Local Officials Respond to Coast Guard Station Closing in Grand Marais
Download MP3After more than 90 years, the U.S. Coast Guard closed its station in Grand Marais this summer, finalizing a plan it made public in 2021.
The Coast Guard station was established in 1928. It's been staffed on a seasonal basis since the late 1980s, up until the complete closure this summer. The facility is situated on Artist Point near the breakwall housing the Grand Marais Lighthouse.
As WTIP reported last year, the Grand Marais station was staffed by a limited crew. The Coast Guard said it responded to less than one call per year from the Grand Marais station.
At the time, federal officials from the Coast Guard said they “would not consolidate these stations if we thought it would increase the risk to boaters or the maritime industry.”
However, during a meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 11, local officials said the closing of the Coast Guard Station has “left the burden of Lake Superior water rescue to Cook County Sheriff's Department and to the Grand Portage tribal government.”
The area that is that is now vacant of any US Coast Guard patrolling is a massive area that extends from the Ontario border south to Schroeder, all of the water in between to Isle Royale National Park.
In this episode of the podcast, hosts Joe Friedrichs and Kalli Hawkins follow this story through the lens of two local meetings and discussion that took place at the courthouse and city hall in Grand Marais.
After more than 90 years, the U.S. Coast Guard closed its station in Grand Marais this summer, finalizing a plan it made public in 2021.
The Coast Guard station was established in 1928. It's been staffed on a seasonal basis since the late 1980s, up until the complete closure this summer. The facility is situated on Artist Point near the breakwall housing the Grand Marais Lighthouse.
As WTIP reported last year, the Grand Marais station was staffed by a limited crew. The Coast Guard said it responded to less than one call per year from the Grand Marais station.
At the time, federal officials from the Coast Guard said they “would not consolidate these stations if we thought it would increase the risk to boaters or the maritime industry.”
However, during a meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 11, local officials said the closing of the Coast Guard Station has “left the burden of Lake Superior water rescue to Cook County Sheriff's Department and to the Grand Portage tribal government.”
The area that is that is now vacant of any US Coast Guard patrolling is a massive area that extends from the Ontario border south to Schroeder, all of the water in between to Isle Royale National Park.
In this episode of the podcast, hosts Joe Friedrichs and Kalli Hawkins follow this story through the lens of two local meetings and discussion that took place at the courthouse and city hall in Grand Marais.
