Sector Charleston Response Department
The Response Department is responsible for the direction and employment of all assigned Coast Guard response forces. The Department is organized in two divisions:
Incident Management Division - (843) 740-3182 Ext. 3909
The Incident Management Division (IMD) manages Sector Charleston's multi-mission assets assigned to the 4 subordinate stations at Georgetown, Charleston, Tybee Island, and Brunswick. The I.M. Division leverages each of these resources to maintain the required state of readiness to respond to Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement, and Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security. The Incident Management Division also coordinates joint operations throughout the Sector's area of responsibility including responses to all hazard incidents and conducts training exercises of major regional emergency response plans with other agencies. IMD staff members also work with Coast Guard units to coordinate the activities of the nearly 750 Coast Guard Auxiliary members who contribute to our mission success via their voluntary work in the areas of search & rescue, boating safety. Additionally, IMD overseas Sector's Marine Environmental Response (MER) Division. MER's primary mission is to provide emergency response to pollution incidents in the navigable waters of the US. The MER Division ensures effective response actions are taken to control and remove actual or potential pollution threats and maintain the readiness of Sector Charleston's response equipment. The MER Division works with local, state, and federal agencies, such as The Environmental Protection Agency, South Carolina Department of Natural Recourses, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, and Charleston County COBRA Team to mitigate pollution by identifying the source, amount, and potential impact on public health and the environment. MER Division oversees federally funded pollution removal & clean-up operations and assists in the coordination of the Area Contingency Plan.
Enforcement Division - (843) 740-3182 Ext. 3831
The Enforcement Division's primary duties include protecting the coastline of South Carolina and Georgia from maritime security threats. The Enforcement Division conducts armed boardings, vessel escorts, and security zone enforcement on ships entering all ports in SC and GA. The goal is to ensure compliance with all applicable federal laws and regulations. Additionally, members conduct shore-side patrols, ensuring regulated facilities remain in compliance with required security measures. As members of Project Seahawk, Coast Guard Enforcement Boarding Officers work closely with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations ensuring maximum information sharing and joint operational planning. The Enforcement Division also oversees the Sector's two 87 foot Coastal Patrol Boats: Pompano and Yellowfin.