United States Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard plays a supporting but significant role in the events of Jaws, providing federal maritime resources that the local Amity police force lacks. Its involvement underscores the scale of the crisis, which exceeds the capabilities of a small resort town.

Search and Rescue Operations

After the disappearance of fisherman Ben Gardner, Chief Brody contacts the Coast Guard station at Montauk to request a search for the body. Brody tells the duty officer about Gardner, and the officer says he will dispatch a patrol boat at first light. Brody hopes the body will be found before it washes ashore, a grim necessity to prevent a public spectacle. The officer expresses sympathy, saying, "Boy, I feel for you guys. You must be having a hell of a summer." This exchange highlights the Coast Guard's role in handling maritime fatalities that local authorities cannot manage alone.

Shark Surveillance and Intelligence

The Coast Guard also assists in monitoring the shark's presence. Brody calls the Montauk station to ask if they have noticed many sharks in the area recently. They report they have not seen a single shark all spring, which is not unusual for that time of year. They agree to send a boat down to the Amity area and call back with any sightings. When Brody follows up, they report that they cruised up and down the area for two hours and saw nothing. This negative evidence is used by those who argue the shark has left, though Brody remains skeptical. Later, Brody calls the Coast Guard for a weather report before the Fourth of July weekend, hoping for a storm that would keep beaches closed, but the report is for clear and sunny weather, forcing him to proceed with the risky reopening.

Coordination During the Final Hunt

During the final hunt for the shark, the Coast Guard serves as a communication link. After Matt Hooper is killed by the shark, Quint radios the Coast Guard to report the death. The duty officer is asked to phone Ellen Brody to tell her that her husband, at least, is safe. This act of relaying personal news demonstrates the Coast Guard's function as a lifeline for those at sea, connecting them to worried families ashore. The Coast Guard's presence, though largely offstage, provides a crucial layer of institutional support and communication for the men on the Orca.