Page 37: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (February 2025)

U.S. COAST GUARD R&D CENTER

The importance of maritime coastal security has been rec- chemicals transiting the Paci? c in Fiscal Year 2023.” ognized since the founding of the U.S. Alexander Hamilton,

Senator Baldwin continued: “In recent years, fentanyl has the ? rst Secretary of the Treasury, established the U.S. Coast killed thousands of Wisconsinites, devastating families and

Guard (initially as the Revenue Cutter Service) with a ? eet of communities in every corner of the state. I’ve heard from 10 ships in 1790. Writing in Federalist Paper No. 12, Hamil- mothers who lost children, cops and paramedics on the front ton emphasized the need for a force designed to enforce tariffs and prevent smuggling. Hamilton noted, “A few armed vessels, lines, and advocates – all demanding we do more to end this judiciously stationed at the entrances of our ports, might at a crisis.” She added: “This crisis demands a whole of govern- small expense be made useful sentinels of the laws.” ment effort and I’m pushing to ensure all law enforcement and

Alexander Hamilton’s Federalist Paper #12 (27 November 1787). armed forces are working in lockstep to protect our commu- nities. The Coast Guard plays a critical role in disrupting the private sector partners in the ? elds of technology, health global fentanyl supply chain, and I called this hearing today care, prevention, treatment, and education. The Federal to see how we can bolster their efforts, including stopping the government, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners ? ow of precursor chemicals from China.” and the private sector must work together to leverage our Maritime coastal security is much more than stopping drug resources in the ? ght against this deadly threat. The pri- ? ow. Protecting the Marine Transportation System (MTS) in- vate sector can play a key role combating the opioid crisis cludes security patrols as part of the Coast Guard’s Ports, Wa- by working with law enforcement to identify the ways in terways, & Coastal Security (PWCS) mission and safeguard- which criminals are exploiting legal platforms for illicit ing the cybersecurity of the Nation’s critical infrastructure. means and referring criminal activity to law enforcement. Non-state and state actors that wish to harm the U.S. recognize the vastness of U.S. coastlines and potential for exploitation.

But, with this threat and many others in the modern era, Smuggling with large and small hard-to-detect self-propelled there is a formal organization that serves as the de facto coast- semi-submersibles is a real threat and launching of air, surface, al “forti? cations” – these are the 37 Coast Guard Sectors, or underwater drone swarms from a state-sponsored mother- which include small boat stations, small boats, assorted air ship off the coast may seem unlikely today but is possible. components, networked command and control, and dedicated

Department of Homeland Security professionals. The Role of R&D in Maritime Coastal Security

Research and development (R&D) is a means to effective

The Mission of Maritime Coastal Security maritime coastal security. Maritime coastal security bene? ts

The mission of maritime coastal security is critical to the from R&D through its application of the scienti? c method to country's security, economic interests, and protecting its en- acquire knowledge to create/adapt new technology along with vironmental resources. Maritime coastal security involves the the necessary disciplines to solve security challenges through protection of our Nation’s coasts from a myriad of threats. applied research. R&D in maritime coastal security is impor-

These threats range from drug, human, and weapon smug- tant to the development of advanced surveillance and moni- gling, attacks on port facilities, illegal ? shing, and criminal toring systems. These systems enable authorities to detect activity. The Coast Guard plays a vital role in securing mari- and track suspicious vessels, monitor maritime traf? c, and re- time borders, and its efforts are focused on detecting and pre- spond quickly to security threats. R&D in sensors, radar, and venting various threats, including human smuggling, illegal satellite technologies has improved the accuracy and range ? shing, and the transportation of illicit drugs. Despite the sig- of surveillance systems, allowing for more effective moni- ni? cant challenges, the Coast Guard made notable progress in toring of coastal areas. One of the key principles that guide removing cocaine from the maritime environment, with over operational priorities and investments from the Coast Guard 96 metric tons removed in Fiscal Year 2023. Operational Posture 2024 calls for “evolving an operational

The service is equally committed to stopping the growing approach leveraging intelligence, information, and improved threat posed by fentanyl and precursor chemicals shipped from maritime domain awareness to shift from patrol and interdict

China. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WISCONSIN), who is to target and interdict.” The coupled use of arti? cial intelli- the Chair of the Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Fisher- gence and large language models to support intelligence and ies, Climate Change and Manufacturing, held a subcommittee the lowered bar to attaining space-based sensing capabilities hearing on the Coast Guard’s efforts to stop the ? ow of danger- will help facilitate this operational priority.

ous drugs. In her opening remarks the senator noted, “In recent R&D also plays a critical role in developing effective coun- years, the Coast Guard has demonstrated the ability to play a termeasures against maritime security threats, such as piracy, role in the tracking and removal of fentanyl and its precursor terrorism, and smuggling. For example, research into mate- chemicals while they are being shipped from China, including rials science and engineering has led to the development of contributing to the inspection of 460 metric tons of precursor advanced coatings and materials that can withstand explosive www.marinelink.com 37

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