House Judiciary Committee Approves FY 2008 Coast Guard Bill
The House Judiciary Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2008 authorization bill for the U.S. Coast Guard. The legislation has already cleared the House Homeland Security Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Prior to final approval, the Judiciary Committee added language strengthening the Coast Guard’s ability to combat maritime smugglers of illegal immigrants and would rachet up security at ports and liquefied natural gas facilities. It would also increase funding for the Coast Guard’s controversial Project Deepwater program designed to modernize its fleet. The addition of $229m for the program would restore deepwater acquisition funding to its F.Y. 2007 level of $1.2b.
DHS – Secure Freight Initiative
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the Department of Energy said that they have launched the first phase of the Secure Freight Initiative. This will involve the deployment of a combination of existing technology and proven nuclear detection devices to six foreign ports: Port Qasim (Pakistan); Puerto Cortes (Honduras); Southampton (United Kingdom); Port Salalah (Oman); Port of Singapore (Singapore); Gamman Terminal at Port Busan (South Korea). The devices, when installed, will be used to screen shipping containers bound for the United States. Source: HK Law
Canada Port Gets First Radiation Detector
Federal officials have installed Canada's first radiation detector at the port of Saint John in New Brunswick in a bid to protect the country against nuclear terrorism, the Canadian Press reports. While Saint John, N.B., is the first port to get the nuclear detection devices, all major Canadian ports soon will be equipped with the anti-terrorism technology. The radiation detection program is a key part of Ottawa's $172-million plan to beef up marine security - all stemming from the September 11 terrorist attacks. The devices, which have been in use for two weeks in Saint John, detect radiation inside containers. The detector is located on two large concrete columns. The containers are driven through the scanning portal after they have been loaded on trucks.
Canada Port Gets First Radiation Detector
Federal officials have installed Canada's first radiation detector at the port of Saint John in New Brunswick in a bid to protect the country against nuclear terrorism, the Canadian Press reports. While Saint John, N.B., is the first port to get the nuclear detection devices, all major Canadian ports soon will be equipped with the anti-terrorism technology. The radiation detection program is a key part of Ottawa's $172-million plan to beef up marine security - all stemming from the September 11 terrorist attacks. The devices, which have been in use for two weeks in Saint John, detect radiation inside containers. The detector is located on two large concrete columns. The containers are driven through the scanning portal after they have been loaded on trucks. Source: Canadian Press
