Houston Conducts Oil Spill Response Drill

Local, state and federal agencies are holding an oil spill response exercise at the Port of Houston, April 25-26. The exercise scenario simulates an explosion, fire onboard the ship Cape Trinity, and a 252,000 gallon oil spill in the turning basin of the Houston Ship Channel. The Cape Trinity is a Maritime Administration (MARAD) ship used for transporting military equipment and supplies overseas. The exercise, called Trinity 2006, will be used to train and test local responders and response plans. Agencies participating in the exercise include: U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Texas General Land Office, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Port of Houston Authority, Texas Department of Public Safety, the Greater Houston Local Emergency Planning Committee, Houston Office of Emergency Management, Houston Fire and Police departments, the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Office of Public Safety and Environmental Services, the Harris County Fire and Sheriff's offices, Channel Industry Mutual Aid and Clean Channels Association in addition to other federal, state and local agencies.