The City of Detroit and U.S. Coast Guard hold International Security Exercise  on Detroit River Aug. 23-24

DETROIT - The City of Detroit and the U.S. Coast Guard will work with more than 60 U.S. and Canadian agencies to stage an exercise on August 23-24 involving an explosion on the Detroit Princess boat, evacuation of passengers and an oil spill on the Detroit River.

The full-scale exercise involves U.S. and Canadian agencies at the federal, state, and local levels and will test and measure the Area Maritime Security Plan, contingency plans of participating agencies, and public information outreach. Detroit River Readiness 2011 will take place along the Detroit River Corridor from Trenton to Detroit and Windsor.

The exercise begins around 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 23, with an actual, controlled explosion and smoke coming from the Detroit Princess boat.

Passengers will be evacuated from the boat and transported to an emergency medical facility located at Milliken State Park. The exercise will continue on August 24 as crews respond to an oil spill on the Detroit River.

Exercise organizers are asking media outlets to inform area residents about the exercise to minimize concerns about the explosion and subsequent smoke. Individuals with questions or concerns are encouraged to call (313) 567-3007.

Interagency coordination and communication will play key roles in the exercise’s success, as well as enhance readiness for future incidents. This exercise culminates from three years of planning to prepare the area maritime security committee members and surrounding communities to respond to all threats and hazards that may arise at anytime.

This exercise is NOT open to the public; however, media is invited to attend. Reporters will be able to cover the exercise from two locations:

• At the scene of the incident with a viewing area set up in Milliken State Park, located at Atwater at Riopelle

• From outside of the Port Authority Complex, located at 130 Atwater at Bates

For more information, contact Pam Shivers, City of Detroit Homeland Security Public Information Officer, at (313) 596-1646, or Lt. Justin Westmiller, USCG Exercise Public Information Officer, at (313) 701-6016.