- Title: USA: COAST GUARD PERFORMS ANTI-TERRORISM DRILL
- Date: 11th September 2003
- Summary: (U7) NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (SEPTEMBER 9, 2003) (REUTERS) 1. NEW YORK HARBOUR; COAST GUARD BOAT; TOURIST BOAT CROSSES IN FRONT OF STATUE OF LIBERTY 0.25 2. SLV COAST GUARD BOAT PERFORMING ANTI-TERRORISM DRILL (9 SHOTS) 2.11 3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) COMMANDER JIM MONRO, NEW YORK COAST GUARD "Today was a training simulation t
- Embargoed: 26th September 2003 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- City:
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVAC45L6BVAZ9WVL683XCCEQJC1X
- Story Text: U.S. Coast Guard performs anti-terrorism drill in
New York Harbor.
As New York nears the second anniversary of the
World Trade Centre disaster, the U.S. Coast Guard conducted
a drill to practise protecting the harbour against
attackers.
Near the Statue of Liberty, the Maritime Safety and
Security Team (MSST) 91106 demonstrated a scenario where it
intercepted and apprehended a boat of would-be terrorists
attempting to sabotage the national landmark.
Commander Jim Monro, of the New York Coast Guard
explained the drill. "Today was a training simulation that
was conducted to demonstrate our ability with our Marine
Maritime Safety and Security Team to intercept and deal
with incursions in various safety security zones throughout
the port of New York and New Jersey," he said.
As the boat neared the Statue MSST members intercept
the boat and warn those on board that the area is closed.
As the target boat tries to evade the Guard a chase ensues
and the finally the crew is apprehended.
Commander Dmitri Delgado says his crew is armed, "Boats
will have an M60 machine gun forward. Members will carry
M-16 machine guns that is pretty standard in the military,
a riot shotgun that will have the capability of delivering
less than lethal technologies as well and then Baretta 92
fox-trot 9 millimetre weapons."
The team was created in response to the 9/11 disaster
and is trained for port security in a variety of
situations.
Forty-seven Coast Guard members are versed in
responding to a chemical, biological or radiological
attack. They have access to enclosed high speed boats
allowing them to chase suspects in any type of weather and
on rough seas.
The MSSTs guard and protect 95,000 miles of coastline
and 361 ports.
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