MATHEWS COUNTY, VA - Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) released the following statement in response to the United States Coast Guard’s proposal to suspend off-season operations at Station Milford Haven, VA:
“The recently announced Coast Guard budget has proposed reducing operations at Station Milford Haven, shifting to only summer operations. Suspending off-season operations at Station Milford Haven would endanger Mathews County and surrounding areas’ residents, watermen, and visitors. Station Milford Haven’s ability to provide a timely response to any emergency on the water has proven critically important to the safety of residents of the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, and the western side of the Chesapeake Bay. These waters remain popular throughout the year, with many businesses dependent upon these waters during the winter months. Without a year-round local presence on the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, Coast Guard Station Portsmouth, which is a two-hour boat trip away, would now become the off-season responding station. When hypothermia can kill within minutes, response times and proximity to emergency services are critical, putting at risk waterfowl hunters, waterman, fisherman and others on the water during the coldest months of the year.
“For those of us who live on the water, we know a decision to suspend off-season operations at USCG Station Milford Haven would be the wrong one. That is why I have personally spoken with Coast Guard leadership and will meet with the Commandant to share the anger and frustration of those they would endanger. Thankfully, the Coast Guard has accepted my invitation to hear the voices of our watermen, boaters, duck hunters, and others who would be left without a means of timely rescue should this station close as part of a public hearing. In the meantime, I will continue fighting to keep Coast Guard Station Milford Haven open and staffed year-round.”
Details of the Coast Guard’s public hearing on Station Milford Haven are forthcoming. To read Congressman Wittman’s letter to the USCG Commandant, please read below:
July 23, 2021
Admiral Karl L. Schultz
Commandant of the Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard
2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE
Washington, D.C. 20593
Dear Admiral Schultz,
I write to express my significant concern and share my opposition to the Coast Guard’s proposal to reduce operations at Station Milford Haven, Virginia. Suspending off-season coverage at Station Milford Haven and shifting to only summer operations would significantly increase emergency response times and undermine safety in the region during the remainder of the year.
The Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula and the western Chesapeake Bay are critical waterways, popular throughout the year. Many water-dependent marine businesses, fishermen, hunters, watermen, and recreational boaters travel these waterways, even during the cold winter months. Reduction of Coast Guard coverage simply poses an unacceptable risk to boater safety, especially during the cold months when hypothermia can kill within minutes. Shuttering operations at Milford Haven during long stretches of the year would force any Coast Guard emergency response to be met with resources from far away Station Portsmouth. During inclement weather or winter, that facility would not be able to provide adequate coverage or respond in a timely manner during an emergency.
I appreciate your time and attention to this critical issue that impacts countless residents of the region. Station Milford Haven fills a critical, year-round role in protecting and saving lives and should remain staffed all year and not be downgraded to a small part-time station. I look forward to working with you to address this issue and ensure the safety and security of Virginians.
Sincerely,
Robert J. Wittman
Member of Congress
