3. The U.S. Coast Guard has five central missions: search and rescue, preservation of national marine resources, enforcement of federal laws at sea, ship safety in American waters, and national defense. The first of these is recognized as its main job, but dealing with pollution and preserving marine resources takes the largest share of its budget.

An article in The Economist, commenting on a 1999 budget request presenta-

tion by Admiral Robert Kramek (the request was for $2.77 billion), proclaimed:

He dwelt on something rare in the armed services: results. In the past four years,

he proudly informed the legislators, the Coast Guard has saved 20,000 lives and

$9.3 billion in property, seized 370,000 pounds of illicit drugs, interdicted (or as-

sisted) 75,000 foreigners trying to enter America, reported 64,000 cases of marine

pollution and checked 59,000 fishing boats for possible catch violations.