SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SCOM] — June 11, 2014 — The U.S. Coast Guard's aging fleet would be modernized with more reliable and efficient cutters, boats and aircraft so the Coast Guard can more effectively patrol America's waterways, under bipartisan legislation introduced yesterday by U.S. Senator Mark Begich.
The Coast Guard Authorization Act (CGAA) would authorize $8.72 billion in funding for the Coast Guard for each of the two years in Fiscal 2015 and 2016. This includes just under $7 billion each year for Coast
Guard operating expenses and roughly $1.5 billion each year for the Coast Guard's ongoing replacement program.
"We owe it to the men and women of the Coast Guard and their families to make sure the Service has enough resources to do everything that we ask and expect. In Alaska, we know the Coast Guard is essential to our communities and economic vitality — from saving mariners' lives, to assisting isolated communities in need of emergency supplies, to ensuring safe, environmentally sound Arctic oil and gas exploration, to cracking down on high seas pirate fishing that undercuts the value of Alaska seafood," said Begich. "As Chairman of the Senate Oceans Subcommittee, I will continue to do everything I can to keep the Coast Guard strong and agile, so they can live up to their motto of being 'Always Ready' in Alaska and around the country."
In addition to authorizing funding levels, the CGAA (S. 2444) also makes a number of changes to federal laws that will enhance the Service's prevention and response capabilities in the Arctic and improve the quality of life for Coast Guard personnel and their families. Most notably, the bill:
– Extends the useful service of the second of the Nation's only two heavy polar icebreakers, the Coast Guard Cutter POLAR SEA. That vessel is currently docked in Seattle and not being used;
– Increases competition in the design and construction of new heavy icebreakers.
– Enhances vessel safety information regarding ice and weather conditions, and improved oil spill prevention and response capabilities;
– Ensures the availability of quality child care for Coast Guard personnel;
– Creates educational and portable career opportunities for active duty Coast Guard spouses, and ease the transition of Coast Guard personnel into post-service life.
Begich, who is the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard indicated he expected the Coast Guard bill to be formally considered by the Committee later this month, and by the full Senate later this summer. The legislation is cosponsored by Senators John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV), John Thune (R-SD) and Marco Rubio (R-FL). Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) has also signed on as a cosponsor.
This story originally appeared on Seafood.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.