Southeast : COAST GUARD DEPARTURE

Following the Navy’s lead, Coast Guard workers in Long Beach plan to close their downtown offices and set sail for other stations in San Pedro and Alameda.

Unless the decision is overturned by Congress, Coast Guard officials predicted that about 25 of the office’s 200 administrative jobs will be lost in the move. Military workers among them will be offered early discharge or may be transferred to other bases.

A Coast Guard spokesman said the move, part of a federal mandate to trim $400 million and 4,000 jobs, should not affect the force’s local marine operations. He said the office’s closure will make for a leaner internal organization, not reduced ship and helicopter vigilance.

“The person whose boat is sinking out at Catalina Island should not notice the effects of the Coast Guard’s downsizing,” said Lt. Cmdr. Scott LaRochelle.

The Coast Guard’s decision follows last year’s closure of the Long Beach Naval Station. The Navy’s withdrawal from the city will be complete after the Long Beach Naval Shipyard shuts down as early as January, 1997.