CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Coast Guard will host a table top exercise in Calabash, N.C., Tuesday at 9 a.m. in the event area emergency response personnel must implement a mass rescue.
The mass rescue plan includes the Coast Guard and several local and state agencies from North Carolina and South Carolina. The purpose of this exercise is to reinforce the contingency plan information and verify procedures outlined in the plan to respond to a mass rescue situation.
The plan provides guidance for participating agencies during critical incidents similar to the Miss Calabash II boat fire. The charter fishing vessel Miss Calabash II caught fire approximately 17-miles east of Little River, S.C., July 30, 2008 with 26 people aboard. The passengers and crew were all safely rescued by two good Samaritans and brought back to shore.
Additionally, the Coast Guard will present public service awards to the captains of the Good Samaritan vessels and the Calabash fire chief for their assistance during the rescue.
