Effectiveness of Vaccination Against Reported SARS-CoV-2 Infection in United States Coast Guard Personnel Between May and August 2021: A Time-Series Analysis

Background: The United States Coast Guard (CG) began voluntary use of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines under an Emergency Use Authorization on December 16, 2020. Vaccination status is monitored through a service-wide immunization registry. Active Duty and Reserve (military) CG members are required to report any new positive test for COVID-19 to a centralized database. Methods: Between May and August 2021, vaccination effectiveness (VE) against any new report of COVID-19 was calculated according to standard formulas, using registry immunization status of cases and monthly mid-point vaccine coverage data. CG members recorded as fully vaccinated with a two-dose vaccine were compared with those with any other vaccine status. Sub-analyses were also conducted according to geographic area (Atlantic vs Pacific), age, and type of vaccine received. Results: Effectiveness of full vaccination reached a peak of 89.0% in June, then declined over the rest of the study period to 62.7% in August. In July and August, steeper declines in VE were seen in the Atlantic region. The rate of breakthrough infections remained under 1% in two-dose vaccine recipients, and did not differ between those who received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines. No hospitalizations or deaths due to COVID-19 disease were recorded in fully vaccinated Coast Guard members. Conclusions: Coincident with the national spread of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, overall vaccine effectiveness among CG personnel decreased during the summer months of 2021, but continued to provide substantial protection, as well as full protection against the most serious outcomes. Policy initiatives and outreach intended to increase vaccine coverage within this and other military populations could extend the disease prevention benefits seen in this study.

Pollution From Commercial Vessels Machinery Space Bilges

Over the past decade, the United States Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England (SENE) along with state and local partner agencies in the New Bedford, Massachusetts area have been attempting to understand commercial vessel's inability to comply with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) regarding oily bilge waste and proper disposal options. The regulations have been in effect since 1983 requiring oceangoing vessels of less than 400 gross tons to have the capacity to retain all oily mixtures onboard or install an approved oily water separator (OWS) equipment for processing oily mixtures from bilges. New Bedford, MA is the homeport to over 400 commercial fishing vessels within a 2 square mile port area. The circumstances in New Bedford are considered to be representative of most ports for vessels less than 400 gross tons nationwide. Sector SENE has used various mechanisms to educate the local commercial vessel fleet owners and operators. The education includes the issuance of Marine Safety Information Bulletin 03-18 by Coast Guard Headquarters (United States Coast Guard, 2018). In 2012, the Partner Agency - Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection created and funded the Bilge-Pump-Out Program. This voluntary program provides commercial vessels with free oily bilge waste disposal services. Previously, there was no established “permanent” solution to the pervasive oily discharge problem and bad practice of illegally disposing of oily waste directly from commercial vessel bilges overboard into U.S. navigable waterways. In conjunction with local authorities having jurisdiction, Sector SENE began a focused pollution prevention and enforcement effort. Several pollution cases were forwarded to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and fines of over 1 million dollars have been issued for the illegal practices. The culmination of educational outreach, surge operations and coordinated interagency efforts have led to the initial levels of compliance.

Crossing Interagency Lines

Coast guard and navies, despite their varying missions, doctrine, and asset composition, share the responsibility of monitoring and defending coastal States from intrusions by foreign vessels into territorial waters. This shared responsibility has taken on added significance over the last decade due to the increasing challenge posed by gray zone actions by maritime actors in East Asia. States now desire greater coast guard-naval cooperation to address such actions, especially near disputed territory where policy-makers seek to contain the challenge using law enforcement, not military means. Yet for most States, the nature of this delineation has not been adequately addressed or is still being determined. Using the region of East Asia as a case study, and drawing upon interoperability linkages with the United States Coast Guard (USCGG) and United States Navy, this paper proposes that greater coordination and interoperability between navies and coast guards should be pursued among States in the region as one prescription to address gray zone challenges. While significant investments in training, C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence) and legal authorities are necessary in the long term to achieve true interoperability, this paper proposes steps that states can take to enhance existing linkages.

“Corps” leadership: a cadet perspective on shared leadership

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to enhance understanding of shared leadership in a military academy setting. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative methodology was selected to ask senior cadets about a shared leadership concept at the United States Coast Guard Academy, known as the “corps leading the corps.” Cadets responded to, “what does the corps leading the corps mean to you?” via a paper and pencil survey. Cadet responses were coded using content analysis. Findings Three higher-order dimensions emerged from the data: autonomy and empowerment, developing self and others, and role modeling. Originality/value The paper provides emerging leaders’ commentary to incorporating a shared leadership concept within an educational environment.