New superbase planned for US Coast Guard

According to Schultz, Charleston has ‘the potential to grow into the largest concentration of assets and people in the Coast Guard’ in five years. The Port of Charleston is expected to become the deepest harbor on the East Coast by 2021, thus increasing the maritime importance of the region for Coast Guard personnel. Resources at the new port include offshore patrol cutters.

The new Coast Guard base will likely consolidate elements of Coast Guard Sector Charleston, Coast Guard Station Charleston, and the Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Academy. Admiral Schultz identified one major challenge facing the authority as the of management of aging infrastructure, such as old facilities, prone to leaks and flooding. A further challenge the superbase could overcome is the need for personnel to move very frequently in order to complete their training, and by consolidating different platforms, missions and duties, staff members could remain in one place for longer without damaging their potential for advancement.