This rescue function serves an important role in a county that could not easily or immediately replicate the service had it been halted as originally planned.
Now, the task is to make this restoration permanent. Graham and Scott, both Republicans, say they will work toward that end.
The senators announced Dec. 11 that Air Facility Charleston will remain open through Jan. 1, 2016, under a provision included in the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act. The provision puts a moratorium on closing any Coast Guard stations that were still open on or before Nov. 30, Graham explained in a video posted to his website.
Three days after the announcement came a reminder how important search-and-resuce capability is in a coastal area: A helicopter from Air Facility Charleston helped rescue four people from a burning boat off Murrells Inlet.
The closing of the Coast Guard facility on Johns Island and a facility in Newport, Ore., was announced in October but has been criticized by officials in Charleston and Beaufort who worry emergency-response times will increase and lives will be jeopardized. Had the Charleston facility been closed, the helicopter stationed there would be transferred to Savannah temporarily, then moved to a new area.
The Coast Guard Reauthorization Act approved an $8.7 billion budget for 2015. The "budget-driven" closures would have saved the Coast Guard $6 million, Graham said.
There's no telling how many lives the cut would have cost. Thanks to the efforts of Graham, Scott and others in Congress, upon whom better judgment prevailed, we won't have to find out.
At least, not for another year.
Source: http://www.islandpacket.com
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