MARIETTA, OH – The Coast Guard plans to facilitate a port security exercise Thursday March 15, 2007 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the dinning facility of Andrews Hall on the Marietta College campus here, to evaluate preparedness, prevention and the ability to respond to and recover from a terrorist-related incident.
The Area Maritime Security Training Exercises Program (AMSTEP) is focused on building links within the Area Maritime Security (AMS) Committee. The committee assists the Coast Guard Captain of the Port in writing, reviewing and updating an AMS Plan in addition to supporting other transportation entities that depend upon the port being secure.
The exercise will involve a majority of the port community, including public governmental agencies and private industry. The partnership is intended to improve connectivity of various surface transportation modes and enhance current Area Maritime Security Plans.
Communication and coordination abilities of the government and maritime industry will be tested at this event.
AMSTEP is designed to benefit maritime and surface transportation security communities in the U.S. through a series of training exercises, evaluations and accompanying information technology products.
Currently over 30 federal, state and local government agencies, area industry and media organizations have confirmed participation in this event.
For more information on the exercise contact: Mr. Todd Childers, Port Security Specialist, USCG Marine Safety Unit Huntington, W. Va. at (304) 733-0198, extension 2109.
