Montauk's New Port Security Vessel To Be Commissioned, Public Invited

MONTAUK, NY — A new port security vessel for Montauk Harbor will be commissioned this month and the public is invited to attend the ceremony.

Commissioning of the John L. Behan port security vessel for Montauk Harbor will take place on Wednesday, July 26, at 11 a.m. at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Montauk, located at 69 Star Island Road.

Speakers will include East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell, East Hampton Town Police Chief Michael Sarlo, Captain Andrew Tucci of the USCG Port Long Island Sound, and Montauk Fire Department Chief Vincent Franzone.

The port security vessel with firefighting capabilities will be home-ported in Montauk Harbor; its purpose will be to assist the U.S. Coast Guard with its Homeland Security mission, thereby making Montauk a more resilient port, and to provide fire protection in Montauk Harbor a release from the town said.

A federal grant will cover $450,000, or 75 percent, of the approximately $600,000 cost of the project, with the town contributing $150,000, or 25 percent.

John L. Behan, a Montauk resident and highly decorated Vietnam veteran, served as the director of New York State’s Division of Veterans’ Affairs, as a New York State Assemblyman, and as the East Hampton Town Assessor.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony. Light refreshments will follow.

The new marine patrol vessel was unveiled recently at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Montauk.

The vessel was garnered through the collaborative efforts of the Montauk Fire Department, the East Hampton Town Police Department, East Hampton Town Marine Patrol, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Franzone and East Hampton Town Chief Harbormaster Ed Michels took a tour of the new addition and offered thanks go to Sarlo for approving a development so critically needed.

Photos and additional reporting by Richard Lewin, Richard Lewin Professional Photography, soniboy@aol.com.