Border Crossings

摘要

The 9th Coast Guard District once had the reputation as the "sleepy 9th." But that changed in the aftermath of 9/11. Since the terrorist attacks, "we've got this entire homeland security issue at play up here in the Great Lakes, and it really sort of dominates our thinking and how we carry out the remainder of our [traditional] missions," said Rear Adm. Robert J. Papp Jr., who in May 2004 took command of the district — which encompasses the Great Lakes basin that includes Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. Those traditional missions include marine safety and search and rescue — there are some 5.4 million recreational boats in the 9th's area of responsibility — aids to navigation, ice breaking, maritime security and marine inspections, among others.