Coast Guard Foundation - http://coastguardfoundation.org
Donated Boats Continue Service at the Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Academy
http://coastguardfoundation.org/articles/8/1/Donated-Boats-Continue-Service-at-the-Coast-Guard-Maritime-Law-Enforcement-Academy/Page1.html
Coast Guard Foundation
The Coast Guard Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1969. It was initially created to provide funds for academic, athletic, and morale needs of the Coast Guard Academy and its cadets which were not covered by federal operational funding. In 1986, the Foundation expanded its charter to support projects that enhance the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families. The Foundation is governed by a Board of 100 Trustees from all parts of the country. The Trustees elect from their members a 30 person Board of Directors to oversee the management of the Foundation. Located in Stonington, Connecticut, the Foundation employs a staff of ten civilians responsible for meeting the Foundation’s objectives and working closely with the Coast Guard on all issues.
 
By Coast Guard Foundation
Published on 09/19/2008
 
Two boats were recently accepted by the Coast Guard Foundation for use at the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Academy (MLE). A Columbia 43 sailboat donated by Joseph Buongiorno arrived on the grounds the beginning of June and a 37’ Egg Harbor donated by Peter and Fay Bisson will arrive in July. They will serve in the MLE fleet as training vessels. The mission of the MLE is to prepare Coast Guard personnel to perform as Boarding Officers and Boarding Team Members. The school provides a range of training, from criminal law and use of force to board team member certification and the use of radiation detection equipment.
Two boats were recently accepted by the Coast Guard Foundation for use at the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Academy (MLE). A Columbia 43 sailboat donated by Joseph Buongiorno arrived on the grounds the beginning of June and a 37’ Egg Harbor donated by Peter and Fay Bisson will arrive in July. They will serve in the MLE fleet as training vessels. The mission of the MLE is to prepare Coast Guard personnel to perform as Boarding Officers and Boarding Team Members. The school provides a range of training, from criminal law and use of force to board team member certification and the use of radiation detection equipment.
 
The U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Academy was commissioned in 2004 at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Charleston, SC. It was created by relocating and merging the Maritime Law Enforcement School in Yorktown, VA and the Boarding Team Member School in Petaluma, CA. It is one of nine federal law enforcement academies nationwide that are accredited by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation (FLETA) process.
 
The training center has eleven (11) boats on platforms for students to get accustomed to working in small spaces. Two boats that are currently used in their program came from the Foundation in 2004. One is a 28’ Pace Maker and the other is a 40’ Trojan powerboat.
With security and law enforcement an ever-present responsibility especially in a post-September 11 era, keeping the Coast Guard men and women who conduct these missions safe is a top priority. The MLE is striving to make the training as realistic as possible, to keep themselves and their boarding team safe.