USCG Port Security Advisory for Libya
The U.S. Coast Guard, in light of civil unrest in Libya, issued a Port Security Advisory for Libya March 11, suggesting security measures for ships to take when calling upon Libyan ports. Civil unrest in Libya has prompted U.S. government concerns regarding whether port facility requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code are still being executed and maintained. The U.S. Coast Guard is unable to determine that effective, anti-terrorism measures are in place in Libyan ports and as such, the Coast Guard recommends that vessels calling on ports in Libya take the following actions:
- Minimize ship-port interface activities such as crew changes, bunkering and taking on stores;
- Take measures consistent with the ship’s security plan equivalent to Security Level 2;
- Ensure that each access point to the ship is guarded and that the guards have total visibility of the exterior (both landside and waterside) of the vessel;
- Attempt to execute a Declaration of Security;
- Document specific actions taken in the ship’s security records required by Part A, Section 10 of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code; and
- Directly report the actions taken to the cognizant U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port prior to arrival at a U.S. port.
"The current security situation in Libya's ports is unknown at this time,” said Coast Guard Rear Adm. Kevin Cook, director of Prevention Policy. “We believe that it is prudent for ships that call at Libyan ports to take additional security precautions to prevent unauthorized people or material from gaining access."
Implementing the above recommended security measures will generally expedite vessel entry into the U. S. Mariners are reminded that the conditions of entry applicable to ships outlined in Port Security Advisory 3-10 remain in effect.