COVER

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

2012 POSTURE STATEMENT

WITH 2013 BUDGET IN BRIEF

FEBRUARY 2012
2012 Posture Statement 3

It gives me great pleasure to present you the Coast Guard’s 2012 Posture Statement and 2013 Budget in Brief. This 

year marks our 222nd year of protecting Americans on the sea, America from threats delivered by the sea and the sea 

itself. Throughout this period, our unique authorities, capable assets and determined personnel have adapted to meet 

the Nation’s evolving maritime safety, security and stewardship needs. We are locally based, nationally deployed and 

globally connected.

This past year, Coast Guard performance on the front-lines was exemplary. Coast Guard Disaster Assistance Response

Teams were among the first responders to residential areas impacted by the waters of the Midwest floods natural 

disaster. Medium Endurance Cutters and Seagoing Buoy Tenders interdicted and supported the multi-agency recovery 

of multiple Self-Propelled Semi-Submersible vessels in the Western Caribbean—the first of such vessels interdicted in 

that drug transit zone. 

Operational excellence has always been a Coast Guard hallmark. Sixty years ago, on February 18, 1952, the Coast Guard 

rescued 70 crewmen from two tank vessels that broke in half in storm-tossed waters off of Cape Cod, MA. Leading 

one of the lifesaving missions was Boatswain's Mate First Class Bernard C. Webber. Petty Officer Webber and his crew 

braved 60-foot seas in their 36-foot motorized lifeboat to save 32 crewmen from the tank vessel Pendleton. In 2012, 

we will commission Coast Guard Cutter Bernard C. Webber as the lead ship of the Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutters. 

Rebuilding the Coast Guard is an imperative to maintaining operational excellence into the future.

In FY 2013, we will continue production of Fast Response Cutters replacing the aging fleet of 110-foot patrol boats 

along with recapitalizing other assets to responsibly rebuild the Coast Guard. We will also procure the sixth National 

Security Cutter continuing the replacement of our aging fleet of High Endurance Cutters, providing essential and unique 

capabilities to the Nation in the offshore environment. Our Service must balance investment in recapitalization while 

we efficiently preserve front-line operations to ensure the readiness and effectiveness of our people, cutters, boats and 

aircraft. To prepare for the future, we will begin a new polar icebreaker acquisition program to address operational risks 

in the Arctic. 

On our current trackline, we face uncertain and stormy seas that make the FY 2013 Budget an inflection point for 

the Nation and for the Coast Guard. Exercising resource and operational stewardship, the Coast Guard completed a 

comprehensive internal review of doctrine, policy, operations and mission support structure to focus resources and 

forces where they are most needed, with due recognition of the Nation’s fiscal challenges. The Coast Guard is committed 

to completing the hard work of lowering the cost of government while balancing current and future ability to safeguard 

lives, protect the environment and key resources, facilitate safe and secure maritime commerce and protect the livelihood 

of citizens as we have done since 1790.

Please visit our website at www.uscg.mil to learn more about the Coast Guard—how we are America’s maritime first 

responder; how we enable and protect American prosperity; how we are a component of the fabric of the maritime 

community; how we are a sound investment in Homeland Security; and how we are Always Ready.

Semper Paratus!

R. J. PAPP, JR.

Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard

THE COMMANDANT OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

WASHINGTON, D.C.

“WE PROTECT THOSE ON THE SEA, 

WE PROTECT AMERICA FROM 

THREATS DELIVERED BY SEA,

AND WE PROTECT THE SEA ITSELF.”

ADMIRAL ROBERT J. PAPP, JR.

24TH COMMANDANT OF THE U.S. COAST GUARD

TABLE OF 

CONTENTS

 Performance Highlights ... 5

Year of the Coast Guard Family Highlights ... 18

Strategy ... 20

Budget in Brief ... 24

Programs and Missions ... 40

2 2012 Posture Statement
4 2012 Posture Statement 2012 Posture Statement 

5

2011

PERFORMANCE 

HIGHLIGHTS
2012 Posture Statement 7

3,804 LIVES

SAVED BY USCG SEARCH AND RESCUE

2,474

DETAINED 191 SUSPECTED SMUGGLERS

1.7 MILLION HOURS

OF ON-WATER RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY OPERATIONS

MIGRANTS

INTERDICTED

OF NARCOTICS INTERDICTED

205000 POUNDS ,

28

CREWMEMBERS AND PASSENGERS SCREENED 

.7 MILLION

PRIOR TO ARRIVAL IN U.S. PORTS

WITH TERRORISM OR CRIMINAL ASSOCIATIONS FOR FURTHER VETTING

IDENTIFIED OVER 275 INDIVIDUALS

6 2012 Posture Statement

The Coast Guard's readiness and persistent presence on America's 

coasts and waterways enable fast, flexible response to crisis. 

AMERICA'S 

MARITIME FIRST RESPONDER
8 2012 Posture Statement

$928 BILLION

IN WATERBORNE COMMERCE 

FACILITATED BY USCG AIDS TO NAVIGATION

10,735 SECURITY BOARDINGS

OF SMALL VESSELS IN AND AROUND U.S. 

PORTS, WATERWAYS AND COASTAL REGIONS

ESCORTED 2,515

HIGH-CAPACITY PASSENGER FERRIES AND CRUISE SHIPS

MORE THAN 2,000 INTELLIGENCE 

INFORMATION REPORTS PUBLISHED

SHARING COAST GUARD INFORMATION AND INTELLIGENCE 

WITH THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY

102 BOARDINGS

OF FOREIGN VESSELS TO SUPPRESS ILLEGAL, UNREGULATED AND

UNREPORTED FISHING ON THE HIGH-SEAS 

AND IN THE EEZ

S OF PARTNER NATIONS

2012 Posture Statement 9

The Coast Guard provides a safe and efficient 

navigable waterway system that supports domestic 

commerce, international trade and national defense.

PROTECTING

AMERICAN PROSPERITY
WE ARE

LOCALLY BASED, 

NATIONALLY

DEPLOYED, 

AND 

GLOBALLY 

CONNECTED.

WE ARE THE 

UNITED STATES 

COAST GUARD.

For more than 220 years, the U.S. Coast Guard has 

safeguarded the Nation’s maritime interests and 

natural resources on our rivers and ports, in the 

coastal regions and on the high-seas. The Coast 

Guard saves those in peril and protects the Nation’s 

maritime border, Marine Transportation System, 

natural resources and the environment. Coast Guard 

men and women – active duty, reserve, civilian and 

Auxiliarists alike – deliver premier service to the public 

locally, nationally and globally. The Coast Guard is 

an adaptable, responsive, military force of maritime 

professionals whose broad legal authorities, assets, 

geographic diversity and expansive partnerships 

provide a persistent presence in the inland waters, 

ports, coastal regions and far offshore areas of 

operations. This presence, coupled with over two 

centuries of experience as the Nation’s maritime first 

responder, provides tremendous value and service to 

the public.

2012 Posture Statement 11
12 2012 Posture Statement

Along the shorelines of the United States, the 

American people do not have to look far to 

find Coast Guard units ready to respond to 

local emergencies on the water or preparing 

for deployment during a time of national crisis. 

In the local maritime community, Coast Guard 

units are the face of Search and Rescue, Ports, 

Waterways and Coastal Security missions, Law 

Enforcement, protection of the environment and 

security of the Marine Transportation System. 

These local units are the foundation upon 

which the Coast Guard monitors and protects 

the maritime domain, consisting of more than 

350 ports and 95,000 miles of coastline that 

requires an integrated and layered approach for 

successful mission execution of the Service’s 11 

statutory missions. 

A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, AK 

MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, and 

Sitka emergency medical responders, 

attend to an individual who was 

hoisted from a local fishing vessel after 

sustaining life-threatening injuries.

Coast Guard boarding officers from 

Station Galveston, TX climb aboard 

a shrimp boat to conduct a law 

enforcement and safety boarding.

A Transportation Worker Identification 

Credential (TWIC) is verified with a 

digital reader. Deployed to 51 units, the 

readers enable the Coast Guard to verify 

that personnel required to hold a TWIC 

are in compliance with regulations, 

reducing the threat of an incident within 

the Marine Transportation System.

LOCALLY 

BASED

2012 Posture Statement 13

The Coast Guard prepares recruits 

at Training Center Cape May, NJ for 

assignment at one of more than 

1,200 local Coast Guard units. 
14 2012 Posture Statement

Nearly 90 percent of all global trade moves by sea, 

therefore the Coast Guard's vigilant safety and security 

presence throughout America's maritime communities 

and the Exclusive Economic Zone enables prosperity and 

reduces risk throughout the maritime environment. The 

Coast Guard regularly deploys its highly trained forces, 

develops and strengthens its partnerships across the 

maritime domain, and is organized to rapidly mobilize its 

critical response assets when and where the Nation needs 

them the most.

As Hurricane Irene threatened lives and property along 

the U.S. Eastern Seaboard, the Coast Guard ensured the 

safety of the local maritime communities and restoration 

of commerce following the storm. Although much of 

Irene's damage was inland, Coast Guard crews assisted 

partner agencies in emergency response and conducting 

damage surveys from the air and sea.

During the Midwest floods national disaster, Coast Guard 

personnel stationed throughout America's Heartland 

were some of the first responders to assist communities 

impacted by the record-setting high water. Integral to 

the response was the Service's repair of aids to navigation, 

quickly restoring maritime transportation and commerce 

despite the persistent flooding.

Coast Guard Cutter Stratton transits 

under the Golden Gate Bridge in the 

San Francisco Bay, December 2011.

Cutter Stratton is scheduled to be 

commissioned in 2012 and will be 

homeported with Cutters Bertholf

and Waesche at Coast Guard Island 

in Alameda, CA. 

The Coast Guard and state agencies 

jointly manage a response and 

salvage effort using the National 

Incident Management System to 

cleanup and remove a barge on the 

Columbia River that had created 

an oil sheen stretching as far as 14 

miles downstream.

A Coast Guard Disaster Assistance 

Response Team and local residents 

place sandbags to stem flooding. The 

Coast Guard supported national, state 

and local agencies to save lives and 

minimize damage to property during 

the historic Midwest floods.

NATIONALLY 

DEPLOYED

2012 Posture Statement 15
16 2012 Posture Statement

The crew of Coast Guard 

Cutter Munro, based in 

Kodiak, AK monitors the 

Bangun Perkasa, a stateless 

fishing vessel suspected of 

illegal high-seas drift net 

fishing on September 9, 

2011.

Coast Guard Cutter Monomoy, on 

assignment with a Fifth Fleet task 

force in the northern Arabian Gulf, 

responded to the stricken Iranian 

dhow, the Ya-Hussayn, after the 

dhow’s crew hailed Cutter Monomoy 

with flares and flashlights before 

dawn.

A Senegalese Marine Petty Officer 

measures the size of fishing nets aboard 

a fishing vessel during an African 

Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership 

(AMLEP) boarding conducted by Coast 

Guard and Senegalese boarding teams 

on July 17, 2011.

GLOBALLY 

CONNECTED

The globally-connected Coast Guard exercises 

unique authorities, partnerships and capabilities 

to shape the increasingly dynamic and 

interconnected global maritime environment. 

We deploy an effective presence in United States 

and international waters with specialized skills and 

capabilities that promote global maritime security. 

The Coast Guard also serves as a leader in the 

International Maritime Organization, representing 

the United States, developing and advocating for 

improvements to international maritime standards.

To maintain competencies required to execute 

the most challenging maritime security missions, 

including supporting mission requirements of U.S. 

Combatant Commanders, major cutters like Coast 

Guard Cutter Waesche regularly participate in joint 

interoperability exercises and training, maintaining 

international partnerships and networks. The 

Coast Guard provides personnel and equipment 

in support of Department of Defense Combatant 

Commanders’ requests for forces, to perform 

global missions that fit into three broad categories: 

Domestic Support, Expeditionary Operations 

and Training. The Coast Guard deploys six 110-

foot patrol boats to Patrol Forces Southwest Asia, 

providing maritime security for U.S. and Allied 

assets and interests in the Arabian Gulf.

The Coast Guard, in concert with other government 

agencies, continues to work with other nations to 

eliminate illegal high-seas drift net activity in the 

Pacific Ocean, protecting vital natural resources 

critical to our economy and the ecological 

vibrancy of this expansive region. This past fall, 

Coast Guard Cutters Munro, Midgett, and Alex Haley

interdicted and seized the fishing vessel Bangun 

Perkasa for illegal high-seas drift net fishing in the 

Pacific Ocean.
YEAR OF THE

COAST GUARD FAMILY

In addition to our significant operational accomplishments 

in 2011, the Service also made a dedicated effort to focus 

on the extended Coast Guard family. Coast Guard WorkLife Programs contribute to the well-being and resilience 

of our service members and their families, and enhance 

readiness, recruitment, retention and mission execution. 

For example, the Coast Guard established a Yellow Ribbon 

Program, in partnership with the Department of Defense 

(DoD), to enable more than 1,400 deploying members and 

their families to connect with resources before, during and 

after deployments, ensuring members in need receive 

assistance. 

For additional information about Year of the Coast Guard 

Family, visit www.uscg.mil/yotf

“TOGETHER WE WILL IMPROVE 

THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR 

COAST GUARD MEMBERS AND 

MILITARY FAMILIES.”

STAY

READY

ADMIRAL ROBERT J. PAPP, JR.

2011 STATE OF THE COAST GUARD ADDRESS 

Living our core values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty means caring for our 

people so they can be "Always Ready" to do the Nation's work. To signify the strong 

commitment to the Coast Guard family, in 2012:

•	 The child care subsidy is being expanded to provide support to more families. Our 

family (in-home) child care program will be broadened to five additional regions. 

•	 Efforts will continue to develop an ombudsman registry which will facilitate real-time 

distribution of individual and family support program information directly to unit 

ombudsmen, and then to individual families.

•	 Funding will provide seven new Training and Curriculum Specialists for those Coast 

Guard Child Development Centers (CDC) that do not currently have one.

The Coast Guard has also recently undertaken several initiatives to assess and improve the 

material condition of family and unaccompanied housing, including:

•	 Housing Product Line: The Shore Infrastructure Logistics Center (SILC) Housing Product 

Line at Civil Engineering Unit Oakland, CA is now the single point of accountability 

for 4,013 housing units valued at $1.8 billion dollars.

•	 National Housing Assessment: The Coast Guard is conducting a broad assessment 

of housing demand and supply. This includes a housing market survey analysis to 

determine availability of community-based rental housing in lieu of governmentowned military housing, customer satisfaction surveys and a housing inventory 

assessment.

18 2012 Posture Statement 2012 Posture Statement 19
20 2012 Posture Statement

COAST GUARD

STRATEGY

2012 Posture Statement 21
The Coast Guard ensures the safety, security 

and stewardship of the Nation’s waters. We are 

the lead Federal agency for law enforcement, 

incident response, homeland security and disaster 

management in the maritime environment. Our 

highly skilled workforce and capable assets allow the 

Service to fulfill its mission and protect the Nation. 

WHY WE MATTER

Since 1790, the Coast Guard has safeguarded our 

Nation’s maritime interests and natural resources 

on our rivers, in the ports, in the littoral regions 

and on the high-seas. However, today’s maritime 

environment has evolved dramatically since 

America’s founding. 

The role of the Coast Guard has never been 

more important. The United States is a maritime 

nation. We have the world’s largest maritime 

Exclusive Economic Zone and are the world’s 

largest international trading country. With nearly 

90 percent of the increasing global trade moving 

by sea, much of it fueling U.S. jobs and industry, 

our Nation’s economy and security are inextricably 

linked to the sea, our ports and our waterways. In 

2010, goods imported through U.S. ports were 

valued at $1.9 trillion dollars, with 13 million 

Americans jobs directly affected by this commerce.

The United States remains vigilant in the protection 

of its maritime interests. The Coast Guard's 

role remains critical in a world of intensifying 

globalization, changing patterns of world trade, 

growing competition for natural resources and 

increased use of the sea by transnational criminal 

organizations. 

To provide for the needs of the Nation in an 

increasingly complex world, the Coast Guard must 

plan and conduct its activities with a vision that 

is focused on long-term value to the American 

people while executing today’s operations. To do 

so requires an understanding of our mission, our 

external environment, how we operate and our 

fundamental authorities, capabilities, competencies 

and partnerships. 

OUR STRATEGY 

To meet the challenges presented by our complex 

and constantly evolving maritime environment, the 

Coast Guard executes an operational concept of 

Prevention – Response: 

Prevention: Emphasizes the need to identify 

hazards and threats, reduce vulnerabilities and 

minimize the requirement for emergency response 

by helping to preempt avoidable casualties, damage, 

and other harm through regulations, inspections, 

properly maintained waterways, port activity 

monitoring and other activities. 

Response: As the Nation’s maritime first responder, 

if undesirable or unlawful events do happen, the 

Coast Guard’s locally based yet nationally deployable 

presence gives it access to every region of the 

country, and abroad, to quickly and effectively 

respond to persons in need, stabilize disaster 

situations and coordinate additional support 

through an array of internal capabilities and vast 

network of external partnerships.

REGULATE. MONITOR. ENFORCE. OPERATE. 

The Coast Guard’s Prevention – Response concept is 

executed through four interrelated and coordinated 

activities: 

•	 Regulation and Policy-Making

•	 Monitoring and Oversight

•	 Enforcement

•	 Operations

For each of these activities, the Coast Guard brings 

unique authorities and operating capabilities, 

enabling it to set and enforce high standards for 

maritime safety, security and stewardship. The 

Coast Guard’s wide range of operational activities 

reinforce a strategic emphasis on prevention while 

COAST GUARD STRATEGY at the same time position the Coast Guard to 

respond rapidly and effectively under a variety of 

conditions when the need demands.

AUTHORITIES, PARTNERSHIPS AND 

PRESENCE

To achieve our mission, the Coast Guard relies 

on our unique authorities and partnerships, 

and maintains an effective presence on the 

water through specialized competencies and 

capabilities.

Authorities: The Coast Guard has broad 

authorities, responsibilities and operating 

capabilities to protect America’s interests across 

the totality of the maritime domain. No other 

agency has these diverse authorities, assets or 

competencies. The Coast Guard is the Nation’s 

only federal law enforcement agency that is also 

an Armed Service, and as such, has a unique 

ability to establish and enforce standards, 

reduce risk, control activities and respond to 

emergencies in the maritime domain. As a federal 

law enforcement agency and Armed Service, the 

Coast Guard deploys these authorities to ensure 

the security of U.S. waterways and approaches, as 

well as oversee the responsible stewardship of our 

national maritime resources. 

Partnerships: The Coast Guard has developed 

robust, enduring and trusted partnerships with 

federal, state, local and tribal authorities, as well 

as with private industry and local communities of 

mariners across the Nation and around the world. 

The Coast Guard’s international relationships 

and partnerships throughout the Marine 

Transportation System give it visibility and access 

to each link in the global maritime supply chain, 

enabling the Service to fulfill its missions. 

Presence: People and assets are employed 

in conjunction with the Service’s expansive 

authorities and partnerships to create a persistent 

operational presence to mitigate problems 

and respond quickly, should they occur. This 

operational presence enables the Coast Guard to 

serve as an agile and ready force in the ports and 

underway every day, working to secure the peace 

UNITY OF EFFORT

Unity of effort is a critical part of Coast Guard 

operations. The Coast Guard effectively uses 

the National Incident Management System, an 

approach that guides cooperation among multiple 

agencies and allows each to leverage their unique 

capabilities, authorities and responsibilities in 

a unified response. For instance, during the 4.9 

million barrel Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the 

Coast Guard was the lead response agency, but 

depended upon many stakeholders with specific 

skills, authorities and expertise including the 

Environmental Protection Agency, the Bureau 

of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

and several other federal agencies as well as state 

and local governments. Unity of effort was critical 

to the success of the mission involving 47,829 

responders, 9,700 vessels and 127 aircraft.

and prosperity of the American homeland.

 

EXECUTING TODAY’S MISSIONS WHILE 

PREPARING FOR FUTURE CHALLENGES

The Coast Guard must respond to today’s priorities 

while simultaneously preparing for new and 

emerging demands and complexities in our not so 

distant future. The public rightly expects the Coast 

Guard to invest wisely, exercise diligent care of our 

resources and continue to meet our mission – to 

ensure the safety, security and stewardship of our 

Nation’s waters. 

22 2012 Posture Statement 2012 Posture Statement 23
24 2012 Posture Statement

FISCAL YEAR 2013

BUDGET IN BRIEF

Budget Priorities .............................................................. 26

Budget in Brief ................................................................. 30

Appropriation Summary ........................................... 34

2012 Posture Statement 25
The Coast Guard’s FY 2013 Budget reflects the 

optimal balance between current operations and 

investment in future capability to sustain existing 

missions and address the most pressing operational 

risks. Investment in new assets is critical to ensure 

the Coast Guard remains capable of carrying out our 

missions today and well into the future. Accordingly, 

the Coast Guard’s FY 2013 Budget priorities are to: 

•	 RESPONSIBLY REBUILD THE COAST GUARD

•	 EFFICIENTLY PRESERVE FRONT-LINE OPERATIONS

•	 STRENGTHEN RESOURCE AND OPERATIONAL 

STEWARDSHIP

•	 PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE

FY 2013 

BUDGET 

PRIORITIES

26 2012 Posture Statement

RESPONSIBLY 

REBUILD THE 

COAST GUARD 

The Coast Guard's highest investment priority is 

recapitalizing the major cutter fleet. After more than 

four decades in service, the aging High Endurance 

Cutters will be replaced by a fleet of National Security 

Cutters. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, the third National 

Security Cutter, was delivered to the Coast Guard in 

2011 and recently arrived in its new homeport of 

Alameda, CA and is scheduled to be commissioned in 

2012.

2012 Posture Statement 27
PREPARE

FOR THE FUTURE

In 2012, we will forward deploy to assist in 

maintaining the safety and security of anticipated 

Arctic exploratory oil drilling activity. In FY 2013, 

the Coast Guard will begin the acquisition of 

a new Polar Icebreaker and invest in Alaskan 

infrastructure. 

STRENGTHEN

RESOURCE AND 

OPERATIONAL 

STEWARDSHIP

The FY 2013 Budget meets essential mission needs 

and challenges while simultaneously preparing for 

new and exigent demands. Building on successes 

in FY 2011, the Coast Guard will continue to support 

the Department of Homeland Security’s longterm audit goals to receive a favorable opinion 

on a full-scope audit of all financial statements, 

sustain previous accomplishments, monitor the 

effectiveness of processes and controls and leverage 

technology and innovation to increase efficiencies 

in financial management and operations.

2012 Posture Statement 29

EFFICIENTLY

PRESERVE

FRONT-LINE

OPERATIONS

Our highest operational priority is to provide the level 

of service to the American people that will sustain the 

safety, security and stewardship of the Nation’s waters. 

To ensure the Coast Guard remains ready to meet the 

Nation’s safety and security requirements, the FY 2013 

Budget provides funding for the operation of new assets 

delivered by our acquisition projects, and resources to 

support military and civilian pay and benefits.
30 2012 Posture Statement 2012 Posture Statement 31

The Coast Guard’s FY 2013 Budget strikes the optimal balance 

between current operations and investment in future capability 

to sustain the Coast Guard’s ability to execute its missions and 

address the most pressing operational requirements. This 

budget request includes investment in new assets which are 

critical to ensure the Coast Guard remains capable of carrying 

out its missions today and well into the future. Accordingly, the 

Coast Guard’s FY 2013 Budget priorities are to: 

 Responsibly Rebuild the Coast Guard

 Efficiently Preserve Front-line Operations

 Strengthen Resource and Operational Stewardship

 Prepare for the Future

RESPONSIBLY REBUILD THE 

COAST GUARD

The Coast Guard continues to focus resources on recapitalizing 

cutters, boats, aircraft, and Command, Control, Communications, 

Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance 

systems, critical to sustaining the ability to accomplish missions 

well into the future. This budget request fully funds the sixth 

National Security Cutter, strengthening the Coast Guard’s longterm major cutter recapitalization effort to replace its aged, 

obsolete High Endurance Cutter fleet as quickly as possible. 

The FY 2013 investments are critical to replacing and sustaining 

aging in-service assets, and are key to maintaining future 

capability. 

SURFACE ASSETS

$879.5M (0 FTE)

The budget provides $879.5 million for surface assets, including 

the following recapitalization and sustainment initiatives:

•	 National Security Cutter (NSC) – Provides production 

funding for the sixth NSC; NSCs will replace the aging fleet 

of High Endurance Cutter first commissioned in 1967. The 

acquisition of NSC-6 is vital for performing DHS missions 

in the far off-shore regions, including the harsh operating 

environment of the Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea, as well 

as providing for robust homeland security contingency 

response.

•	 Fast Response Cutter (FRC) – Provides production funding 

to procure FRCs #19-20. These assets replace the aging 

fleet of 110-foot patrol boats, and provide the coastal 

capability to conduct search and rescue operations, enforce 

border security, interdict drugs, uphold immigration laws, 

prevent terrorism and ensure resiliency to disasters. Hulls 

#17 - 20 will be procured in FY 2013 using FY 2012 and FY 

2013 funds, maintaining FRC production at the current rate. 

•	 Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) – Continues initial acquisition 

work and design of the OPC. The OPC will replace the 

Medium Endurance Cutter class to conduct missions on 

the high-seas and coastal approaches.

•	 Medium Endurance Cutter (MEC) – Completes the Mission 

Effectiveness Program for the 270-foot MECs at the Coast 

Guard YARD.

•	 Survey and Design – Initiates survey and design work for 

a mid-life availability on the 175-foot Coastal Buoy Tender 

class.

AIR ASSETS

$74.5M (0 FTE)

The budget provides $74.5 million for the following air asset 

recapitalization or enhancement initiatives:

•	 HC-144 – Funds production of the 18th HC-144A Maritime 

Patrol Aircraft. The HC-144A fleet will provide enhanced 

maritime surveillance and medium airlift capability over 

the legacy HU-25 aircraft that they replace. The HU25s will all be removed from service by the end of their 

planned service life, in FY 2014.

•	 HH-65 – Funds sustainment of key components requiring 

recapitalization.

The FY 2013 budget provides funding to procure one HC-144A Maritime Patrol 

Aircraft, and deliver and place in full operational status three MPA at Coast Guard 

Air Station Cape Cod to replace the HU-25 Falcon fleet.

THE FY 2013 BUDGET IN BRIEF

ASSET RECAPITALIZATION – OTHER

$76.5M (0 FTE)

The budget provides $76.5 million for asset recapitalization, 

including the following equipment and services: 

•	 Command, Control, Communications, Computers, 

Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) – 

Deploys standardized C4ISR capability to newly fielded 

NSCs, C-130s and MPAs and develops C4ISR capability for 

other new assets. 

•	 CG-Logistics Information Management System – Continues 

development and prototype deployment to Coast Guard 

operational assets and support facilities.

•	 Nationwide Automatic Identification System (NAIS) – 

Continues recapitalizing the existing interim NAIS system 

in 58 ports and 11 coastal areas by replacing it with the 

permanent solution design and technology via the core 

system upgrade.

SHORE UNITS AND AIDS TO NAVIGATION (ATON) 

$69.4M (0 FTE)

The budget provides $69.4 million to recapitalize fixed 

infrastructure for safe, functional and modern shore facilities 

that effectively support Coast Guard assets and personnel:

•	 Station New York Boat Ramp – Constructs a boat ramp for 

launching small boats at Station New York, NY, for both the 

Station and Maritime Safety and Security Team New York.

•	 Air Station Barbers Point – Constructs an aircraft rinse rack 

facility to properly and effectively rinse C-130 aircraft at Air 

Station Barbers Point.

•	 Major Acquisition Systems Infrastructure – Commences 

construction of piers and support facilities for three FRC 

homeports; construction of an MPA training facility at 

Aviation Technical Training Center in Elizabeth City, NC; 

construction of an MPA maintenance facility hangar at the 

Aviation Logistics Center at Elizabeth City, NC.

•	 ATON Infrastructure – Completes improvements to shortrange aids and infrastructure to enhance the safety of 

maritime transportation.

PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT

$117.4M (842 FTE)

The budget provides $117.4 million to provide pay and benefits 

for the Coast Guard's acquisition workforce. 

EFFICIENTLY PRESERVE 

FRONT-LINE OPERATIONS

To ensure the Coast Guard remains ready to meet the Nation’s 

maritime safety and security requirements, the FY 2013 Budget 

provides a balance between sustaining front-line operational 

capacity and rebuilding the Coast Guard. The FY 2013 Budget 

provides funding to operate and maintain Coast Guard assets 

and sustain essential front-line operations. Key investments 

include funding the operation of new assets delivered through 

acquisition programs and investment in military workforce pay 

and benefits. 

PAY & ALLOWANCES

$88.9M (0 FTE)

The budget provides $88.9 million to maintain parity of military 

pay, allowances and health care with DoD, and funds the civilian 

raise. As a branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, the 

Coast Guard is subject to the provisions of the National Defense 

Authorization Act, which includes pay and personnel benefits 

for the military workforce.

ANNUALIZATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2012 INITIATIVES

$54.2M (260 FTE)

The budget provides $54.2 million to continue critical FY 2012 

initiatives. 

OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE FUNDS FOR NEW 

ASSETS

$47.6M (139 FTE)

The budget provides a total of $47.6 million to fund operations 

and maintenance of shore facilities and cutters, boats, aircraft 

and associated C4ISR subsystems delivered through acquisition 

efforts. Funding is requested for the following assets and 

systems: 

•	 Shore Facilities – Funding for the operation and 

maintenance of shore facility projects scheduled for 

completion prior to FY 2013.

•	 Response Boat-Medium – Funding for operation and 

maintenance of 30 boats.

•	 Interagency Operations Center (IOC) – Funding for the 

Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk underway conducting law enforcement operations. 

The FY 2013 Budget provides funding to complete the Mission Effectiveness 

Program on the 270-foot Medium Endurance Cutter fleet. 
32 2012 Posture Statement 2012 Posture Statement 33

operation and maintenance of the WatchKeeper system.

•	 Rescue 21 (R21) – Funding for the operation and 

maintenance of the R21 System in Sector Sault Ste. Marie 

and Sector Lake Michigan.

•	 FRC – Operating and maintenance funding for FRCs #8-9 

and funding for FRC crews #9-10. These assets will be 

homeported in Key West, FL. Funding is also requested 

for shore-side maintenance personnel needed to support 

FRCs.

•	 HC-144A MPA – Operating and maintenance funding for 

aircraft #14-15 and personnel funding to operate and 

support aircraft #15-16.

•	 Air Station Cape Cod Transition – Funding to complete 

a change in aircraft type allowance, and programmed 

utilization rates. 

•	 Training Systems for Engineering Personnel – Funding to 

support NSC and FRC training requirements at Training 

Center Yorktown.

•	 HC-130H Flight Simulator Training – Funding to support 

aircraft simulator training for HC-130H pilots, flight 

engineers and navigators.

ST. ELIZABETHS HEADQUARTERS 

CONSOLIDATION

$24.5M (0 FTE)

The budget provides funding to support the Coast Guard’s 

relocation to the DHS consolidated headquarters at the St. 

Elizabeths Campus in Washington, DC. Funding supports the 

systematic move of equipment, employees and work functions to 

the new headquarters location, beginning in the third quarter of 

FY 2013. 

STRENGTHEN RESOURCE 

AND OPERATIONAL 

STEWARDSHIP

The FY 2013 Budget meets essential mission needs while 

simultaneously preparing for new and exigent demands. 

Through a comprehensive internal review of doctrine, policy, 

operations and mission support structure, the Coast Guard 

has focused resources and forces where they are most needed, 

while recognizing the current fiscal challenges. The FY 2013 

Budget also proposes administrative and programmatic 

reductions to improve efficiency and service delivery, while 

continuing investment in Coast Guard activities that provide 

the highest return on investment. 

ASSET DECOMMISSIONINGS

In FY 2013, in addition to the planned decommission of 

legacy assets, the Coast Guard will make targeted operational 

reductions to prioritize front-line operational capacity and 

invest in critical recapitalization initiatives. 

HIGH ENDURANCE CUTTER DECOMMISSIONINGS

-$16.8M (-241 FTE)

The Coast Guard will decommission the fourth and fifth of 

the original fleet of twelve HECs. With the average cutter age 

at 43 years, the HEC fleet has become increasingly difficult to 

maintain and sustain operationally. The decommissioning 

of two HECs is critical to support ongoing major cutter 

recapitalization efforts. NSCs, including the sixth NSC which 

is fully funded by this budget request, are replacing the aging 

HEC fleet.

110-FT ISLAND CLASS PATROL BOAT 

DECOMMISSIONINGS

-$2.0M (-35 FTE)

The Coast Guard will decommission three 110-ft patrol boats in 

FY 2013. The 110-ft patrol boats are being replaced by the FRC.

HIGH TEMPO HIGH MAINTENANCE PATROL BOAT 

OPERATIONS

-$33.5M (-206 FTE)

The Coast Guard will terminate the High Tempo High 

Maintenance (HTHM) operations program that facilitates 

augmented operation of eight in-service 110-foot patrol 

boats. Termination of this program coincides with 

commissioning of new FRCs which will mitigate this lost 

capacity.

CLOSE SEASONAL AIR FACILITIES 

-$5.2M (-34 FTE)

The Coast Guard will improve the efficiency of domestic air 

operations by closing seasonal air facilities and realigning 

rotary wing capacity to provide three medium-range H-60 

helicopters to the Great Lakes region to replace the H-65s 

currently in service. Due to limited demand for services 

and improved endurance from the H-60, the Coast Guard 

will discontinue two seasonal Coast Guard air facilities at 

Muskegon, MI and Waukegan, IL.

HU-25 AIRCRAFT RETIREMENTS 

-$5.5M (-20 FTE)

The Coast Guard will retire the three remaining HU-25 aircraft 

assigned to Coast Guard Air Station (CGAS) Cape Cod to allow 

for the transition to HC-144A aircraft. In FY 2013, the Coast 

Guard will deliver and place in full-operational status three HC144A aircraft at CGAS Cape Cod.

ENTERPRISE-WIDE EFFICIENCIES

The budget proposes administrative and programmatic 

efficiencies to improve service delivery, while continuing 

investment in Coast Guard activities that provide the highest 

return on investment.

ENTERPRISE-WIDE EFFICIENCIES

-$56.3M (-24 FTE)

The Coast Guard will seek efficiencies and cost reductions in 

the areas of IT infrastructure, government vehicles, professional 

services contracts, non-operational travel, GSA leases, 

permanent change of duty station relocation costs for military 

personnel and logistics services by consolidating/centralizing 

functions in geographically concentrated areas.

PROGRAMMATIC REDUCTIONS

In FY 2013, the Coast Guard will make targeted reductions 

in base program areas. These base adjustments recognize 

changes in requirements for selected activities and redirect 

resources toward higher-priorities, including critical 

recapitalization projects and essential frontline operations. 

HEADQUARTERS PERSONNEL AND SUPPORT 

REDUCTION

-$12.7M (-131 FTE)

The Coast Guard will eliminate 222 Headquarters positions 

through attrition and implementation of a civilian hiring 

freeze in the Washington, D.C. area. This reduction preserves 

the Coast Guard’s critical capabilities to conduct frontline operations; mission support; and development and 

implementation of national policies and regulations.

RECRUITING PROGRAM REDUCTION

-$9.8M (-39 FTE) 

The Coast Guard will make reductions to the Recruiting 

program and Selective Reenlistment Bonuses, not needed 

based on the current employment outlook.

OTHER TARGETED PROGRAM REDUCTIONS

-$6.7M (-62 FTE)

The Coast Guard will make targeted reductions to the 

Intelligence workforce, Organizational Performance Consultants 

and non-reimbursable Detached Duty billets. 

TARGETED OPERATIONAL REDUCTIONS

-$3.7M (-32 FTE)

Based on an internal review of doctrine, policy and operational 

risk, the Coast Guard will consolidate Ports, Waterways and 

Coastal Security Airborne Use of Force capability at Elizabeth 

City, NC; and San Diego, CA with corresponding elimination 

of AUF programs at six Coast Guard Air Stations. The Coast 

Guard will also reorganize the international Mobile Training 

Team and eliminate the Vintage Vessel National Center of 

Expertise (VVNCOE). The duties performed by the VVNCOE will 

be assumed by Sector personnel within the Ninth Coast Guard 

District. 

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin 

helicopter crew lands on a frozen 

sea ice sheet in front of the Coast 

Guard Cutter Healy near Nome, AK.
34 2012 Posture Statement 2012 Posture Statement 35

PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE

The Coast Guard continuously identifies and prepares for 

emerging maritime threats facing the Service and the Nation. 

The FY 2013 Budget request recognizes the criticality of the 

Arctic as a strategic National priority, given increasing presence 

and interest by other Nations, the preponderance of natural 

resources available in this region and increasing maritime 

commercial and recreational activity. 

POLAR ICEBREAKER*

$8.0M (0 FTE)

Initiates acquisition of a new Polar Icebreaker to ensure the 

Nation is able to maintain a surface presence in the Arctic well 

into the future. 

ALASKA SHORE FACILITIES*

$6.1M (0 FTE)

Provides funding to recapitalize and expand helicopter hangar 

facilities in Cold Bay, AK, and recapitalize aviation re-fueling 

facilities at Sitkinak, AK. These investments will sustain the 

Coast Guard’s ability to establish effective presence in the 

Bering Sea and Aleutian Chain - the “gateway” to the Arctic.

* Note: Funding amounts within this section are included in totals listed within 

the Responsibly Rebuild the Coast Guard section.

FISCAL YEAR 2013 

APPROPRIATION SUMMARY 

Table 1, on page 35, provides a summary by appropriation of 

the FY 2013 President’s Budget for the Coast Guard. Additional 

details are listed on pages 36 and 37 for each appropriation. 

Because of the Coast Guard’s multi-mission character, funding 

is not appropriated by its 11 statutory missions. Instead, the 

substantial portion of discretionary funding is appropriated for 

Coast Guard “Operating Expenses,” which supports all Coast 

Guard missions. Table 2, on page 35, provides an estimation of 

the FY 2011 – FY 2013 Budgets by mission. 

FISCAL YEAR 2013 APPROPRIATION DETAILS

OPERATING EXPENSES (OE) 

Actual, FY 2011 $6,907,458

Appropriation, FY 2012 $6,755,254*

Budget Estimate, FY 2013 $6,791,178

* Includes rescission of $37.8 million pursuant to P.L. 112-74. For comparative 

purposes, does not include $258 million requested via the Department of 

Defense but appropriated directly to the Coast Guard for Overseas Contingency 

Operations in FY 2012.

The Operating Expense appropriation provides funding for 

the operation and maintenance of multi-purpose vessels, 

aircraft and shore units strategically located along the coasts 

and inland waterways of the United States and in selected 

areas overseas. This is the primary appropriation financing 

The Coast Guard is replacing the existing fleet of 12 High Endurance Cutters 

with National Security Cutters. Pictured above is Coast Guard Cutter Dallas

during its launching in October, 1966. In 2012, Cutter Dallas will be third HEC 

to be decommissioned after nearly 45 years of service. 

TABLE 1: APPROPRIATION SUMMARY

TABLE 2: FY 2013 NET DISCRETIONARY BUDGET AUTHORITY 

BREAKOUT BY STATUTORY MISSION1

Appropriation ($000) FY 2011

Actual Obligations

FY 2012

Enacted Budget 

Authority

FY 2013

Requested Budget 

Authority

Operating Expenses $6,907,458 $6,755,254 $6,791,178

Environmental Compliance and Restoration $12,593 $13,500 $13,162

Reserve Training $132,849 $134,278 $132,554

Acquisition, Construction, and Improvements $2,101,580 $1,463,968 $1,192,309

Alteration of Bridges --- --- ---

Research, Development, Test and Evaluation $20,536 $27,779 $19,728

Health Care Fund Contribution $265,321 $261,871 $169,977

Sub-total (Discretionary Funding) $9,440,337 $8,656,650 $8,318,908

Retired Pay $1,320,689 $1,440,157 $1,430,942

Boating Safety $134,433 $113,199 $116,221

Maritime Oil Spill Program $259,465 $101,000 $100,500

Gift Fund $1,535 $80 $80

Sub-total (Mandatory Funding) $1,716,122 $1,654,436 $1,647,743

Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF) Contribution [$45,000] [$45,000] [$45,000]

Transfer from National Science Foundation (NSF) (P.L. 111-117) [$42,330] --- ---

Haitian Disaster Relief Act (P.L. 111-212) [$48,354] --- ---

Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) Funding (P.L. 112-10) [$254,000] --- ---

Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) Funding (P.L. 112-74) --- $258,000 ---

Anticipated DoD Transfer for Overseas Contingency Operations --- --- [$254,461]

Rescission of unobligated balances pursuant to (P.L. 112-10) [-$10,122] --- ---

Government-wide rescission pursuant to (P.L. 112-10) [-$16,689] --- ---

Rescission of unobligated balances pursuant to (P.L. 112-74) --- [-$43,688] ---

DoD transfer pursuant to (P.L. 112-74) --- [$63,500] ---

Proposed cancelation of funds for NSC #4 post-delivery activities --- --- [-$25,000]

Sub-total (Transfers and Supplementals) [$362,873] $258,000 [$274,461]

TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS $11,156,459 $10,569,086 $9,966,651

Coast Guard Mission ($000) FY 2011 Revised 

Enacted2

FY 2012

Enacted Budget 

Authority

FY 2013

Requested Budget 

Authority

FY 2013 +/- FY 2012

Search and Rescue $926,376 $1,057,113 $920,845 -$136,268

Marine Safety $644,030 $653,555 $610,534 -$43,021

Aids to Navigation $1,414,712 $1,581,682 $1,474,506 -$107,176

Ice Operations $107,259 $113,310 $114,332 $1,022

Marine Environmental Protection $210,569 $216,537 $184,264 -$32,273

Living Marine Resources $984,911 $857,998 $884,916 $26,918

Drug Interdiction $1,271,458 $1,006,110 $1,144,208 $138,098

Migrant Interdiction $733,396 $734,127 $624,310 -$109,817

Other Law Enforcement $199,035 $111,965 $144,874 $32,909

Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security $1,651,062 $1,917,504 $1,737,980 -$179,524

Defense Readiness $504,412 $406,749 $478,139 $71,390

Net Discretionary: Excluding Supplementals and Transfers $8,647,220 $8,656,650 $8,318,908 -$337,742

Mandatory $1,610,749 $1,654,436 $1,647,743 -$6,693

Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) Funding (P.L. 112-10) [$254,000] -- -- --

OCO Funding (P.L. 112-74) -- $258,000.00 -- --

Anticipated DoD Transfer -- -- [$254,461] --

Transfer from National Science Foundation (P.L. 112-10) [$53,982] -- -- --

Rescission of unobligated balances pursuant (P.L. 112-74) -- [-$43,688] -- --

Total Budget Authority $10,511,699 $10,569,086 $9,966,651 -$344,435

1) The Coast Guard budgets by appropriation rather than by individual missions. The Coast Guard projects resource allocations by mission through the 

use of an activity-based costing system. Actual allocations will vary depending on operational environment and mission need.

2) FY 2012 Total Budget Authority includes $258M/872 FTE for Overseas Contingency Operations appropriated directly to the Coast Guard. FY 2013 

Requested Budget Authority (Total Budget Authority) does not include OCO funding, which is being requested via DoD and is displayed as a non-add.
36 2012 Posture Statement 2012 Posture Statement 37

operational activities of the Coast Guard. Table 3, on page 38, 

provides a detailed walkdown to the FY 2013 OE request from 

the FY 2012 Enacted Budget (P.L. 112-74). 

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND 

RESTORATION (EC&R)

Actual, FY 2011 $12,593

Appropriation, FY 2012 $13,500

Budget estimate, FY 2013 $13,162

The Environmental Compliance and Restoration appropriation 

assists in bringing Coast Guard facilities into compliance 

with applicable Federal and state environmental regulations, 

developing pollution and hazardous waste minimization 

strategies and conducting environmental assessments. These 

funds permit the continuation of a service-wide program to 

correct environmental problems, such as major improvements 

to storage tanks containing petroleum and regulated 

substances. The program addresses Coast Guard facilities and 

third-party sites where Coast Guard activities have contributed 

to environmental concerns. 

RESERVE TRAINING

Actual, FY 2011 $132,849

Appropriation, FY 2012 $134,278

Budget estimate, FY 2013 $132,554

The Reserve Training appropriation provides for the training of 

qualified individuals who are available for active duty in time of 

war or national emergency or to augment regular Coast Guard 

forces in the performance of peacetime missions. Program 

activities fall into the following categories:

Pay, Benefits and Allowances – Funds the costs associated with 

salaries, benefits and other compensation for full-time staff 

that support members of the Selected Reserve.

Operations, Maintenance and Administration – Funds the costs 

related to training Reservists, administering the Reserve 

program and the portion of organizational costs shared by the 

Reserve Training appropriation for the day-to-day operation 

and maintenance of the Coast Guard Reserve program.

ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION AND 

IMPROVEMENTS (AC&I) 

Actual, FY 2011 $2,101,580

Appropriation, FY 2012 $1,463,968*

Budget estimate, FY 2013 $1,192,309

* Includes $63.5M to be transferred from the U.S. Air Force for a C-130J aircraft 

and a rescission of $3.5 million in unobligated balances pursuant to P.L. 112-74. 

The Acquisition, Construction and Improvements appropriation 

finances the acquisition of new capital assets, construction of 

new facilities and physical improvements to existing facilities 

and assets. The appropriation covers Coast Guard-owned and 

operated vessels, aircraft, shore facilities and other equipment 

such as computer systems and personnel needed to manage 

acquisition activities. Table 4, on page 39, provides a detailed 

breakout of the Coast Guard’s FY 2013 Capital Investment Plan. 

ALTERATION OF BRIDGES

Actual, FY 2011 $0

Appropriation, FY 2012 $0

Budget estimate, FY 2013 $0

The alteration of unreasonably obstructive bridges improves 

navigational safety and freedom of mobility to facilitate 

commerce, emergency response,and U.S. Government 

operations by providing sufficient clearances for the type of 

vessels that transit through the bridge. 

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST AND EVALUATION 

(RDT&E)

Actual, FY 2011 $20,536

Appropriation, FY 2012 $27,779

Budget estimate, FY 2013 $19,728

The Research, Development, Test and Evaluation appropriation 

allows the Coast Guard to sustain and enhance mission 

performance through applied research and development 

conducted at the Coast Guard’s Research and Development 

Center in New London, CT, as well as through partnerships with 

other DHS components and DoD. 

HEALTH CARE FUND CONTRIBUTION (HFC)

Actual, FY 2011 $265,321

Budget Authority, FY 2012 $261,871

Budget estimate, FY 2013 $169,977

The Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund Contribution 

provides funding to maintain the cost of accruing the military 

Medicare-eligible health benefit contributions to the DoD 

Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund. Contributions are 

for future Medicare-eligible retirees currently serving on active 

duty in the Coast Guard, retiree dependents and their potential 

survivors. The authority for the Coast Guard to make this 

payment on an annual basis was provided in the 2005 Defense 

Appropriations Act (P.L. 108-375). While this expenditure requires 

no annual action by Congress, it is considered discretionary 

spending.

RETIRED PAY

Actual, FY 2011 $1,320,689

Budget Authority, FY 2012 $1,440,157

Budget estimate, FY 2013 $1,430,942

The Retired Pay appropriation provides payments as identified 

under the Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection and Survivor 

Benefits Plans, as well as other retired personnel entitlements 

identified under the National Defense Authorization Act. It also 

provides payments for medical care of retired personnel and 

their dependents.

BOATING SAFETY

Actual, FY 2011 $134,433

Budget Authority, FY 2012 $113,199

Budget estimate, FY 2013 $116,221

The Boating Safety program minimizes loss of life, personal 

injury, property damage and environmental impact associated 

with the use of recreational boats. In its role as the designated 

National Recreational Boating Safety Program Coordinator, the 

Coast Guard manages dedicated user fee funding to support the 

National Recreational Boating Safety Program. Pursuant to the 

Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act-A 

Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU, P.L. 109–59), the Boating Safety 

program receives 18.5 percent of the funds collected in the Sport 

Fish Restoration and Boating Safety Trust Fund. The FY 2013 

Budget reflects the anticipated level of funding available from 

this source.

MARITIME OIL SPILL PROGRAM (MOSP)

Actual, FY 2011 $259,465

Budget Authority, FY 2012 $101,000

Budget estimate, FY 2013 $100,500

The Maritime Oil Spill Program operates under the authority 

of Title I of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), as amended, 

which provides for the use of the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund 

(OSLTF) to pay for federal response to oil spills and claims for 

uncompensated removal costs and damages resulting from such 

spills. In Section Seven of Executive Order 12777, the President 

delegated management responsibility for these uses of the 

OSLTF to the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast 

Guard is operating. Upon re-delegation by the Secretary, the 

Commandant of the Coast Guard delegated responsibility to the 

National Pollution Funds Center (NPFC), which oversees the 

OSLTF.

Units located in New York, NY will have a new boat ramp built 

to facilitate operations in the harbor of the Nation's largest city.
38 2012 Posture Statement 2012 Posture Statement 39

TABLE 3: OPERATING EXPENSES FY 2012 ENACTED TO FY 2013 TABLE 4: FY 2013 CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLAN (CIP) 

ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENTS

B. FY 2012 to FY 2013 Budget

Department of Homeland Security

U. S. Coast Guard

Operating Expenses

FY 2012 to FY 2013 Budget Change

(Dollars in Thousands)

Pos. FTE Amount

2011 Actual 49,047 48,071 6,907,458

2012 Enacted 49,441 49,255 6,755,254

Adjustments-to-Base (37,800)

Transfers to and from Other Accounts

A. Transfer - - 3,740

Total Transfers - - 3,740

Increases

A. Annualization of Prior Year Funding (50) 260 54,207

B. Mandatory Personnel Entitlements

1. Annualization of FY 2012 Military Pay Raise - - 8,427

2. FY 2013 Pay Increase - - 29,989 

3. Military Allowances - - 48,991 

C. Operating and Maintenance Funds for New Assets

1. Shore Facility Follow-On - - 3,870

2. Response Boat - Medium (RB-M) Follow-On 20 10 3,058

3. WatchKeeper Follow-On 3 2 2,261

4. Rescue 21 (R21) Follow-On - - 1,448

5. Surface and Air Asset Follow-On 224 127 37,001

D. Base Re-Allocations (Non-Add)

1. Balanced Workforce Strategy Follow-on 33 33 [3,485]

2. Military FTP and FTE Transfer to Civilian [50] [50] [5,331]

3. Reclassification of Reimbursable FTE to Direct FTE 13 13 [1,807]

Total Increases 243 445 189,252

Decreases

A. Termination of One-Time Costs - - (18,309) 

B. Prior Year Management Annualizations - (92) (10,996)

C. Asset Decommissionings

1. Patrol Boat High Tempo High Maintenance (HTHM) Operations (206) (206) (33,495)

2. Three 110-Patrol Boats (70) (35) (1,977)

3. Two High Endurance Cutters (HEC) (389) (241) (16,832)

4. Three HU-25 Aircraft (39) (20) (5,514)

5. Seasonal Air Facilities (68) (34) (5,201)

D. Enterprise-Wide Efficiencies (48) (24) (56,299)

E. Programmatic Reductions (479) (264) (32,945)

Total Decreases (1,299) (916) (181,568)

Total Adjustments-to-Base (1,056) (471) 11,424

2013 Current Services 48,385 48,784 6,766,678

Program Changes

Program Increases

A. DHS Headquarters Consolidation - - 24,500 

Total Program Changes - - 24,500 

2013 Request 48,385 48,784 6,791,178

2012 to 2013 Total Change (1,056) (471) 35,924

Appropriations ($000)

FY 2012

Enacted Budget 

Authority

FY 2013

Requested Budget 

Authority

Vessels $642,000 $879,500

Survey and Design - Vessel and Boats $6,000 $2,500

In-Service Vessel Sustainment $14,000 $0

Response Boat - Medium (RB-M) $110,000 $0

National Security Cutter (NSC)1 $77,000 $683,000

Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) $25,000 $30,000

Fast Response Cutter (FRC) $358,000 $139,000

Cutter Boats $5,000 $4,000

Medium Endurance Cutter Sustainment $47,000 $13,000

Polar Icebreaker2 $0 $8,000

Aircraft $289,900 $74,500

CGNR 6017 Airframe Replacement $18,300 $0

Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) $129,500 $43,000

HH-60 Conversion Projects $56,100 $0

HH-65 Conversion/Sustainment Projects $24,000 $31,500

Long Range Surveillance Aircraft (C-130H/J)3 $62,000 $0

Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) $0 $0

Other $161,140 $76,500

Program Oversight and Management4 $26,000 $25,000

Systems Engineering and Integration $17,140 $2,500

Command, Control, Communications, Computers, 

Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance $38,500 $40,500

CG Logistics Information Management System $6,500 $2,500

Nationwide Automatic Identification System (NAIS) $5,000 $6,000

Rescue 21 $65,000 $0

Interagency Operations Centers (IOC) $3,000 $0

Shore and ATON $200,692 $69,411

Major Shore, Military Housing, ATON and S&D $112,900 $15,000

Major Acquisition Systems Infrastructure $81,500 $49,411

Minor Shore $6,292 $5,000

Personnel and Management $110,192 $117,103

AC&I Core $600 $600

Direct Personnel Costs $109,592 $116,503

TOTAL $1,403,924 $1,217,014 

1) Proposed cancellation of $25 million appropriated under of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010 (P.L 111-83) for NSC #4 postdelivery activity. The table reflects the proposed re-appropriation of these funds for the same purpose within the amount shown for the NSC project above. 

2) Estimates for Polar Icebreaker are based on the October 2011 R&D Center Comprehensive Analysis on U.S. Polar Icebreaker Recapitalization as directed by P.L. 

111-281. 

3) The Coast Guard also received an additional $63.5M transfer in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 from the Air Force Aircraft Procurement appropriation for procurement of a C-130J aircraft.

4) Previously titled Government Program Management; project renamed in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012, P.L. 112-74.
40 2012 Posture Statement

PROGRAMS

AND MISSIONS

2012 Posture Statement 41
42 2012 Posture Statement 2012 Posture Statement 43

OUR PROGRAMS AND MISSIONS

The Coast Guard delivers value to the Nation by administering 

programs and missions to ensure the maritime domain is 

safe and secure, and that care is taken to protect the marine 

environment. The role of the Coast Guard in the maritime 

domain is enduring while at the same time never being 

more relevant or more in demand – with long-standing 

responsibilities accrued over more than two centuries of 

service. The Coast Guard is organized into six programs, 

which are critical to achieving specific Quadrennial Homeland 

Security Review (QHSR) goals and objectives and advancing 

National priorities that together define Department of 

Homeland Security missions. The initiatives in the Coast 

Guard’s FY 2013 Budget are crucial to the effective achievement 

of these Department of Homeland Security mission priorities. 

The table on page 45 provides a listing of the six programs and 

their relationship to the Coast Guard’s 11 statutory missions. 

MARITIME SECURITY 

OPERATIONS

Maritime Security Operations encompass activities conducted 

to detect, deter, prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks and other 

criminal acts in the maritime domain. It includes the execution 

of antiterrorism, response and recovery operations and 

related preparedness activities such as the establishment and 

oversight of a maritime security regime and maritime domain 

awareness. The following statutory mission contributes to the 

Coast Guard’s Maritime Security Operations program:  Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security

IN 2011 THE COAST GUARD...

•	 Conducted 10,735 security boardings of small vessels in 

and around U.S. ports, waterways and coastal regions.

•	 Conducted approximately 37,000 waterborne patrols 

near critical maritime infrastructure and security zones in 

American ports.

•	 Escorted approximately 5,000 high-capacity passenger 

vessels, naval vessels and ships carrying dangerous 

cargoes.

•	 Conducted 1,690 boardings of high interest vessels 

designated as posing a greater-than-normal risk to the U.S.

MARITIME LAW 

ENFORCEMENT

The Maritime Law Enforcement program preserves America’s 

jurisdictional rights within our maritime borders and suppresses 

violations of U.S. federal law on, under and over the high-seas. 

The Coast Guard is the lead federal maritime law enforcement 

agency for enforcing national and international law on the 

high-seas, outer continental shelf and inward from the U.S. 

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to inland waters. The following 

statutory missions contribute to the Coast Guard’s Maritime 

Law Enforcement program:  Drug Interdiction  Migrant Interdiction  Living Marine Resources  Other Law Enforcement

IN 2011 THE COAST GUARD...

•	

Removed over 75 metric tons of cocaine and 18 metric 

tons of marijuana bound for the United States; interdicted 

40 vessels, and detained 191 suspected drug smugglers. 

•	 Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDETs) 

deployed for 1,793 days in FY 2011 and accounted for 16 

percent of all cocaine removals.

•	 Interdicted six Self-Propelled Semi-Submersible vessels, 

keeping 33 metric tons of cocaine off the streets of the 

United States. 

•	 Interdicted 2,474 undocumented migrants attempting to 

illegally enter the United States.

•	 Encountered over 140 domestic significant fishery 

violations during boardings of over 5,500 U.S. vessels. 

•	 Patrolled the U.S. EEZ boundary areas to reduce the 
44 2012 Posture Statement 2012 Posture Statement 45

Agency, American Petroleum Institute, International 

Maritime Organization, International Petroleum Industry 

Environmental Conservation Association, National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration, and Bureau of Safety and 

Environmental Enforcement. 

•	 Enhanced ability to detect and locate persons in distress 

with continued installation of the Rescue 21 national 

distress and response system, encompassing 38,681 miles 

of the Nation’s coastline along the east, gulf and west coasts 

with the Great Lakes completed by end of the calendar 

year for a cumulative total of 39,685 miles of U.S. coastline 

coverage.

DEFENSE OPERATIONS

The Defense Operations program provides unique authorities 

and capabilities to support the National Military Strategy. 

Specific objectives include defending the homeland, promoting 

international security, deterring conflict and winning our 

Nation’s wars. The eight mission elements that comprise the 

Coast Guard’s Defense Operations portfolio are: Maritime 

Interdiction Operations; Combating Maritime Terrorism; Port 

Operations Security and Defense (to include maintaining a Title 

10 Reserve force and providing Aids to Navigation support for 

battle-space preparation); Military Environmental Response 

Operations; Coastal Sea Control Operations (including providing 

DoD the only assured surface access in ice-covered and icediminished waters); Maritime Operational Threat Response 

(MOTR); Rotary Wing Air Intercept Operations; and Support for 

Theater Security Cooperation Initiatives. The following statutory 

mission contributes to the Coast Guard’s Defense Operations 

program: 

 Defense Readiness

IN 2011 THE COAST GUARD...

•	 Continued the deployment of six patrol boats and their 

supporting and command elements to U.S. Central 

Command (CENTCOM).

•	 Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf, the first National Security 

Cutter, participated in Exercise Northern Edge in Alaska. 

Sponsored by United States Northern Command, Northern 

Edge is a multi-service training exercise designed to 

practice operations, tactics and procedures aimed at 

enhancing interoperability, communications and command 

and control among U.S. military forces. 

•	 Coast Guard Port Security Units (PSU) deployed to the 

Middle East with Naval Coastal Warfare Squadrons to 

support point defense and harbor security operations in 

Kuwait. 

•	 Coast Guard PSU and Maritime Safety and Security Team 

detachments continued port security operations in 

Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for harbor security and to provide 

force protection.

•	 Deployed Coast Guard Cutter Forward to western Africa 

in support of the African Maritime Law Enforcement 

Partnership, a professional exchange with officials from 

Sierra Leone, Cape Verde, Liberia, Guinea and Senegal. 

Sierra Leone law enforcement teams, augmented by Coast 

Guard experts, boarded six commercial fishing vessels, 

issued citations and terminated two vessel voyages.

MARINE TRANSPORTATION 

SYSTEM MANAGEMENT

The Marine Transportation System 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 waterways 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. The following statutory 

missions contribute to the Coast Guard’s Marine Transportation 

System Management program: 

 Aids to Navigation

 Ice Operations

threat of foreign poaching of U.S. fish stocks and ensured 

compliance with international living marine resource 

agreements. Detected 122 incursions and interdicted 22 

vessels.

•	 Conducted a joint U.S.-Canadian Northwest Atlantic 

Fisheries Organization (NAFO) patrol under the NAFO 

Inspection and Surveillance Scheme, expanding border 

cooperation efforts with Canadian law enforcement 

counterparts.

MARITIME PREVENTION

The Maritime Prevention program reduces personnel casualties 

and property losses, minimizes security risks and protects the 

marine environment. The following statutory missions contribute to the Coast Guard’s Maritime Prevention program: 

 Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security 

 Marine Safety

 Marine Environmental Protection

IN 2011 THE COAST GUARD...

•	 Conducted over 10,400 annual inspections of U.S. flagged 

vessels inspected and certificated in accordance with 46 

Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) § 2.01. 

•	 Performed over 6,500 inspections at facilities to ensure 

compliance, identifying over 2,250 deficiencies of safety, 

security and environmental protection regulations.

•	 Conducted 6,200 marine casualty investigations.

•	 Conducted more than 9,000 Port State Control and 

Security examinations on foreign flagged vessels, including 

examinations of ballast water for elimination of aquatic 

nuisance species, testing of oily water separators to prevent 

oil from being discharged in the ocean and other pollution 

prevention and vessel safety activities.

•	 Completed over 26,500 container inspections, identifying 

more than 2,220 deficiencies that led to 915 cargo or 

container shipments being placed on hold until dangerous 

conditions were corrected.

•	 Conducted over 8,500 fishing vessel and 1,400 towing 

vessel examinations, ensuring vessels were in full 

compliance with regulations and safety requirements.

•	 Administered the National Recreational Boating Safety 

(RBS) Program where state law enforcement conducted 

over 1.7 million hours of on-water RBS operations, checked 

over 1.6 million vessels for carriage compliance, issued 

boating safety education certificates for over 380,000 

individuals and issued over 118,000 safety citations and 

286,000 warnings. 

•	 Conducted over 46,000 recreational vessel boardings, 

issued 8,000 citations and visited 1,150 recreational 

boat manufacturers to provide education and ensure 

compliance with Federal regulations.

•	 Adopted measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse 

gases from international shipping. These measures, 

implemented as amendments to MARPOL Annex VI 

Regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships, 

represent the first ever mandatory global greenhouse gas 

reduction regime for an international industry sector.

MARITIME RESPONSE

The Maritime Response program mitigates the consequences 

of marine casualties and disastrous events. The Coast Guard 

minimizes loss of life, injury and property loss by searching for 

and rescuing persons in distress in the maritime environment. 

Coast Guard preparedness efforts for all threats and all hazards 

ensures incident response and recovery resources are fully 

ready and capable to minimize impact of disasters to people, 

the environment and the economy. The following statutory 

missions contribute to the Coast Guard’s Maritime Response 

program: 

 Search and Rescue

 Marine Environmental Protection

IN 2011 THE COAST GUARD...

•	 Responded to 20,510 Search and Rescue incidents, saving 

3,804 lives and protecting $82.0 million in property.

•	 Responded to and investigated approximately 3,000 

pollution incidents.

•	 Hosted the International Oil Spill Conference in May, a 

triennial conference that the Coast Guard has chaired since 

1969 in partnership with the Environmental Protection 

DHS Programs U.S. Coast Guard Statutory Missions

Maritime Security Operations Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security - 

Operational Activities

Maritime Law Enforcement

Drug Interdiction

Migrant Interdiction

Living Marine Resources

Other Law Enforcement

Maritime Prevention

Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security 

Prevention Activities

Marine Safety

Marine Environmental Protection 

Prevention Activities

Maritime Response

Search and Rescue

Marine Environmental Protection 

Response Activities

Defense Operations Defense Readiness

Marine Transportation System 

Management

Aids to Navigation

Ice Operations
46 2012 Posture Statement 2012 Posture Statement 47

IN 2011 THE COAST GUARD...

•	 Maintained over 34,000 aids and responded to over 14,000 

discrepancies, providing a 98.5 percent aid availability 

rate to ensure the safe transit of $928 billion worth of 

commerce transiting 25,000 miles of U.S. waterways.

•	 Negotiated the revised “Memorandum of Arrangements 

between Canada and the United States” for the shared 

operation of pilotage on the Great Lakes. 

•	 Coast Guard Cutter Healy partnered with the Canadian 

Coast Guard icebreaker Louis S. St-Laurent in the Arctic 

to gather data required to determine the Extended 

Continental Shelf limit and the Nation’s sovereign rights 

over the natural resources on the seabed.

•	 Partnered with the Canadian Ice Service under the North 

American Ice Service agreement to issue iceberg warnings 

for more than 4,500 commercial transits through iceberginfested waters in the North Atlantic shipping lanes, 

allowing vessels to safely sail significantly shorter routes 

while avoiding navigational hazards.

•	 Ensured no ice-related waterways closures during the 

winter shipping season despite early formation of ice. 

•	 Assisted over 1,700 commercial vessel transits carrying 

$300 million in bulk commodities. 

•	 Icebreaking operations in New England facilitated the 

delivery of approximately $1.5 billion in home heating oil.
FISCAL YEAR 2013

BUDGET PRIORITIES

RESPONSIBLY REBUILD THE COAST GUARD

EFFICIENTLY PRESERVE FRONT-LINE OPERATIONS

STRENGTHEN RESOURCE AND OPERATIONAL STEWARDSHIP

PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE

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