Security Department News

The Biden administration late on Sunday approved a waiver of U.S. shipping rules to address Puerto Rico's urgent need for liquefied natural gas (LNG) after Hurricane Fiona. The Homeland Security Department (DHS) issued a waiver of the Jones Act, a century-old law that requires goods moved between U.S. ports to be carried by U.S.-flagged ships "to address Puerto Rico’s needs as recovery efforts from Hurricane Fiona continue," the department said. In late September, the DHS approved…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Saturday that unvaccinated foreign nationals under the age of 18 traveling to the United States by air do not have to self-quarantine upon arrival.CDC Director Rochelle Walensky on Saturday signed a revised order clarifying that foreign national children who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to isolate for seven days upon arrival in the United States.A CDC order issued on Monday had raised alarm among some foreign travelers that their children would need to quarantine for that long after arriving.On November 8…

The Port of Corpus Christi Authority (PCCA) has added a new patrol boat to its security force.The new 44-foot port security boat was purchased using a combination of Port Security Grant Program funds from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as well as matching funds from the PCCA. The new boat replaces one existing police vessel that has been in operation for more than a decade and had limitations when operating in severe sea states.

President-elect Joe Biden touted the diversity of his incoming administration as he introduced former rival Pete Buttigieg on Wednesday as his choice for U.S. transportation secretary.Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, would be the first openly gay Cabinet secretary confirmed by the Senate if he is approved.Appearing with Buttigieg in Wilmington, Delaware, Biden said the 38-year-old would confront the task of upgrading America’s aging infrastructure and restoring what he called “our crumbling roads…

On November 3 the Stena Imperial reported a suspected pirate approach while on northbound passage through the Red Sea west of Yemen on her way from Far East to Rotterdam for discharge.Two suspicious skiffs were found approaching Stena Imperial from the port side at a distance of 1.5 nautical miles. The alarm was raised and the Master and the on board security team mustered on the bridge. Hand flares were fired towards the skiffs as warning shot as they were continuously approaching towards the vessel.

Ports making up for lost timeDespite the critical role the maritime transportation system plays in the economic health of the United States, and despite its fairly recent embrace of all things automated – cranes, vehicles, surveillance and even vessels – the sector has been slow to warm to the need to protect its digital systems and assets.Post 9/11, security concerns about the nation’s borders, air space and infrastructure, including ports, moved front and center for a brief moment before other concerns…

Phillips 66 has chartered a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, making use of a temporary waiver of the Jones Act that was put in place to meet fuel shortages in the wake of hurricanes Harvey and Irma, Argus Media reported on Thursday. The vessel, Nave Jupiter, departed from Houston, Texas on Sept. 9, and was docked near the company's Alliance refinery in Louisiana, the report said. The nearly 100 year-old law mandates the use of U.S.-flagged vessels to transport merchandise between U.S. coasts. Last week, the U.S. Homeland Security Department had waived the law for a week, the first such waiver since December 2012 after Hurricane Sandy. The department said earlier this week that it was extending the temporary waiver until Sept. 22.

Kelvin Hughes is to supply its SharpEye S-band radar together with its new 12kW radar for 17 patrol boats currently being built at ARES Shipyard, Turkey for Qatar’s Coast and Borders Security Department. All the electronic equipment for the vessels - which include 24m, 34.5m and 48m versions of the ARES Shipyard Hercules series - will be supplied by Elektro Deniz of Turkey which has contracted Kelvin Hughes to provide the radar systems. The SharpEye S-band will be used for surface search and the 12kW radar for navigation.

The Port of Corpus Christi Authority announces the upcoming retirement of Frank Brogan, Managing Director. Mr. Brogan will retire on February 2, 2015. He has been actively involved with the Port for over 40 years. "Frank Brogan has been the grand architect of all the port's significant projects of the last 3 decades! His energy, patience, resourcefulness and incredible talent transformed this port and positioned the region to attract over $32 billion of investment. His stunning accomplishments are balanced by his personal humility - diverting all credit to his staff and others. Although it's 50 years later, he has those same qualities we attribute to the Greatest Generation. Frank's legacy is prosperity for the Coastal Bend," said Judy Hawley, Port Commission Chair.

On Wednesday, March 12, an eight-person delegation of transportation and economic development officials from Lithuania visited the Port of New Orleans to sign a memorandum of understanding to exchange market and operational information. The agreement hopes to grow trade and investment between the Port and Lithuania’s Klaipeda Seaport. The group participated in a roundtable discussion regarding trade and transportation issues and toured Port cargo facilities. The roundtable discussion focused on how Louisiana can support the largest commodity exported to Lithuania annually…

The US Department of Defense has issued General Dynamics-NASSCO Earl Industries, Portsmouth, Va., an $82,481,992 undefinitized contract as a modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-4303) for the 'USS Eisenhower' (CVN 69) fiscal 2013 planned dry-docking. The following ship alterations are to be be carried out: aircraft electrical servicing system station to radar tower; emergency diesel generator 3 and 4 exhaust; disposable air filter outfitting mod; aqueous film forming foam fire extinguisher installation; install 50-man life raft (port side); aviation engine hatch platform modification; remove an accommodation ladder; upgrade security department facilities; upgrade ready room security stowage; medical sterilizer upgrade; close-in weapon system sponson support.

The U.S. Coast Guard awarded a fixed‐price incentive firm target contract valued at approximately $487.1 million to Huntington Ingalls Industries for the production of the sixth National Security Cutter (NSC). NSC 6 will be built at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. Two NSCs are currently in production. The Coast Guard awarded the production contract for NSC 4 in November 2010 and production of that vessel is approximately 39% complete to date. The Coast Guard awarded production for NSC 5 in September 2011. NSC 5 is approximately 16% complete to date.

Senior officer shortages in China have become serious, numbering more than 50,000 vacancies According to statistics from the Qingdao human resource and social security department, high-level shipping personnel’s average annual salary in China has climbed to around RMB200,000 ($31,000) with undergraduate crew earning around RMB70,000 a year ($11,000). The biggest reason for the shortage despite the high salary is the “old thoughts” towards a career at sea according to an expert from a Chinese maritime school saying many people still believed that it is not safe, sailors cannot get home for long periods and the social status of seaman is not high.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham announced an agreement between DHS and the state of S.C. to use $800,000 in fiscal year 2009 homeland security grant funds to support state and local law enforcement personnel stationed at SeaHawk, a U.S. Coast Guard-led security initiative operating at the Port of Charleston. "SeaHawk represents a critical partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement partners to share information and coordinate response." said Secretary Napolitano. "Today's announcement will enhance our capabilities to deter terrorists and other criminals. "Today's announcement was very good news for the people of Charleston and South Carolina as a whole," said Senator Graham.

Every other year, the M/Y Embark, a 112 ft Coda Casa, pulls into Bradford Marine's Fort Lauderdale shipyard for refit and repairs. On this past world tour, Embark has spent time cruising the waters of North Europe, the Mediterranean, Greenland, Iceland, Canada, down through the Panama Canal and back up to Alaska only to cross the Pacific to Japan and back again. With a hard-working program, the yacht earns her time in the shipyard with Bradford Marine. The Embark is the fourth yacht for this owner…

The U.S. Coast Guard announced the launch of an Orbcomm satellite in an initiative to increase maritime situational awareness and security.  The launch of the Orbcomm satellite is part of the Coast Guard and Homeland Security Department's Nationwide Automatic Identification System project. The satellite, launched from , , was equipped with automatic identification system technology capable of tracking and identifying ships as far as 2,000 nautical miles from coastlines, the Coast Guard reported. Officials expect the Orbcomm satellite will begin transmitting operational data within the next three months and will then improve maritime domain awareness and provide increased security to coastal waters from potential threats. Source:  UPI

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael A. Throughout March 2008, Sailors will celebrate and recognize the many contributions of women to our Navy and nation during the 21st annual observance of Women's History Month. Women have been serving as an integral part of the Navy since the establishment of the Nurse Corps in 1908. Nine years later, the Navy authorized the enlistment of women as "Yeomanettes." In 1948, the Women's Armed Services Integration Act was signed, making it possible for women to enter the Navy in regular or reserve status. In 1972, the Equal Rights Amendment was passed by Congress, allowing for no separate management of men and women, authorized entry of enlisted women into all ratings, and opened Recruit Officer Training Command to women.

Official U.S. Navy file photo of Commander, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Adm. Robert J. Natter, visiting with Sailors and Marines attached to Camp Patriot, Kuwait. Natter will relinquish command of Fleet Forces Command and U.S. Atlantic Fleet to Adm. William J. Fallon, in an Oct. 3 ceremony aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Adm. Robert J. Natter will relinquish command of the Navy’s Fleet Forces Command and U.S. Atlantic Fleet to Adm. William J. Fallon in a ceremony to be held aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) here Oct.

Washington is training workers in the latest methods of building yachts. competitive both locally and internationally. Fridell, human resources manager for Northern Marine. for luxury. workers coming into the business. manufacturers expect to hire as many as 300 workers in the coming year. skills needed to work in the field. training to meet the needs of Northern Marine and other boat manufacturers. curriculum to teach other instructors how to replicate the training elsewhere. wages to workers while they were in training. Dolores Blueford, of the Northwest Workforce Development Council. include modules in safety, electrical, carpentry and resin infusion lamination. Classes are taught at Northern Marine. have participated. complete. which will be offered in the early part of next year.

An innovative public-private partnership in Northwest Washington is training workers in the latest methods of building yachts. The program helps assure the region's custom boat manufacturers remain competitive both locally and internationally. "The training provided by this partnership is addressing a critical skills gap and helping our company become a model for others in the business," said Wes Fridell, human resources manager for Northern Marine. The Anacortes company builds custom yachts priced in the millions for those with a desire for luxury. The partnership was formed after company officials at Northern Marine approached local…

Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) sent a Letter to Asa Hutchinson, Under Secretary for Border & Transportation Security, Department of Homeland Security, recommending that biometric devices be installed at the New York City Passenger Ship Terminal. Source: HK Law

Senator Schumer is calling for the installation of screening for persons disembarking from passenger ships in New York City. He wants the US-VISIT program to be instituted for such ships, including use of “fingerscanners”. US Senator Charles E. Schumer revealed that while Federal officials are pushing to close Madison Square Garden and the James A. Farley Post Office during the summer's Republican National Convention, they refuse to install their highly-touted new "fingerscanners" at Manhattan's Passenger Ship Terminal to check foreign visitors against terrorist watch lists, even though the Terminal is jut blocks away from the Convention.

Security at the Panama Canal was enhanced recently as it implemented requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and received fulfillment certification from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Consulting (an affiliate of the American Bureau of Shipping). The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) voluntarily sought certification and chose to comply with the Code, which is mandatory for ship and port facilities by July 1, 2004. The Panama Canal is among the first of the largest maritime organizations in the continent to receive ISPS certification. The enhanced security will improve upon the way the Canal works with ships and port facilities to detect and deter security threats within a standardized and consistent framework…