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Law Enforcement Officers News

23 Dec 2022

Texas Beefs Up Security with New RHIBs

(Photo: Ocean Craft Marine)

The state of Texas is putting into service a fleet of new, highly capable patrol boats as it works to detect, disrupt and deter criminal activity along the Rio Grande."Now, more than ever, it is imperative that our law enforcement officers and Texas National Guard soldiers adopt innovative solutions," Texas Governor Greg Abbott said during a recent visit tour the state’s enhanced assets along the U.S.-Mexico border. According to Abbott’s official website, the Governor has secured $4 billion in funding for Texas' border security efforts.

13 Oct 2022

US and Micronesia Expand Shiprider Agreement

USCG Forces Micronesia Sector Guam Commander Capt. Nicholas R. Simmons and Joses R. Gallen, Secretary of Justice, Federated States of Micronesia, signed an expanded shiprider agreement aboard the USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) in Guam, on Oct. 13, 2022. (Photo: Sara Muir / U.S. Coast Guard)

The United States and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) on Thursday signed a remote shiprider agreement enabling the U.S. to act on behalf of the country to combat illicit maritime activity when an FSM law enforcement officer is not present.FSM is a nation with over six hundred islands in the Pacific, and the agreement provides a coordinating mechanism and process for U.S. law enforcement personnel to work with the FSM National Police through command centers to receive approval from the FSM to act.

04 Nov 2021

Suspect Charged After Explosives Found on Ohio River Towboats

Nathaniel Blayn Becker (Photo: South Central Regional Jail)

An Ohio man has been arrested on federal charges after suspected explosive devices were found on Ohio River towboats, authorities said.Nathaniel Blayn Becker, of Marietta, Ohio, was charged on October 28 in a federal criminal complaint with possession of one or more unregistered destructive devices.Forty-two-year-old Becker is accused of purchasing pipes and other components that formed suspected destructive devices recovered by law enforcement officers from two different tugboats on the Ohio River on October 21 and October 25, 2021.

30 Jul 2021

PHOTO: U.S. Coast Guard Commissions Three New Cutters in Guam

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Travis Magee/Released

The U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday commissioned three new Fast Response Cutters at a ceremony presided over by Adm. Karl Schultz, the Coast Guard’s commandant.The Coast Guard Cutters Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139), Oliver Henry (WPC 1140)  and Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143) were commissioned during what the USCG said was a rare triple-commissioning ceremony at the new homeport at Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam. Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States in the North Pacific Ocean.Named after Coast Guard enlisted heroes…

09 Apr 2020

Metal Shark Eyes Law Enforcement Market Growth

(Photo: Metal Shark)

Shipbuilder Metal Shark reports it has seen increased business from law enforcement agencies, with 20 new law enforcement customers recently added and more than 35 welded aluminum law enforcement vessels either recently delivered or currently in production.Among its new builds, Metal Shark is producing five custom 23-foot Relentless center console patrol boats for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, while continuing to deliver 26-foot and 28-foot Relentless center console…

28 Jul 2019

Sea Shepherd, Namibia Fight Fisheries Crime

The Namibian Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) compliance officials and Sea Shepherd, onboard the Ocean Warrior, have jointly carried out successful surveillance activities in Namibia`s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), effectively causing illegal factory trawlers to abandon the Skeleton Coast.The main objective of these joint patrols was to tackle Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in Namibian waters. These initiatives assisted the MFMR and other Namibian law enforcement agencies to force illegal and foreign industrial factory trawlers out of the Namibian EEZ suspected to have targeted horse mackerel stocks through IUU activities.Large foreign industrial factory trawlers – former Soviet Union made trawlers -  have been ‘border hopping`…

10 Jun 2019

Piracy Threat Persists in Gulf of Guinea

Concerns raised by various industry bodies were supported by figures from the International Maritime Bureau showing that the number of attacks in the Gulf of Guinea region had doubled in 2018.There has also been a marked increase towards kidnapping for ransom and armed robbery incidents.Members of the shipping community, Flag States and Agencies from Gulf of Guinea gathered at the Headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for a day-long symposium on Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea. The event, co-sponsored by BIMCO, IMCA, ICS, ITF and OCIMF, featured speakers from regional maritime agencies as well as shipping officials, academics and military staff.

02 Mar 2018

Adm. Zukunft Highlights USCG’s Successes and Challenges

Adm. Paul Zukunft delivers his fourth and final State of the Coast Guard Address at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. (Image: USCG)

In his final State of the Coast Guard Address, Adm. Paul Zukunft outlined the diverse successes and ongoing challenges facing the smallest branch of America’s military. Zukunft, who has served as commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard since 2014, delivered his fourth State of the Coast Guard Address on Thursday at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The outgoing commandant, set to retire June 1, highlighted Coast Guard’s evolving role in national security as its duties continue…

24 Aug 2017

Hotz Joins National Maritime Law Enforcement Academy

Thirty-year marine industry veteran John R. Hotz has accepted the position as the Assistant Director at the National Maritime Law Enforcement Academy (NMLEA), which together with its International Maritime Law Enforcement Academy (IMLEA) provides education, consulting services, resources and training for law enforcement officers, public safety professionals, military members, ports and waterside critical infrastructure personnel. Following a vision and leadership of Admiral Siler, a former U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, the not for profit NMLEA was established in 2000 to fill a capabilities gap that continues to effect law enforcement and emergency response operations on the water all across America. NMLEA has offices in Washington, D.C. and Tallahassee, Fla.

18 Sep 2015

Maritime Security Threats ‘Far from Eradicated’ -MAST

The need to regulate and police the maritime domain to tackle global threats is as pressing as ever, according to Phil Cable, CEO and cofounder of maritime security company MAST. “The global threats faced by the maritime environment, whether it be terrorist, pirate, illegal fishing, human trafficking or narcotics smuggling, stem from lack of law and order,” Cable stated, speaking at the Maritime Law Association of Australia and New Zealand (MLAANZ) Conference 2015 in Perth, Australia, Thursday. “The reason for this is that many states lack the organization, finance or will to police and manage their territorial waters or economic zone, or they are, like Yemen, Libya, or Somalia failed or near failed states thus creating a permissive environment for criminality,” Cable said.

09 May 2014

First Great Lakes Shiprider Patrol of 2014

Members of Coast Guard Station Belle Isle in Detroit, and a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police pose for a photo on a 45-foot patrol boat after conducting a joint patrol in Lake Erie, May 8, 2014. (USCG Guard photo courtesy of Coast Guard Sector Detroit)

A U.S. Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Mounted Police law enforcement boat crew conducted the first Shiprider patrol of the 2014 Great Lakes boating season, Thursday, in Lake Erie. The Shiprider Program allows U.S. and Canadian maritime law enforcement officers to embark together on joint patrols to integrate operations on and near shared maritime borders. Law enforcement officers from Coast Guard Station Belle Isle, Michigan and a RCMP officer from Windsor, Ontario, embarked on a Coast Guard 45-foot response boat for the patrol in Lake Erie.

17 Dec 2013

USCG Establishes Security Zone at Kailua Bay for Presidential Visit

Pictured is the Kailua Security Zone OUTREACH Illustration.

Coast Guard law enforcement officers will enforce a temporary security zone in the waters of Kailua Bay, Oahu. To ensure the safety of the President Obama, the temporary security zone will be in effect from 6 a.m. Friday to 10 p.m. Jan. 5, 2014, unless canceled earlier by the Captain of the Port Honolulu, Capt. Shannon Gilreath. The Coast Guard is coordinating with the Honolulu Police Department, Marine Corps Base Hawaii and other federal, state, and county law enforcement agencies on patrols of the area under the direction of the U.S. Secret Service.

08 Oct 2013

Remembering an Industry Icon

Paul B. When Paul B. Candies passed away suddenly on July 21, 2013, the lifelong resident of Des Allemands, LA left behind a prolific, enormously accomplished family and one of the most well-respected marine services and vessel operations firms on the planet. His passing also opened our eyes to the breadth and depth of an individual whose influence and impact extended far beyond the sometimes insular world of maritime commerce. Fitting far more into his time here on earth than others living much longer…

27 Nov 2012

That Sinking Feeling

What is the duty of a vessel owner when his vessel sinks and becomes a hazard? What is a facility’s duty when it comes to vessels at their docks? On top of the oil, wreckage, and loss of use, there are legal duties and penalties for parties associated with the vessel – under relevant federal and state statutes – after it sinks. It’s the call that most owners/operators do not like to get: their vessel is partially submerged at a dock or in some navigable waterway and poses a threat to navigation.

17 May 2012

Boaters Should Get 'Ticket' Before Setting Sail

Every year more than 100 Canadians die while boating, with the period between May and August accounting for the majority of drowning fatalities. With boating season fast approaching, now is the time to get prepared before heading out on the water. "The majority of boating accidents can be prevented with a few simple precautions," says Robert Dupel, spokesperson for BOATERexam.com. "We want to remind boaters that it only takes five minutes to review a pre-departure boating checklist. For over thirteen years, BOATERexam.com has worked closely with Transport Canada to deliver safe boating courses (online and in class) that prepare recreational boaters for Canadian waters.

09 Apr 2012

Maritime Security Training Online for Onboard Personnel

The Castle Shipboard Security Program (CSSP) courses are now online the company announces. Mariners, law enforcement officers, security personnel, and veterans now have their scheduling and expense difficulties solved by this means. The courses enable the student/trainee to train in his/her own home or ship and around watch or duty schedules. Greater access to students enables CSSP to pass on substantial savings. The courses remain certificated by Nova Southeastern University and their Continuing Education Units can be applied to either under-graduate or graduate degrees.The student can also earn credit for Nova’s new Master of Science Degree in Disaster and Emergency Managements and its Maritime Track.

15 Jun 2010

This Day in Coast Guard History – June 15

1904-Nearly 1,000 lives were lost when the steamboat General Slocum caught fire in the East River in New York. The disaster led to improved safety regulations and life-saving equipment. 1917-Congress passed and President Woodrow Wilson signed into law the Espionage Act, authorizing the Treasury Secretary to assume control of U.S. ports, control ship movements, establish anchorages and supervise the loading and storage of explosive cargoes. The authority was immediately delegated to the Coast Guard and formed the basis for the formation of the Coast Guard's Captain of the Ports and the Port Security Program. 1944-Coast Guardsmen participated in the invasion of Saipan, Marianas.

26 Jan 2010

Castle Shipboard Security Program at University

The Castle Shipboard Security Program is now affiliated with Nova Southeastern University providing university certificates and continuing education units in Vessel Defense and Shipboard Security. The program is consistent with current national and international conventions including SOLAS and the ISPS Code. In order to meet the needs of the working learner, the program consists of three modules, each one week in duration. The modules consist of the prerequisite Basic Course, the Shipboard Security Team Officer Course, and a Practical Course which deals with training in both non-lethal and lethal defensive techniques in a real world environment. The program's fused training is intended for professional mariners, law enforcement officers, and maritime security contractors.

01 Oct 2009

DHS, CG to Manage Project Seahawk

The Coast Guard, acting on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security, will take over the day-to-day operations of Project Seahawk currently under the supervision of the Department of Justice beginning Oct. Project Seahawk is a multi-jurisdictional task force compromised of federal, state and local law enforcement officers. The task force is responsible for preventing and disrupting illicit activity in the port of Charleston and minimizing the port's vulnerability to a terrorist attack or criminal exploitation. "We don't expect to make any immediate changes to Seahawk's daily operations," said Capt. Michael McAllister, commander, Coast Guard Sector Charleston.

17 Jul 2009

Fighting Semi-Submersible Threat

Colombian Naval Forces Commander, Adm. Guillermo Enrique Barrera Hurtado met with U.S. Coast Guard Vice Commandant, Vice Adm. Vivien Crea, during his visit to Coast Guard Headquarters July 16. Among topics of discussion was a law passed in Colombia July 9 that makes all persons who finance, construct, store, commercialize, transport, procure or use semi-submersibles or submersibles with illicit intent, susceptible to fines between approximately $246,340 and $17,243,800 and incarceration from six to 14 years.

18 Jun 2009

Revised Guidance on Combating Piracy

Revised guidance on combating piracy and armed robbery against ships was agreed by IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) when it met at the Organization's London Headquarters for its 86th session from 27 May to 5 June. Specific guidance relating to the continued attacks on ships off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden was also agreed. The packed agenda also covered the adoption of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), including a new regulation to make the carriage of electronic charts mandatory, and the approval of goal-based standards for new oil tankers and bulk carriers, for future adoption.

24 Apr 2009

Canaveral Creates Seaport Police Department

Joseph Hellebrand, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, will serve as chief of the newly created Port Canaveral Police Department. The Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners established the department late last year as culmination of a four-year initiative to enhance public safety at the world’s second busiest cruise port and Central Florida’s outlet to the sea. “The formation of the Police Department is simply the next step in the evolution of public safety at Port Canaveral in the aftermath of 9/11 and the increased demands of both federal and state laws and regulations,” said Port CEO Stan Payne. Hillebrand, who rose through the ranks from rookie officer to deputy chief with Melbourne, Florida Police Department, will develop the Port’s new department during the next few months.

13 Nov 2001

Navy, USCG Join Forces For Homeland Security

Admiral Robert Natter, Commander in Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and Vice Adm. Thad Allen, Commander of the Coast Guard Atlantic Area, jointly announced the assignment of four Cyclone-Class Navy Patrol Coastal (PC) ships in support of the nation’s homeland security Operation Noble Eagle. Two additional PCs will be assigned to the Pacific Coast. For the first time, U.S. Navy ships will be employed jointly with the U.S. Coast Guard to help protect our nation’s coastline, ports and waterways from terrorist attack. “The Atlantic Fleet is working closely with the Coast Guard to ensure the security of our Gulf and east coast ports,” said Admiral Natter. “These ships will be used for coastal patrol and interdiction efforts with the Coast Guard.