For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, July 3, 2002

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The U.S. Coast Guard Station Bellingham will receive a new 87' coastal patrol boat, Sen. Patty Murray announced Wednesday.

Murray, who writes the Coast Guard budget as Chair of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, included funding for the vessel in the 2002 Supplemental Appropriations legislation.

The new '87 boat will complement the Bellingham station's current stable of two 41' utility boats and one 27' safe boat.

"This vessel will significantly improve the search and rescue capability of the Coast Guard Station Bellingham," said Sen. Murray. "We count on the men and women who serve in the Coast Guard to do dangerous yet vital work to protect our coastline. I am proud to help these men and women who are so important to a maritime state like Washington."

Murray has become a leading voice in congress for the Coast Guard. Today, Murray was the keynote speaker at the Seattle commissioning ceremony for the first Marine Safety and Security Team -- a Coast Guard anti-terrorism "SWAT Team" -- in the nation, which she procured for the Puget Sound. Last year, Murray also worked to increase the Coast Guard budget by 10 percent to help improve search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, port safety and to provide a pay raise for Coast Guard personnel.

The area of responsibility for Station Bellingham extends north to Canadian border, south to Admiralty Inlet and throughout the San Juan Islands. Station Bellingham is the northern-most Coast Guard station in the state.