Maritime Security Committee News

Kenya is working to create a National Maritime Security Strategy aiming to bring opportunities for social-economic growth, by safeguarding and promoting the blue economy and by providing a safe and secure operating environment for international maritime transportation.The roadmap to develop the strategy was agreed following an inaugural virtual meeting (21 July) organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and attended by 16 participants, representing maritime stakeholders from all relevant ministries and agencies of Kenya.

Colleen Stephens, President of Stan Stephens Glacier & Wildlife Cruises will be President of the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) for 2020, the trade association announced.Elected during the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2020 held February 3-6, 2020 in Tampa, Fla., Stephens reaffirmed PVA's commitment to continuously improving safety in passenger vessel operations as well as the association's engagement in being good stewards of the environment. "PVA's Green WATERS program…

International Maritime Organization (IMO)  maritime security training is underway for Libyan port facility security officers, managers and designated authority officials (18-22 August).According to the UN body, the workshop, delivered in English and in Arabic, aims to assist the Libyan Government in enhanced security risk assessments and controls on maritime transport through its territory.According to a press release, fifteen officers in charge of port security from ports across the country are attending, including five from the national maritime security committee in charge of oversight the implementation of the Code in the country.Participants are being trained on how to perform their duties in line with SOLAS Chapter XI-2 (click for details)…

Work to assist the Government of Cameroon to develop a national maritime security strategy is underway in Yaoundé (5-14 July). Senior Government officials from departments and agencies concerned with maritime matters are attending meetings with an IMO consultant with a view to setting up a maritime security committee. This committee will set the course for a draft programme and strategy to enhance the country’s maritime security. These efforts fall under International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Strategy for Implementing Sustainable Maritime Security Measures in West and Central Africa. The  IMO’s Strategy for implementing sustainable…

The key International Maritime Organization (IMO) instrument helping to repress piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden – the Djibouti Code of Conduct – is part of discussions at an international conference in Morocco. The West African Coastal Surveillance and Maritime Security Summit 2017 (AFSEC 17), being held in Casablanca (30 May – 1 June) has heard IMO’s Chris Trelawny present the latest developments of the Code, which is part of IMO’s on-going maritime security work. Mr. Trelawny gave an insight into the recently adopted Jeddah Amendment to the Djibouti Code. The Amendment includes measures for suppressing a range of illicit activities.

Margo S. Marks is President/General Manager of Beaver Island Boat Company, Beaver Island, Mich. The company has provided passenger, vehicle and freight services, between Beaver Island and Charlevoix, Mich. since 1984. The first ferry service to the island began in 1890. B.I. Boat Company operates two subchapter K vessels with a capacity of up to 294 passengers and 16 vehicles on the larger vessel, and 172 passengers and 9 vehicles on the smaller vessel. Notably, Margo has deep roots in the Gresat Lakes community and graduated from the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in 1983…

During the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2016 held January 23-26 in Crystal City, Va., members of the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) elected Margo Marks of Beaver Island Boat Company, Beaver Island, Mich. as PVA President for 2016. Margo Marks is President/General Manager of Beaver Island Boat Company, Beaver Island, Mich. The company has provided passenger service, vehicle service and freight service between Beaver Island and Charlevoix, Mich. since 1984. The first ferry service to the island began in 1890.

Dave Anderson is the President of the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA). He also serves as General Manager/Director of Operations of Fire Island Ferries, Inc., Bay Shore, N.Y. on Long Island. The company has provided passenger service, freight service and water taxi service to Fire Island communities since 1948. The firm operates 23 subchapter T and K vessels ranging from six to 400 passengers. Anderson, an honors graduate from CW Post Long Island University where he earned his BA in Communication Arts in 1984, also holds a 100 ton Masters license which he earned in 1983.

Detroit Coast Guard members are participating in a Southeast Michigan Area Maritime Security Committee multi-agency table-top exercise Wednesday at the Detroit Fire Department Regional Training Center. The purpose of this exercise is to test plans and policies of federal, provincial, state and local area agencies in response to a transportation security incident. In accordance with the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program, a table-top exercise is a discussion based exercise. There will not be any resources deployed directly as a result of this exercise. More than 150 participants from 50 agencies are expected to participate in the exercise.

All ships calling at Egyptian Red Sea ports or transiting the Suez Canal must declare any weapons onboard to Safaga Port Authority. As per the Egyptian Maritime Security Committee ruling, such weapons must stored at the Safaga navy base. To date, weapons onboard vessels arriving at Suez port have been stored at the port under police custody. However, the Egyptian navy in Safaga have recently started random checks for weapons, which some vessels being approached by the navy and obliged to discharge weapons at Safaga. Further clarification on the procedure and tariff for weapons storage at Safaga will be provided once obtained. For information about operations in Egypt contact GAC Egypt at [email protected]

The Seattle Propeller Club announced the winner of the 2013 Puget Sound Maritime Achievement Award as Captain John Veentjer, Puget Sound Marine Exchange Executive Director, aboard Princess Cruises cruise vessel Sapphire Princess while berthed on Pier 66 at the Port of Seattle’s Bell Street Cruise Terminal during the 62nd annual Seattle Maritime Festival Luncheon. The Club also shared news of the selection of Captain John Dwyer, Officer In Charge, Marine Inspection and the Chief of the Inspection Division at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, as this year’s recipient of the Seattle Propeller Club’s Public Official of the Year Award.

Captain Steve Palmer, Vice-President Moran Shipping Agencies, receives USCG's Meritorious Public Service award. Making the presentation on behalf of the Commandant, Rear Admiral D. "The Commandant takes great pleasure in presenting the U. S. Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award to Captain Steve Palmer, Vice president and Quality Manager for Moran Shipping Agencies, Inc. for meritorious public service to the Coast Guard from November 1998 to April 2013. As a highly…

Houston City Council appoints Dean Corgey, V-P of the Seafarers International Union Gulf Coast Region, to serve as member of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority. Corgey's appointment fills the seat previously held by Janiece Longoria, who was named Port Commission Chairman January 8 during a joint session of the Houston City Council and Harris County Commissioners Court. She had served as the city appointee to the commission since 2002. Corgey, a longtime organizer for the Seafarers Union and lifelong Houston resident…

The US Coast Guard is seeking interested applicants for membership on the Eastern Great Lakes Maritime Security Committee and its five regional subcommittees. Applications for membership should be submitted by March 17.  76 Fed. Reg. 8765  (February 15, 2011)   (Source: Bryant’s Maritime News)

At the 2010 Passenger Vessel Association Convention at MariTrends in Tampa, Fla., the members of the PVA elected their new officers and board members. Captain Kevin Stier, River Cruises, Scales Mound, Ill. Captain Jay Spence, Massachusetts Bay Lines, Boston, Mass. Paul Belforti, Entertainment Cruises, Chicago, Ill. Captain Kevin Stier is the owner and operator of River Cruises. River Cruises offers two day overnight cruises on the Upper Mississippi River aboard the vessel Twilight. Captain Stier’s career started with him working on the Julia Belle Swain for the late Captain Dennis Trone, one of the original members of the PVA, throughout the span of his career Captain Stier has piloted the Julia Belle Swain, the Talisman and Twilight, of which he was instrumental in the construction.

The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) has published Preliminary Guidelines: Post-Piracy Care for Seafarers, outlining preliminary strategies on caring for seafarers (merchant mariners) affected by piracy. The document, based on cutting-edge mental health research and ongoing discussions with shipowners, crewing agencies, representatives of governments, and other stakeholders in the industry, provides practical guidelines for the maritime industry. SCI presented the Preliminary Guidelines to Working Group Three of the United Nations Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia on January 27, prior to the Plenary Meeting of the Contact Group the following day.

In an August 27 update, rhe Maritime Security Committee said that it would like to inform the public that the Maltese Authorities formally and officially requested the Russian Authorities to allow Maltese representatives to go to Russia and participate in the ongoing investigations. This request was made in terms of Malta’s rights and obligations as the flag State. The Russian Authorities have officially confirmed earlier today that the request by the Maltese Authorities to send a representative to Russia was being acceded to and that the Russian Authorities would be providing all the information regarding this case. The Committee has been in continuous contact with the Russian Authorities as part of its own investigations.

The Maritime Security Committee, with the assistance of the Maltese liaison team stationed in Helsinki since early August, have continued to closely monitor developments of the incident involving the MV Arctic Sea. The Committee would like to clarify that the movements of the MV Arctic Sea were always known for several days, notwithstanding reports that the ship had “disappeared.” There was consensus amongst the investigating authorities of Finland, Malta and Sweden not to disclose any sensitive information in order not to jeopardize the life and safety of the persons on board and the integrity of the ship. It was confirmed through Russian authorities that eight persons are being detained by them in connection with the incident.

Following communications between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Russian authorities, the Maritime Security Committee confirms that the MV Arctic Sea is under the control of the Russian military forces. Further clarifications into the case are being sought. The Committee continues to monitor the unfolding of events through diplomatic, security service, flag administration, military and police channels as it has been doing on a daily basis in collaboration with other jurisdictions having an interest in the case. A co-ordination team based in Finland included Maltese representatives of the Malta Maritime Authority, the Police and the Security Service. Any additional information will be released once it has been confirmed.

The US Coast Guard requests individuals interested in serving on an Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC) in any Captain of the Port (COTP) Zone, nationwide, to submit their applications for membership to their local COTP.  Applications should reach the COTP by January 21, 2009.  73 Fed. Reg. 79136  (December 24, 2008). (Source: Holland & Knight)

Harbor residents of and will see increased law enforcement activity this Wednesday and Thursday as area emergency responders participate in a 2-day U.S. Coast Guard lead counterterrorism exercise. The exercise is designed to test the Area Maritime Security Plan that was mandated by the Maritime Security Transportation Act of 2002 (MTSA). The exercise will take place in both the Ports of Los Angeles and and include simulated bombings that law enforcement and fire agencies will respond to in real-time. The U.S. Coast Guard, FBI, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department…

The US Coast Guard seeks applications for membership in the Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC) Eastern Great Lakes, and five regional subcommittees: Northeast Ohio Region, Northwestern Pennsylvania Region, Western New York Region, Lake Ontario Region, and St. Lawrence Region. The AMSC assists the USCG Captain of the Port Buffalo in developing, reviewing, and updating the Area Maritime Security Plan. Applications should be submitted by February 7. 73 Fed. Reg. 1363 (HK Law).

Minimizing the risk of a water-borne or delivered terrorist attack is no small responsibility. Maritime Reporter visited recently with U.S. Coast Guard LCDR Stephen M. Midas, Chief, Planning and Risk Management Department, Marine Safety Office Hampton Roads, for some insights. When historians document the early 21st century evolution of the U.S. Coast Guard, the current era will be considered a watershed for many reasons. In the midst of a dramatic transformation of assets and responsibilities, the Coast Guard, which was taken in whole into the new Department of Homeland Security, has been an exemplary extrovert in efforts to communicate…