By TOM LATEK, Kentucky Today

PADUCAH, Ky. (KT) - In an effort to maintain maritime incident readiness, U.S. Coast Guard personnel, along with representative from local, county and state law enforcement agencies, will conduct a series of law enforcement drills on the Ohio River in and around the Port of Paducah on Wednesday morning.

The purpose of the drills is to enhance maritime incident response for both law enforcement and fire/rescue agency personnel who may be required to respond to a maritime incident occurring along the Ohio River regional area.

Don't be surprised if you drive along the Ohio River near Paducah and see a lot of activity on the water. The drills include a wide range of boat tactics and emergency response procedures. Drills will include multiple agency responder boats displaying flashing lights operating near a towing vessel pushing barges on the Ohio River mile marker 930.0 - 935.0.

In addition to the Coast Guard, other agencies expected to participate in the training exercise include the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Paducah Fire and Police, Cape Girardeau (Missouri) Police SWAT, McCracken County and Paducah Emergency Management, and the McCracken County Sheriff's Office. As part of the drills, they will be using a commercial towing vessel operated by Ingram Barge Company