Dan Webster: “I think it would be the general, maybe, but... the largest port that is a cargo port is Tampa Bay.”

However, this committee is well aware also of the aging infrastructure and workforce shortages and insufficient budget that has operationally constrained the Coast Guard for--more than just this year--many years.

Admiral Fagan, during your address on the state of the Coast Guard, you rightly recognized your Service's funding challenges.

At the same time, our nation has two operational icebreakers, one of which is dedicated to the Service's Antarctic mission in support of the National Science Foundation and is operating well past its intended service life.

We just want to get ships built. That is all we want to do. Tell us how to do it. We will get the money for you.