Northeastern Small Vessel Security Summit
The Coast Guard will host the Northeastern Small Vessel Security Summit June 7, from 9 a.m., until 4 p.m., at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, Mass. The conference is free and open to all small vessel stakeholders. The goal of the forum is to allow attendees to discuss how to reduce risks and threats to smaller vessels on the water and to communicate security concerns in ports and along waterways of the northeast. Representatives from the Coast Guard and the Homeland Security Institute are scheduled to give presentations. "This forum is a great opportunity for mariners to speak directly with the Coast Guard and Homeland Security to share ideas and concerns," said Lt. Trevor Cowan with waterways management at the First Coast Guard District in Boston.
USCG, TSA Study Ferry Security
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…
Government Update: Cargo Security Strategy
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently released its draft White Paper on a National Cargo Security Strategy. The Department is seeking stakeholder feedback. The White Paper is a long-belated and somewhat half-hearted attempt to mend fences and appear to be moving forward, while expending little new capital. The paper runs on for nine pages, offering no new ideas and making few commitments. It has the appearance of an uneasy political compromise between feuding federal agencies. The one clear commitment is found on page eight, where it says the Department “will, as a short-term step, mandate the use of high security mechanical seals on all in-bound containers.” There is, as yet, no official government standard as to what constitutes a high security mechanical seal.
