TRW Selected to Perform Port Vulnerability Assessments
The U.S. Department of Transportation has selected TRW Inc. to assess the vulnerability of the nation's most critical commercial and military seaports, under a 5-year contract worth up to $31 million. "Securing our nation's ports and maritime transportation system is a vital component of our overarching transportation security mission," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta in announcing TRW's selection. Under contract to the Coast Guard, TRW will develop model port security guidelines, conduct assessments of at least 55 U.S. ports, and develop a port vulnerability self-assessment methodology to help local port stakeholders evaluate and improve security conditions.
IMO Will Focus on Security Issues at the MSC
Security issues to fore at IMO safety meeting Maritime security issues are high on the agenda of IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), which meets for its 75th session from May 15 to 24 , as Member States prepare for a Diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security scheduled for December 2002, at which any new or amended legislation could be adopted. Other major issues to be tackled include the adoption of proposed amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, as amended; ongoing work on the safety of bulk carrier ships and large passenger vessels; implementation of the revised STCW Convention; and the adoption of new and amended ships routeing measures.
Rear Admiral Paul Pluta Redefines Maritime Security
Rear Admiral (RADM) Paul Pluta, the man in charge of ensuring the security of the 361 ports and 95,000 miles of coastline in the U.S., had to quickly shift gears in the hours following September 11. Hired initially to beef up environmental protection and passenger vessel safety, Pluta realized after that day, that his role as Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection, U.S. Coast Guard, had changed dramatically in the hours following. September 11 began like any other for RADM Pluta. Working out of his office in Washington, D.C. where he was appointed to earlier that year by Coast Guard Admiral James Loy…
IMO Address Measures to Bolster Ship Security
The IMO Maritime Safety Committee’s Intersessional Working Group on Maritime Security (ISWG), which met from February 11-15, 2002, has progressed work on all items on its agenda and its report contains the following recommendations to the May 2002 meeting of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 75) for further elaboration. 1. To accelerate the implementation schedule for the mandatory fitting of Automatic Identification Systems for all ships of 500 gross tonnage and above, on international voyages. The final implementation date would be decided by a Diplomatic Conference on maritime security, scheduled for December 2002. 2. To amend SOLAS chapter XI to include special measures for maritime security and to amend the title accordingly.
