MIAMI - Coast Guard members throughout the Seventh District will celebrate the contributions of the American maritime community in honor of National Maritime Day during events at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and in Savannah, Ga., Thursday.

Since 1933, National Maritime Day has served to remind Americans of our nation's maritime heritage and the importance of maritime commerce. The Coast Guard has been facilitating maritime commerce since our inception as the Revenue Cutter Service in 1790 and recognizes the unique relationship between the service and industry.

"The Coast Guard honors and respects the professionalism and commitment of the merchant mariner and recognizes them as key partners in facilitating maritime commerce," said Seventh Coast Guard District Commander, Rear Adm. Steve Branham. "With maritime trade expected to double by the year 2020 the Coast Guard will continue to work closely with our maritime partners to promote the safety, security, and prosperity of the maritime community." 

To that end, the Coast Guard published its five-year Marine Safety Performance Plan. The plan includes initiatives designed to improve the service's marine safety program by adding more than 230 positions nationwide for marine inspectors and investigators and improving the process to credential mariners.  The plan also has initiatives to improve towing vessel safety, develop standards for advanced boating education, pursue improved fishing vessel boarding processes and improve relationships with industry customers.   The ultimate goal is to develop and sustain a program that is responsive to mariners and the maritime community while being the model of effectiveness and efficiency that other maritime nations seek to emulate.

For opportunities to experience the Coast Guard's marine safety mission in action, contact the Public Affairs office at (305) 415-6683.   

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Guarding the coast and saving lives since 1790 -- the United States Coast Guard
More than one million lives saved.