Montauk Coast Guard Chief Is Out
By Russell Drumm

(Nov. 30, 2009) The Coast Guard announced on Monday that Chief Petty Officer James Weber, the commander of the Montauk Coast Guard search and rescue station, has been permanently relieved of his command. Chief Weber was stripped of his authority last month pending an investigation into a training exercise he conducted with two 47-foot motor lifeboats in heavy seas off Montauk Point in August.

Citing his contributions to the Montauk and East Hampton fishing communities as well as to Montauk residents in general, a citizen's campaign was launched to have Chief Weber reinstated, but to no avail.

Lieut. Erik Halverson said on Monday that the decision to permanently relieve Chief Weber of his command was made at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington. The action was recommended by Rear Admiral Joseph Nimmich, the officer in charge of the Coast Guard's First District, which has its headquarters in Boston.

Mr. Halverson said Admiral Nimmich had met with Chief Weber and had taken written testimony from him. He also consulted with the Coast Guard's motor lifeboat school.

In an interview late last month, Admiral Nimmich said there was no question that the station commander had done a fine job interacting with the Montauk community. However, he said from the Coast Guard's perspective, Chief Weber, who had been certified to operate a 47-foot lifeboat at a previous posting, was not certified to operate in the surf at Montauk. Montauk is a "heavy weather" station, but not one where vessels are authorized to operate in the surf. The distinction was an important one, Admiral Nimmich said.

The Montauk station is now under the command of Senior Chief Gordon McClay who will serve until a permanent replacement is found.