Wikipedia states that uninhabited Baker Island
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baker_Island) is "visited annually by
the U.S. Coast Guard".  Googling for "'us coast guard' 'baker island'"
yields dozens of results with the exact same wording, probably taken
originally from the CIA factbook page.

Why do they visit this place every year?  Is it just for political
reasons (to maintain the "claim")?  Do they do anything when they get
there, or just turn around and head home?

Just curious.