Coast Guard, partner agencies to participate in oil spill response exercise in Tampa
U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 07/16/2018 01:52 PM EDT
News Release |
U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay |
Coast Guard, partner agencies to participate in oil spill response exercise in Tampa
TAMPA, Fla. — Coast Guard personnel, in conjunction with local, state and federal partners, are scheduled to conduct a national preparedness for response exercise for oil pollution in the Port of Tampa, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The exercise will evaluate the capabilities and effectiveness of a full-scale government led multi-agency response to a simulated oil discharge in the Port of Tampa.
As part of the exercise, the Coast Guard along with other federal, state and industry partners will conduct an oil spill response equipment drill in the Ybor Channel near Tampa Bay Cruise Terminal 6 on Tuesday. This drill provides the opportunity to deploy and recover response equipment designed to protect environmentally sensitive areas.
"It is our responsibility to be prepared for the worst-case scenario," said Capt. Holly Najarian, Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg Commander. "Multi-agency and industry coordination, training and preparation are crucial to keeping our waterways safe and protected."
Following the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the federal government developed a National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program to provide a mechanism for compliance with oil spill response exercise requirements.
The Coast Guard together with federal, state, local and industry partners, assemble together to conduct Emergency Preparedness and Pollution Response exercises as part of an established multi-year strategy to build capabilities and improve readiness.
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