|
California Department of Fish and Game offshore
patrol
efforts are
supported by a fleet of vessels including five
54 foot catamarans, two 65 foot monohulls and a
variety of smaller rigid hull inflatable's (RHIs).
All the large
boats are equipped with twin engines capable of
pushing the vessels to over 25 knots. They are
equipped with sophisticated electronics for
detecting vessels and communications. Each large
vessel is normally staffed by four personnel.
These vessels are tasked with patrolling
approximately 1100 miles of coastline. State
waters extend to three miles offshore, but
CDFG’s patrol area extends to 200 miles because
of Federal fisheries regulations that must also
be enforced.
This equates to a
patrol responsibility of approximately 220,000
square miles, or over 31,000 miles per boat.
While the primary duty of
each vessel is fisheries enforcement, they have
also been utilized for search and rescue,
homeland defense, and in support of public
safety operations.
After the events of
September 11th 2001, vessels were deployed
throughout California’s major ports to monitor
activity and support the War on Terror. These
patrols were conducted with United States Coast
Guard and other local agencies to monitor vessel
traffic and conduct vessel boarding's to detect
possible terrorist activity. CDFG personnel
worked around the clock for several weeks after
the initial attacks in New York.
Working with Federal,
State and local agencies, CDFG participated in
the first terrorism drill on the West Coast
involving a large cruise ship.
Working with agents from
the Federal Bureau of Investigation, USCG, and
local SWAT teams, CDFG boat crews reacted to a
terrorist event aboard a cruise ship targeting
the West coast.
The drill was successful
in establishing the protocols and identifying
the resources available for such a crisis.
Since this first drill,
CDFG vessels and crews have participated in the
escort of cruise ships in various ports
throughout California. CDFG vessels and crew
have also worked closely with USCG vessels to
assist in other projects dealing with homeland
security issues.
In September of 2002, CDFG was recognized by the
USCG and the US Department of Transportation for
its efforts in assisting during the aftermath of
9/11.
Frank Spear , the Chief of Enforcement for the
vessel program accepted a newly minted
“Transportation 9-11 Medal” from Secretary of
Transportation Norm Mineta.
The medal was meant to honor CDFG’s contribution
to the protection of two of California’s busiest
ports, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Working with the USCG, various CDFG vessels
patrolled San Francisco Bay protecting both the
San Francisco and Oakland airports, bridge
abutments and conducting vessel boarding's.
Other crews worked in Los Angeles assisting the
USCG in securing munitions ships, cargo ships,
oil tankers, cruise ships, and conducted
background checks on crews and passengers.
While remaining vigilant for terrorist activity
remains a priority, CDFG vessels have returned
to their primary mission of fisheries
enforcement. However, challenges remain that
have affected the patrol effort. New
legislation, such as the Marine Life Protection
Act (MLPA), the establishment of Marine
Protected Areas (MPAs), and Federal fisheries
legislation has over tasked the vessel program.
Coupled with the shortage in the warden force,
this has created problems for effective
enforcement in the offshore environment.
Vessels have been forced to remain tied to the
dock because of personnel shortages. Most
vessels are forced to “borrow” personnel from
other districts. This, in turn, creates
additional shortages. There must be a concerted
effort to recruit and retain adequate personnel
to staff the large patrol vessels as well as
maintain coverage along our coastline. The
resources must be allocated to effectively
patrol our large area of responsibility.
CDFG has the expertise to do this with proper
support. It is critical to the protection of
California’s coastline that CDFG receive assets
and personnel to do the job.
|
DONATE TO THE CFGWA - VIA PAYPAL
Donate to the California Fish and Game Wardens
Association
The
California Fish & Game Wardens Association (CFGWA) was
founded almost 70 years ago by Department Game Wardens
who saw the need for an employees' association. Still
going strong with over 200 members.
Please help
us to protect and preserve California's fisheries and
wildlife.
With less
than 200 Game Wardens in our state, California has the
lowest ratio of wardens per capita of all 50 states and
provinces of Canada.
The CFGWA
is struggling to turn this around, but we desperately
need your help. Please make a donation to our cause
through Pay Pal on this site. The CFGWA is a non-profit,
501(c)3 organization.
Help Us
Stop Polluters and Poachers.
Please give
wildlife a voice by donating today to the only
organization that works 24/7 to protect the natural
resources of the State of California.
We do make
a difference, and with your help, we can make more and
more of an impact each day.
Thank you.
For
instructions on how to make
payments, please
click here!!
|
