Brown Joins Ashtabula Community to Demand That Coast Guard Make Ashtabula Station Fully Operational

ASHTABULA, OH - Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined community members at the Ashtabula Fire Department to call on the Biden Administration to reopen the United States Coast Guard's Ashtabula Harbor Station and restore Ashtabula and U.S. Coast Guard Fairport to full-time operation to better protect Ohioans on Lake Erie. Having a continued, fully-staffed Coast Guard presence at U.S. Coast Guard Ashtabula and Fairport Stations is critical to securing the water-based border and supporting the entire region's coastal economy and tourism industry.

"Together with the Ashtabula community, I'm demanding the Administration restore Ashtabula Harbor Station to its full capacity. Its closure is unacceptable," said Brown. "Lake Erie is vital to our way of life in Northeast Ohio. Ohioans rely on our lake as a driver of economic growth that supports both commerce and recreation - but that hinges on a fully operational and well-staffed Coast Guard to keep Ohioans and visitors safe on the Lake."

Since 1893, the U.S. Coast Guard has had a presence in Ashtabula, serving a vital public safety role for the entire region by protecting our water-based border, combating the trafficking of illegal drugs like fentanyl, engaging in counterterrorism operations, supporting commerce, and protecting boaters. But last year, the Biden Administration significantly downsized the U.S. Coast Guard presence in Ashtabula and U.S. Coast Guard Fairport. As there are every year, there have been a number of emergencies and safety issues on Lake Erie this year - including one weekend where one boater died and 13 others were rescued.

"We have an outstanding relationship with the men and women of our Coast Guard Station Ashtabula and their presence in our community is vital to the safety of our tourists, outdoor enthusiasts, boaters, and commercial vessels. It is a strain on our resources when they are not in port, and although we take the time to train for emergencies on the water, this is not our expertise. We cannot replace the skills and response of the Coast Guard when they are in our station. We are hopeful complete coverage will be restored," said Jim Timonere, City Manager, City of Ashtabula.

"The City of Conneaut is the Northeastern Gateway to our region with a seven-mile coastline for swimming, recreational boating and deepwater port commerce. It is crucial as a network of port communities like Ashtabula and Conneaut, steeped in diverse maritime history, to have these assets close to us in here in the City of Ashtabula," said Nicholas A. Sanford, City Manager, City of Conneaut.

Brown is leading the fight to reopen the station full-time and has repeatedlyurged the administration to reopen all operations along Lake Erie. Following Brown's push, the U.S. Coast Guard staffed Ashtabula Harbor on weekends until this past Labor Day but have stopped since. Brown is continuing to demand the restoration of full-time staffing at U.S. Coast Guard Ashtabula and U.S. Coast Guard Fairport.

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