SEE RELATED STORY — If you’re going to Seattle today: Hood Canal Bridge temporarily out of service at two different times — https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20131029/NEWS/310299984
HOOD CANAL — The shots fired on the Hood Canal between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday will be blanks.
The Coast Guard Maritime Force Protection Unit based in Bangor is scheduled to conduct an exercise north and south of the Hood Canal Bridge.
Coast Guard personnel will use blank rounds and LA-51 warning munitions for live-fire training.
No person will have anything shot at him or her, said George Degener, spokesman for the Coast Guard.
Coast Guard personnel will train in boat tactics, security zone enforcement and weapons capabilities.
Some Navy participation is expected, Degener said, since the Coast Guard provides security for Navy vessels.
Safety zone
A 500-yard safety zone will be in place around each participating vessel.
Other boats are expected to respect the zone; purposefully violating the safety zone in effect during the exercise is a crime.
A broadcast notice to mariners will be transmitted on VHF-FM channels 16, 13 and 22 before, during and at the completion of the exercise, Degener said.
All necessary precautions will be taken to ensure discarded casings are collected for appropriate disposal, and designated spotters will monitor marine mammal activity, Degener said.
If any marine mammals are spotted in the vicinity, all exercise activity will cease until all wildlife depart the training area, he added.
