitors, and/or have high regional or national interest.

DATA SOURCE A List of Fisheries and associated tally of Active Fishing Vessels is compiled by the Coast Guard Office of 

Law Enforcement Policy (CG-MLE), based on annual Coast Guard District submissions. Boardings and 

violations are documented by Coast Guard Report of Boarding Forms and entered into the Coast Guard’s 

Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given year are the number of fisheries that attain an acceptable level of enforcement, expressed 

as a percentage of the total List of Fisheries. Individual fisheries are considered acceptable if they attain a 

Level of Effective Enforcement that is 97% or better. The Level of Effective Enforcement is the Observed 

Compliance Rate discounted by the ratio of actual versus targeted enforcement effort. It is the number of 

boardings where no significant violations were found expressed as a percentage of the total conducted, 

multiplied by the ratio of actual versus targeted boardings for that fishery.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION MISLE data consistency and integrity is controlled through program logic and pull-down menus that require 

key elements, prohibit the inappropriate, and limit choices to pre-determined options. Reliability is further 

ensured by comprehensive training and user guides, and the application itself has embedded Help screens. 

District, Area and Headquarters staffs review, validate and assess the data on a quarterly basis as part of the 

Coast Guard's Standard Operational Planning Process; and Program managers review and compare MISLE 

data to after-action reports, message traffic and other sources of information.

LIMITATIONS Fishing regulation compliance is relevant in terms of Coast Guard enforcement of other-agency established 

regulations; it is an intermediate outcome and not the ultimate fishery health outcome these regulations are 

intended to influence. Observed compliance rates are determined from that portion of fishing vessels 

boarded and inspected; these may not be representative of the total population of fishers. The percent of 

fisheries found in compliance is an assessment across all fisheries, which is not indicative of compliance 

within a specific fishery. It is also important to note that ‘significant violations’ is a qualitative standard

that requires uniform application to ensure consistent results.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-23

Number of Detected Incursions of Foreign Fishing Vessels Violating U.S. Waters

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The number of incursions into the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by foreign fishing vessels detected 

by the Coast Guard, or reported by other sources and judged by operational commanders as valid enough 

to order a response.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Law Enforcement

USCGMISSION Other Law Enforcement

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 2 - Secure and Manage Our Borders

Goal 2.2 – Safeguard and Expedite Lawful Trade and Travel

Sub-Goal 2.2.3 - Maximize Compliance with U.S. Trade Laws

SCOPE This measure includes foreign vessels illegally fishing inside the U.S. Exclusive economic Zone (EEZ) 

detected by the Coast Guard and incursions by foreign fishing vessels reported by other sources, which 

reports or intelligence are judged by Coast Guard operational commanders as valid enough to order a 

response. The Magnuson‐Stevens Act, Title 16 of the U.S. Code defines terms necessary for identifying an 

incursion—such as fishing, fishing vessel, foreign fishing, etc.—and establishes an exemption for 

recreational fishing.

DATA SOURCE Source data is collected from Living Marine Resource Enforcement Summary Reports and recorded in the 

Coast Guard’s Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given year are the total number of incursions into the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) 

by foreign fishing vessels detected by the Coast Guard, or reported by other sources and judged by 

operational commanders as valid enough to order a response.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION To ensure consistency and integrity, MISLE data entry is controlled through program logic and pull-down 

menus that require key elements, prohibit the inappropriate, and limit choices to pre-determined options. 

The LMR Enforcement Summary Report purpose, format and submission requirements, and guidance on 

the use of MISLE, are provided in the Maritime Law Enforcement Manual. Comprehensive training and 

these user guides help ensure reliability, and the application itself contains embedded Help screens. 

Additionally, District summaries of EEZ cases are reviewed monthly by Areas and submitted to the Coast 

Guard Office of Law Enforcement Policy (CG-MLE), and these and other sources of information are used 

to assess the reliability of the MISLE database.

LIMITATIONS The number of vessels detected is dependent on actual sightings by Coast Guard assets and other reports of 

incursions or intelligence judged by operational commanders as being of sufficient validity to order 

available resources to respond. Standard rules of evidence do not apply; an incursion is counted if it is 

reasonably believed to have occurred. The result is a generally consistent sub-sample of EEZ foreign fishing 

violations, which is not presumed to be the total number that actually occurred. The measure is useful in 

assessing if such incursions are increasing or remain sufficiently deterred. Different types of incursions are 

not distinguished by this measure—whether large fishing factory ship or small lancha, one-time incursion 

or repeat offender.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-24

Interdiction Rate of Foreign Fishing Vessels Violating U.S. Waters

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The percentage of detected incursions into the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by foreign fishing 

vessels that are interdicted by the Coast Guard.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Law Enforcement

USCGMISSION Other Law Enforcement

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 2 - Secure and Manage Our Borders

Goal 2.2 – Safeguard and Expedite Lawful Trade and Travel

Sub-Goal 2.2.3 - Maximize Compliance with U.S. Trade Laws

SCOPE This measure includes foreign vessels illegally fishing inside the U.S. Exclusive economic Zone (EEZ) 

detected by the Coast Guard and incursions by foreign fishing vessels reported by other sources, which 

reports or intelligence are judged by Coast Guard operational commanders as valid enough to order a 

response. The Magnuson‐Stevens Act, Title 16 of the U.S. Code defines terms necessary for identifying an 

incursion—such as fishing, fishing vessel, foreign fishing, etc.—and establishes an exemption for 

recreational fishing.

DATA SOURCE Source data is collected from Living Marine Resource Enforcement Summary Reports and recorded in the 

Coast Guard’s Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given year are the number of Coast Guard interdictions of foreign fishing vessels expressed 

as a percentage of the total number of incursions into the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by foreign 

fishing vessels detected by the Coast Guard, or reported by other sources and judged by operational 

commanders as valid enough to order a response.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION To ensure consistency and integrity, MISLE data entry is controlled through program logic and pull-down 

menus that require key elements, prohibit the inappropriate, and limit choices to pre-determined options. 

The LMR Enforcement Summary Report purpose, format and submission requirements, and guidance on 

the use of MISLE, are provided in the Maritime Law Enforcement Manual. Comprehensive training and 

these user guides help ensure reliability, and the application itself contains embedded Help screens. 

Additionally, District summaries of EEZ cases are reviewed monthly by Areas and submitted to the Coast 

Guard Office of Law Enforcement Policy (CG-MLE), and these and other sources of information are used 

to assess the reliability of the MISLE database.

LIMITATIONS The number of vessels detected is dependent on actual sightings by Coast Guard assets and other reports of 

incursions or intelligence judged by operational commanders as being of sufficient validity to order 

available resources to respond. Standard rules of evidence do not apply; an incursion is counted if it is 

reasonably believed to have occurred. The measure is useful in assessing relative level of effort devoted to 

EEZ enforcement, as the number of interdictions is dependent on Coast Guard asset availability and 

employment. Different types of incursions and subsequent interdictions are not distinguished by this 

measure—whether large fishing factory ship or small lancha, one-time incursion or repeat offender.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-25

Percent of People in Imminent Danger Saved in the Maritime Environment

MEASURE DESCRIPTION Lives saved by the Coast Guard on the oceans and other waterways expressed as a percentage of all people 

in imminent danger at the time the Service received notification. The measure excludes persons lost prior 

to notification and single incidents with eleven or more people, which if included might skew results and 

impede trend analysis.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Response

USCGMISSION Search and Rescue

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 5 - Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience

Goal 5.3 - Ensure Effective Emergency Response

Sub-Goal 5.3.3 - Provide Timely and Appropriate Disaster Assistance

SCOPE This measure encompasses all maritime distress incidents reported to the Coast Guard, which are judged 

by Coast Guard operational commanders as valid enough to order a response. This measure includes lives 

recorded as saved, lost after notification, or unaccounted. Single incidents with eleven or more people 

saved, lost, or unaccounted are excluded so as not to skew results or impede trend analysis.

DATA SOURCE All maritime distress incidents reported to the Coast Guard, which are judged by Coast Guard operational 

commanders as valid enough to order a response—and associated response data—are recorded in the Coast 

Guard's Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given fiscal year are the total number of lives recorded as saved in the period expressed as a 

percentage of the total number of lives recorded as saved, lost after notification, or unaccounted. Single 

incidents with eleven or more people saved, lost, or unaccounted are excluded from the calculation.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION To ensure consistency and integrity, MISLE data entry is controlled through program logic and pull-down 

menus that require key elements, prohibit the inappropriate, limit choices to pre-determined options, and 

flag data not conforming to expectations. Comprehensive training and user guides help ensure reliability 

and the application itself contains embedded Help screens. Search and rescue data are also reviewed at 

multiple levels, and discrepancies reviewed and corrected as necessary.

LIMITATIONS Some distress incidents may not be reported to the Coast Guard, and some reported incidents might not be 

judged by Coast Guard operational commanders as valid enough to order a response. Imminent danger is 

not always obvious; the determination that a life was saved and not merely assisted can be subjective. 

Factors beyond Coast Guard control can lead to tragic outcomes regardless of life saving efforts. Single 

incidents with eleven or more people saved, lost or unaccounted are excluded so as not to skew measure 

results or impede trend analysis.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-26

Percent of Time Rescue Assets are On Scene within 2 Hours

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The percent of all maritime distress incidents reported to the Coast Guard where a Search and Rescue Unit 

arrives on scene within two hours.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Response

USCGMISSION Search and Rescue

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 5 - Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience

Goal 5.3 - Ensure Effective Emergency Response

Sub-Goal 5.3.3 - Provide Timely and Appropriate Disaster Assistance

SCOPE This measure encompasses all maritime distress incidents reported to the Coast Guard, which are judged 

by operational commanders as valid enough to order a response. Time on scene is the earliest time a Search 

and Rescue Unit is requested to proceed until the earliest time of an arrival on scene. It includes preparation 

time required for engine warm-up, underway checklist, risk management evaluation, mission planning, etc.; 

and transit time from underway to on scene.

DATA SOURCE All maritime distress incidents reported to the Coast Guard, which are judged by Coast Guard operational 

commanders as valid enough to order a response—and associated response data—are recorded in the Coast 

Guard’s Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given fiscal year are the number of distress incidents where the First Sortie On Scene Time 

minus the First Resource Requested Time is less than or equal to two hours, expressed as a percentage all 

maritime distress incidents reported to the Coast Guard, which are judged by operational commanders as 

valid enough to order a response.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION To ensure consistency and integrity, MISLE data entry is controlled through program logic and pull-down 

menus that require key elements, prohibit the inappropriate, limit choices to pre-determined options, and 

flag data not conforming to expectations. Comprehensive training and user guides help ensure reliability 

and the application itself contains embedded Help screens. Search and rescue data are also reviewed at 

multiple levels, and discrepancies reviewed and corrected as necessary.

LIMITATIONS The time it takes to reach the scene of a distress call is a key performance factor. The 2-hour standard was 

established in the 1970's and revalidated in 1992 based on survival expectations in weighted-average water 

temperatures, which consider the varying number of incidents occurring regionally. The standard may not 

be a realistic benchmark for every circumstance. Adverse weather conditions, geographical proximity and 

asset availability may preclude arrival within the standard timeframe.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-27

Percent of Property “in Danger of Loss” Saved

MEASURE DESCRIPTION Property saved by the Coast Guard expressed as a percentage of all property in danger of loss, which 

consists of saved, lost or unaccounted property associated with notifications the Service receives of people 

in imminent danger on the oceans and other waterways. The measure excludes single incidents with 

property valuations in excess of $2 million, which if included might skew results and impede trend analysis.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Response

USCGMISSION Search and Rescue

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 5 - Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience

Goal 5.3 - Ensure Effective Emergency Response

Sub-Goal 5.3.2 – Conduct Effective and Unified Incident Response Operations

SCOPE This measure encompasses all maritime distress incidents reported to the Coast Guard, which are judged 

by Coast Guard operational commanders as valid enough to order a response. This measure includes 

property recorded as saved, lost and unaccounted for. Single incidents with property valuations in excess 

of $2 million are excluded, so as not to skew results or impede trend analysis.

DATA SOURCE All maritime distress incidents reported to the Coast Guard, which are judged by Coast Guard operational 

commanders as valid enough to order a response—and associated response data—are recorded in the Coast 

Guard’s Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given fiscal year are the total value of property recorded as saved in the period expressed as a 

percentage of the total value of property recorded as saved, lost and unaccounted. Single incidents with 

property valuations in excess of $2 million are excluded from the calculation.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION To ensure consistency and integrity, MISLE data entry is controlled through program logic and pull-down 

menus that require key elements, prohibit the inappropriate, limit choices to pre-determined options, and 

flag data not conforming to expectations. Comprehensive training and user guides help ensure reliability 

and the application itself contains embedded Help screens. Search and rescue data are also reviewed at 

multiple levels, and discrepancies reviewed and corrected as necessary.

LIMITATIONS Some distress incidents may not be reported to the Coast Guard, and some reported incidents might not be 

judged by Coast Guard operational commanders as valid enough to order a response. Imminent danger is 

not always obvious; the determination that property was saved and not merely rendered assistance can be 

subjective. Factors beyond Coast Guard control such as weather, capabilities of responding units, and the 

priority necessarily given to saving lives can significantly impact the Service’s ability to save property. 

Single incidents with property valuations in excess of $2 million are excluded so as not to skew measure 

results or impede trend analysis.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-28

Marine Environmental Response Compliance

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The percentage of reported pollution events where a Federal Water Pollution Control Act enforcement 

action was taken.

USCG PROGRAM Maritime Response

USCGMISSION Marine Environmental Protection – Response Activities

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 5 - Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience

Goal 5.2 - Mitigate Hazards and Vulnerabilities

Sub-Goal 5.2.3 - Prevent Maritime Incidents by Establishing and Ensuring Compliance

SCOPE This measure reports the annual percentage of oil spills discharged into U.S. navigable waters that are 

investigated where all elements of a Federal Water Pollution Control Act violation are established and some 

level of enforcement action is taken. 40 CFR 300 requires Vessel or facility operators to report any 

discharge of oil or oil products that cause a sheen, discoloration, sludge, or emulsion. Excluded from the 

measure are discharges onto land, into the air, or into enclosed spaces; discharges from non-maritime 

sources such as aircraft, trucks and other vehicles, rail cars and rail equipment; discharges from U.S. Navy 

and other public vessels; discharges from fixed platforms and pipeline; and discharges from unspecified, 

unclassified and unknown sources.

DATA SOURCE Notices of reportable oil discharge incidents received by the Coast Guard managed National Response 

Center (NRC) are assigned an incident number and recorded in the Coast Guard’s Marine Information for 

Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database. Incidents taken for action by Coast Guard units are then 

opened as a MISLE Case with the NRC incident number as a reference; and any Coast Guard enforcement 

actions taken recorded in the MISLE Case record.

METHODOLOGY Results for a given fiscal year are the sum total of all responses by the Coast Guard to discharges of oil into 

the navigable waters of the United States where at least one enforcement action is taken over the number 

of notifications of all applicable oil spills reported to Coast Guard for the previous four quarters.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION Results for a given fiscal year are the sum total of all responses by the Coast Guard to discharges of oil into 

the navigable waters of the United States where at least one enforcement action is taken over the number 

of notifications of all applicable oil spills reported to Coast Guard for the previous four quarters.

LIMITATIONS Some incidents are never reported and some are delayed in reaching the Coast Guard. Thus, previously 

published data is subject to revision, with the greatest impact affecting recent quarters. Additionally, some 

cases may be investigated by the Coast Guard and included in reported results, but later determined that 

jurisdiction resides with another entity such as the Environmental Protection Agency and results for that 

period revised accordingly.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-29

Defense Readiness of Major Cutters for DoD Contingency Planning

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The percentage of reporting period days designated Coast Guard Cutters are fully mission capable to meet 

Service commitments established in Department of Defense Global Force Management Implementation 

Guidance to conduct military activities necessary to reduce risk of terrorism, facilitate interoperability and 

jointly support national defense and homeland security.

USCG PROGRAM Defense Operations

USCGMISSION Defense Readiness

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 2 - Secure and Manage Our Borders

Goal 2.1 - Secure U.S. Air, Land and Sea Borders and Approaches

SCOPE This measure encompasses all Major Coast Guard Cutters capable of meeting commitments established in 

Department of Defense Global Force Management Implementation Guidance. The war fighting readiness 

of associated personnel, equipment, supplies and logistics are reported daily and compared to minimum 

standards. This measure reports the percentage of period days the Coast Guard is deemed capable of fully 

meeting established joint military contingency planning commitments for Major Cutters.

DATA SOURCE All Coast Guard unit types designated in Department of Defense contingency plans use the Coast Guard 

Resource and Capabilities Evaluation (CG-RACE) system to report war-fighting readiness of unit 

personnel, equipment, supplies and logistics. CG-RACE information is reported to DoD via the Defense 

Readiness Reporting System (DRRS).

METHODOLOGY Results for a given fiscal year are the number of days designated Coast Guard Cutters are fully missioncapable to meet Service commitments established in Department of Defense Global Force Management 

Implementation Guidance, expressed as a percentage of total period days.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION CG-RACE data entry is controlled through program logic and structured menus to ensure consistency and 

integrity. Credibility and consistency criteria are promulgated as enclosure 9 to COMDTINST 3501.2H, 

and comprehensive training and user guides help ensure reliability. Readiness reports must be approved by 

unit commanding officers, and any discrepancies are identified and corrected as necessary. CG-RACE 

information is transferred to the Defense Readiness Reporting System (DRRS), where the data is further 

reviewed by Department of Defense managers.

LIMITATIONS This measure reports Coast Guard Major Cutter readiness to meet specific Service commitments to support 

established Department of Defense Global Force Management Implementation Guidance. It is not an 

indicator of Coast Guard capability to meet any greater level of military support, nor a measure of the 

Service’s overall operational readiness or capability to perform any specific Coast Guard mission.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-30

Defense Readiness of Patrol Boats for DoD Contingency Planning

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The percentage of reporting period days Coast Guard Patrol Boats are fully mission capable to meet Service 

commitments established in Department of Defense Global Force Management Implementation Guidance 

to conduct military activities necessary to reduce risk of terrorism, facilitate interoperability and jointly 

support national defense and homeland security.

USCG PROGRAM Defense Operations

USCGMISSION Defense Readiness

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 2 - Secure and Manage Our Borders

Goal 2.1 - Secure U.S. Air, Land and Sea Borders and Approaches

SCOPE This measure encompasses all Coast Guard Patrol Boats capable of meeting commitments established in 

Department of Defense Global Force Management Implementation Guidance. The war fighting readiness 

of associated personnel, equipment, supplies and logistics are reported daily and compared to minimum 

standards. This measure reports the percentage of period days the Coast Guard is deemed capable of fully 

meeting established joint military contingency planning commitments for patrol boats.

DATA SOURCE All Coast Guard unit types designated in Department of Defense contingency plans use the Coast Guard 

Resource and Capabilities Evaluation (CG-RACE) system to report war-fighting readiness of unit 

personnel, equipment, supplies and logistics. CG-RACE information is reported to DoD via the Defense 

Readiness Reporting System (DRRS).

METHODOLOGY Results for a given fiscal year are the number of days designated Coast Guard Patrol Boats are fully mission 

capable to meet Service commitments established in Department of Defense Global Force Management 

Implementation Guidance, expressed as a percentage of total period days.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION CG-RACE data entry is controlled through program logic and structured menus to ensure consistency and 

integrity. Credibility and consistency criteria are promulgated as enclosure 9 to COMDTINST 3501.2H, 

and comprehensive training and user guides help ensure reliability. Readiness reports must be approved by 

unit commanding officers, and any discrepancies are identified and corrected as necessary. CG-RACE 

information is transferred to the Defense Readiness Reporting System (DRRS), where the data is further 

reviewed by Department of Defense managers.

LIMITATIONS This measure reports Coast Guard Patrol Boat readiness to meet specific Service commitments to support 

established Department of Defense Global Force Management Implementation Guidance. It is not an 

indicator of Coast Guard capability to meet any greater level of military support, nor a measure of the 

Service’s overall operational readiness or capability to perform any specific Coast Guard mission.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-31

Defense Readiness of Port Security Units (deployed)

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The percentage of reporting period days currently deployed Coast Guard Port Security Units are fully 

mission capable to meet Service commitments to conduct military activities necessary to reduce risk of 

terrorism, facilitate interoperability and jointly support national defense and homeland security in support 

of the current DoD Global Force Management Allocation Plan (GFMAP).

USCG PROGRAM Defense Operations

USCGMISSION Defense Readiness

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 1 – Prevent Terrorism and Enhance Security

Goal 1.3 - Reduce Risk to the Nation’s Critical Infrastructure, Key Leadership and Events

SCOPE This measure encompasses Coast Guard Port Security Units currently deployed in support of the DoD 

Global Force Management Allocation Plan (GFMAP). War fighting readiness of associated personnel, 

equipment, supplies and logistics are reported daily and compared to minimum standards. This measure 

reports the percentage of period days the Coast Guard is deemed capable of fully meeting established joint 

military commitments for Deployed Port Security Units.

DATA SOURCE All Coast Guard unit types designated in Department of Defense contingency plans use the Coast Guard 

Resource and Capabilities Evaluation (CG-RACE) system to report war-fighting readiness of unit 

personnel, equipment, supplies and logistics. CG-RACE information is reported to DoD via the Defense 

Readiness Reporting System (DRRS).

METHODOLOGY Results for a given fiscal year are the number of days Deployed Coast Guard Port Security Units are fully 

mission-capable of meeting Service commitments established in the current Department of Defense Global 

Force Management Allocation Plan (GFMAP), expressed as a percentage of total period days.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION CG-RACE data entry is controlled through program logic and structured menus to ensure consistency and 

integrity. Credibility and consistency criteria are promulgated as enclosure 9 to COMDTINST 3501.2H, 

and comprehensive training and user guides help ensure reliability. Readiness reports must be approved by 

unit commanding officers, and any discrepancies are identified and corrected as necessary. CG-RACE 

information is transferred to the Defense Readiness Reporting System (DRRS), where the data is further 

reviewed by Department of Defense managers.

LIMITATIONS This measure reports the readiness of deployed Coast Guard Port Security Units to meet specific Service 

commitments in support of the current DoD Global Force Management Allocation Plan (GFMAP). It is not 

an indicator of Coast Guard capability to meet any greater level of military support, nor a measure of the 

Service’s overall operational readiness or capability to perform any specific Coast Guard mission.
U.S. Coast Guard FY 2020 Performance Report Page A-32

Defense Readiness of Port Security Units (Ready to Deploy)

MEASURE DESCRIPTION The percentage of reporting period days designated Coast Guard Port Security Units are fully mission 

capable of deploying and meeting Service commitments to conduct military activities necessary to reduce 

risk of terrorism, facilitate interoperability and jointly support national defense and homeland security in 

support of the current DoD Global Force Management Allocation Plan (GFMAP).

USCG PROGRAM Defense Operations

USCGMISSION Defense Readiness

DHS ALIGNMENT Mission Area 1 – Prevent Terrorism and Enhance Security

Goal 1.3 - Reduce Risk to the Nation’s Critical Infrastructure, Key Leadership and Events

SCOPE This measure encompasses all Coast Guard Port Security Units capable of deploying in support of the DoD 

Global Force Management Allocation Plan (GFMAP). War fighting readiness of associated personnel, 

equipment, supplies and logistics are reported daily and compared to minimum standards. This measure 

reports the percentage of period days the Coast Guard is deemed capable of fully meeting established joint 

military contingency planning commitments for deploying Port Security Units.

DATA SOURCE All Coast Guard unit types designated in Department of Defense contingency plans use the Coast Guard 

Resource and Capabilities Evaluation (CG-RACE) system to report war-fighting readiness of unit 

personnel, equipment, supplies and logistics. CG-RACE information is reported to DoD via the Defense 

Readiness Reporting System (DRRS).

METHODOLOGY Results for a given fiscal year are the number of days designated Coast Guard Port Security Units are fully 

mission-capable of deploying to meet Service commitments established in the current Department of 

Defense Global Force Management Allocation Plan (GFMAP), expressed as a percentage of total period 

days.

VERIFICATION & VALIDATION CG-RACE data entry is controlled through program logic and structured menus to ensure consistency and 

integrity. Credibility and consistency criteria are promulgated as enclosure 9 to COMDTINST 3501.2H, 

and comprehensive training and user guides help ensure reliability. Readiness reports must be approved by 

unit commanding officers, and any discrepancies are identified and corrected as necessary. CG-RACE 

information is transferred to the Defense Readiness Reporting System (DRRS), where the data is further 

reviewed by Department of Defense managers.

LIMITATIONS This measure reports Coast Guard Port Security Unit readiness to meet specific Service commitments in 

support of the current DoD Global Force Management Allocation Plan (GFMAP). It is not an indicator of 

Coast Guard capability to meet any greater level of military support, nor a measure of the Service’s overall 

operational readiness or capability to perform any specific Coast Guard mission.