An emergency on the St. Lawrence River could be a frightening situation, but now local responders are better prepared to assist than ever. Our Amanda Kelley shows us a mock emergency drill unlike any other.

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Thousand Islands Rescue Director of Operations Glenn Morrison said, "We've never had this opportunity to train like this before, we would respond, just like we normally would, but now we actually think we might be a little more prepared, should that situation arise."

Teams of EMS and firefighters worked to free victims from below ship decks, tackling tight spaces, cold weather, and working in unfamiliar territory.

Clayton Fireman Justin Taylor said, "It's very important to familiarize, to get the concept out because every time you go out something is going to be different."

These drills couldn't be more important for responders in Clayton and other waterfront communities.

Morrison said, "Obviously we lie right in the middle of the shipping channel, and a scenario could happen at any given moment that we could be faced with."

This training also allows emergency responders from throughout the county the opportunity to work through problems, making them better prepared for actual emergency situations.

Morrison said, "We're actually removing people at an absolute 90 degree angle, straight up some of these hatchways and stairways and that's something that we've never done before. So we've had to change our normal packaging routines, how we secure the victim."

And other logistical problems also were revealed throughout the drills.

Taylor said, "We're dealing on three different communication systems. The fire frequency, the EMS frequency, and the marine frequency, so there's not one radio that you can communicate. As you can see, I’ve got three different radios to communicate with."

Morrison said, "You always hear the same thing. Communication is an issue. Well, we're trying to tackle that issue now."

It's helping make the seaway safer for everyone who chooses to travel it.

RJ Marine in Clayton assisted the First responders with the mock emergency drill. They donated the vessel used in the drills which costs about four-hundred dollars per hour to operate.