U-Boats, Bootleggers, and Buoys: The History of the Coast Guard in New York Harbor | Episode 119

To mark the 230th birthday of the United States Coast Guard, we’re looking back at the history of the “always ready” service. Due to New York’s position as one of the country’s largest ports, the Coast Guard has ensured its safety and security for more than two centuries, and today they have the largest presence of any military service branch in New York City. We will share stories of the Coast Guard fighting U-boats in both World Wars, hunting bootleggers during Prohibition, and ensuring the safe navigation of the harbor for everybody from container ships to kayakers. We will also be joined by Coast Guard veteran Ramon Ortiz, who served aboard the icebreaking tug USCGC Sturgeon Bay and in Coast Guard Sector New York.

• History of the Coast Guard
• Lilac Preservation Project
• PortSide New York Red Hook WaterStories
• National Lighthouse Museum
• Jack Dempsey and the Manhattan Beach Coast Guard Training Center
• Naval History, “The Coast Guard’s World War II Crucible”