Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici Urge United States Coast Guard to Bring Additional Deep Water Vessels to Tongue Point in Astoria

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) decision to homeport two new Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) at Tongue Point in Astoria, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), have requested that the USCG consider stationing an additional two FRCs at the port. 

FRCs are used to strengthen port, waterways and coastal security, as well as conduct fishery patrols, and search and rescue and national defense missions.

“The Coast Guard has a critically important mission that benefits the Pacific Northwest in many ways: by safeguarding our fishing fleets and recreational vessels, ensuring safe passage for the maritime shipping industry, and protecting our borders and national security. The community of Astoria is well equipped to support the Coast Guard and its vessels in their mission here in Oregon. Co-locating four FRCs at Tongue Point will advance the Coast Guard’s mission, increase efficiency and economy of scale, and provide close proximity to a number of worldclass maritime services and shipyards,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter to Admiral Karl Schultz, Commandant, United States Coast Guard.

“A strong Coast Guard presence is critical in this community given its regional significance as the gateway to the Columbia River and the notoriously treacherous waters of the ‘graveyard of the Pacific.’ We applaud the Coast Guard’s decision to station two FRCs at Tongue Point and hope that you will consider homeporting two additional FRCs alongside them. Astoria benefits greatly from the US Coast Guard’s presence in the community and looks forward to hosting additional staff and resources,” the lawmakers continued.

“The City of Astoria values the tremendous positive impact its Coast Guard members and families bring to the community. Astoria is committed to supporting a robust Coast Guard presence and homeporting infrastructure. The growing shipyard and other maritime services capability at North Tongue Point make it an ideal location for an expanded Fast Response Cutter siting,” said Bruce Jones, Mayor of Astoria.

The full text of the lawmakers’ letter is available here and follows below.

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Dear Admiral Schultz,

We write to express our appreciation that the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has decided to homeport two of its new Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) at Tongue Point in Astoria, Oregon, as well as to ask that two additional FRCs also be homeported at Astoria.

For the last 164 years, the City of Astoria has served as the headquarters of USCG Sector Columbia River. The community has a long, proud legacy as being one of only twenty-eight Coast Guard Cities nationwide and is dedicated to supporting over 2,000 Coast Guard team members including active, reserve, civilian, and auxiliary members, and their families.

The Coast Guard has a critically important mission that benefits the Pacific Northwest in many ways: by safeguarding our fishing fleets and recreational vessels, ensuring safe passage for the maritime shipping industry, and protecting our borders and national security. The community of Astoria is well equipped to support the Coast Guard and its vessels in their mission here in Oregon. Co-locating four FRCs at Tongue Point will advance the Coast Guard’s mission, increase efficiency and economy of scale, and provide close proximity to a number of worldclass maritime services and shipyards.

A strong Coast Guard presence is critical in this community given its regional significance as the gateway to the Columbia River and the notoriously treacherous waters of the “graveyard of the Pacific.” We applaud the Coast Guard’s decision to station two FRCs at Tongue Point and hope that you will consider homeporting two additional FRCs alongside them. Astoria benefits greatly from the US Coast Guard’s presence in the community and looks forward to hosting additional staff and resources.

Sincerely,