GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The U.S. Coast Guard is expecting a 25% drop in recruiting this year as the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival is now underway.

Captain Richter Tipton is in charge of recruiting and says an upwards of 75% of young people are physically unable to serve and only nine to 12 % of the rest want to.

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Among the challenges over the past few years has been an end to high school visits due to COVID-19.