Coast Guard Funding ‘A Disgrace’

After more than 50 years, nothing is new about adequately funding the U.S. Coast Guard.

Following 9/11, with the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, it appeared the monies discussed for the Coast Guard’s Deepwater project would really bring the service’s aging equipment into the 21st century. Wrong!

As your lead article (August Seapower) points out, lawmakers are now busy slashing huge chunks of the Coast Guard budget, which will virtually stop the progress on purchases of new equipment.

Your nice [interview] with Vice Adm. Vivian Crea (September Seapower) was filled with [examples of] maintenance and equipment breakdown problems in the Atlantic Area alone.

Once again, give the Coast Guard more missions but let them make do with what they have. What a disgrace!

Incidentally, notice the Coast Guard cutter Storis, Kodiak, Alaska, is still in service since 1942. I was engineering officer on Storis in 1954 and 1955. I am sure Congress expects another 60 years of Coast Guard “Semper Paratus” service from it.

Like I said, what a disgrace.

O. A. Lively
Rear Adm. (Ret.)
U.S. Coast Guard
Dallas, Texas

Letters may be edited for space. Letters must include the author’s name, home city and state.