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Port and border
security
Lt. Commander Joseph J. Leonard, Jr. and ENS Kassandra J. Cinatl
US Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit - Galveston
I first wrote about port security in this magazine in the premier edition of Managing Security Today back in the fall of 2004. Since then, much has happened to influence port and border security.
The Maritime Transportation Security Act became law in 2003. While most security assessments and security plans were completed for facilities and vessels years ago, we still have requirements for annual inspections, spot checks and exercises. This is an ongoing activity that requires planning, active participation, coordination internally and externally, and documentation. If you have any questions, contact the Facilities Division at your nearest Coast Guard Sector.
On the subject of sectors, the Coast Guard completed its reorganization last year. Marine Safety Offices and Groups were combined into �sectors.� Each sector has a Prevention Department, a Response Department and a Logistics Department. In addition, there are a Command Center staff and a Contingency Planning staff that are part of the Sector office. Other resources, such as cutters, air stations, small boat stations and aids to navigation teams may also be assigned. Typically, Prevention Departments manage vessel and facility inspections and investigations. Response Departments oversee incident management, search and rescue, marine environmental response and law enforcement, leaving the Logistics Department to handle internal services and support functions. At the sector (local) level, most security activities will generally be managed by the Facilities Division (in the Prevention Department) or by the Enforcement Division (in the Response Department). Check with your local Coast Guard Sector to determine who your points of contact are for security activities.
Once ad-hoc organizations managed by the local captain of the port and various maritime stakeholders, Area Maritime Security Committees are now more formalized with significant responsibilities in the development of effective Area Maritime Security Plans (and exercises) and outreach activities with the maritime community.
One of the most successful parts of the Area Maritime Security Committee concept is the way it builds on effective partnerships amongst federal, state, local and private-sector stakeholders. These relationships pave the way for many other successful endeavors within a port community, such as the Port Coordination Team concept we utilize in the Houston-Galveston area to aid in decision making and better develop a common operational picture amongst all stakeholders. Your Area Maritime Security Committee is an ideal vehicle to learn more about a wide array of port security issues in your particular area of concern. Contact the Contingency Planning staff at your local Sector office to learn more about the activities of your local Area Maritime Security Committee.
One of the most successful partnerships developed over the last several years has been the one between the U.S. Coast Guard and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. We now coordinate our activities much more closely, have improved information sharing, have an active exchange program involving our personnel and have expanded our joint training initiatives.
Port Security Grants continue to be an effective way for port stakeholders to improve their security posture. The Port Security Grant Program is one of six grant programs that constitute the Department of Homeland Security�s Fiscal Year 2007 Infrastructure Protection Program. The IPP is one tool among a comprehensive set of measures authorized by congress to help strengthen the nation�s critical infrastructure against risks associated with potential terrorist attacks. Funding priorities for the FY07 Port Security Grant Program reflect DHS� overall investment strategy, in which two priorities have been paramount: risk-based funding and regional security cooperation. A total of $202,269,793 has been awarded nationwide and will help support the above mentioned priorities and the following five specific priorities; enhancing Maritime Domain Awareness, enhancing prevention, protection, response and recovery capabilities; training and exercises; efforts supporting implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential; and efforts in support of the national preparedness architecture.
The TWIC is another tool you may need to become familiar with. In accordance with the requirements of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 and the SAFE Port Act, the Transportation Worker Identification Credential will serve as an identification card for all personnel requiring unescorted access to secure areas of MTSA-regulated facilities and vessels and all mariners holding Coast Guard-issued credentials or qualification documents. The TWIC card will be the minimum requirement necessary to gain unescorted access to vessels and port facilities. Using �Smart Card� technology, the issued credential will include the worker�s biometric information used to confirm appropriate background checks have been completed and the individual is determined not to be an appreciable security threat.
It is important to remember TWIC is only one component of the comprehensive port security enhancements put into place by the U.S. Coast Guard and the TSA. All aspects of TWIC have not been finalized yet; implementation of the program has presented unique challenges, which have been compounded by a rapidly-changing technology landscape and the added demands of operating in the maritime environment.
The Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 03-07, published in July, provides guidance on implementation of the TWIC Final Rule. More information related to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential can be found on TSA�s website at
www.tsa.gov/twic.
A lot has happened since 9-11 � much of it is directly attributable to the dedication of a large number of professionals who understand the threats we currently face and know what must be done to improve our overall security.
Lieutenant Commander Joseph J. Leonard, Jr is the chief of the Response Department and Ensign Kassandra J. Cinatl is the assistant chief of the Response Department at U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Galveston.
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