Contact: Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office
(216) 902-6020
| Ninth District External Affairs U.S. Coast Guard |
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| Press Release |
Date: July 31, 2008
Contact: Petty Officer Will Mitchell |
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COAST GUARD PROVIDES SECURITY FOR NAVY SHIP SEA TRIALS MARINETTE, Wisc. - The Coast Guard is providing security for a new Navy Ship in Northern Lake Michigan, Thursday. The Littoral Combat Ship, USS Freedom, built in Marinette, Wisc. is currently conducting sea trials as Coast Guard Station Sturgeon Bay Response Boat crews provide security for the 379-foot combat ship. The Coast Guard crews are responsible for enforcing a Naval Vessel Protection Zone, which is a 500-yard regulated area of water surrounding large U.S. naval vessels that is necessary to provide for the safety and security of these U.S. naval vessels. -All vessels within 500 yards of a U.S. naval vessel must operate at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course. -Vessels are not allowed within 100 yards of a U.S. naval vessel -The official patrol can be reached on VHF-FM channel 16 "The Naval Vessel Protective Zone does not limit people from viewing the ship but it does identify a no-travel buffer zone for everyones' safety," said Cmdr. Billy Mitchell, Assistant Branch Chief for Enforcement of the Coast Guard Ninth District. Coast Guard Crews from Stations Michigan City and Wilmette Harbor are also assisting with the security details. Photos of the escort can be seen here: http://www.d9publicaffairs.com/go/doc/443/219060/ http://www.d9publicaffairs.com/go/doc/443/219057/
For further information contact Petty Officer Will Mitchell, Ninth District Public Affairs Office, at (216) 310-2608. ### |
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