(a) The COTP shall coordinate with the Area Maritime Security (AMS) Committee to conduct or participate in an exercise at least once each calendar year, with no more than 18 months between exercises, to test the effectiveness of the AMS Plan.

(b) An exercise may consist of any of the following:

(1) A tabletop exercise to validate the AMS Plan. No equipment or personnel deployment is required;

(2) A field training exercise consisting of personnel deployment and use of security equipment; or

(3) A combination of § 103.515(b)(1) and (b)(2).

(c) Upon review by the cognizant District Commander, and approval by the cognizant Area Commander, the requirements of this section may be satisfied by—

(1) Participation of the COTP and appropriate AMS Committee members or other appropriate port stakeholders in an emergency response or crisis management exercise conducted by another governmental agency or private sector entity, provided that the exercise addresses components of the AMS Plan;

(2) An actual increase in MARSEC Level; or

(3) Implementation of enhanced security measures enumerated in the AMS Plan during periods of critical port operations or special marine events.