WHAT: Media is invited to attend the 17th annual Steven Todd Dooley Search and Rescue Forum to watch a Coast Guard search and rescue demonstration.
WHO: Coast Guard Sector Virginia, Port of Virginia Maritime Incident Response Team, and numerous local police and fire departments.
WHEN: Thursday, March 2, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Landing at Hampton Marina by Hilton, 700 Settlers Landing Rd., Hampton, VA, 23669
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Coast Guard Sector Virginia and the Port of Virginia and are hosting the 17th Annual Steven Todd Dooley Search and Rescue Forum Monday through Friday in Hampton.
Media interested in attending should RSVP at 757-295-843 by 7 p.m. March 1 and should arrive no later than 9 a.m. if planning on observing from a boat.
The SAR Forum is an annual event that continues to strengthen regional interagency partnerships and communication, as well as improve the life-saving processes and skills required of search and rescue agencies. Courses and presentations are offered over the duration of the event, as well as multiple demonstrations to increase boating safety knowledge. More than 150 students, 35 agencies and 30 boats from law enforcement and fire departments across the Commonwealth of Virginia are scheduled to come together and participate in the weeklong event.
Media members are invited to attend the SAR Forum training event on Thursday at The Landing at Hampton Marina by Hilton in Hampton, VA. There are boats scheduled to accommodate media ride-along requests to watch a Coast Guard search and rescue demonstration with a helicopter. The boats are scheduled to leave the marina at 9:30a.m. Thursday morning, with the demonstration beginning at approximately 10:30am.
Captain Jennifer Stockwell, Sector Virginia commanding officer, and Mr. Bill Burket, the Maritime Incident Response Team director, will be available for interviews at the conclusion of the demonstration at The Landing at Hampton Marina.