Notice2021-12105
Consolidation of Redundant Coast Guard Boat Stations
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
June 9, 2021
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
We are requesting your comments on the planned consolidation of redundant Coast Guard boat stations. Many stations were established at a time when boats lacked engines and were powered by oars and paddles. With modern boat operating speeds and improved direction finding technology, many calls for Coast Guard assistance can be responded to by multiple units significantly faster than when these boat stations were first established. The combination of significantly improved response times, along with an overall reduction in rescue calls due to boating safety improvements throughout the nation, has resulted in a number of boat stations becoming redundant. This consolidation will result in a more robust response system by increasing staffing levels and capacity at select nearby boat stations. Such a consolidation creates synergy and more opportunities for boat operators to properly train instead of missing training opportunities while standing ready to respond to calls that do not come.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 109 (Wednesday, June 9, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 9, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 30612]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12105]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[Docket Number USCG-2021-0238]
Consolidation of Redundant Coast Guard Boat Stations
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are requesting your comments on the planned consolidation
of redundant Coast Guard boat stations. Many stations were established
at a time when boats lacked engines and were powered by oars and
paddles. With modern boat operating speeds and improved direction
finding technology, many calls for Coast Guard assistance can be
responded to by multiple units significantly faster than when these
boat stations were first established. The combination of significantly
improved response times, along with an overall reduction in rescue
calls due to boating safety improvements throughout the nation, has
resulted in a number of boat stations becoming redundant. This
consolidation will result in a more robust response system by
increasing staffing levels and capacity at select nearby boat stations.
Such a consolidation creates synergy and more opportunities for boat
operators to properly train instead of missing training opportunities
while standing ready to respond to calls that do not come.
DATES: Written comments and related material may be submitted to the
Coast Guard personnel specified below. Your comments and related
material must reach the Coast Guard on or before August 3, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2021-0238 using the Federal rulemaking portal at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. See the ``Public Participation and Request for
Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for further
instructions on submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document,
please call or email Todd Aikins, Coast Guard Office of Boat Forces,
202-372-2463, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d1a5beb5b5ffa3ffb0b8bab8bfa291a4a2b2b6ffbcb8bd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="98ecf7fcfcb6eab6f9f1f3f1f6ebd8edebfbffb6f5f1f4">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
GAO Government Accountability Office
II. Background and Purpose
In October of 2017, the GAO issued report GAO-18-9, titled
``Actions Needed to Close Stations Identified as Overlapping and
Unnecessarily Duplicative.'' This GAO report, a copy of which is in the
docket for this notice, recommends the consolidation of 18 boat
stations. Due to environmental and operational factors, the Coast Guard
is not considering all 18 boat stations identified in the GAO report
for consolidation this year. Instead, we anticipate consolidating four
stations, with implementation notionally scheduled for fiscal year
2022. These stations have been identified because there are other units
nearby capable of responding to cases in these areas, and because these
four stations respond to a low number of cases. We do not anticipate
any adverse effect on Coast Guard response capability. We expect
enhanced proficiency of boat operators as well as a less complicated
response system.
III. Discussion
The following seasonal stations, Stations-Small Scituate, MA;
Holland, MI; North Superior, MN; and Beach Haven, NJ; have been
identified for consolidation with neighboring stations. These are
seasonal stations are detached subunits of larger parent stations.
This consolidation is expected to result in a more robust response
system by increasing staffing levels and capacity at select nearby boat
stations. Such a consolidation creates synergy and more opportunities
for boat operators to properly train.
IV. Public Participation and Request for Comments
We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal portal at
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. If your material cannot be submitted using
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, contact the person in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate
instructions. In your submission, please include the docket number for
this notice and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation.
We will review all comments received, but we may choose not to post
off-topic, inappropriate, or duplicate comments that we receive.
We accept anonymous comments. Comments we post to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> will include any personal information you have
provided. For more about privacy and submissions in response to this
document, see DHS's eRulemaking System of Records notice (85 FR 14226,
March 11, 2020).
Documents mentioned in this notice as being available in the
docket, and public comments, will be in our online docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and can be viewed by following that website's
instructions.
John W. Mauger,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Capability.
[FR Doc. 2021-12105 Filed 6-8-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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