The Coast Guard will be conducting an exercise on Hood Canal from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 9. Photo by Walter Siegmund

Boaters traveling on the Hood Canal Wednesday might see and hear a little more Coast Guard action than usual.

The Coast Guard’s Maritime Force Protection Unit Bangor is scheduled to conduct an on-water exercise from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9. The exercise will include boat tactics, security zone maintenance and weapons capabilities.

During the exercise, Coast Guard members will be firing blank rounds to make the experience more realistic. Blank rounds have no projectiles.

The exercise is intended to “maintain and improve qualifications of personnel that are charged with protecting the community, maritime environment and other naval vessels,” according to a Coast Guard release.

There will be a 1,000-yard safety zone in effect during the exercise. A Broadcast Notice to Mariners will be transmitted before, during and at the completion of the exercise. Marine mammal spotters will be on all Coast Guard vessels during the exercise and if any marine mammals are spotted, the exercise will stop or be delayed until the animal moves on.

About Deborah Bach

Deborah Bach is the editor and co-founder of Three Sheets Northwest. She is an avid sailor and longtime professional journalist. You can find Deborah aboard her Passport 40, Meridian, with her husband Marty and their cat Lily.

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