Maritime Agencies Conduct Regional Maritime Security Exercise

The commercial Port of Hueneme, along with representatives from over ninety local, state, federal, and private sector emergency response, management and high-tech organizations are launching the Coastal Trident 2013 regional exercise June 18 through June 20, 2013, in an effort to address the potential threats of terrorist activities to regional maritime security.  Today’s event showcases the goals and objectives of the three day program to leading officials and media via hands on displays of technology and offshore assets.

This year’s Coastal Trident exercise is the latest in an annual, multiple phased training and exercise program established by the Port of Hueneme in partnership with the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Asymmetric Warfare, headquartered at Point Mugu, to improve the response capabilities of regional emergency response organizations to potential emergencies at the Port of Hueneme, protecting the economic viability of the Port and ensuring the safety and security of the surrounding communities.

While the exercise scenario is not based on any known threats to the Port or the region, it has been designed to address the increasing frequency of seaborne criminal activity including the smuggling of hazardous materials, narcotics and illegal aliens along the southern California coastline.

Coastal Trident 2013 will provide valuable opportunities for participants to validate tactics, techniques, and procedures to counter these threats in the port and maritime environments, as well as evaluate the role of developing military and law enforcement technologies to support intelligence-driven operations to deny opportunities for identified criminals and terrorists.

The exercise will be conducted from Tuesday, June 18, through Thursday, June 20, and consist of a scenario that includes coordination between jurisdictions; multi-jurisdictional, multi-domain command and control and public information.  The full-scale exercise will also facilitate field experimentation and operational evaluation of several technologies for use in the port and maritime environments.

Participants in the exercise will represent over ninety regional response agencies, departments and organizations from nine different countries, and a number of other public safety and private sector stakeholders committed to the safety and security of the Port of Hueneme and the local maritime domain.

The Coastal Trident training and exercise program is tangible evidence of the commitment by the Port of Hueneme and the emergency response community in Southern California to ensure public safety and security in the region through collaborative partnerships and cutting edge technology that enhances the region’s emergency response program.  Port Director Kristin Decas said, “The Port of Hueneme is particularly proud of our collaboration with the Naval Post Graduate School’s Center for Asymmetric Warfare.  In the last six years our partnership has grown from a local Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) drill to a full-fledged regional partnership encompassing up to 90 local, state and federal agencies connecting Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura County emergency and security responders.”

"Exercises such as this ensures public safety and our continued stewardship to the communities we serve." said Jason Hodge, President of the Port’s Board of Harbor Commissioners.