Mohawk Script: Page 12

A Day in the Life of the Mohawk
Script Page 12

Video	Audio
	(Narrator) Smallest of America's five armed services, the Coast Guard is the primary federal agency with maritime authority for the United States.
	(Narrator) The Coast Guard is divided into nine divisions, each with it's area of responsibility. (Narrator) The Mohawk is attached to the Seventh District, headquartered in Miami Florida.
	(Narrator) From its home base in Key West, Florida, the Mohawk is responsible for patrolling the waters of Southern Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean Sea. About 750,000 square miles in area, the Caribbean Sea is a major trade route for Latin American countries.
	(Narrator) The Windward Passage between Cuba and Haiti is the primary shipping route between the United States and the Panama Canal. Although the great majority of vessels passing through this area are legitimate commercial ships, fishing boats and pleasure craft, these waters also serve as the principal route for drugs and illegal migrants into the United States.
	(Narrator)Accordingly, the US Coast Guard has a crucial interest in patrolling this area. The role of the Mohawk is to locate, board and inspect vessels passing through these waters.
	(MUSIC)
	(Narrator) The coordination of the patrol, as well as the bearing and speed of the ship is directed by the bridge.