International Security

Melody Successfully Evades Pirates

MSC Cruises confirms that the Melody cruise ship was attacked by pirates near the Seychelles Islands on Saturday evening, April 25, 2009. The ship initiated avoidance procedures and quickly escaped the attack with no injuries to any of the approximately 1,000 passengers and 500 crew members onboard. The pirates approached the ship in a small speedboat firing automatic weapons at 7:35 pm GMT while the ship was sailing 180 nautical miles from Port Victoria in the Seychelles. MSC Cruises immediately informed the Italian government foreign office (La Farnesina), the Maritime Security Center in London and the Coordination Center for Security in Dubai. A military vessel from the international security forces in the region has been sent to escort the Melody as a precaution, and the ship is continuing to Aqaba, Jordan, on its scheduled itinerary.

U.S., Canada Collaborate on Inland Waterway Security

On September 12th, 2005, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and United States Coast Guard (USCG) began a two-week pilot project to enhance inland marine border security. The pilot project, based on the innovative law enforcement concept, known as “Shiprider,” will involve joint marine patrols on the St. Clair River and surrounding waterways in the Windsor/Detroit region. During the project, USCG officers will join RCMP officers on their vessels, and conversely

News Analysis: The New Faces of Security

The U.S. maritime world is rapidly changing direction as security becomes an ever larger and more important issue to the federal government. We have seen the Department of Homeland Security created, the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 become law, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) establish new standards. The new international requirements will go into effect in July 2004, and will apply to US vessels in international trade

MARINE SECURITY:The New Faces of Security

The U.S. maritime world is rapidly changing direction as security becomes an ever larger and more important issue to the federal government. We have seen the Department of Homeland Security created, the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 become law, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) establish new standards. The new international requirements will go into effect in July 2004, and will apply to US vessels in international trade

Coalition Leadership Meets Aboard John C. Stennis

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) conducts operations in the Arabian Sea. The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is on regularly scheduled deployments in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO help set the conditions for security and stability, as well as aid counter-terrorism and security efforts to regional nations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ronald Reeves

AKE Supports Unarmed Solution to Piracy

by Brittany Damora On the day a South Korean ship was attacked by pirates, the “Security Threats to Korean Business Operating Overseas” conference, run by Assist Card Korea, heard evidence in support of intelligence-led protection and unarmed solutions to piracy from UK-based risk consultancy AKE Group.   During the gathering of the biggest names in onshore business and shipping in Korea on 21 April 2011 the 75

Maritime Industry Gets A New Act

After two years of machinations within Congress, involving various federal agencies and with some input from the private sector, the United States finally has a Maritime Transportation Security Act. This measure, when fully implemented, will impose broad security requirements on the maritime industry. It will also put the United States out of step with other nations with regard to various aspects of maritime security.

International Coordination and Outreach Strategy to Enhance Security

The U.S. Department of State issued a Media Note stating that the Secretary of State recently signed the International Coordination and Outreach Strategy to Enhance Maritime Security . This document, which is one of eight supporting plans under the National Strategy for Maritime Security, provides a framework to coordinate all maritime security initiatives undertaken with foreign governments and international organizations

International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code

By Chris Doane and Joe DiRenzo III Closely associated with the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) is the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code enacted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Implementation of the ISPS code will provide a comprehensive framework for global maritime security while facilitating the flow of commerce through the maritime transportation system.

Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010

On Friday, October 15, President Obama signed into law the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (H.R. 3619).  This is the first such authorization act for the Coast Guard since 2006. The statute is lengthy (128 pages) and addresses a wide variety of maritime issues.  This article will attempt to identify those provisions expected to have the most impact or of the most interest.  I have grouped these provisions into broad categories, although there is some natural overlap.