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U.S. Coast Guard Sea Marshals
Lt. Joseph J. Leonard, Jr.
Chief, Response Department
U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Galveston
The United States Coast Guard is internationally recognized as the premier life-saving service in the world. Protecting life and property at sea is the major mission of the Coast Guard. Even in the post 9-11 world, this mission will remain paramount. Most Americans recognize Coast Guard resources, such as small boats and helicopters, carrying out this mission during our Search and Rescue activities. But since 9-11, Maritime Homeland Security has taken a seat beside search and rescue as a primary mission focus.
Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge highlighted the importance of Maritime Homeland Security when he stated, �With 95 percent of our nation�s international cargo carried by ship, port security is critical to ensuring our nation�s homeland and economic security. The port security measure we are putting in place, both here at home and abroad, are about expanding our capabilities � strengthening a vitally important system with additional layers of defense.�
In 2003, the U.S. Coast Guard conducted more than 36,000 port security patrols, 3,600 air patrols, 8,000 security boardings, and 7, 000 vessel escorts. In addition, more than 115 security zones were managed and maintained
(Source - US Coast Guard 2004 Report).
One significant resource in the Maritime Homeland Security toolbox is the Sea Marshal. Air Marshals gained fame in the weeks and months after 9-11 for their efforts to minimize (or eliminate) any potential terrorist threat to an aircraft while in flight. Sea Marshals perform a similar duty on board many of the ships that transit the 361 ports within the United States.
Sea Marshals operate in teams of various sizes (depending on the port area and the specific mission assignment) with the goal of ensuring the vessel remains under the control of the master at all times. Sea marshals may be used for inbound or outbound transits, as well as shifting within the port. The criteria for selecting which vessels will be sea marshaled is risk-based and related to a variety of issues, such as law enforcement information, vessel specifics, as well as a variety of other variables.
From a security perspective, Sea Marshals are the primary contact that vessel personnel and agents will have. As such, it is critically important that individuals whose duties include the efficient movement of vessels in to, within, and out of the port know who their Sea Marshal point of contact is to ensure an effective flow of information that will facilitate vessel movement.
For more information, email [email protected]
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