WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH — The United States Coast Guard has announced plans to possibly relocate an 87-foot coastal patrol boat (WPB) to its USCG Station Wrightsville Beach to aid in maritime safety and security operations. An environmental impact study has been completed and is available for public viewing.
The relocation of the ship would help provide more services like search and rescue to Sector North Carolina.
“The purpose and need of this project is to ensure optimum readiness and enable the USCG to effectively meet operational and mission execution requirements in support of maritime safety and security operations. The USCG’s 87-foot WPB is a multi-mission vessel that allows the USCG maximum flexibility and response capability for their mandated missions. It is a fast, sturdy, highly maneuverable boat capable of operating in rough seas with wave height up to 8 feet,” according to the Coast Guard.
Station Wrightsville Beach was created in 1969 and is located on the west side on the south end of the island and is bordered by the Banks Channel. The station was built to house a crew of 18, according to the USCG environmental impact analysis.
The WPB would be vital cutting down search and rescue mission time since current search and rescue missions are carried out by other cutters from other units in Sector North Carolina.
“The 87-foot WPB is the dividing line between the USCG’s small response boats and large cutters and they are vital to offshore missions. Currently, there is not an 87-foot WPB homeported in Sector North Carolina. Offshore patrols and missions are being conducted either by 110-foot WPBs from SFO Fort Macon in Atlantic Beach, NC or by 87-foot WPBs from Sector Hampton Roads in Virginia on a rotating schedule,” according to the Coast Guard.
The USCG’s Fifth District, which includes North Carolina, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia and Maryland is set to receive several new cutters to replace ships that are being decommissioned.
According to the Coast Guard’s environmental assessment, “The assignment of Sentinel Class cutters to the Fifth District creates an opportunity to improve operational readiness and efficiency by allowing for relocation of one existing Fifth District 87-foot WPB from Cape May, New Jersey to Sector North Carolina.”
This wont be the first time Station Wrightsville Beach would be home to an 87-foot WPB. From 1987 until 2000, the Point Warde was moored there. Station Wrightsville Beach is also one of the only feasible locations within Sector North Carolina to house the 87-foot vessel.
“This alternative would have the 87-foot WPB homeported at another location within Sector North Carolina. Review of the 2013 Feasibility Study indicates that other Units within Sector North Carolina potentially have suitable moorings available for short durations; however, with the exception of STA Wrightsville Beach, no Units have suitable moorings permanently available for an 87-foot WPB,” the report states.
The addition of another vessel would not have an impact on any of the crews or boats located at Station Wrightsville Beach.
“The 87-foot cutter will not displace any other small boats or crews located at Station Wrightsville Beach; the pier there hosts 87’s at different times without any issue,” Fifth Coast Guard District External Affairs Joshua L. Canup said.
Anyone interested in reviewing the full environmental impact report can do so at the New Hanover County Library on Military Cutoff Road, and comments or concerns can be mailed to the U.S. Coast Guard by Nov. 3.
Michael Praats can be reached at Michael.p@localvoicemedia.com
