Rescue 21

It was created to better locate mariners in distress and save lives and property at sea and on navigable rivers.

The new system will close 88 known coverage gaps in coastal areas of the United States, enhancing the safety of life at sea.

Rescue 21 will cover more than 95,000 miles (153,000 km) of coastline, navigable rivers and waterways in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

Remote sites in Alaska and along the Western Rivers are scheduled to receive modified Rescue 21 coverage by 2017.

While this system has served the Coast Guard well over the years, it consists of out-of-date and non-standard equipment with many limitations.