Exercise Tests Mass Rescue Operation Plan

Story by PA1 Donnie Brzuska, PADET Jacksonville, Fla.

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - A multi-agency, multi-commercial vessel, mass-rescue exercise was held here Jan. 25 to test a mass-rescue operation plan to respond to an emergency involving one of the area's high-passenger casino cruise ships.

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - A Coast Guard crew from Station Oak Island, N.C., and a crew from the South Carolina Dept. of Natural Resources participate in a mock rescue scenario on the Little River, which boarders both North Carolina and South Carolina. U.S. Coast Guard photograph by PA1 Donnie Brzuska.

"This plan solidifies not only the commitment of local, state and federal agencies to saving lives but also demonstrates the commitment of local commercial vessel operators and the community," said Capt. John Cameron, commanding officer of Sector Charleston, S.C., at a ceremony following the exercise.

Emergency responders and coordinators from North Carolina and South Carolina developed the Little River Mass Rescue Operation Plan through a coordinated effort to effectively respond to a rescue incident where North Carolina and South Carolina's borders meet.

Under the plan, rescue coordinators and support personnel will set up an incident command post to direct rescue operations and effectively manage resources. The plan also outlines how all rescuers will be contacted, their response efforts coordinated and how rescue personnel will account for all cruise ship passengers.

The unique aspect of this plan is that many of the first responders would be area commercial vessel operators.

"This is a plan that has needed to be in place for a while, and we appreciate the efforts of the Coast Guard to organize this [exercise and plan]," said Spiros Naos, the executive vice president of Sun Cruz Casino cruise ships, at the ceremony.

The Little River Mass Rescue Exercise included the forces of Horry County Fire Rescue, S.C.; Brunswick, N.C., County Emergency Response Agencies; South Carolina Department of Natural Resources; North Carolina Division of Emergency Management; Coast Guard Sector Charleston; Coast Guard Sector North Carolina; Coast Guard Station Georgetown, S.C.; and Coast Guard Station Oak Island, N.C.

Commercial vessel operators who participated in the Little River Rescue Exercise include Southern Cruz Lines, Inc.; Oceans Casino Cruises, Inc.; Dolphin Dive Charters; Hurricane Fleet; and Jet-A-Wave Jetboat, Island Girl.

All the agencies and commercial vessel operators solidified their commitment to the rescue operation plan by signing a memorandum of agreement the day of the exercise at the Calabash Fire Station, S.C.

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