Sector Lower Mississippi River
Coast Guard

Date: Aug. 25, 2006

Contact:  Lt. Leon McClain, Jr., PAO
(901) 521-4845

PORT OF CATOOSA MARITIME SECURITY EXERCISE

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River and the Transportation Security Administration will sponsor a joint security exercise at the Port of Catoosa, Okla., as part of the Port Security Training Exercises Program (PortSTEP) on Aug. 30. 

The exercise, which is scheduled to commence at 8 a.m. and conclude promptly at 4 p.m., will evaluate preparedness, prevention and the ability to respond to and recover from a Transportation Security Incident.

This exercise will showcase participation from the entire port community, including both 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 to strengthen links within the Oklahoma Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC) and assess all modes of the transportation community to improve port readiness. 

PortSTEP is focused on port, surface and maritime transportation communities and is in alignment with the nation's infrastructure protection policies and programs.  It serves to strengthen links within the Area Maritime Security Committee.  The responsibilities of the AMSC cover the entire spectrum of security activities: awareness, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.  The dynamic interactions of the members produce tremendous dividends in the form of expedient communications, coordinated prevention, greater preparedness and more effective response and recovery.  

The Coast Guard fulfills its role as Federal Maritime Security Coordinator by overseeing the implementation of the Area Maritime Security Plans, which are part of a family of plans under the overarching National Maritime Transportation Security Plan and aligns with national strategy documents such as the National Strategy for Homeland Security and the National Strategy for Maritime Security. 

"Ensuring the protection of this port is an overall team effort," said Cmdr Patrick J. Maguire, the Federal Maritime Security Coordinator for Lower Mississippi River, including the Port of Catoosa.  "This exercise will not only test how well we are prepared to work together, but will also help us identify areas for improvement."  

For all questions regarding the upcoming PortSTEP exercise or port security initiatives on the Western Rivers, please contact Public Affairs at (901) 521-4845.

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