Newport, Oregon is one of the highest catch ports in the U.S. as well as a huge recreational, merchant, research and NOAA port.
Tell Congress not to relocate the Coast Guard rescue helicopter between 90 and 130 miles away. Tell Congress that adding an hour flight time to Newport’s rescue helicopter is an irresponsible way to cut government spending. This move is the result of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 and will jeopardize the lives of our commercial and recreational fleet. Please sign the Newport Fisherman’s Wives Petition.
Oregon’s entire Congressional delegation is opposed to distancing the rescue helicopter. They write: “We join the Oregon Coast community in expressing our admiration and support for the USCG and its mission. We also believe strongly that removing search and rescue assets from Newport would only heighten the chance of a very preventable tragedy.”
Local fishermen told KGW that rescue response times to some areas would be far more challenging without the helicopter. “The cutters just can’t get out there fast enough,” said fisherman Riley Holt.
Commissioner Bill Hall added that it’s not just those who go to sea that rely on the helos but also surfers, rock climbers and other visitors to the Oregon Coast who are routinely rescued.
Former Newport Port Commission President Ginny Goblirsch (right), accompanied by Fishermen’s Wives member Jennifer Stevenson (left).
News Lincoln County Reports (10-8-2014): “Former Newport Port Commission President Ginny Goblirsch, accompanied by Fishermen’s Wives member Jennifer Stevenson, among others, made it clear to the Lincoln County Commission Wednesday that the Oregon Coast will not tolerate a permanent Coast Guard pull out its air rescue helicopter from the Newport Airport.
Goblirsch said there have been efforts in the past to close down the Newport facility but they have been thwarted by overwhelming evidence that the helo is absolutely vital to save and protect lives along the Oregon Coast. Goblirsch and County Commissioner Terry Thompson, himself a commercial fisherman, both emphasized that whoever came up with the most recent closure idea doesn’t “get it” about marine conditions off the Pacific Northwest. Thompson said the Coast Guard’s boasting about still having one hour response times to the scene of people overboard, would amount to a body recovery operation because without survival suits, especially aboard recreation and charter boats, ocean temperatures are so low that death comes within 15 minutes. Thompson said the warm waters off Florida allow a victim to survive a very long time while waiting to be rescued. Not so in the Pacific Northwest. He said the Coast Guard brass in Washington DC needs to come to grips with that.”
“THE ALASKA COLLECTION” – HMS Resolution 1778. “
Captain James Cook quickly came to grips with the hazards off the basalt rock-bound coast in March of 1778. He spied a few capes protruding and rising above the surf. The HMS Resolution was promptly commanded to set sail for better waters off Alaska. Cape Foulweather and Cape Perpetua have retained the names given them by Captain Cook. Saint Perpetua was a married noblewoman with child when she was martyred at age 22. Cape Foulweather is 9 miles north of Newport. Cape Perpetua is 37 miles south of Newport on the northern edge of Devil’s Churn. These are not the most hospitable of ocean waters. (Moir’s Environmental Dialogues Episode 57, Acidifying Oceans Are Killing Oysters and Oyster Farms in Oregon.)
In August 2011, NOAA moved its base of research ships from Seattle to Newport. The base has about 110 marine officers and a total of 175 employees. NOAA bases four ships here and provides support for up to two itinerant vessels.
The brave men and women who go to sea out of Newport, Oregon, deserve the national respect of continuation of full funding for the Coast Guard Search and Rescue facility at the Newport Airport complete with Rescue Helicopter.
Keep them safe!
Deciding to base rescue copters an hour away sounds like cutting off your nose to spite your face – that water is cold! Humans do not survive without strong protection equipment that fishers and recreationalists do not usually wear. Typical stupid governmental decision.
Coast Guard is SO important!! Having run my own commercial fishing boat, I know from personal experience how much they are needed. Also from a very dear friend who was rescued by the USCG…….. keeping them there for the safety of all those at sea is so very important!! Please keep that safety net alive!
Moving the CG Search and Rescue facility will ensure excess deaths.
Rita’s good words have been followed by 100 individuals articulating why Newport deserves it Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter. You are most welcome to join with all in call for responsible rescue services that can be deployed as rapidly possible for people in icy waters. Unbelievable that government is distancing the rescue helicopter an hour flight from Newport just as winter weather is setting in!! Please be one of the more than 10,000 signing the petition, most particularly if you live outside of Oregon – this is a national travesty.
Thanks for listening.
I join the Oregon Coast community in expressing my admiration and support for the USCG and its mission. I also believe strongly that removing search and rescue assets from Newport would only heighten the chance of a very preventable tragedy.”
The brave men and women who go to sea out of Newport, Oregon, deserve the national respect of continuation of full funding for the Coast Guard Search and Rescue facility at the Newport Airport complete with Rescue Helicopter.
DO NOT ENDANGER FISHERMEN MORE THAN WHAT NEEDS TO BE. THEY HAVE A DANGEROUS TIME OF IT AS IT IS!!!
no
Hi-Please dont take the CG Chopper away,lives will be lost-Thank you-Rich & Eileen
I wholehearted agree with the statement below:
The brave men and women who go to sea out of Newport, Oregon, deserve the national respect of continuation of full funding for the Coast Guard Search and Rescue facility at the Newport Airport complete with Rescue Helicopter.
I used to live in Neport. Helocopters are important to people who go out to sea.
It is unethical to spend more money on more war and less on safety at home so that fisherpeople can maintain the food supply and the economy. What are they paying taxes for if services are not quickly and efficiently there for them? It’s nothing but a rip-off.
Rough seas and poor weather in this area can greatly reduce a timely response in the rescue of people in trouble. A helicopter would serve this purpose; a speedy response, much better than a ship. Both serve a purpose and should continue to be part of their inventory.
Dear Congress,the Coast Guard are for Americans! Stop taking them from the duty they are sworn to do! Rather strip money from the brown bags delivered to foreign despots! and sent to supply enemies of America! and bring it home to the citizens that pay these taxes you folks love to waste!
I support the petition.
Eliminating vital services to cut costs is not the answer in Oregon OR in D.C.! Government should be fully funded.
Why are you always taking away something that is needed? I do not think that is the American way.
Fishing is a dangerous business. Protect the people who risk our lives for the seafood on our plates.
Ocean fishing is a perilous endeavor: rescue helicopters save fishermen’s lives. They need to be based as close to the fishermen as possible. Risking lives is not a justifiable way to save money…
The lives of families and individuals are greatly affected by any failure to avert or respond to tragedies in and around our oceans. Please do not take or repeal any action that would endanger those who would need such action.
With thanks for your consideration and concern –
please leave the rescue helicopter where it is
Every second counts in a rescue.
It is a foolish idea to even consider moving the Search and Rescue
Team away from their present location. Please leave well enough
alone so that rescues can continue to be made in a timely and
decent fashion.
Please leave the rescue helicopter located where it is.
the people that fish face tremendous danger, don’t take away the safety net
Our number one priority should be to keep people safe, regardless of cost.
Please don’t change the location of the rescue helicopter- lives are at stake.
Our fishermen and fisherwomen should be as safe as humanly possible. No short cuts or reduced costs should be applied.
The additional time for a helicopter to come from Coos Bay or Astoria could be crucial in the survival of a crew. This central location is necessary to provide responsible and responsive aerial coverage for these brave souls.
If there was a live threatening reason for posting the Coast Guard chopper there in the first place, and if that concern remains a reality, by pulling the chopper you will have senseless death , a political outcry will ensue followed by reinstatement of the rescue resource. So what is the point of this “budget cutting move?” Politicians make good money to come up with such short “solutions” that would be asinine to a 5th grader! Get another chopper, the military has thousands. Your primary responsibility is to the citizens of this country! They elect and they will remove!
It is criminal that this is being contemplated. People overboard in cold water cannot wait for rescue, they succumb to the cold in a very short space of time. To compare rescue times with waters off Florida indicates a total lack of understanding and a complete disregard for the life of those who go to sea for commercial purposes and also for recreation. The Coast Guard needs a rescue helicopter in this location.
Double the number of helicopters to protect the fishermen.
When do powers in Washington DC really understand conditions and situations on the West Coast? ANSWER: Very rarely, if ever. The Coast Guard response time in Newport is VITAL for the community. Need to cut your costs? Try looking at the way you budget each station and how it is that buckets of money are wastefully spent in order for any station to receive what they need for the next year. Closing a station is NOT the answer. Understanding your horrible waste of funds, is. Involves more work of course but what else, exactly, are you all doing to earn your salary and incredible future personal government subsidies? Don’t endanger communities — clean your in house spending.
Double the numbers of helicopters to protect the fishermen in case of danger.
keep the fisherpeople safe
They call them the Coast Guard, not the inland guard. keep them where they can do the most good.
Please do all you can to keep the resources available for fishermen safety.
So glad y’all are here with us. I was just watching all about how the ecosystem in FL. got so screwed up. Disney & the Powers that Be digging & screwing up this Natural Balance. The wildlife there is Beyond Amazing, It’s Magnificent!! This is the part of The Everglades where they took the curves & kinks out of The Kissimee River. It’s corrected now & wildlife, with our help is coming. That includes the Mountain Lions and Bob Cats among many others.
I’ll be in N.C. mnts. this week. Be back next Sat. or Sun. Then I’m making some calls to rid ourselves of Mitch McConnell. I’ll see if I can do anything on the lap top in that cabin but my Magic Jack phone won’t be there & there’s no cell phone reception until you go into town. So Back @ ya Soon.
As Always, Thanks for Everything You Do!
Anita Ettel
Anita, Anything that you can do to help Alison Grimes go to Washington instead of McConnell would be an enormous contribution to helping bring about cleaner and safer oceans. Thank you.
Rather than save the things that are good about this country congress would rather support the industrial military complex and fight another war.
Hey Congress, do the right thing.
Keep the fisher people safe! Rescue helicopters are a total necessity and must be supplied and available for emergencies.
What else would congress do other than something stupid? If I had the power I’d fire every member in Congress and start fresh!
I hope you prevail.
People who protect fish or who fish humanely should be protected.
Don’t do this!
A safety resource must be as accessible as possible to be efficient.
this is a no brainer,,, if it aint broke, dang it dont try to fix it!
Safety is very important
The fishing community need the Coast Guard and the Navy to protect them. DUH!!!
Safety given by the Coast Guard is very important. Don’t pull that safety.
The fishing community need the Coast Guard and the Navy to help in case of emergencies. DUH!!!
Our fishing communities need the Coast Guard, Navy to help in case of emergencies. DUH!!!
Help keep the fisher people safe!
Keep the fisher men and women safe.
Keep fishing folks SAFE!
Keep our people who fish safe!!!
Please keep the fisher people safe!
There’s plenty of true waste to be cut without endangering lives.
These brave people do a very difficult, dangerous job to provide us with food. The least we can do is make certain there are adequate, appropriate means to rescue them quickly in an emergency.
Ocean fishing is dangerous work. The plan to move the rescue helicopter is irresponsible and ill-conceived. Let the people who dreamed this move up just pretend the Kochs will be onboard each vessel. We KNOW they would get rescued and very fast.
Putting people in such certain danger by re-locating a rescue station so far away from the coast is both mass murder and thus the worst form of certain death possible to national and local economy.
We need to keep fisherman and tankers and all boaters as safe as possible. They need help quickly because of the severe conditions which means ships and helicopters.
Adding an hour or more to a rescue time is rediculous. Maybe we should save money and do away with EMT services in the Capitol?
I support the petition.
Eliminating vital services to cut costs is not the answer.Government should be fully funded.
There’s no reason to take this safeguard away from fishing community, who face some of the most serious dangers among all workers. If we would stop using our money on trumped up wars we would have plenty of money to spend on the real issues facing Americans.
If this only had a petition…..then I’d sign it.
Keep funding in place so that when people in the Newport area need to be rescued that the Coast Guard has a helicopter to get them quickly. Lives will be lost if funding for a helicopter is lost.
Thanks SO MUCH for this alert. I CANNOT comprehend the STUPIDITY of moving a rescue helicopter further INLAND off this most gnarliest of coasts. My mind has been completely blown by the absolute idiocy of this.
Margo, Excellent to read your comment. You going solo in kayak along the basalted shores of Oregon would know better than most how necessary a rescue helicopter is. Tune in to our conversation on Moir’s Environmental Dialogues Episode 27. Margo’s Solo Canoe Voyage Along the Pacific Coast for Ocean Health.
We must back these hardworking, life-supporting, life-saving people – today and always.
Hey Congress, if you want cut something,
how about cutting your own pay, do away
with your taxpayer-paid perk,s and start living like the
rest of us by working 5 days a week at minimum wage,
not our much-needed emergency services and first-responders!
Hey Congress, if you want to cut something,
how about cutting your own pay, do away
with your taxpayer-paid perks and start living like the
rest of us by working 5 days a week at minimum wage,
not our much-needed emergency services and first-responders!
Hey Congress, if you want to cut something,
how about cutting your own pay, do away
with your taxpayer-paid perks and start living like the
rest of us by working 5 days a week at minimum wage,
not cut our much-needed emergency services and first-responders!
I’m in landlocked Nevada, and this plan sounds appalling even to me, like asking for death and disaster. Please reconsider this careless, unwise, incomprehensible “plan” for the sake of the watermen’s lives, which it is your duty to protect
Thank you Lorraine! Congress needs to hear from members other than the Oregon delegation. Our nation, not just the locals, depend on the men and women working at sea out of Newport.
leave things as they are. safty first.
Congress: Keep the funding in place for the Newport area Coast Guard helicopters. The people fishing and working in that area are already working in perilous conditions. If a rescue is needed, they depend on being able to be rescued within minutes. It makes no sense to move rescue helicopters farther away; that won’t save lives, and won’t really save that much money either. Find more reasonable ways to cut costs–cut out waste and unnecessary expenses!
why does the government always cut costs at the expense of the people? I think its because they are lazy and greedy, and do not care. and are ill informed or more likely do not give a damn. Get off your asses and do your job!
Keep the Coast Guard stationed in areas that are most advantageous to timely rescues. To do anything less would be a disservice.
Potential life or death. Lets choose life and keep the helicopter.
NOW THE WORTHLESS REPUB CONGRESS WANT’S TO KILL THE COAST GUARD! VOTE THESE KOCH SUCCORS OUT!
The Coast Guard needs that helicopter. Some responsible person in Congress should go out and see just what the ocean conditions in Oregon really are.
There is no question: keep the fisherpeople safe & have help available when and/if they ever need it.
Keep them there-keep them safe!
It would be terrible and immoral to cut off rescue services for fishermen and fisherwomen. These are people’s lives we’re talking about! They may not survive if these cuts in service are enacted!
They have tried to do this to our fisherman on the northeast coast as well, and it is ludicrous! The Coast Guard men & women do not back this either as it makes their job much more difficult. They want to succeed when called upon. We have so many areas within our government that could be cut back, but this is not one to even consider. What do we pay taxes for? This pays back citizens directly. Cut back our handouts and policing of other nations who do not appreciate us at all!
Do not make these cuts or move a single piece of life saving
equipment
Keep the fisherman safe!!!!!
Do what is right!!!!
I’m dismayed that no one here seems to be concerned about the aquatic animals. Of course, I’m concerned about the safety of humans, but I’m all for keeping the fishes safe from the fishermen.
Right on MaryAnne! For the fishes! Please join with thousands in our campaign to keep herring safe from overfishing at https://www.oceanriver.org/causes/save-river-herring/ or click here
The Coast Guard is essential for protecting people who live, work and play at the coast of Oregon located at Newport. Cutting this service will possibly cause the loss of future lives.
Don’t remove the only protection that they have for catastrophes – minutes count when a boat is on trouble or someone is hanging off a cliff.
Putting the helicopters further from where they are needed would add to the response time and cost more in fuel as well. It is a DUMB IDEA.
Safety first! Let the brave Coast Guard do it’s essential job, saving lives, the best way it can!
Yes for Newport Helo
People’s lives should be a priority. Doing away with such a quick response system would be insane and immoral.
Stop funding unnecessary military projects opposed by U.S. Generals and fund the needs of U.S.citizens and taxpayers.
The safety of the fishermen is of far greater significance than the few dollars that may be saved by this proposed, foolish move
Putting rescue helicopters that far away is just nonsense. Who makes decisions like that. A government that makes those kind of decisions sets people up for failure.
Yes, this decision by government was certainly made without consideration for the brave men and women who go to sea out of Newport.
Please Help Keep Our Fisherpeople Safe, And Please Keep The Rescue Helicopter Where It Is. The Rescuers Are Just Doing Their Job, And They Do It Extremely Well!
Members of Congress, You were elected by us to support and protect us from just this sort of disregard for the lives of the fishermen. What if it were one of your family that needed emergency aid and there was no one there?
The brave men and women who go to sea out of Newport, Oregon, deserve the national respect of continuation of full funding for the Coast Guard Search and Rescue facility at the Newport Airport complete with Rescue Helicopter.
Find somewhere else to cut costs! Congressional staff perhaps?
Fishing is a very dangerous occupation. Let’s keep our fishing fleet safe and save lives by keeping this CG helicopter where it is now!
It appears that an out of control Homeland Security Department (NSA and others) has been siphoning money out of the budgets of FEMA, Transportation Safety Administration, and the COAST GUARD to pay for their enhanced border patrol operations along the U.S.-Mexican border. As it turns out, this has been going on for some time, all completely legal due to the “security mission” the department is undertaking. Obviously waaaaaaaay too much freedom given to those whose answer to every question is “Trust me.”