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Unit Information For Coast Guard Personnel
Activities Europe Welcome Aboard PackageLocated on the Maas River, Rotterdam is one of the largest ports in the world and home to people from 162 countries, including 26 Coast Guardsmen and their families. Established in 1995, Activities Europe is primarily responsible for two vital missions, Marine Inspections and International Port Security. Together these two departments represent the Coast Guard throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Our Marine Inspectors conduct accident investigations, inspect U. S. flagged merchant ships and work with European manufacturers of life saving equipment to earn Coast Guard approvals. Our International Port Security Liaison Officers (IPSLO’s) work with the U. S. Embassy, foreign government officials and port representatives to improve security procedures, facilitate dialogue and share best practices with our international partners in order to focus attention on enhanced port security worldwide.
Living abroad provides an excellent opportunity to experience the world in a whole new way. Rotterdam is a thoroughly modern city known for its unique architecture and many fine museums. It plays host to international sporting events such as the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament and the Rotterdam Marathon, and boasts an impressive line-up of festivals, including Jazz International and the International Film Festival. The summer is an especially busy time of year with World Port Days, Summer Carnival, Beach at the Maas and other events celebrating the international population and identity of the city.
Rotterdam offers a well connected line of metros, trams and buses that make commuting by public transportation easy and convenient. The Dutch are avid cyclists and for those seeking a healthier alternative, extensive bike paths make it safe and easy to ride almost anywhere. Those interested in traveling further afield have convenient access to commuter and high speed trains, as well as nearby ferries and a regional airport. As a result, many of Europe’s greatest travel destinations such as London, Paris, and Rome, are only a few hours away.
Housing: Housing on the economy is
readily available and OHA entitlements easily cover the cost. Homes are not
as large as in the U.S. and are usually 3 or 4 bedrooms with the 4th room being quite small.
What these houses lack in size they make up for in
charm… the view from many homes includes canals, a windmill, or other Dutch
scenes that seems straight from a Vermeer painting. The Army’s Housing
Office staff will help members search for properties, make appointments with
agents and assist with contract negotiations.
Facilities: Activities Europe is
co-located with the U. S. Army’s 598th Transportation Command. A
small shoppette, library, mail services, craft room and gym can be found in
the building. The nearest military bases are the U.S. Army Garrison in Chievres, Belgium and the U.S. Army Garrison in Schinnen, The Netherlands. “Space A” flights are available at Ramstein
AFB in Germany.
Unit History
The U.S. Coast Guard arrived permanently in Europe near the end of World War II at the request of the Department of State in order to handle a large influx of U.S. merchant ships and U.S. merchant seaman. Numerous Merchant Marine Details (MMDs) were established in British and European ports. After the war, the MMD functions declined, eventually leaving only MMDs in London, England; Bremerhaven, Germany; and Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
After the completion of Sea-Land’s fast SL-7 Type Fast Sealift Ships constructed in Bremen and Rotterdam in the mid-1970s, all remaining MMDs in Europe were closed and a Marine Inspection Office (MIO) was opened in Rotterdam in 1975. That office was the first MIO established outside the United States and its primary mission was to meet the needs of overseas construction of U.S. commercial vessels and Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs), and to provide overseas inspections of existing U.S. flag vessels. Another new Coast Guard command, Activities Europe (ACTEUR), was created in London in the middle 1960s to support the USCG’s international mission in Europe and to command and coordinate the many USCG LORAN stations located throughout Europe.
In June of 1982, MIO Rotterdam was closed due to budgetary reasons and the inability to expand its staff under existing treaties. The responsibilities for overseas marine inspection activities in Europe, Africa and the Middle East were transferred to Marine Inspection Office, New York. From June 1982 until July 1995, MIO New York carried out these duties with marine inspectors from New York City and two to three marine inspectors permanently stationed at ACTEUR London.
In the early 1990s, the USCG began to hand over its European LORAN stations to their “host” countries. With the loss of the LORAN stations there was a diminished need for ACTEUR London. In 1994, the decision was made to close the unit in London and establish a new command in Rotterdam, to be called Activities/Marine Inspection Office Europe. In June 1995, ACTEUR London was closed and on 11 July 1995, ACTIVITIES Europe was commissioned in Rotterdam. It is a tenant command in the 598th U.S. Army Transportation Terminal Group facility.
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