Media Availability: Coast Guard, Port of Virginia to host search and rescue forum in Hampton, Va.

Media Availability

U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic Contact: 5th District Public Affairs Office: (757) 398-6272 After Hours: (757) 295-8435 5th District online newsroom

Media Availability: Coast Guard, Port of Virginia to host search and rescue forum in Hampton, Virginia

 

WHO: Coast Guard Sector Virginia, Port of Virginia Maritime Incident Response Team, and numerous local police and fire departments.

WHAT: Media outlets are invited to attend a Coast Guard search and rescue demonstration during the 15th annual Steven Todd Dooley SAR Forum. Captain Stevens, Sector Commander, USCG Sector Virginia, and Mr. Bill Burket, Maritime Incident Response Team Director, will be available at the conclusion of the demonstration for interviews.

WHERE:  The Landing at Hampton Marina by Hilton, 700 Settlers Landing Rd., Hampton, VA, 23669 

WHY: To strengthen partnerships and communication, as well as to improve the life-saving processes and skills required of search and rescue agencies.

WHEN: Thursday, April 15,  9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

 

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Coast Guard Sector Virginia and The Port of Virginia and are scheduled to host the 15th Annual Steven Todd Dooley Search and Rescue Forum Monday through Friday in Hampton.

The SAR Forum is an annual event that continues to strengthen regional interagency partnerships and communication, as well as improve the life-saving processes and skills required of search and rescue agencies. Courses and presentations are offered over the duration of the event, as well as multiple demonstrations in order to increase boating safety knowledge. More than 20 agencies from across the Commonwealth of Virginia are scheduled to come together and participate in the weeklong event. 

Media members are invited to attend the search and rescue forum training event on Thursday at The Landing at Hampton Marina by Hilton in Hampton. Boats are scheduled to accommodate media ride-along requests to watch a live Coast Guard search and rescue demonstration with a helicopter. The boats are scheduled to leave the marina at 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning, with the demonstration beginning at approximately 10:30 a.m. Media is requested to arrive at the hotel at 9:00 a.m. if they would like to observe from a boat. 

Capt. Samson Stevens, Commander of Coast Guard Sector Virginia, along with Mr. Bill Burket, Director of Virginia Port Authority Maritime Incident Response Team, will be available for interviews at the conclusion of the demonstration at The Landing at Hampton Marina. 

Media interested in attending, please contact Coast Guard public affairs at 757-295-8435.

 

-USCG-