NY Naval Militia crews training on Lake Champlain this week

WHITEHALL, N.Y. (AP) — Two patrol boats manned by members of New York state's Naval Militia are conducting training on Lake Champlain over the next few days.

The state Division of Military and Naval Affairs says the two 22-foot long Metalcraft Kingfisher boats will travel 100 miles from the lake's southern end at Whitehall in Washington County to the Canadian border at Rouses Point in Clinton County.

The purpose of this week's training is to familiarize the crews with operation of the patrol boats and with navigating on Lake Champlain.

The vessels will also stop at the U.S. Coast Guard station in Burlington, Vermont, as part of the training mission, which begins today and runs through Friday.

The Naval Militia operates a fleet of nine patrol boats which can support federal, state and local agencies.