Integrated Deepwater Systems News

The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act (H.R. 2555) has been approved by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It is now on its way to the White House for signature. Among other things, it provides $4.4 billion to Customs and Border Protection (of which $3 million is to be derived from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and other monies to be derived from the Customs User Fee Account); $319 million for development of the Automated Commercial Environment; $263 million for maritime and land security expenses of the Transportation Security Administration (of which $125 million is available for port security grants and $17 million is available for Operation Safe Commerce); and $4.7 billion to the U.S.

The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2005 (H.R. 4567) has passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate and is being forwarded to the President for signature and enactment into law. Among other things, this bill provides the following: (1) for operations of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), $4.6 billion; (2) for development of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), not less than $321 million (with conditions); (3) for operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), $2.37 billion; (4) for expenses related to maritime and land transportation security grants and services, $65 million; (5) for expenses of the Coast Guard…

Legislation that authorizes $8.1 billion in Fiscal Year 2006 for the U.S. Coast Guard’s maritime strategy for homeland security, core mission performance and operational assets was approved today by the U.S. House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. “The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2005” (H.R. 889) was unanimously approved by a voice vote. H.R. H.R. 889 was introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young (R-Alaska), and is cosponsored by Subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Transportation Committee Ranking Democratic Member James Oberstar (D-MN), and Coast Guard Subcommittee Ranking Democratic Member Bob Filner (D-CA). H.R.

Lawmakers have reached agreement on a law authorizing $8.7b spending by the U.S. Coast Guard this year. The bill, H.R. 889, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006, was approved by a House-Senate conference committee on April 7. The law includes provisions that will, its authors say, increase the Coast Guard's capacity for its homeland security, illegal drug and migrant interdiction, search and rescue, and fisheries enforcement missions. The bill sets $1.6b funding level for the Integrated Deepwater Systems Program, the Coast Guard's program to replace or modernize the ships and aircraft it uses in its deepwater missions, and requires detailed reports on its implementation. It also contains provisions designed to promote the transportation of liquefied natural gas on U.S.

FY2003. Following is a summary of maritime aspects of the measure. $244,800,000 for maritime and land transportation security grants. amount, at least $150 million must be utilized as port security grants. evaluation and procurement. Safe Commerce. related to port security. The U.S. search and rescue stations and related facilities. Integrated Deepwater Systems program. the Maritime Security Program (MSP). improvements at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Fleet. appropriated for direct use in the program. Trust Fund. The U.S. expenses. Marine Programs. the Automated Commercial Environment. billion for necessary expenses. monies on its Entry Exit System until it submits a plan to Congress. necessary expenses. The U.S. from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. million for necessary expenses.

As the USCG heads into the 21st century, all the surface and air assets which perform missions in the Deepwater environment (beyond 50 nautical miles from U.S. shores) are approaching the end of their respective service lives. These missions typically require either extended on-scene presence, long transit distance to reach the operating area, forward deployment of forces, or a combination of these factors. In addition, the USCG is faced with a constrained budget. The USCG must therefore concentrate its scarce resources on an integrated system of surface, air, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) and logistics assets to maximize operational effectiveness while minimizing life-cycle costs.

In a recent Special Edition of its newsletter, the American Shipbuilding Association said top priority should be given to the USCG Deepwater Project. "The Integrated Deepwater Systems Capabilities Replacement Project is the most important and vital acquisition in the history of the USCG. The Deepwater project is the replacement and modernization of the USCG's current Deepwater assets - some of which rely on 1950s technology - with a 21st century integrated system of ships, aircraft and command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment. Out of the USCG's 41 high and medium cutters, approximately 30 - or 70 percent - were built more than 25 years ago and have already completed one fleet modernization.

In a recent Special Edition of its newsletter, the American Shipbuilding Association said top priority should be given to the USCG Deepwater Project. "The Integrated Deepwater Systems Capabilities Replacement Project is the most important and vital acquisition in the history of the USCG. The Deepwater project is the replacement and modernization of the USCG's current Deepwater assets - some of which rely on 1950s technology - with a 21st century integrated system of ships, aircraft and command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment. Out of the USCG's 41 high and medium cutters, approximately 30 - or 70 percent - were built more than 25 years ago and have already completed one fleet modernization.

The Office of Inspector General issued a Memorandum stating that it is initiating an audit of the Coast Guard's capital investments, focusing on the Integrated Deepwater Systems acquisition project and the Acquisition, Construction, and Improvements (AC&I) budget. Source: HK Law

President Bush signed into law the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2006 (H.R. 2360). The legislation is summarized in the Fact Sheet issued by the White House. Among other things, the measure provides $4.8 billion for CBP operations; $5.5 billion for USCG operations; $933 million for the USCG Integrated Deepwater Systems program; and $175 million for port security grants. HK Law