Coast Guard to Participate in Multi-Agency Response Exercise

The Coast Guard will lead a multi-agency response exercise Monday to implement the preparedness plans of federal, state and local agencies in the national capital region. Exercise Nautical Shield 2007, is designed to implement the Area Maritime Security Plan, Area Contingency Plan and the Coast Guard's mass rescue plan. The objectives of Nautical Shield 2007 are to exercise notification procedures, establish a unified command, keep the public and media informed, deploy resources to conduct on-water oil spill recovery operations and implement protection strategies outlined in security plans. Other federal, state, county, and local assisting and cooperating agencies involved in the drill include the Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, D.C. Emergency Management Agency, D.C. Fire Department, D.C. Police Department, Coast Guard Auxiliary and private sector organizations and vessels.