Coast Guard Station Detroit

• Established in 1874: Coast Guard Station Detroit was originally founded in 1874, making it one of the oldest Coast Guard stations on the Great Lakes. • Located on Belle Isle: The current station is situated on Belle Isle, a historic island park in the Detroit River, providing strategic coverage of the busy waterway between the U.S. and Canada. • Major Search and Rescue Hub: The station is a primary Search and Rescue (SAR) facility, responding to dozens of emergencies each year across the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, and western Lake Erie. • Role in Prohibition: During the Prohibition era (1920-1933), the station played a key role in intercepting rumrunners smuggling alcohol across the river from Canada. • Border Security Mission: As part of Sector Detroit, the unit works closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to secure the U.S.-Canada border. • Ice Rescue Expertise: The station is renowned for its ice rescue operations, training Coast Guard personnel and local first responders in specialized cold-water rescue techniques. • Vessel Fleet: The unit operates 45-foot Response Boat-Mediums (RB-Ms), 29-foot Response Boat-Smalls (RB-S), and smaller ice rescue craft to cover its diverse mission set. • 9/11 Response: After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Station Detroit increased patrols and security operations to safeguard vital infrastructure and waterways in the Detroit area. • Community Engagement: The station regularly participates in local events, educational outreach, and boating safety programs to foster positive relations with Detroit’s maritime community. • Part of the Great Lakes Legacy: Station Detroit is part of the U.S. Coast Guard’s long-standing presence on the Great Lakes, protecting mariners, the environment, and the border in one of the nation’s busiest inland waterways.