The Russian Federationâs Marine Rescue Service and the U.S. Coast Guard have signed the 2020 update to the Joint Contingency Plan, which is a bilateral agreement focused on preparing for and responding to transboundary maritime pollution incidents.Â
The agreement was signed on Feb. 1 by Andrey Khaustov, acting director of the MRS, and the U.S. Coast Guardâs Deputy Commandant for Operations, Vice Adm. Scott Buschman.Â
The updated JCP promotes a coordinated system for planning, preparing and responding to pollutant substance incidents in the waters between the U.S. and Russia.
The U.S. and Russian Federation have shared a cooperative bilateral agreement on transboundary marine pollution preparedness and response in this area since 1989. The newest JCP revision requires joint planning and transboundary exercise efforts to be coordinated by a Joint Planning Group led by Coast Guard District 17, which includes Base Kodiak, and is guided by a non-binding two-year work plan.