Date: Oct. 15, 2009
Contact: 808-535-3230
Petty Officer 3rd Class Luke Clayton

U.S. Coast Guard to host World Maritime Day event

HONOLULU — The U.S. Coast Guard is scheduled to host the 2009 International Maritime Organization World Maritime Day parallel event Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Aloha Tower Marketplace.

The event will focus attention on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment.

Event highlights include vessel tours, information displays and talks with maritime organizations, and a special afternoon "Salute to the Maritime Community" with a performance by the Marine Forces Pacific Band, a spray demonstration by the Honolulu Fire Department fire boat crew and a Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter flyover.

“We are honored to host the 2009 International Maritime Organization World Maritime Day parallel event," said Adm. Thad Allen, commandant of the U.S Coast Guard. "The parallel event is an opportunity for the maritime community to come together with the public to celebrate the contributions of the maritime industry as well as discuss and promote ways in which we can address areas important to us all.”

Other co-sponsors include the Maritime Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Protection Agency and Department of State.

The event is free and open to the public.

Other ports throughout the United States are scheduled to host simultaneous events.

For a video introduction about World Maritime Day from the Coast Guard commandant, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZsR6Bg-YKo

For more information, please visit: http://www.uscg.mil/worldmaritimeday.

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