With the possibility of a hobbled Coast Guard on the Central Coast, local entities that have relied on the guard in the past may have to adjust their expectations.
“We utilize them but not on a routine basis,” said Sean James, the public safety superintendent for the California State Parks’ Monterey District.
“Monterey or Pacific Grove might put in a request where the Coast Guard is not available to respond,” said James.
There might be times when the State Parks’ rescue swimmers would be called in because a Coast Guard boat was not available. Water rescues in the Cannery Row, Point Pinos and Moss Landing areas benefit from the presence of the guard close by.