| Release #: M11-02 |
| Release date: Nov. 6, 2003 |
| Contact: Petty Officer Judy Silverstein |
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COAST GUARD ENCOURAGES CITIZENS TO CALL IN SUSPECTED POLLUTION INCIDENTS |
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CHARLESTON, S.C. - United States Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Charleston (MSO) is increasing pollution patrols along the South Carolina coast and asks local citizens to help by reporting spills to the National Response Center (NRC). "Patrols have been increased in response to a jump in small, unclaimed "mystery" oil spills along the coast," says Lt. Kevin Floyd, Assistant Chief, Port Security and Operations Department at MSO Charleston. Citizens seeing oil spills or other pollution should contact the NRC immediately at (800) 424-8802. Incoming calls to the NRC will be directed to the local Coast Guard and/or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) office for that region. You can also access the NRC on the web at www.nrc.uscg.mil/nrchp.html for more information. Calling in pollution information quickly and efficiently allows response agencies to formulate a rapid and effective plan to contain and mitigate the effects of spills. Minutes count when responding to a suspected pollution incident. Additionally, the information you call in allows the Coast Guard to gather evidence and build a stronger case against polluters. -uscg- ED NOTE: Subject matter expert Lt. Kevin Floyd, Assistant Chief, Port Security and Operations Department, MSO Charleston, is available for in-depth questioning about oil spills. A former duty officer at the NRC, he has more than 12 years experience in pollution investigation. The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the |
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