CG assists celebrities during MTV Video Music Awards

Coast Guard Magazine, Oct, 2004 by Anastasia Burns

MIAMI, Aug. 29 -- To the surprise of many Coast Guardsmen, the military and the entertainment business came together Aug. 29 to celebrate MTV's Annual Video Music Awards, which were held at the American Airlines Arena in downtown Miami.

When Miami won the bid to host this year's show, they quickly requested Coast Guard assistance in coordinating the red-carpet arrival at the VMAs.

Fifteen celebrities and their entourages boarded their luxurious yachts at Integrated Support Command Miami. These expensive boats looked a bit out of place next to the Coast Guard cutters and station small boats. With security of the celebrities and their vessels being a high priority, Sector Miami, under the command of Capt. James Maes, coordinated an extensive security and escort operation involving 22 interagency vessels, including the CGC Bluefin as the Maritime Operations Center.

Story and photo by PA2 Anastasia Burns, 7th Dist.