United States Coast Guard
Our February 1st program was John Dwyer, Chief of the Inspection Division, Sector Seattle, United States Coast Guard. The geographical area of responsibility for the Coast Guard in this area is Washington, northern Idaho and Montana. The United States Coast Guard Puget Sound Sector was created in 2005. They moved into their new offices in August 2006 (Pier 36) with further consolidation coming in 2010. Ice breaking isn't part of their responsibility but there is an icebreaker cutter located here.
The United States Coast Guard Puget Sound Sector includes 3,500 sq. miles, 2,500 deep draft ship arrivals, 1,600 Alaskan Fleet bots, 1.3 million recreational boats, 4.1 containers through Seattle/Tacoma plus 2 national marine sanctuaries, 15 million gallons of oil moved annually, is the third largest domestic port, the Washington Ferry System with 23 vessels and 24 million riders per year and 14 Tribal Councils. Responsibilities include Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Everett, Bellingham and Seattle.
Inspections include US flag inspections of 650 vessels fleet of responsibility, over 340 safety exams and 320 security exams. Towing vessels, 225 vessel fleet, fishing vessels, 2,800 vessels plus waterfront facilities of over 113 and 350 exams. Domestic inspections include Ride the Duck of Seattle with 18 certified vessels, barges, the Washington State Ferry System which is the largest in the nation with 520 transits per day on ten routes, including 40 transits per day with 500+ passengers totaling over 24 million passengers. They partner with the Seattle Fire Department and responsibilities include marine casualty investigations, waterways management, waterborne security and environmental impact.
John Dwyer is the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection and Chief of the Inspection Division at the United States Coast Guard Puget Sound. He has over 35 years of maritime experience. Dwyer is a Department of Homeland Security Senior Fellow. He was a Captain in the United States Coast Guard Reserve, retiring in 2005 while serving as the Pacific Area Reserve Chief of Staff. He holds a bachelor's degree from Gonzaga University and a master's degree from the University of Washington, School of Marine Affairs.