[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 9, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 30612]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12105]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket Number USCG-2021-0238]


Consolidation of Redundant Coast Guard Boat Stations

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are requesting your comments on the planned consolidation 
of redundant Coast Guard boat stations. Many stations were established 
at a time when boats lacked engines and were powered by oars and 
paddles. With modern boat operating speeds and improved direction 
finding technology, many calls for Coast Guard assistance can be 
responded to by multiple units significantly faster than when these 
boat stations were first established. The combination of significantly 
improved response times, along with an overall reduction in rescue 
calls due to boating safety improvements throughout the nation, has 
resulted in a number of boat stations becoming redundant. This 
consolidation will result in a more robust response system by 
increasing staffing levels and capacity at select nearby boat stations. 
Such a consolidation creates synergy and more opportunities for boat 
operators to properly train instead of missing training opportunities 
while standing ready to respond to calls that do not come.

DATES: Written comments and related material may be submitted to the 
Coast Guard personnel specified below. Your comments and related 
material must reach the Coast Guard on or before August 3, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2021-0238 using the Federal rulemaking portal at https://www.regulations.gov. See the ``Public Participation and Request for 
Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for further 
instructions on submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document, 
please call or email Todd Aikins, Coast Guard Office of Boat Forces, 
202-372-2463, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
GAO Government Accountability Office

II. Background and Purpose

    In October of 2017, the GAO issued report GAO-18-9, titled 
``Actions Needed to Close Stations Identified as Overlapping and 
Unnecessarily Duplicative.'' This GAO report, a copy of which is in the 
docket for this notice, recommends the consolidation of 18 boat 
stations. Due to environmental and operational factors, the Coast Guard 
is not considering all 18 boat stations identified in the GAO report 
for consolidation this year. Instead, we anticipate consolidating four 
stations, with implementation notionally scheduled for fiscal year 
2022. These stations have been identified because there are other units 
nearby capable of responding to cases in these areas, and because these 
four stations respond to a low number of cases. We do not anticipate 
any adverse effect on Coast Guard response capability. We expect 
enhanced proficiency of boat operators as well as a less complicated 
response system.

III. Discussion

    The following seasonal stations, Stations-Small Scituate, MA; 
Holland, MI; North Superior, MN; and Beach Haven, NJ; have been 
identified for consolidation with neighboring stations. These are 
seasonal stations are detached subunits of larger parent stations.
    This consolidation is expected to result in a more robust response 
system by increasing staffing levels and capacity at select nearby boat 
stations. Such a consolidation creates synergy and more opportunities 
for boat operators to properly train.

IV. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal portal at 
https://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be submitted using 
https://www.regulations.gov, contact the person in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate 
instructions. In your submission, please include the docket number for 
this notice and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. 
We will review all comments received, but we may choose not to post 
off-topic, inappropriate, or duplicate comments that we receive.
    We accept anonymous comments. Comments we post to https://www.regulations.gov will include any personal information you have 
provided. For more about privacy and submissions in response to this 
document, see DHS's eRulemaking System of Records notice (85 FR 14226, 
March 11, 2020).
    Documents mentioned in this notice as being available in the 
docket, and public comments, will be in our online docket at https://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following that website's 
instructions.

John W. Mauger,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Capability.
[FR Doc. 2021-12105 Filed 6-8-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P