Physical Security

Antal Joins Port of Tacoma

James G. Antal recently joined the Port of Tacoma as Director of Port Security. In this position, he is responsible for protection of personnel, preservation of assets and strategic direction for Port security. Antal brings more than 24 years experience in international and domestic security management. Most recently, he was employed by Oak Ridge, Tenn.-based Security Consultants Group, Inc. as Division Manager for the Protective Forces Division, responsible for 700 armed security personnel at U.S. government facilities throughout the United States. As a security consultant and manager in Europe and North Africa, Antal worked with embassies of the United States, Israel and India, as well as numerous commercial and governmental clients, including a commercial marine terminal at the Port of Tunis, Tunisia. As a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, Antal managed personnel training, intelligence, physical security and classified information security at assignments in Italy, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Syria, Egypt and Mozambique. He retired from active service in 1988 with the rank of Major. "Jim brings expertise in physical security, threat analysis, intelligence and management to the Port of Tacoma," said Timothy J. Farrell, the Port's Deputy Executive Director. "Our customers and public officials will find that he offers leadership, creativity and a collaborative approach to the challenges of port and supply chain security."

HSA Focuses on Homeland Security

The Homeland Security Industries Association (HSIA), kicked off its formation today by presenting seven position statements that recommend how government and industry can work together on critical homeland security areas. The HSIA position statements address airport security; port and maritime security; protection against bio-terrorism and chemical agent attacks, radiological and nuclear security; critical infrastructure protection and physical security; information technology security;

News: USCG Oks Barge Security Plan

The American Waterways Operators' (AWO) Model Vessel Security Plan for the American tugboat, towboat and barge industry has been approved by the United States Coast Guard. AWO developed the security plan after 9/11 to protect people and property and prevent vessels from being used as weapons of mass destruction. The Model Plan was developed in close consultation with the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by a special AWO Security Working Group

DOT Grant Money Available for Security

U.S. ports will soon begin applying for $93.3 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to enhance seaport security. The new Port Security Grants program will be administered by the Maritime Association (MARAD) and the U.S. Coast Guard on behalf of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). "We're very pleased that Congress recognized the tremendous need for Federal help at U.S. seaports and appropriated emergency funding for security enhancements," said Kurt J

Cal Maritime Security Awareness Course

The California Maritime Academy, Vallejo, CA, is offering an online certificated course in Maritime Security Awareness for workers in the maritime environment.  The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002 require that regulated vessel and facility owners and operators assure and document that they have provided Maritime Security Training for “other personnel” who routinely have access to

New Anti-Piracy Firm Launched in San Diego

Skye Maritime, A New Anti-Piracy Firm, Is Launched By Two U.S. Armed Services Veterans; Providing high-quality training and ethics based approach to security and anti-piracy solutions in war risk regions at sea. Skye Maritime, a new firm offering security and anti-piracy solutions for clients operating in war risk regions at sea, is beginning operations this month. The company, launched by two U.S. Armed Forces veterans, provides a specialized training and ethics based approach to security

SeaSecure and RiskWatch Create First Seaport & Shipping Security Risk Assessment Software

SeaSecure LLC and RiskWatch, Inc., announced a joint development project to create the first comprehensive maritime risk assessment software tool for seaport and shipping security, RiskWatch SHARK® or RiskWatch for Seaport & Shipping Antiterrorism Risk. RiskWatch SHARK (RW-SHARK) will have immediate applicability in assessing physical, personnel, and information security programs at U.S. and international seaports, as well as within the shipping industry for both carriers and cruise lines

Schwarzenegger Announces $5M Port Security Grant

Governor Schwarzenegger joins Admiral Kevin J. Eldridge, USCG, Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District and Matt Bettenhausen, Director, Office of Homeland Security, State of California, onboard a UTB-41 Coast Guard boat to observe coast guard port security drills. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a $5 million grant to improve port security at 11 of California's ports during a visit to the San Diego Coast Guard Joint Operations Center

Government Update: Cargo Security Strategy

by Dennis Bryant, Senior Counsel, Holland & Knight LLP The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently released its draft White Paper on a National Cargo Security Strategy. The Department is seeking stakeholder feedback. The vision is for “a system for supply chain security that mitigates the evolving terrorist threat and facilitates the free flow of global commerce in order to ensure the physical and economic well being of the United States and its trading partners.”

DOT Grants Program Will Provide Port Security Funding

U.S. ports will soon begin applying for $93.3 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to enhance seaport security. The new Port Security Grants program will be administered by the Maritime Association (MARAD) and the U.S. Coast Guard on behalf of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). “We’re very pleased that Congress recognized the tremendous need for Federal help at U.S. seaports and appropriated emergency funding for security enhancements,” said Kurt J