USCG to Close Newport Helicopter Search & Rescue Air Station
by Amber Bielman
In accordance with budget cuts cited in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014, the US Coast Guard Search and Rescue Helicopter Air Station in Newport OR will cease operations on December 15th. The closure will consolidate helicopter operations on the Southern Oregon coast to the North Bend and Astoria facilities. After the closure, rescue times for all commercial and recreational vessels are estimated to take up to an hour, depending on the mariner’s location. Coast Guard officials state that this time frame complies with federal rescue response standards.
The Newport Fishermen’s Wives, a non-profit organization, is working with local lawmakers to cease the proposed congressional closure. A court hearing will take place this Thursday, December 11th, at the Federal Courthouse in Eugene at 1pm. The Newport Fishermen’s Wives are asking the community to help them reach 20,000 signatures on their petition prior to this date:
“Newport, Oregon is the is one of the highest catch ports in the US, and a huge recreational, merchant, research and NOAA port. The Coast Guard rescue helicopter is being relocated between 90 and 130 miles away. This move is the result of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 and will jeopardize the lives of our commercial and recreational fleet. This decision can not stand. Help keep our fisherpeople safe.”
The proposed Newport closure affects all mariners along the Oregon coast. Will you sign the petition to help save the Newport rescue helicopters?
For up-to-date information regarding the closure, follow the Newport Fishermen’s Wives.
To share your comments, contact Oregon’s six-member congressional delegation:
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR): 202-224-5244
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR): 202-224-3753
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR, 1st District): 202-225-0855
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR, 3rd District): send an email
Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR, 4th District): 202-225-6416
Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR, 5th District): 202-225-5711
Update (12/10/14): Congress vote keeps USCG chopper in Newport for 1 year
