COMMUNITY

Happy Birthday to the U.S. Coast Guard!

By: KATHERINE M. CLEMENTS

On Aug. 4, 2023, the U.S. Coast Guard celebrated the 233rd anniversary of its inception. The Coast Guard has stood watch and kept the nation’s waterways safe, playing an important role in our nation’s security. This commemorates nearly two and a half centuries of valor and discipline.

Since 1790, the U.S. Coast Guard has been tasked with patrolling coasts and conducting law enforcement, security, and defense operations, safety and marine environmental protection, executing security op- erations, and successfully being rst responders.

Over the years and still today, our Coast Guard heroes’ courage, dedication, and vigilance have been re ected in their motto, Semper Paratus , meaning “Always Ready.”

Alexander Hamilton established the foundation for today’s Coast Guard. Hamilton was an American military ocer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the rst Secretary of the Treasury from 1789 to 1795 during George Washington’s presidency. Hamilton proposed the formation of the Revenue Marine, a seagoing military service that would enforce customs and navigation laws, collect tari s, hail inbound ships, make inspections, and certify manifests.

On Board With J.R. Johnson

President George Washington signed the Tari Act that authorized the construction of ten vessels to enforce federal tari and trade laws and to prevent smuggling, o cially launching the U.S. Coast Guard’s duties.

For those wishing to send a thank you card to the U.S. Coast Guard and wish it a happy birthday, please visit https://help.coastguard- foundation.org/thanks/?utm_ source=2308birth-ea1&utm_ medium=email&utm_campaign=rkd-23-stewardship. To learn more about the U.S. Coast Guard, please visit https:// uscga.edu/.

Letters/Online Comments

SoCal Classics: Brushfire (MARCH 2018)

“Worked with Capt Mueller for years. He was very kind and always a pleasure to work with. I boarded the Brush re while visiting for his retirement party. It was his pride and joy & I could see why, beautiful sailboat.”

—Darlene

Ask a Maritime Attorney: Am I protected by the new COVID-19 relief laws? (DEC. 10-23, 2021)

“Hi can a marina just double the slip rate overnight after 6 years as tenant?”

—Kevin

Gillies

RE: SCE Catalina Water Pipeline Project (AUG. 4-17)

“That sounds like a good idea.”

—Edward Arthur