The U.S. Coast Guard and the Marine Rescue Service Russian Federation met in Anchorage recently to review and update their “2020 Joint Contingency Plan of the United States of America and the Russian Federation in Combating Pollution on the Bering Sea and Chukchi Seas” document.
Members of the Coast Guard’s Headquarters, Pacific Area, the 17th District and Sector Anchorage were present for the meeting, which took place Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, with the Russian agency to discuss joint spill response efforts in the Bering and Chukchi Seas and other related matters. They also visited the Alaska Wildlife Response/International Bird Rescue Center and saw a demonstration of equipment at Alaska Chadux Network.
“Meeting our Russian counterparts face-to-face and exchanging information strengthens our shared commitment to environmental protection,” said Rear Adm. Nathan A. Moore, commander 17th District. “The U.S.-Russia maritime boundary is adjacent to heavily-traveled routes for ships carrying hydrocarbons. I rest a bit easier at night knowing that we have developed working relationships with our neighbors and are preparing ahead of time for a pollution incident that we hope does not occur.