(Michigan City, IN) - A grassroots effort is building to keep the U.S. Coast Guard station in Michigan City from potentially closing.

 

There’s been talk in Congress of closing the U.S. Coast Guard station at Michigan City’s lakefront, and among those on the front lines in the battle to shoot down such an idea is Michigan City Mayor Duane Parry.

 

Parry said keeping the station open is critical to the safety of people using Lake Michigan in the area.

 

He explained that the Coast Guard response time to calls along the Michigan City shoreline is about 10 minutes and that it would take much longer for a Coast Guard boat to arrive here from Chicago.

 

“It’s a two-hour response time from Chicago. That’s a matter of life and death,” he said.

 

Parry went further, saying that there could also be a negative economic impact from some people not wanting to use the lake without having the Coast Guard nearby.

 

“Whether they’re coming over here to charter a fishing boat. Whether they’re coming over here for a pleasure cruise or just to hang out at the beach, there’s a comfort zone having a Coast Guard station close,” he said.

 

Parry said he was in the process of writing a letter denouncing the idea to decision-makers in Washington D.C.