Coast Guard Station Jones Beach Could See Rehabilitation With Congressional Funds, Gillen Says

FREEPORT, NY — While Long Islanders across the south shore wait with baited breath for the return of beach season, the boat basin at the west end of Jones Beach State Park could see a return of its own: the Coast Guard Station Jones Beach, operating at a reduced capacity since 2024.

In an announcement Tuesday, Congresswoman Laura Gillen — herself the ranking member of the congressional subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation — said Coast Guard Admiral Kevin Lunday had committed to making that station a priority. The 2024 scaleback, Gillen’s office said, had come amid limited funding and low recruitment.

"Under the Coast Guard's Fiscal Year 24 Force Realignment Initiative, Station Jones Beach was one of 19 stations that the Coast Guard adjusted to a new operational status, part of a broader reduction in the presence and capabilities devoted to Long Island,” Gillen said. "I'm deeply concerned about the impact of those changes.”

In an Oct. 31, 2023 announcement, the Coast Guard said it would be limiting the operational capacity of 17 of its boats in the following fiscal year and limiting the operations available to some stations, including Jones Beach.

According to Gillen, the admiral had made a prior commitment to reevaluating the Jones Beach station when the 2024 cuts were made. Tuesday, Gillen’s office said the Coast Guard was coming off of a 2025 that saw a major cash infusion and strong recruitment that could turn the tide for stations like Jones Beach.

In his comments to Gillen, Lunday said his outfit had a plan in place that could see extra personnel brought out to Jones Beach. That new personnel, Gillen's office said, could bring things like year-round search and rescue operations back to the Nassau County location.

“We have a plan to be able to move, if supported in the [Fiscal Year] 27 [budget] request to move [Coast Guard men and women] out to those small boat stations, and that'll help us restore the operating posture,” Lunday said. “And so, I look forward to getting back to you as I hear from Admiral Burdian on the station priorities, including the prioritization of Jones Beach."