On Monday, August 6th, Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Mary Landrieu, the chair of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, conducted a U.S. Senate Field hearing in Kodiak to discuss the needs of the United States Coast Guard as they guard and patrol Alaska's northern waters.

The field hearing was intended to provide testimony for the need of additional funds to the Coast Guard. The two senators are currently working on a bill that would allocate $10.336 billion to the Coast Guard, $282 million above president’s request.

The meeting, that took place at Base Support Unit Hanger Three, was opened by Senator Murkowski as she highlighted the Coast Guard’s commitment to Alaska’s waters. “We put you in harm’s way to guard us,” said Murkowski, “We must ensure you have the assets to do what you do so honorably.”

Senator Landrieu echoed the concerns of Senator Murkowski – who stressed that America is an Arctic Nation and must place a higher priority on our efforts up north – by saying that many decision makers in Congress and in the White House haven’t fully realized this fact. “The alarm has sounded, but we keep hitting the snooze button,” said Landrieu.

The Senators took testimony from the Coast Guard Commandant and a panel of academic and industry experts about the Coast Guard missions and assets and the Arctic.

United States Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Robert J. Papp was questioned by the senators over matters ranging from the nation’s need for icebreakers to the response capabilities supporting offshore exploratory drilling.

On the issue of icebreakers, Papp says that once the Polar Star returns to the water, that gives America enough cover as it finalizes a long-term plan; with regards to response abilities, Papp told the Senators that there will be over 20 vessels in the Beaufort/Chukchi areas if Shell gets to drill.

The panel, consisting of Dr Mark Myers of University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Merrick Burden with the Marine Conservation Alliance, and Bruce Harland of Crowley Marine, discussed the rise of technology in informing navigation and research capabilities in Arctic waters, along with the rise of shipping traffic through narrow regions like the Unimak Pass and the Bering Strait.

During their visit to Kodiak, Senators Landrieu Murkowski of Alaska toured the base to expand their knowledge of Coast Guard operations and infrastructure following a Senate field hearing held at Air Station Kodiak.

From Kodiak, Senators Landrieu, Murkowski and Begich along with Admiral Papp went on to Cold Bay where they were able to tour the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf, which is part of the Coast Guard’s Arctic Shield operation.

“Touring the Bertholf was an incredible opportunity to see first-hand the type of capability the Coast Guard can bring to the Arctic,” Begich said. “As we move closer to exploration activity in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, the Coast Guard has a critical role to play by being prepared to respond no matter what happens, whether in saving lives or protecting the environment. The Arctic Shield operation is critically important to the overall success of development plans in the Arctic, both looking for new sources of energy and increased marine shipping through the region.”

“‘Safe, Ready and Balanced’ is the guiding principle of the Bertholf – and precisely the mindset Alaskans want and deserve from the largest-ever Coast Guard effort in the Arctic, as the Arctic Shield mission pioneers a new level of operations off Alaska’s shores,” said Murkowski. “It’s one thing to describe the commitment levels of Alaska’s Coast Guardsmen with words, but an entirely different thing to see them at work. This is something you’re not going to see in a Capitol Hill hearing room, and I am glad that Secretary Napolitano and Senator Landrieu were able to see, in person, Alaskans standing ready to help move the country forward to new possibilities as an Arctic Nation.”