Coast Guard says its intercepted message from training exercise led to confusion

Intercepted Coast Guard message led to confusion

WASHINGTON — The Coast Guard says radio communications for a routine training exercise in Washington were overheard by the public, leading to news reports and confusion amid Friday’s commemorations of the Sept. 11 anniversary.

Coast Guard Chief of Staff John Currier told reporters no shots were fired and there was no suspect vessel on the river, as had been reported by cable news networks.

Currier also said President Barack Obama was not in the area at the time. Obama’s motorcade had crossed the river on the way to a memorial at the Pentagon earlier Friday morning.

Currier said the Coast Guard will review the incident. He added that the Coast Guard trains every day to maintain an around-the-clock security presence.