On behalf of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels, MD, I submit in opposition to USCG-2020-0042 titled “Consolidation of Redundant Coast Guard Boat Stations,” which proposes to consolidate and shut down U.S. Coast Guard Station Oxford, located in Oxford, MD (“Station Oxford”). CBMM appreciates the opportunity to submit comments in opposition to USCG-2020-0042, and implores that you consider the impact that USCG-2020-0042 would have on the Eastern Shore.
CBMM believes the closure decision would be detrimental to all Eastern Shore residents, and the safety of CBMM’s own on-the-water programming. A nearby Coast Guard station means greater safety on the water. Since CBMM operates vessels with thousands of museum guests and K-12 school children on field trips on waters near this Coast Guard station, safety is diminished if Oxford Station is closed, and the next nearest station has a longer run to reach us.
Currently, the next closest station is Annapolis. When CBMM operates on the Miles River, the Annapolis and Oxford stations are roughly equidistant. But response times from Annapolis are much slower if the Bay crossing is dangerous.
When CBMM is operating on the Choptank, such as during the Oxford log canoe races or the Cambridge skipjack race, the Coast Guard in Annapolis will have a much longer response time. We have often seen Station Oxford visibly present for the Oxford regatta, and we appreciate them–and we have repeatedly said so to the young Coasties. Their visible presence tempers the behavior of other boaters.
CBMM appreciates your consideration of this opposition to the consolidation of Station Oxford. CBMM hopes that the very serious issue of boater safety–for people of all ages–will cause you to reconsider the consolidation of Oxford Station. Closure of Oxford Station would be extremely detrimental to the health and safety of the entire marine community on the Eastern Shore, and particularly the public programming offered by CBMM, which is essential to CBMM’s mission.
Kristen Greenaway is the president of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
Morris Ellison says
When I was young, the Coast Guard was always a welcome site. They would pull you off the sand bar or give you a few gallons of fuel if you were out, and of course you could count on them in a real emergency where life or property were in danger. I’m sure they had guns on board, but they never showed them. Nowadays, unless your boat is on fire or sinking, they just tell you to call a tow service. I have never heard of a CG boat from the Oxford station helping anyone. Perhaps they have, and I just never heard about it. Now they seem to just ride around, burning fuel with their side arms strapped on and machine gun mounted on the bow, still looking for BinLaden. If they have a mission statement, it seems to be unclear. Show me the data of number of boaters assisted, and what type of assistance was rendered and I may change my mind.
John Gallagher says
The Coast Guard many years ago stop competing with commercial assistance for non emergency calls, like folks that run their boat aground or don’t know how to fill a fuel tank, and have good radio communications, that is best left for Sea Tow.
Would we ask the State Police to tow us out of the ditch, or bring you gas? or question why they carry guns.
The Coast Guard saves thousands of people every year, does most of the buoys in the waterways.
So when its the middle of the night, dead of winter and a boater needs help, are you going out?
We have a Nuclear Power Plant and a LNG Dock right across the so I would hope they are looking for somebody.
Morris Ellison says
And let us not forget that many waterfront communities such as Oxford and St. Michaels already have fire/rescue boats ready to respond immediately to fires, sinking and other emergencies. The CG helicopter can respond quickly to any emergency and can cover huge areas for search and rescue. We also have the Maryland Natural Resources Police
Hugh (Jock) Beebe says
CBMM’s official letter objecting to Closure of the Oxford Coast Guard Station cites an opinion, but the argument would be far more persuasive with data, as Mr. Ellison suggests. Could the Talbot Spy ask to review documentation of assistance events over the past several years?
Kay Duehrssen says
We need emergency help closer because of our many rivers and Peninsula waterfront geographically. Immediate response is necessary for lifesaving rescues. This expense is minimal to the need for a tourist area with major seasonal demands.