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Vice-Commandant of the United States Coast Guard Visits NOAA Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center
NOVEMBER 16, 2020 — On November 6, 2020, Admiral Charles Ray, Vice-Commandant of the United States Coast Guard (USCG), visited the NOAA Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center (DRC) in Mobile, Alabama, to see first-hand where USCG Sector Mobile Hurricane Sally operations were managed, and to thank key staff that supported them.
During Hurricane Sally, USCG Sector Mobile command and operations, responsible for the Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida Panhandle’s coastal zone, relocated from their waterfront facility to the weather hardened DRC. This action was part of their normal Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), and an activity that the NOAA Disaster Preparedness Program and the USCG Sector Mobile jointly exercise annually. The DRC continued to support USCG response activities for the nearly 1000 boats and vessels sunk and displaced as a result of the storm.
Admiral Ray was thankful and impressed by this NOAA Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R) resource. He stated to the staff that accompanied him, “Facilities like this aren’t fully appreciated until they are needed.” The DRC was built in part for this reason after Hurricane Katrina and serves as a hub for disaster preparedness and response in the Gulf of Mexico region as a part of OR&R’s Disaster Preparedness Program. All health and safety guidelines, masks, and social distancing were implemented during the visit.
For additional information, please contact Charlie.Henry@noaa.gov.