EVERETT — Naval Station Everett will conduct a security exercise in the harbor around the base Tuesday through Thursday next week.
The exercise will involve security boat maneuvers and automatic weapons firing of blank rounds to add realism for the sailors and personnel in the exercise.
No live ammunition will be used, but observers from the shore might see an increase in activity in the harbor and on the base, Naval Station Everett public affairs officer Kristin Ching said.
“They may hear the rounds going off,” Ching said.
The Navy will establish a 100-yard safety zone around the area, and the U.S. Coast Guard will issue a notice to mariners, steering boaters clear.
The gate to the naval base will be closed Thursday, May 15, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. for the exercise.
In addition to the maneuvers in the harbor, the Everett Fire Department, Providence Regional Medical Center Everett and Cascade Valley Hospital will take part, practicing for a mass-casualty incident.
The exercise is designed test the base’s ability to work with civilian and community partners during a crisis.
While part of the exercise involves transporting “patients” to hospitals, participants will not use marked vehicles or ambulances, Ching said.
Likewise, ships stationed at the base are not scheduled to be involved.
Next week’s operation is one of many regularly scheduled exercises at naval installations across the country.
“We do many exercises per year; this is just one of them,” Ching said.”
Chris Winters: 425-374-4165; cwinters@heraldnet.com.
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