Security And Us Coast Guard News

More than 44 pounds of cocaine was seized from a Marshall Islands-flagged bull carrier anchored in the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis, Md., on Wednesday.The drugs were discovered during an early morning examination by officers and agents from the DEA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Coast Guard, and Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police aboard the 958-foot Samjohn Solidarity. The 20 bricks of cocaine found concealed inside the vessel’s anchor locker has a street value of more than $1 million.No arrests were made…

A U.S. Coast Guard International Port Security team completed a bilateral engagement with the Republic of Singapore officials in May. This engagement involved sharing best practices and visiting with representatives from the Maritime and Port Authority to observe the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code at two port facilities in Singapore: Marina Bay Cruise Center and Universal Terminals PTE Ltd. “Everyone has security responsibilities in our global economy,” said Cmdr. Bryson Spangler, ISPS Program liaison officer, U.S.

A U.S. Coast Guard International Port Security team completed a bilateral engagement with Japanese officials during the second week of March. The engagement involved sharing best practices and visiting with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s Ports and Harbors Bureau to observe the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code at two port facilities in Hakata, Japan: the Hakata Chuo passenger wharf and the Hakata island city area container terminal. “Everyone has security responsibilities in our global economy.

A U.S. Coast Guard International Port Security team in cooperation with officials from the Federated States of Micronesia’s Department of Transportation, Communication and Infrastructure completed three days of port facility security seminars in March. The engagement involved sharing best practices for conducting drills and exercises and to observe the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code at Kosrae Okat Commercial Dock port facility in the Port of Kosrae. “In a global economy, your security is our security,” said Lt. Cmdr. Chester K.

U.S. Jeffrey G. Lantz, Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards for the United States Coast Guard’s Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship is slated to moderate a special session of a panel discussion consisting of a Coast Guard Rear Admiral and shipping industry professionals on critical cyber security issues and concerns for the industry. The session will be held at the Connecticut Maritime Association’s Shipping 2015 Conference in Stamford on March 24 at the Hilton Stamford Hotel, Glen Rooms. According to recent reports published by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA)…

Department of homeland Security and U.S. Coast Guard have issued Maritime Security Directive 104–6 (Rev 6); Guidelines for U.S. Vessels Operating in High Risk Waters. AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Notice of Availability. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the release of Maritime Security (MARSEC) Directive 104–6 (Rev 6). This Directive only applies to U.S.-flagged vessels subject to the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) on international voyages through or in designated high risk waters…

MTU has recently appointed Richard Reisig as its head of governmental affairs in Washington D.C. In this role, Reisig will oversee the activities of MTU’s Washington D.C. office and assist with the sale of MTU engines to both the foreign and domestic defence base. Before joining MTU, Reisig worked for GE Transportation Systems in Washington, D.C. as a Director of Business Development for Government Accounts. He brings to this position several years of management, sales, project management and legislative experience gained during his previous employment with GE Energy, the Office of Senator John Warner, Allscripts Healthcare and PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

The U.S. Coast Guard is in the process of instituting new port security measures. include in their advance notice of arrival a crew list that includes the nationality of each crew member. Iraq, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, the Maldives, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the UAE and Uzbekistan. This new measure is not part of the long-standing Special Interest Vessel (SIV) Programme. Rather it is an effort to ensure that suspect individuals, and individuals with criminal records, do not enter the US. There has already been one instance where the Coast Guard required a master of a listed nationality to be removed from his position before the vessel was allowed to enter port.

In accordance with the Maritime Transportation Security Act, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Milwaukee has reviewed and approved the first facility security plan in the Great Lakes region. This regulated facility is one of the first maritime facilities in the United States to receive U. S. Coast Guard approval under the full compliance review process. The Maritime Transportation Security Act requires maritime facilities to conduct facility security assessments and develop facility security plans to deter, detect, and defend against potential terrorists and other criminal activities. On or before July 1, 2004, facilities must begin operating in compliance with their proposed security plans.

The U.S. Coast Guard has amended three of its Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs) relating to maritime security. NVIC 03-03 regarding implementation guidance for facilities now provides, among other things, additional policy guidance and draft letters of approval. NVIC 04-03 regarding guidance for verification of vessel security plans now provides, among other things, a domestic vessel security plan verification guide. Changes to NVIC 06-03 regarding port state security targeting and boarding are made in two parts. Changes include a discussion of the International Port Security (IPS) program and country advisories, as well as amendments to the enclosures. NVIC 06-03, Part 1 and NVIC 06-03, Part 2. (Source: HK Law)

The U.S. Coast Guard said that all 13 Cyclone-Class Navy Patrol Coastal (PC) ships have been reassigned to the Coast Guard in support of the Homeland Security mission. Six of these vessels were first assigned to support the Coast Guard in October 2001. Now the remaining seven have joined them in defending the U.S. coastline from security threats. The patrol craft are operated by Navy crews, but carry a team of USCG personnel who carry out any necessary law enforcement action. (Source: HK Law)

The U.S. Coast Guard has submitted, on behalf of the United States Government, recommended measures that it believes should be undertaken internationally to improve maritime security for the purpose of preventing and suppressing acts of terrorism against shipping. The recommended measures include advancing the date by which automatic identification systems must be installed on ships from July 1, 2008 to July 1, 2004; requiring the preparation of ship, offshore facility, and port facility security plans; designation of ship and company security officers; seafarer identification verification; port vulnerability assessments; port of origin container examinations…

The U.S. Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration are leading an interagency team studying ways to enhance the security of ferry systems, both during and following the current period of increased risk. The National Ferry Security Study Team, which began work in July, is focusing on issues involving the screening of people, vehicles and baggage for explosive devices. They will assess screening technologies, model the potential consequences of an attack, examine…

The Department of Homeland Security announced a $17.1 million award to the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey and to the Ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach and Seattle/Tacoma to strengthen the security of container cargo moving through three of the nation’s largest load centers. These grants were awarded under the third phase of Operation Safe Commerce, a program through which ports, federal, state, and local governments, and private businesses work together to identify, test, and share information about commercially available technologies and best business practices to improve the security of the supply chain. “Operation Safe Commerce takes a partnership approach to developing innovative new ways for ports to track and protect cargo entering the United States from all over the world…

U.S. Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will facilitate a port security exercise today in Detroit, MI to evaluate preparedness, prevention and the ability to respond to and recover from a terrorist-related incident. The Port Security Training Exercises Program (PortSTEP) is focused on building links within the Area Maritime Security (AMS) Committee. The committee assists the Captain of The Port in writing, reviewing and updating an AMS plan in addition to supporting other transportation entities that depend upon the port being secure. The exercise will involve the entire port community, including both governmental agencies and private industry.

Adesta announced that it has executed a $5.5M contract with the Maryland Port Administration to design and install a sophisticated security system at the Port of Baltimore. The wide-ranging project will include the installation of a remote video surveillance system as well as enhancements to terminal perimeter security. The expected completion date for the project is fall 2006. The system will provide the Port with total perimeter security and includes a fully scalable communications and electronic security network. The perimeter security measures include closed circuit television, video analytics by VistaScape Security Systems, and force protection for all terminals located at the Port.

The U.S. Coast Guard has posted the speech given by ADM Thomas Collins, Commandant, USCG at the International Maritime and Port Security Conference

The U.S. Coast Guard announced today that it has authorized Lockheed Martin to begin installation of three Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) systems to meet maritime safety and surveillance requirements in major U.S. ports, including New York harbor. Under the Ports and Waterways Safety System (PAWSS) contract, originally awarded by the Coast Guard in 1998, Lockheed Martin will install the VTS systems in New York Harbor, and in the Ports of Houston/Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas. The new systems, with a combined value of approximately $24 million, will be in place during 2004. Initially designed to support the Coast Guard’s maritime safety and environmental protection mission…