Operation Liberty Shield News

Following the mandates to enhance maritime security throughout the United States, programs were developed to make federal funds available to partially offset the costs being imposed on the private sector. The programs, which started off with great fanfare, are in danger of collapsing due to lack of continued funding by Congress and attempts by the Administration to siphon off monies for other missions. The first monies appropriated by Congress for port security grants were in the Department of Defense and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Recovery from and Response to Terrorist Attacks on the United States Act, 2002 (Pub.L. 107-117, January 10, 2002).

The Coast Guard has increased maritime security measures under Operation Liberty Shield. Operation Liberty Shield is a comprehensive national plan designed to increase protections for America’s citizens and infrastructure while maintaining the free flow of goods and people across our border with minimal disruption to our economy and way of life. Operation Liberty Shield is a multi-department, multi-agency, national-team effort. Hundreds of cutters, aircraft and small boats manned by thousands of Coast Guard active duty and reserve members are guarding the coast, ports and waterways. More Patrols - Security has been increased at major U.S. ports and waterways with more Coast Guard patrols by aircraft, ships and boats.

The Department of Homeland Security in consultation with the Homeland Security Council, has made the decision to raise the national threat level from an Elevated to High risk of terrorist attack or Level Orange. The Intelligence Community believes that terrorists will attempt multiple attacks against U.S. and Coalition targets worldwide in the event of a U.S - led military campaign against Saddam Hussein. A large volume of reporting across a range of sources, some of which are highly reliable, indicates that Al-Qaida probably would attempt to launch terrorist attacks against U.S. interests claiming they were defending Muslims or the "Iraqi people" rather than Saddam Hussein's regime.

The cruise industry’s highest priority has always been the safety and security of its guests and crew. Under normal circumstances the cruise industry's security programs are stringent, but since the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and now with the Operation Liberty Shield campaign commencing, the cruise industry has heightened its level of security even further. ICCL member lines are working closely with the agencies within the Department of Homeland Security, which include the U.S. Coast Guard and the Border and Transportation directorate, as well as state and local authorities to ensure passengers’ safety and security. Member lines have…

District, headquartered in New Orleans, are doing their part to increase vigilance and patrols. vessels arriving or departing from our ports; and enforcing security zones in and around critical infrastructure sites. duty, Reserve, Auxiliary, and civilian personnel. America.

At the Port of Philadelphia yesterday, President Bush discussed the Coast Guard’s role in Operation Liberty Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom and the War on Terrorism. The President also announced that the Coast Guard will purchase up to 700 new Defender Class Response Boats from SAFE Boats International of Port Orchard, Wash., which will be utilized in homeland security missions. The new Defender Class boats will replace nearly 300 non-standard shore based boats and provide a standardized platform for the Coast Guard's new Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSST's) which were established as a result of the September 11th terrorist attacks. The Coast Guard selected SAFE Boats International to manufacture the boats after a two-phased process.

The U.S. Coast Guard detained the 880-ft. oil tanker, Aldawha, in Delaware Bay because two crewmembers are Iraqi nationals. The Coast Guard Captain of the Port in Philadelphia ordered the Qatar-flagged M/V Aldawha to remain at anchor last Wednesday evening upon determining through Advance Notice of Arrival screening that two crewmembers aboard the U.S. bound ship are Iraqi nationals. A Coast Guard boarding team boarded the ship and completed an inspection of the ship. As of Friday, the ship remains under positive control of an armed Coast Guard boarding team and officials from the Department of Homeland Security Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement as an investigation into the status of the crew is ongoing.

The Coast Guard Cutter Northland is scheduled to return to its homeport today at 10 a.m. following a 63-day homeland security patrol for Operation Liberty Shield off the Virginia coast. Northland led a maritime security squadron (MSS) guarding the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. At times, Northland coordinated the patrol efforts of two U.S. Navy Coastal Patrol Boats and many fixed winged and rotary aircraft. Northland coordinated this multi-asset patrol effort to increase maritime domain awareness and monitor shipping traffic for threats to America and the ports and waterways from Hampton Roads, Va., to Baltimore. When the homeland security advisory system was changed to level orange…