You can walk pretty much anywhere in Grand Haven and be quickly reminded of the relationship the community has with the Coast Guard . That’s because it is a relationship built on service that continues today.
When you think of the Coast Guard you probably think of a helicopter or boat speeding out into the great unknown to rescue a stranded group of boaters. And that is very true, but their job doesn’t end there. You might not know that they are also an active arm of law enforcement – intervening before a rescue is needed.
Andy Curtis“We do vessel safety examinations, so we don’t need probable cause to pull somebody over,” said U.S. Coast Guard Master Chief Petty Officer Kyle Thomas. “If someone is pulled over it doesn’t mean they’ve done anything wrong. We’re just checking to make sure you have your lifejackets, sound-producing signal, and those other requirements.”
And this outreach goes ashore too.
“I think everyone always thinks of the Coast Guard as a Search & Rescue Agency, and that’s what our primary goals are, we also get out with law enforcement, and ice rescue during the hard water season in the wintertime,” U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Alex Sheltra told FOX 17. “We do a lot of public outreach, get out into the community, talk to the kids at schools.”