Final Budget Bill Includes $11 Million for Cape May Coast Guard Training Center

Press Release

U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg today announced $11 million for the design and reconstruction of Pier 4 at the United States Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May has been included in the Fiscal Year 2012 Consolidated Appropriations bill. The Coast Guard originally had not planned to begin work on this project until 2017, but Senator Lautenberg, recognizing the serious need for repairs, worked to include funding in this year's bill. The bill will now be sent to President Barack Obama for his signature.

"The Coast Guard is the first line of defense for our nation's shores and must have the proper infrastructure in place to keep our country, region and state secure," said Senator Lautenberg, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which funds the Coast Guard. "I am proud to have secured this federal investment, which will make critical improvements to the Cape May training center. These upgrades will ensure the Coast Guard has the tools it needs to protect our nation's seas and ports and provide critical assistance during search and rescue missions."

This funding will rebuild Pier 4 in Cape May, which supports three 87-foot Coast Guard Patrol Boats. The patrol boats assigned to this location are responsible for performing critical safety and security missions along the coastal Mid-Atlantic region, including ports, waterways and coastal security, search and rescue, and law enforcement.

Due to a recent period of low maintenance, the pier sustained serious damage and was condemned, resulting in the temporary relocation of the patrol boats. The $11 million will provide for the complete reconstruction of the pier. Additionally, the bill requires the Coast Guard to establish a plan to upgrade the Training Center's barracks.

Cape May has the nation's only Coast Guard recruit training center and is home to the Coast Guard enlisted corps.

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