Coast Guard Reserve is the Coast Guards primary source of trained personnel for protecting the safety and security of U.S. ports. waterways. and facilities from hostile threat. The Reserve is also responsible for protecting our ports and waterways from accidental or international damage. destruction. or injury during times of natural disaster or national emergency. Members of the Coast Guard Reserve responded to major peacetime disasters. including the Mississippi Valley Basin flood of 1973. the 1978 Memorial Day oil spill in Mobile. AL. the 1980 Mariel Cuban refugee boatlift. the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. Hurricane Hugo. and the 1989 San Francisco earthquake. They also supported security forces at the 1984 Olympics and provided waterside security for space shuttle launches off the coast of Florida.