Area of Responsibility: Sector's area of responsibility extends from the Salmon and Snake Rivers in the east (Idaho) down the Columbia River to coastal Oregon and Washington.

Sector Columbia River executes virtually the full range of Coast Guard missions in a uniquely challenging and complex maritime environment. Its Command Center overlooks the world famous Columbia River Bar and "Graveyard of the Pacific". The Sector ensures Maritime Safety, Security and Environmental Protection from the Pacific Ocean to coastal Oregon and southern Washington and associated ports, and throughout the Columbia, Snake and Willamette River systems to Idaho.

Among the Sector's many missions are Search and Rescue; Marine Inspection; Waterways Management; Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security; Law Enforcement; Marine Environmental Protection and Response; Aids to Navigation; Boating and Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety; and Living Marine Resources.

Sector Columbia River executes these missions along 420 miles of coast, 465 miles of inland rivers and 33 ports with a workforce of 500 Active Duty, 105 Reserve, 29 Civilian and 890 volunteer Auxiliary personnel.

Our primary maritime stakeholders include deep draft shipping, ports and terminals, charter and commercial fishing vessels, the towboat and barge industry, recreational boaters and all others who benefit from, utilize and enjoy our waters.

The Astoria Regional Airport in Warrenton, OR serves as the Sector's Headquarters and home to the Sector Commander, who also serves as Captain of the Port, Federal Maritime Security Coordinator, Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator, Officer in Charge of Marine Inspection, and Federal On Scene Coordinator. Components of the Sector in Warrenton include the Air Station, Command Center, and Response and Logistics Departments.

Sector Logistics provides Supply, Administration, Medical, Chaplain, Naval and Civil Engineering, Communications and other support functions to Sector Columbia River and other area units. The Sector Prevention Department, which includes Inspections, Investigations and Waterways Management, is Marine Safety Unit Portland, Oregon, a two hour drive from the Sector proper.

In addition to Marine Safety Unit Portland, other Sector Columbia River subunits include three surf stations (Stations Tillamook Bay, OR; Cape Disappointment, WA and Grays Harbor, WA); Station Portland, OR; Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) Astoria, OR and Kennewick, WA; and the buoy tender BLUEBELL, home ported in Portland, OR.

The Sector's primary operational assets are its dedicated people. Additional assets include MH-60T Jayhawk Helicopters (3); 52 ft Heavy Weather Motor Life Boats (2); 47 ft Motor Life Boats (7); 29 ft Response Boats (8); 26 ft Trailerable Aids to Navigation Boats (2); 20 ft Small ATON Boats (2); 16 ft Skiff ATON Boat (1).