If Pittsburgh isn’t on the coast, why is the U.S. Coast Guard here?

By Jack Etzel

Commander Wyman W. Briggs
U.S. Coast Guard in Pittsburgh

The above question is just one of many we wanted to ask the commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard in Pittsburgh, Commander Wyman W. Briggs. You might wonder why the U.S. Coast Guard is even here, but Pittsburgh happens to be the second busiest inland port in the country, second only to Baltimore; yes, even bigger in tonnage than Philadelphia. We sought to get Commander Briggs’ perspective on the Coast Guard’s presence in Pittsburgh.

North Hills Monthly Magazine: What is the size of the Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit here?
Commander Wyman Briggs: Compared to most units, we are relatively small. We have twenty active-duty, plus thirty reservists who draw one weekend a month, plus two weeks a year, and about two hundred auxiliarists, who are volunteers working with us. In Sewickley we have two boats, one is a 24-foot Boston Whaler, as well as a 21-foot workboat.

NHMM: Let’s begin with the basics, Commander Briggs. Why is the Coast
Guard here?
Cdr. Briggs: We cover 325-miles of commercial rivers here in the Pittsburgh area, which includes 125-miles of the Ohio River down to the Hannibal lock and dam. Our main focus is on commercial vessel traffic. Seventy percent of that is coal being moved in barges. The Coast Guard inspects most of those vessels. We also inspect just about everything from the Gateway Clipper fleet to barges pushing chemicals and petroleum. So, that’s one of our roles, assuring the safety of commercial river traffic.

NHMM: Has the role of the Coast Guard increased or tightened up since 9/11?
Cdr. Briggs: It certainly has. Post 9/11, security has become a major focus for us. That would involve chemical barges moving through this area, passenger vessels that might be moving a thousand people. We also are present for security at major events. Those would include the Pittsburgh Regatta, the Bass-Masters Classic that was here last summer, as well as the All Star Game this year, and any other major event that would require riverside security. We also have a response role in terms of any oil spills, or chemical spills.

NHMM: One of the premises of this article was wondering if road rage extends to the rivers. Does the Coast Guard get involved in drunken driving or dangerous driving on the rivers?
Cdr. Briggs: Certainly. Recreational boats do not have to be licensed, but all commercial vessels do. In fact, the professional mariners work under stringent requirements. But we deal with much of the same issues when it comes to, say, boating while intoxicated. We do have the authority to apprehend folks for that. And, if there’s ever a casualty on the rivers, we make use of breathalyzers, which we carry. If it’s a professional mariner who’s involved, we can take action against their license. We do have the authority to apprehend folks. But, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has the lead when it comes to operating a small boat while intoxicated. Unfortunately, last summer we had a couple of casualties because of recreational boaters who were under the influence of alcohol among other things. There are laws about boating just as about driving. We have speed limits on the rivers, for example.

NHMM: What happens in those cases of drunken driving on the river? Is it a case for the police or Coast Guard?
Cdr Briggs: It’s a bit of both. Obviously, if it’s a licensed mariner we have the lead and conduct an investigation. But, most of the smaller recreational or fishing boats, the police have the same authority; the same rules apply as they do on the road. They can get a ticket, and may have to pay a fine.

NHMM: In 1986 the Pittsburgh Rescue Unit was formed, combining police, divers, paramedics into one organization. Your paths must cross from time to time.
Cdr. Briggs: We work together all the time. Earlier this year Robert McCaughan who helped found the Pittsburgh Rescue Unit, is also the chief of Pittsburgh EMS, and he co-chairs the Area Maritime Security Committee with me. That focuses specifically on security issues, but similarly we had representatives from River Rescue in our office for three days, teaching them how to manage a major incident response. River Rescue is our partner for any major event, and we do a lot of training with them.

NHMM: Here, and elsewhere, it strikes me that the Coast Guard maintains a somewhat closer relationship with the civilian population, than the other branches of the service.
Cdr. Briggs: Based on my own twenty years of experience I would say that’s true. It’s very rare that someone in the Coast Guard would live on a military base. A hundred percent of us here in Pittsburgh live in the community. We’re often very active in those communities. I currently coach six different sports teams, and I’m involved in scouting and a lot more.

NHMM: How’s Pittsburgh duty?
Cdr. Briggs: It’s absolutely great duty. At least a quarter of our staff is from this area, so that really works well for them. My Executive Officer, Lieutenant Justin Covert, is from the area. Another thing that’s obvious is that it’s a patriotic place. When you’re on the street in uniform it’s not unusual for people to shake your hand, or just smile and nod approvingly. You don’t get that everywhere in the world.