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Port Security and the Maritime
Transportations Security Act
By Lieutenant Joseph J. Leonard, Jr., Chief, Port Operations
US Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Galveston
September 11, 2001 demonstrated to all Americans, and security professionals in particular, that there were significant gaps in the procedures we use everyday to safeguard our way of life. Many of these changes became evident to all of us as we traveled via commercial carrier. Other changes were more subtle or involved enhancing the exchange of critical information between federal, state, local, and industrial stakeholders.
One key area of emphasis for security enhancements over the last few years has been within the nation�s 361 port complexes. The maritime industry contributes over $1 trillion annually to the nation�s GDP and over 95% of our commerce comes through these port areas. In addition to 156 million tons of hazardous materials, over 1 billion tons of petroleum products are transported through these ports. While 85% of the US population lives within 100 miles of a major seaport, less than 20% of the adults recognize these ports as the primary point for entry and exit of all of these goods.
In 2003, the Maritime Transportation Security Act became law in an effort to address the wide array of security concerns relating to port and vessel security. Key aspects of this legislation included the completion of security assessments for vessels and waterfront facilities, development of security plans, and implementation of enhanced security measures and procedures. The MTSA, as the law is known, will impact approximately 5,000 waterfront and offshore facilities as well as over 10,000 vessels.
Security assessments will be completed either by owners/operators of facilities and vessels or by various federal, state, and local entities with regards to shared, critical infrastructure, such as bridges and tunnels or public use facilities. These assessments will be used to identify potential weaknesses that an adversary may seek to exploit. The information developed in these assessments will be used to further enhance security plans for vessels and facilities.
Security plans will be required for each vessel and facility subject to requisite portions of 33 CFR 101-106. These plans will be required to be in place by 1 July 2004. In addition, facilities and vessels MUST be able to implement and comply with all portions of their plans by this date or seek approval for �temporary security measures� from the requisite Captain of the Port to obtain an Interim Approval Letters for their plans.
A significant portion of these facility and vessel security plans, as well as Area Maritime Security Plans completed on a regional level by the Coast Guard (and the local Area Maritime Security Committee), will address implementation of enhanced security measures and procedures. While vessel and facility plans pertain to specific ships of locations, Area Maritime Security Plans address critical infrastructure that is shared by all maritime transportations system stakeholders. Nonetheless, all of these plans can address some or all of the following:
1. Passenger, vehicle, and baggage screening.
2. Security patrols.
3. Establishing and enforcing restricted areas.
4. Personnel identification procedures.
5. Access control measures.
6. Installation of surveillance equipment.
A key aspect of these plans will be an active and comprehensive exercise program that requires plan holders to conduct exercises annually (with no more than 18 months between exercises). This level of activity will ensure that plans are validated, reviewed and updated in a timely manner while at the same time ensuring key personnel are cognizant of plan contents and requirements.
The Maritime Transportation Security Act is but one aspect of an active and effective port security program. Other aspects include Transportation Security Cards (Transportation Worker Identification Cards), a substantial grant program, enhanced and shared maritime intelligence, automatic identification systems for vessels (similar to those already on board aircraft), and secure systems of transportation. These steps are part of an ongoing effort by the United States to improve maritime transportation security within the port areas that are so vital to our nation�s economy.
For more information, please email me at [email protected]
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