Multiple law enforcement agencies are conducting a full-scale homeland security training exercise in East End waterways today through Saturday.
Dubbed “Operation Blue Trident,” the exercise led by N.Y. State Department of Environmental Conservation police will deploy 24 vessels and more than 100 personnel from 23 local, state and federal agencies. They will conduct radiological detection training, perform navigational boating safety, marine fisheries compliance, and environmental monitoring operations, according to the governor’s office.
It is the first training of its kind on the East End.
“Long Island is a vital gateway to the New York Metropolitan area, and we must be fully prepared to handle any crisis that threatens the well-being of New Yorkers,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement.
“Preparedness, organization and coordination are key in any emergency response, and this exercise will help ensure that New York is ready and able to deal with anything that threatens our heath, environment, or security,” Cuomo said.
Seven law enforcement vessels brought in for the training exercise were docked in downtown Riverhead overnight. Several came from upstate, DEC police director Joseph Schneider said. Other, larger vessels were docked in Shinnecock.
Training operations will take place in the bays and will be visible from many points on the North Fork shoreline. Residents and visitors to the area should be aware that this is only an exercise, officials said.
The East End Marine Task Force — comprising the Riverhead, Southold, Shelter Island, East Hampton, Sag Harbor, Westhampton, Quogue and Southampton police departments — is participating in the exercise, along with the Suffolk County sheriff’s office, Suffolk County Police Department, NYS Police, NYS Park Police, the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, the U.S. Coast Guard, National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl
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