Coast Guard Station Burlington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coast Guard Station Burlington |
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| Coordinates | 44°28′50″N 73°13′27″W / 44.48056°N 73.22417°W |
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| Built | 1948 |
The Coast Guard Station Burlington, Vermont is an important base for the United States Coast Guard. This station helps keep people safe and follows rules on the water. It started in 1948 as a small station with four people on Juniper Island. Today, the station is located right on the waterfront in Burlington, Vermont. Its current building was built in 1993.
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What Does the Coast Guard Do?
The United States Coast Guard is a special part of the military that protects our waters. They have many important jobs, like helping people in trouble, enforcing laws, and keeping waterways clear. Coast Guard Station Burlington helps with these jobs on Lake Champlain.
Protecting Lake Champlain
Coast Guard Station Burlington's main job is to look after Lake Champlain. This large lake is shared by Vermont, New York, and even Canada. The Coast Guard helps make sure everyone can enjoy the lake safely. They are always ready to respond to emergencies.
Search and Rescue Missions
One of the most important jobs of the Coast Guard is search and rescue. If someone gets lost on the lake, or if a boat breaks down, the Coast Guard is called. They quickly go out to find people and bring them to safety. This often involves using their special boats and trained crews.
Keeping the Waters Safe (Law Enforcement)
The Coast Guard also helps enforce maritime law. This means they make sure people follow the rules for boating and fishing. They check that boats have the right safety gear. They also stop illegal activities on the water. This helps keep everyone safe and protects the lake's environment.
Breaking the Ice
During winter, Lake Champlain can freeze over. The Coast Guard Station Burlington also performs ice rescue missions. This means they are trained to help people who might fall through the ice. They also help break up ice to keep shipping lanes open when needed. This is a very specialized and dangerous job.
Tools of the Trade: Their Boats
To do their jobs, the Coast Guard Station Burlington uses special boats. They currently operate two main types of vessels. One is a 29-foot RBSII, which stands for Response Boat-Small II. This boat is fast and good for quick responses. The other is a 45-foot RBM, or Response Boat-Medium. This boat is larger and can handle more challenging conditions on the lake. Both boats are designed for speed, safety, and rescue operations.
