U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, one of two senators for Connecticut, speaks at the commissioning ceremony of the Maritime Center of Excellence, Oct. 12. The 20,000 square-foot Maritime Center of Excellence (MCOE) will be the Academy’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building and will highlight the unique waterfront programs there. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Abban)