U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam and CNMI agencies successfully conduct joint search and rescue exercise
U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam and Station Apra Harbor personnel team up with seven local CNMI departments to conduct a comprehensive Search and Rescue Exercise off the coast of Saipan near Managaha Island on Sept. 7 and 8, 2023. Building upon the foundations of a 2022 SAREX, this two-day event showcased interagency coordination, expertise, and invaluable training that are critical for the success of real-world search and rescue operations. The event involved more than 40 participants from various agencies, including the Department of Public Safety, Department of Fire and Emergency Management Services, Customs and Biosecurity, CPA Port Police, and several environmental quality departments. It commenced with a simulated 911 call reporting a vessel on fire a few nautical miles off the coast. Within an hour, six boats carrying over 30 rescue personnel were underway, implementing the search pattern lessons the Coast Guard team provided the previous day.