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Press Release | April 28, 2025

Media Advisory: Coast Guard, state, local first responders to conduct boat drills on the Tennessee River near Florence, Alabama.

Media planning to attend should RSVP no later than 4 p.m., April 29th, by contacting LT Sam Haley, Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment (MSD) Nashville, at (502) 376-9814. 
 

WHAT: The Coast Guard, state and local first responders will conduct drills on the Tennessee River near the Wilson Dam in Florence, Alabama. 

WHO: U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Colbert County Sheriff’s Office, Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office, Florence Fire Department, Muscle Shoals Police Department, Florence Police Department, Decatur Police Department, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, Huntsville Police Department, Decatur Fire Department, Guntersville Fire Department, Courtland Fire Department, Muscle Shoals Fire Department, Killen Fire Department, Mid-Lauderdale Fire Department, Alabama State Parks, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the Tennessee Valley Authority Police, Florence Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency, Limestone County Emergency Management Agency and Colbert County Emergency Management Agency.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 30, from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CDT. 

WHERE: Tennessee River, mile markers 259.4 to 265.  

NASHVILLE, TENN. -- In an effort to maintain maritime incident readiness, the Coast Guard along with state and local first responders will conduct a large-scale drill Wednesday near the Wilson Dam in Florence, Alabama. 

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

Media planning to attend should arrive no later than 9 a.m., Wednesday at the Fleet Harbor Boat Ramp. A Coast Guard representative will be available for an interview on site at the boat ramp. If there is interest from the media, a boat will be made available to obtain views of the boat drills occurring on the river. For parking please see the map attached to the press release. 

For more information follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 

-USCG-
 

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