Coast Guard holds simulated oil spill exercise near Don Holt Bridge

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Coast Guard Sector Charleston is holding a two-day exercise to test response plans and actions during a simulated oil spill scenario.

The exercise will be onshore and on the water near the Don Holt Bridge.

Officials say the exercise will validate the U.S. Coast Guard and partners’ existing protocols, review capabilities and identify gaps within existing contingency plans.

During the various phases of the exercise residents can expect increased activity by multiple response asserts and personnel around the area, authorities say.

The Coast Guard says approximately 40 federal, state, local and non-government agencies will participate in this exercise.

Those agencies include the Coast Guard Charleston, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.