SENATORS COLLINS AND GREGG URGE COAST GUARD TO RELOCATE TWO FAMOUS CLASS CUTTERS TO PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Judd Gregg (R-NH) are urging the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Thomas H. Collins (no relation to Senator Collins), to select the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as the new home port for two 270-foot Famous Class cutters currently docked in New Bedford, Massachusetts and are offering their assistance in easing the transition if PNS were selected.

"The Famous Class cutters would provide an invaluable homeland security service by protecting the [Portsmouth Naval] Shipyard and particularly the nuclear submarines serviced at the Shipyard and the nuclear materials stored on its grounds. In addition to port security, the unique capabilities of the Famous Class cutters would add to the Coast Guard's fisheries enforcement and search and rescue capabilities in northern New England," wrote the Senators in a joint letter to the Coast Guard Commandant.

It recently came to the Senators' attention that the Coast Guard is considering relocating the two Famous Class cutters from New Bedford, MA. In making its decision, the Coast Guard will take into account a number of criteria including dock space, housing, coast of living, and mission purpose. The Coast Guard is expected to make a decision sometime this summer.

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