BALTIMORE – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that the U.S. Coast Guard will relocate its Cutter CHOCK’s homeport from Portsmouth, VA to Baltimore, MD.  Coast Guard officials expect the transition to take place by June 1, 2012.

“The relocation of the CHOCK to the Port of Baltimore is excellent news for the Coast Guard and for Baltimore, which offers the ideal strategic location for the vessel’s mission of ensuring safe navigation in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries,” said Senator Cardin.  “Marylanders are proud to welcome the CHOCK to our state, and stand ready to support its crew and mission as they work to ensure the safety of boaters, as well as our ports and waterways.” 

“It’s with great pride that we welcome the Coast Guard Cutter CHOCK and its crew to Baltimore,” Senator Mikulski said. “You will be in good company in your new homeport. The Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay is home to 600 military and civilian personnel who work day and night to protect the nation’s coastlines, lives and livelihoods. They’re vital to our national security. The people of Maryland and personnel of the Coast Guard Yard stand ready to support the CHOCK in its mission!”

CHOCK is a 65-foot harbor tug with a crew of six.  This relocation better positions the CHOCK to conduct Ice Operations, Ports Waterways and Coastal Security, and Search and Rescue operations in the upper Chesapeake Bay and tributaries.  Although it will be stationed at the Port of Baltimore, the CHOCK will continue to conduct operations in the lower Chesapeake Bay on an as needed basis.