Which types of operations are conducted by the Coast Guard?

The Coast Guard is primarily tasked with various operations that ensure maritime safety, security, and environmental protection. The correct choice encompasses a broad range of critical responsibilities that the Coast Guard undertakes.

Law enforcement boardings involve the Coast Guard conducting inspections on vessels to ensure compliance with laws and regulations, including safety standards and fishing licenses. Safety inspections are performed to assess the seaworthiness of vessels and ensure that they meet the necessary safety equipment requirements, which is vital for preventing accidents and saving lives. Search and rescue operations are one of the most recognized functions of the Coast Guard, where they respond to emergencies on the water, rescuing those in distress, and providing critical support in times of need.

The other choices focus on narrower or unrelated aspects of maritime operations. Piracy prevention and environmental clean-up operations are certainly important functions but are part of broader initiatives that also include law enforcement and safety operations. Drilling and oil exploration fall under different regulatory bodies and are not core functions of the Coast Guard. Lastly, exclusive economic zone enforcement alone does not encapsulate the wide array of duties the Coast Guard engages in, as they are also involved in domestic law enforcement, maritime safety, and rescue missions. Hence, the selected answer represents the comprehensive nature of the Coast Guard's