Coast Guard, partner agencies to participate in oil spill response exercise in Tampa

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay 305-965-4672 PA Detachment Tampa Bay online newsroom

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. 

-USCG-