Tampa, Fla. (970 WFLA) - If you see what appears to be a takeover of Port Tampa Bay today and tomorrow, it's all part of a joint training exercise being coordinated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
Starting at noon today, deputies from the Sheriff's office marine, aviation, bomb squad, K-9 units and SWAT team will all take part in the training drill along with port officials and the Tampa Police Department.
One of the training exercises will test out some of the Sheriff's office newest equipment when they respond to a hostile take-over of a ship at the port by air and on the water to rescue hostages on-board, then take control of the ship.
New benches attached to the outside of one aircraft will be used to lower deputies down to the ship using fast rope arms to quickly allow them to respond in the most efficient way and end the hostage situation.
The training drills are expected to run today and Wednesday between noon and midnight.