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U.S. Coast Guard at LAWDOG®
Armed Civilians, Except During War
Under the Department of Transportation, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) is a large armed civilian force which performs numerous reponsibilities and missions, not the least of which involves the saving of countless lives in daring emergency and disaster rescues. In case of a declaration of war or when the President directs, the Coast Guard operates as a service in the Navy, and continues until the President, by Executive order, transfers the Coast Guard back to the Department of Transportation.
Cutting Smuggling
The suppression of smuggling was one of the reasons for the formation of the U.S. Coast Guard’s first fleet of revenue cutters in 1790. While U.S. Customs has primary responsibility for collecting customs duties, the U.S. Coast Guard also has responsibility for prevention of maritime smuggling. The U.S. Coast Guard is authorized by law to enforce all U.S. Customs laws, and its officers and petty officers are authorized to act as customs officers.
Enforcement and Investigation
Although a vessel may be subject to enforcement jurisdiction of agencies including U.S. Customs,  Immigration and Naturalization Service,   U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, marine patrols, and Wildlife and Fisheries agents, the agency with the widest jurisdiction is the U.S. Coast Guard. 19 U.S. Code Section 1581a, the Customs Enforcement Statute, applies in the "customs waters" of the United States, where the Coast Guard may board, and examine any vessel, person,or cargo. If a violation of American law is found, the vessel may be seized and the persons on board may be prosecuted in American courts. Under the 1980 Marijuana on the High Seas Act, U.S. officials assert jurisdiction over vessels documented under U.S. laws, owned in whole or in part by a U.S. citizen or corporation (unless granted nationality by another nation), and vessels without nationality.
The Coast Guard investigates marine casualties to determine causation. Such investigations can result in  disciplinary actions or criminal charges for licensed captain, and other seamen, and may be given weight in civil actions. In an investigation, the Coast Guard may subpoena witnesses and documents, and examine property. The Coast Guard may perform random drug and alcohol tests of licensed captains and crew members, and even recreational boaters involved in collisions and accidents. The current blood-alcohol level considered to indicate intoxication is .10%, but the Coast Guard may apply a lower state definition of intoxication where appropriate.

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