CBS2 Exclusive: A Ride With Coast Guard Crews Protecting New York Harbor

NEW YORK (CBNSewYork) -- More than 200 structures of national importance call New York Harbor home, and protecting them is a priority.

CBS2's Vanessa Murdock went along for an exclusive ride with the U.S. Coast Guard to get a firsthand look at what is being done to protect our waterways.

Two mounted .50-caliber machine guns are wielded by the crew onboard the 87-foot USCG Cutter Sailfish, as the armed patrol gets under way.

From port in Bayonne, New Jersey, the Sailfish heads into the harbor as a Coast Guard helicopter out of Air Station Atlantic City passes overhead.

With the Statue of Liberty standing watch and the Lower Manhattan skyline in the distance, Commanding Officer James Provost explained the unit's mission.

"We are an armed deterrent for any illegal terrorist activity that could take place around New York City," Provost said.

They are armed and ready to protect if necessary – hence the big guns with a range of more than two miles.

"Rare, rare circumstances that we'd ever have to, you know, actually have to man this weapon and use it," said U.S. Coast Guard Seaman Brennan Blue.

Traveling past One World Trade Center and up the Hudson River, CBS2's Murdock learned there is more firepower – rifles, shotguns and pistols. Weapons Petty Officer Alexis Ubiles showed off an M-16 rifle, which he said he has never had to use "around here."

Ubiles also let Murdock hold a shotgun, which could do some serious damage if loaded.

As the Sailfish headed up the East River and under the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, Murdock saw the engine room rumbling with pride.

Jackson Couture, assistant engineer onboard, keeps the boat running.

"It can give us a max speed of anywhere from 25 to 26 knots," or about 30 mph, Couture said.

The speed is key if a chase ensues.

"It's all about time," Couture said. "We can outrun your boat for sure."

The crew constantly watches and listens to distress channels, staying in constant contact with the NYPD and the FDNY.

The patrols are random to ensure their position remains unknown to potential threats.