President Obama signs Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010

Friday, October 15, 2010

Posted by: Christopher Lagan

Earlier today, President Obama signed into law the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010. The signing of this bill gives the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Bob Papp, authorities to make changes and operate the Coast Guard to better serve the public.

“The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 provides us with authority to enhance the safety of U.S. ports and waterways, acquisition assistance to acquire state-of-the-art ships and aircraft to patrol America’s waters, and tools to promote individual readiness, including improvements to our family housing and child development centers,” said Adm. Papp  in an ALCOAST on the subject adding, “I am particularly pleased with the modernization authority—it will allow us to finish our organizational realignment and enhance our ability to meet the high demand for our services.”

Finishing organizational realignment of the service means using the best processes to ensure Coast Guard men and women have the training, tools, and leadership necessary to safely and successfully fulfill our missions of maritime safety, security and stewardship.

Additional authorities granted within the Act validate the Coast Guard’s decision to take control of the process to replace aging cutters and aircraft, providing our men and women in uniform with state of the art platforms to conduct Coast Guard missions.

Finally, and significantly, the Act bolsters the Coast Guard’s authorities when it comes to combating smugglers of people and narcotics attempting to violate U.S. territorial waters.

“I could not be more pleased with this Authorization Act and want to thank the Administration and Congress for their support,” said Papp. “The Act will help us remain always ready well into the future.”

Click here for more on the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010.

  • Tom Chaney

    I served in the Coast Guard during the ’70s. We had to make do with a lot of aging equipment and ships. I am glad to see this renewel begin.

  • Ray D. Lafferty

    Great to se the new Act of 2010! Now innovative and more modern technologies can be invested into. The USCG will be better able to conduct its increased responsibilities with illegal immigration, the War on Terrorism and other duties imperative to America’s national interests.

  • deb dey

    The Coast Guard Authorization Act is likely to step up the security of the U.S. ports and therefore by signing the law, President Obama has done a commendable job that will certainly help him to counter infiltration attempts and to thwart any chances of terrorist attacks.

  • Doug Alston

    Thank you Mr President. This is where our tax dollars need to be spent. We seem to give money and equipment to all the third world countries to improve their situation but ask more and more of the boys in blue in terms of mission and protection when they have thirty year old ships to work with.

  • Dmytry

    As Deb Dey wrote the main goals of this act are terrorism prevention and enforcement of immigration and drugs traffic control. At present time most of drugs couriers are equiped better of Coast Guard. It seems it was absolutelly necessary to sign this act years ago.

  • jesse ortega

    Hey Tom- we still have all your old equipment you probably thought was old then. A renewal could come soon enough.