Coast Guard news & latest pictures from ibtimes.com.au

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of seven uniformed services.

The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission (with jurisdiction both domestically and in international waters) and a federal regulatory agency mission as part of its mission set. It operates under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime, and can be transferred to the Department of the Navy by the President or Congress during time of war.

The car ferry Norman Atlantic burns in waters off Greece December 28, 2014 in this handout photo provided by Marina Militare. Italian and Greek helicopter crews prepared to work through the night to airlift passengers in pairs off a burning ferry adrift i

Greece Burning Ferry: One Dead, Airlift Underway, To Be Towed To Italy

Airlift rescue operations continue on the burning Norman Atlantic off the island of Corfu.

The eye of Hurricane Arthur is seen over the Atlantic in this photo from the International Space Station tweeted by European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst July 3, 2014. The first hurricane of the Atlantic season gained strength on Thursday as it

Hurricane Arthur: Forecast to Reach Category 2 Storm; At Least 36 Counties in NC to be Affected; Thousands Relocate (PHOTOS)

Hurricane Arthur, the first hurricane of the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season, has forced the relocation of thousands in North Carolina as weather forecasters said it could reach Category 2 storm before it even makes landfall.

Migrants are seen aboard of the Italian frigate "Grecale" as it arrives at the Catania harbour in the Italian island of Sicily May 13, 2014. Italian naval and coast guard vessels recovered 14 bodies and rescued around 200 people after a migrant

Libya Migrant Shipwreck: Death Toll Near Italy Reaches 17, 200 Rescued

A migrant ship carrying at least 400 people sank 100 nautical miles south of the island of Lampedusa, in Southern Italy. At least 17 people died while 200 have been rescued, according to the Italian Navy.

A Buddhist nun comforts the crying family member of a missing passenger onboard the capsized Sewol ferry at a port in Jindo April 26, 2014. More than 300 people, most of them students and teachers from the Danwon High School, are dead or missing presumed

South Korea Ferry Disaster: Prime Minister Resigns (PHOTOS)

South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong Won has announced his resignation on Sunday, yielding to the nation's widespread anger over the poor and disorganized response to a ferry disaster on April 16 that killed hundreds of young lives.

A part of a South Korean passenger ship (C) that has been sinking, is seen at the sea off Jindo April 16, 2014. A passenger ferry carrying about 470 people was listing badly off South Korea's southwest coast and had sent a distress signal, a Korean coast

BREAKING NEWS: 50 Ships, Helicopters Race Against Time to Rescue 470 Onboard Sinking South Korean Ferry (PHOTOS)

Some 50 ships and helicopters are currently racing against time to rescue the 476 passengers aboard a sinking South Korean passenger ferry.

U.S. Military Women Now to Engage in Direct Frontline Combat and History’s Famous Female Soldiers (PHOTOS)

After 19 years, U.S. military women soldiers wanting to engage in direct frontline combat as their ultimate service and sacrifice to their country will now become a reality as the Pentagon on Wednesday terminated its ban on women serving in front-line combat roles.

In Pictures: Typhoon Washi Strikes the Philippines, Over 650 Dead and 900 Still Missing

Typhoon Washi, locally known as Sendong, struck the Philippines hard late last Friday and caused landslides and flash floods that killed over six hundred and fifty people.