USCG Investigates Vessel in Hawaii
U.S. Coast Guard personnel are investigating the cargo onboard an Antigua Barbudan flagged vessel that requested to moor in Honolulu on last week. The 400-ft. freight vessel, BBC China, was reportedly behind schedule for its delivery to Portland, Ore. when it requested to enter the port without the required 96-hour advance notice. The vessel plans to ship the cargo by air. The vessel was granted permission to enter the port by the CG Captain of the Port, but standard procedures for failing to give advance notice then required the ship to be boarded and escorted. Subsequently, fellow Department of Homeland Security officials from the Bureau of Immigration & Customs Enforcement interviewed the crew.
Maritime Security: Port Pile Up?
There are less than three months until July 1 ... Do you know where your International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) is? If not, you are in grave danger of having your ship delayed or even denied entry into port in the United States and various other countries. The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code comes into effect on July 1 and full enforcement of the U.S. Coast Guard regulations under the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) also commences. Ships engaged in international commerce and port facilities that they utilize are required to have fully implemented relevant provisions by that date. Port states, particularly the United States, have announced plans to vigorously enforce the ISPS Code and related provisions as of that date.
