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Press Release | May 27, 2025

Media Advisory: Coast Guard, state, local first responders to conduct boat drills on Ohio River in Kentucky & Illinois

Editor’s Note: Media planning to attend should RSVP no later than 4 p.m. EDT, May 27th, 2025, by contacting LCDR Sam Kulp, Marine Safety Unit Paducah, at (270) 210-4742.

WHAT: The Coast Guard, state and local first responders will conduct law enforcement drills with a commercial towing vessel operated by Ingram Barge Company near Paducah, Kentucky on the Ohio River.  

WHO:  U.S. Coast Guard, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Paducah Fire and Police, Cape Girardeau Police SWAT, McCracken County and Paducah Emergency Management, and McCracken County Sheriff’s Office.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 28th, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. through 12:00 p.m. CDT

WHERE: Law enforcement drills are on the Ohio River mile marker 930.0 - 935.0.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In an effort to maintain maritime incident readiness, Coast Guard, local, county and state agencies will conduct law enforcement drills on the Ohio River in the Port of Paducah, Kentucky on Wednesday. 

The purpose of the drills is to enhance maritime incident response for both law enforcement and fire/rescue agency personnel who may respond to a maritime incident occurring along the Ohio River regional area.  

The drills include a wide range of boat tactics and emergency response procedures. Drills will include multiple agency responder boats displaying flashing lights operating near a towing vessel pushing barges on the Ohio River mile marker 930.0 - 935.0.

Media planning to attend should arrive no later than 8:15 a.m. CDT Wednesday for a safety briefing at the Burnett Street Boat Ramp, located in Paducah, Kentucky. If there is interest from the Media, a boat will be made available to obtain views of the boat drills occurring on the Ohio River.

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-USCG-

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