The Coast Guard’s role in the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon

Photo By Ann Marie Gorden | Members of the Coast Guard Police Department, Maritime Safety and Security Team New York, Coast Guard Investigative Service and Sector New York work to ensure the security and safety of all the runners and vendors near the start line on Fort Wadsworth during the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon on Nov. 2, 2014. Fort Wadsworth is home to Coast Guard Sector New York, the largest operational unit in the Coast Guard. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ann Marie Gorden)  

NY, UNITED STATES

11.04.2014

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ann Marie Gorden 

U.S. Coast Guard District 1     

NEW YORK – There are a few select events each year that allow foot traffic across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. More than 50,000 people from 130 countries got their chance to cross the bridge as they ran passed the start line of the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon.

Fort Wadsworth, a national park open to the public, was the host and welcomed all the runners waiting to cross the bridge along with a number of vendors. With heightened risk, the park was closed to visitors and the Coast Guard, U.S. Park Police, New York Police Department, Fire Department of New York City and the FBI amped up their security forces to maintain vigilance.

For the Coast Guard, the marathon isn’t just a one day event. Mike Di Trani, command security officer at Coast Guard Sector New York, spent the last six months mapping out security detail.

The day before the event, Di Trani was part of a small team that conducted a final security walk-through around each corral and assured every space was closed up to protect government property.

The language barrier challenges fluid communication amid the crowd of anxious runners on marathon day. Situational awareness is key.

Members from the Coast Guard Police Department, Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) New York, Coast Guard Investigative Service, Sector New York and Coast Guard Auxiliarists were on hand to ensure the safety and security of the runners and those working the event.

The course crossed five bridges throughout New York City. The Coast Guard and NYPD provided water security for the bridges as well as escorts for the Staten Island Ferry.

Around 11 a.m., the last group of runners took off over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The Coast Guard spent the remainder of the day making sure Fort Wadsworth was safe to open back up to the public.

At a debrief, Coast Guard crews discussed what worked and how thing could be improved for 2015. The day’s success was a testament to the six months spent putting the safety and security plans in place.

• Date Taken: 11.04.2014
• Date Posted: 11.05.2014 07:38
• Story ID: 147013
• Location: NY, US