Maritime Security Council

MSC’s Watson on Port Logistics & Competitiveness

William H. Watson, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Maritime Security Council, participated in the annual CIP (Critical Infrastructure Protection) Congress held November 30 – December 2, 2010 sponsored by the Financial Services ISAC (Information Sharing & Analysis Center) with the theme “Manage Risk with Resilience.” The goal of this year's Congress is to provide practitioners in the critical infrastructure security community with solutions, best practices and information so that they can resist, respond and reconstitute their operations in the face of future threats. The event features plenary as well as a number of breakout sessions in various tracks centered on disciplines such as cyber security, physical security, business resiliency and information sharing partnerships. Watson, who leads the Maritime ISAC and is the maritime representative to the National Council of ISACs, participated on a panel discussion focusing on the importance of geospatial assets to protecting the national infrastructure. His specific remarks focus on the role that Global Positioning Satellites (GPS), the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and Long Range Identification & Tracking (LRIT) systems play in making the global shipping industry safer and more secure – in addition to being more efficient. Watson’s presentation may be viewed on the MSC’s website at: www.maritimesecurity.org

Securing U.S. Ports Against Terror

The Subcommittee on Technology, Terrorism, and Government Information of the Senate Judiciary Committee conducted a hearing on February 26, 2002 concerning Securing our Ports Against Terrorism: Technology, Resources and Homeland Defense. Captain William Schubert, Maritime Administrator, testified about grants to be provided to critical national seaports to finance the cost of enhancing facility and operational security

NMSAC to Conduct Meeting

 The National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC), sponsored by the US Coast Guard, will conduct an on-line meeting on July 22. Topics on the agenda include the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Working Group, the Maritime Government Coordination Council, and the Maritime Sector Coordination Council.

Expo Attracts Top Officials

Top security and maritime officials from more than 22 countries will come together in New York next week to explore solutions for improving the security of international maritime trade in the United States and abroad. ”The Expo has become a truly global event, with speakers and exhibitors coming from all over the world,” said Michael Rosenberg, vice president, Security Division at E.J. Krause & Associates, the Expo organizer. “Maritime security is a crucial piece in the U.S

NAVSAC Meets in San Diego

The Coast Guard's Navigation Safety Advisory Council (NAVSAC) met in San Diego, Calif., on December 10-12, 2001. The agenda included a discussion of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) activities, maritime security challenges, an overview of Coast Guard aids to navigation (ATONs), automatic information systems (AIS), federal and state ballast water and aquatic nuisance initiatives, International Safety Management Code (ISM) implementation and barge lighting and

The State of Maritime Security

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation conducted an oversight hearing on The State of Maritime Security. The Chairman, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) generally complimented efforts of the various agencies in enhancing maritime security, but expressed concern over the lack of a comprehensive national maritime security plan and the seeming lack of coordination between the agencies. The Administration witnesses, Admiral Thomas Collins, USCG; Robert Bonner, Commissioner, U.S

Coast Guard issues New Mariner Certification Form

The Coast Guard began issuing a newly revised U.S. STCW Endorsement, Form CG-5611 (Rev. 01-05), yesterday to qualified licensed and unlicensed merchant mariners. Over 59,000 U.S. merchant mariners hold a valid STCW endorsement. Mariners’ existing endorsements will be replaced at the time of their scheduled expiration or when their qualifications are upgraded. The new document contains significant security and accountability enhancements.

U.S. Coast Guard Employee IMO Secretary General Candidate

The U.S. Coast Guard announced that a civilian employee of the service is the U.S. candidate for Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization. Jeffrey Lantz, the Coast Guard’s Director for Commercial Regulations and Standards, will be a candidate in the International Maritime Organization’s elections scheduled for the 106thInternational Maritime Organization Council in London, June 27 to July 1, 2011.   

Anti-Piracy Efforts Must Address Root Causes

Piracy off Somalia’s coast is a symptom of wider problems ashore, and any strategy to tackle it must also deal with its root causes and strengthen regional capacity, the United Nations envoy to the country warned on Nov. 18. Briefing the Security Council, Special Representative Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah said piracy is “a highly profitable business – we therefore have to address it as a criminal activity with many tentacles in the region and around the world.”

Maritime Port Security To Be Addressed at International WorkBoat Show

With homeland security becoming more critical in recent months, the 24th annual International WorkBoat Show, to be held November 28-30 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, will host a special security panel entitled "The Changed Waterfront of Maritime Port Security," as part of the event's comprehensive conference program. The panel, to be held on Thursday, November 29, at 2 p.m., will feature experts from the U.S