Coast Guard back on duty in Florence

FLORENCE (AP) - The U.S. Coast Guard has brought its local rescue crews back to the Siuslaw River station on the Oregon coast after they were pulled away Oct. 7 to help guard large ports against terrorist attack.

That left fishing boats working out of the Siuslaw River relying on the Coast Guard's backup rescue teams in Winchester Bay and Newport, as well as helicopters assigned to the air station at North Bend.

Two crews of 12 people and two 47-foot boats went back on duty Monday, but only during daylight hours until more staff return.

"We're certainly happy around here to be standing back up and providing the service we all came here for," said Chief Petty Officer Scott Lowry, commanding officer for the Siuslaw River Motor Lifeboat Station.

The main concern now is the crab season, which begins Sunday. About a half dozen local boats will be working out of the Siuslaw River when winter seas can quickly turn treacherous.

Local fisherman Dave Wilson said he is relieved that the crews are back, even if only during daylight hours.

"We can work around that," he said. "We just don't want it to be a permanent situation."