The U.S. Coast Guard is at a crossroads. As maritime technology evolves at breakneck speed, the agency tasked with safeguarding America’s waters is under scrutiny. Can it adapt fast enough to keep pace with innovation? That question loomed large as the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation convened a critical hearing on December 16, 2025, in the Rayburn House Office Building.
Rear Admiral David C. Barata, Deputy Commandant for Operations Policy and Assistant Commandant for Intelligence, set the tone early. “The maritime landscape is transforming,” he stated. “From autonomous vessels to advanced cyber threats, the Coast Guard must evolve or risk falling behind.” His remarks underscored a pressing need for the agency to integrate cutting-edge technology into its operations, a challenge that cuts across everything from vessel tracking to disaster response.
Rear Admiral Jason P. Tama, Commander of Coast Guard Cyber Command, echoed this sentiment. “Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue—it’s a mission-critical priority,” he asserted. With maritime systems increasingly interconnected, the Coast Guard must fortify its digital defenses to protect against cyber threats that could disrupt operations or compromise national security. Tama’s testimony highlighted the urgency of investing in cyber infrastructure and training personnel to counter evolving digital risks.
Andrew Von Ah, Director of Physical Infrastructure at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), brought a sobering perspective. His office has repeatedly flagged gaps in the Coast Guard’s technological readiness. “While progress has been made, there are still significant shortcomings in the agency’s ability to leverage modern technology,” Von Ah noted. He pointed to outdated systems and insufficient funding as major hurdles, warning that without decisive action, the Coast Guard could struggle to fulfill its core responsibilities effectively.
Heidi C. Perry, Chair of the National Academies of Sciences’ report on leveraging unmanned systems for Coast Guard missions, offered a glimmer of hope. “Unmanned systems present a tremendous opportunity,” she said. Drones, autonomous vessels, and remote sensing technologies can enhance surveillance, search and rescue, and environmental monitoring—all while reducing risks to personnel. Perry’s report advocates for a strategic shift toward integrating these tools into the Coast Guard’s operational playbook.
The hearing underscored a fundamental truth: the Coast Guard must embrace technological innovation to stay ahead of emerging threats and operational demands. From cybersecurity to unmanned systems, the agency faces a daunting but necessary task of modernizing its infrastructure and capabilities.
As the hearing concluded, one thing was clear: the Coast Guard stands at a pivotal moment. The agency must act swiftly and decisively to harness the power of new technologies, ensuring it remains a formidable force in an ever-changing maritime environment. The stakes are high, but with the right investments and strategic vision, the Coast Guard can navigate this transition and continue to protect America’s waters with excellence.