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AUGUST 2026
on an active shooter scenario. Since then, we’ve done four 
additional exercises on active shooter, mass rescue and SPV 
marine firefighting scenarios. Planning for and executing 
these exercises has significantly contributed to increased 
communication, understanding, and industry/agency 
partnership within the maritime community. There is no 
doubt we are all better prepared as a result of this work.
You may be wondering how the HSC ended up leading 
such an effort, as opposed to a government entity or the 
Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC). It’s the 
members of the HSC that have relationships, access to 
the assets and facilities, and giving first responders an 
opportunity to become familiar with those things before 
an incident is critical. Because of the breadth of focus and 
the diversity of partnerships that exist within the HSC, we 
were able to connect dots and bring people together in a 
way that had not been feasible previously. Our focus on 
safety and addressing risk within the waterway meant that 
Planning for and  
executing these exercises 
has significantly  
contributed to increased 
communication,  
understanding, and  
industry/agency  
partnership within the 
maritime community. 
Opposite page from top: U.S. Coast Guard members drilling on board; In-person exercises allow partners across agencies to 
practice coordinating effort in the event of a crisis. 
PHOTOS: MIKE MCELROY
BRAND
MARINERS
THE
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Marine Electronics and wonder why the pros 
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