WASHINGTON, D. C. The acting leader of the U. S. Coast Guard committed this month to supporting the construction of new docks and finding a “permanent solution” for dredging at its Cape Disappointment base. Responding to questioning from Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) during a Nov. 19 hearing with the U. S. Senate Commerce Committee, Coast Guard Acting Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday said he would commit to constructing new docks that can support the station’s fleet of heavy surf boats used for rescue operations, including the new replacement fleet for its 52-foot rescue boats. The legislation increased funding by 30% to help the Coast Guard deliver on priorities, such as polar icebreakers and new heavy weather rescue boats; the senator had secured a $12 million down payment to replace the rescue boats in 2023. The Coast Guard last December launched its formal process to buy up to six second-generation Special Purpose Craft Heavy Weather (SPC-HWX) II vessels that will be homeported at Cape Disappointment. These new vessels will be up to 64 feet long, have a top speed 23 mph (20 knots) and a range of 575 miles (500 nautical miles). They will be used to conduct search and rescue missions in extreme weather conditions, including surf and extreme seas, with the Coast Guard saying the boats will exceed the towing limits and operational and range capabilities of the 47-foot motor lifeboats. Cape D is considered the largest search and rescue station in the Pacific Northwest, and is home to the National Motor Lifeboat School, which trains Coast Guard personnel to operate the 47-foot lifeboats. The station conducts an average of 450 to 500 search and rescue cases annually, many of which are attributed to the Columbia River bar, regarded as one of the most treacherous river bars in the world. Asked by Cantwell if he would commit to new docks for both the 52-foot rescue boats and the forthcoming SPC-HWX II vessels, Lunday said “I will.” “You know the Coast Guard boat drivers are the best in the world, including there at Cape Disappointment where we train them,” the admiral added. “It’s critically important.” Cantwell thanked the admiral for his commitment and welcomed him to visit Cape Disappointment and the surrounding area. She also asked whether the Coast Guard would address critical infrastructure, namely dredging, to protect the station’s rescue capacity. Waterways are currently maintained through continual dredging, which serve as a temporary fix. Lunday asserted that the Coast Guard “is going to expend $110 million” in funding through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that was passed and signed into law earlier this year “to address the dredging issue that you described at Ilwaco.” One potential long-term solution is erecting break walls to protect against waves. “Rather than the continual dredging challenges, we spoke about a more permanent solution and so we’re going to work for our design that will be able to do that effectively,” Lunday testified.
https://chinookobserver.com/2025/11/22/coast-guard-leader-commits-to-new-cape-d-docks-eyes-permanent-dredging-fix/
Coast Guard leader commits to new Cape D docks: Eyes permanent dredging fix
