Michael S. Rocket/Daily World
Washington will pay for many Coast Guard items, including a new icebreaker and a new lifesaving vessel for Grays Harbor.
The funds will help replace the 52-foot motor lifeboats that were in use in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
“Coast Guard women and men who serve along the coasts of Washington and Oregon operate in some of the most difficult waters in the nation. Reorganizing is a top priority,” said Lieutenant Stephen Nolan, spokesperson for Coast Guard District 13.
The 52-foot MLB, whose role has been taken over by the 47-foot MLB, will remain in the area while the Coast Guard considers its disposal, Nolan said.
“As of October 2021, the 52-foot Severe MLB is in a consolidated layup state,” Nolan said. “These vessels have been transported and stored at Station Cape Disappointment in order to efficiently and effectively preserve these vessels while the Coast Guard evaluates their final disposal, either decommissioned or refurbished. .”
The 47-foot MLB will continue to serve as the primary storm rescue vessel, Nolan said. Coast Guard station Grays Harbor is unlikely to see a drastic change in the near future as the service plans to replace his 52-foot MLB.
“The Coast Guard is in the early planning stages to identify a new heavy-weather motor lifeboat, so there is no timeline planned at this time,” Nolan said. “We cannot identify minimum crew requirements until the smaller boats are designed, but at this time no significant staffing changes are anticipated at Grays Harbor.”
While motor lifeboats are the most agile and capable of surviving in rough seas, the Coast Guard is also considering another set of difficult sailing conditions, further funding the construction of the Polar Security Cutter. Ice killing impunity High Arctic ships relocated from Seattle to their home ports. The shipyard was recently bought by another shipyard, Nolan said.
“The Coast Guard is working with Bollinger Mississippi Shipyards (which recently acquired VT Halter Marine) to determine the impact of the acquisition and develop a revised timeline for construction, commissioning and acceptance of the planned Polar Security cutter. We provide,” said Nolan.
The icebreakers, when commissioned, will be some of the largest ships in the Coast Guard service, like the icebreakers Healey and Polar Star, which are currently in service. Vessels of that size have similarly scaled logistical requirements, Nolan said Healy and Polar Star will continue to serve after the PSC becomes operational, he said. increase.
“Polar Star and Healy will continue to be employed by the Coast Guard until they are retired,” Nolan said. “Neither ship is currently scheduled to be taken out of service.”
