BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D - NY) was in Buffalo Monday to announce a three-prong plan to secure federal funding to save the USS The Sullivans.
USS The Sullivans, a decommissioned United States Navy Fletcher-class destroyer, began taking on water when there was a major breach in the hull on April 13. On April 15 crews halted pumping water from the ship as they discovered that oil was coming out of the ship. On April 16 officials announced the plan to save the ship includes removing all contaminants and stabilizing the incident, but it would be costly.
Monday, Sen. Schumer spoke at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park to announce a three-prong plan to secure funding and save the ship.
I am putting out an SOS to the feds – Save Our Sullivans. This historic landmark is the pride and joy of the Buffalo waterfront, for our veterans and our strong Irish community, and we cannot allow its future to sink any further. That is why I am here today to get all hands on deck and launch my push to secure the emergency lifeboats this historic vessel needs to set sail once again and preserve its history and stories for generations to come.
The three-prong plan includes:
- Beginning work on a congressionally directed spending request for funding through the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus and will be pushing for the maximum eligible amount based off the relevant committee.
- Calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to begin working with local leaders to help address any remaining clean up issues and oil that may be continuing to pollute the waters during the hull breach.
- Pushing for major increases to the National Maritime Heritage Grant Program in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
