[Mike P]

Reading between the lines of the Journal article, it seems like the heavy budget cuts the Coast Guard has suffered are really hitting home. Unfortunately, most politicians seem to under appreciate the armed service that is the most important in peacetime to we who live and play along the coast. More lives will be lost, more environmental damage will occur (due to both delayed or ineffective response and less stringent enforcement) and many fisheries violators will operate with impunity because the sea-going smokies can't do their job.