US Coast Guard Station Key West (Key West, Florida)

 military, United States Coast Guard

101 Trumbo Point Rd.
Key West, FL 33040
(305) 292-8856
www.uscg.mil/d7/staKeyWest/

USCG Station Key West is a major base in the US Coast Guards 7th District, and is the base of operations for US Coast Guard Sector Key West.

The unit can trace its history back to 1824 when a 63-foot schooner named Florida sailed into the Port of Key West, establishing a permanent station in Key West. Working for the Key West Collector of Customs, the Florida and its crew collected maritime tariffs, chased pirates, prevented smuggling and rescued those in distress at sea.The U.S. Coast Guard was established in 1915, combining the Revenue Cutter Service and the U.S. Life Saving Services. The Coast Guard increased its strength during the nine year Prohibition Era adding numerous craft and people. In 1939 the Service grew even larger when the Lighthouse Service was merged with the Coast Guard, establishing what is now known as the Captain of the Port Key West. Originally located on the water front at Mallory Square, Coast Guard offices moved to their current location at Trumbo Point in 1977. The Coast Guard base has continued to grow adding more vessels and people to keep up with the growing community and increased maritime activity.

In August 2004, Sector Key West officially stood up. The Sector was created from combining the resources of Group Key West and Marine Safety Detachment Marathon and authorities from Marine Safety Office Miami. This transition improved the Coast Guard’s ability to provide for the safety and security of the South Florida community.

Sector Key West is a unified command consisting of two patrol boats, eight duel crews, three small boat stations, an Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) and three staff departments. The Sector Commander performs the duties of Search and Rescue (SAR) Mission Coordinator (SMC), Captain of the Port (COTP), Federal Maritime Security Coordinator (FMSC), Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) and Officer in Charge. Marine Inspection (OCMI). Sector Key West has a unique area of responsibility; 55,000 square miles that borders the territorial seas of Cuba and the Bahamas

www.uscg.mil/d7/sectKeyWest/default.asp