Larry Hereth News

The U.S. Coast Guard announced today that 90 percent of vessels and port facilities turned in security plans as required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act. Penalties are being issued to those that have not submitted any of the information required.“Security in America’s ports is a shared responsibility,” said Rear Adm. Larry Hereth, director of port security for the Coast Guard. “We have made tremendous progress protecting the ports, and we need everyone to continue that progress by meeting these requirements.”Though most have complied, the Coast Guard will be aggressively pursuing those who did not, and has begun issuing notices of violation with a $10,000 penalty.

The Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure conducted a hearing on the 9/11 Commission Report and Maritime Transportation Security. John Lehman and Jamie Gorelick represented the 9/11 Commission. They conceded that the Commission devoted little of its time to maritime security, but suggested that it is the job of Congress to ensure that allocation of resources must be proportionate to the risk. Terrorists have been monitoring and have occasionally attacked the maritime sector. They pointed out that there is as yet no strategic plan or threat analysis for the major U.S. ports. Rear Admiral Larry Hereth, U.S.

The Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security of the House Committee on the Judiciary conducted an oversight hearing on U.S. port security. Representative Howard Coble (R-NC) stated that the purpose of the hearing was to focus on the operations and effectiveness of the agencies charged with inspecting ships and cargo entering U.S. ports and on methods used by the public and private sector to enhance the security of the ports. Jayson P. Ahern, Assistant Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection, testified regarding various activities utilized by the agency to target and inspect sea cargo, including the smart box initiative, non-intrusive inspection technology, and the automated targeting system.

Eighty members from the Coast Guard air station here will receive awards Wednesday for their actions during the Hurricane Katrina rescue response. RADM Larry Hereth, commander of the Fifth Coast Guard District, will officiate the ceremony where pilots, rescue swimmers, flight mechanics and maintenance mechanics will be presented with Air Medals and other honors. The 80 members comprise about one-third of the air station's entire crew. The air station deployed two rescue helicopters with numerous crews to the hurricane-battered Gulf Coast, where they were active in the response that saw more than 33,500 people rescued by the Coast Guard. C-130 airplanes from the station also deployed, providing logistical support for rescue operations.

The 2003 National Maritime Salvage Conference, sponsored by American Salvage Association (ASA), will take place September 9-11, 2003 at the Marriott Crystal City in Crystal City, VA. The first day of the conference, Tuesday, September 9, will offer a training seminar focusing on Salvage Contracting, a Mock LOF (Lloyds Open Form)Arbitration Proceeding, and a complete discussion of Salvage Plans. The conference program for September 10-11 will include discussion of Maritime Security, Wreck Removal, Contracting, U.S. Salvage Regulations and the International View of the Salvage Industry, Training, Marine Casualty Response at the World Trade Center, Responder Immunity, Salvage and the Environment, Incident Command Structure (ICS), Fire-fighting, and more.

the Marriott Crystal City in Crystal City, Va. The first day of the conference, Tuesday, September 9, will offer a training seminar focusing on Salvage Contracting, a Mock LOF (Lloyds Open Form) Arbitration Proceeding, and a complete discussion of Salvage Plans. Maritime Security, Wreck Removal, Contracting, U.S. Environment, Incident Command Structure (ICS), Fire-fighting, and more. Speakers will include RADM Larry Hereth, Director of Port Security, U.S. James Wilkins, Supervisor of Salvage for the U.S. Navy, among others. removal," said J. Association. the U.S. and international salvage community," he continued.

The 2003 National Maritime Salvage Conference, sponsored by American Salvage Association (ASA), will take place September 9-11 at the Marriott Crystal City in Crystal City, Va. The first day of the conference, September 9, will offer a training seminar focusing on Salvage Contracting, a Mock LOF (Lloyds Open Form) Arbitration Proceeding, and a complete discussion of Salvage Plans. The conference program for September 10-11 will include discussion of Maritime Security, Wreck Removal, Contracting, U.S. Salvage Regulations and the International View of the Salvage Industry, Training, Marine Casualty Response at the World Trade Center, Responder Immunity, Salvage and the Environment, Incident Command Structure (ICS), Fire-fighting, and more.

ST. LOUIS - The U.S. Coast Guard announced the formation of a Maritime Recovery and Restoration Task Force here to assist incident commanders engaged in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The task force, headed by Rear Adm. Larry Hereth, will identify maritime issues affecting people, the environment, infrastructure and the economy. By working in concert with local, state and federal partners as well as maritime industry and other stakeholders, the task force will be able to identify those actions necessary for the short-term recovery and long-term restoration of the Maritime Transportation System (MTS). The task force uses a variety of measurements to quantify the short-term recovery rate for the MTS while also identifying actions needed for long-term restoration of the MTS.

President George W. Bush has declared under the Stafford Act that an emergency exists in the State of Texas and the State of Louisiana, and ordered federal aid to supplement State and local response and recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Rita. That declaration effectively characterizes Hurricane Rita as an Incident of National Significance under the National Response Plan (NRP). In accordance with the guidance provided in the NRP, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has designated Rear Admiral Larry Hereth, U.S. Coast Guard, as Principal Federal Official (PFO) for incident management purposes during the response and recovery operations for Hurricane Rita in Texas.