Proceedings magazine is a communication tool for the Coast Guard's Marine Safety & Security Council. Each quarterly magazine focuses on a specific theme of interest to the marine industry.
Issue link: https://uscgproceedings.epubxp.com/i/284910
30 Proceedings Spring 2014 www.uscg.mil/proceedings assess the potential threat for further damage. Days and then weeks went by as government agencies worldwide carefully screened ships, cargos, supply chains, and people. In the United States, people called upon the government for action and pressed for stalwart screening initiatives that would prevent terrorists or dangerous substances from entering the country. Perceptions changed and thousands of international mariners, who were once looked upon as not threatening, were now seen as a collective potential vulner- ability. The Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 The Coast Guard has been responsible for U.S. port and waterway security since the Espionage Act of 1917. After World War II, the Magnuson Act of 1950 charged the Coast Guard with the ongoing mission to safeguard ports, harbors, vessels, and waterfront facilities from accidents, sabotage, or other subversive acts. 1 Following 9/11, these authorities took on new importance. The Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002 established new requirements for vessel and waterfront facility security plans, mandated biometric transportation security cards to access secure areas of vessels and terminals, and imposed cargo screening and cargo information requirements. Facility Security Plans Additionally, to comply with the Maritime Transporta- tion Security Act, waterfront facilities must submit facil- ity security plans to the local U.S. Coast Guard captain Following 9/11, security restrictions on seafarers impacted their ability to go ashore. Additionally, in some quarters, seafarer access is perceived as a signifcant threat to national security, while shore leave is merely a convenient luxury. Should seafarers have the right to go ashore? The Government's Perspective The Maritime Transportation System is Vulnerable Ship traffc in and out of the U.S. came to a standstill after Sept. 11, 2001, because the federal government needed to Border Security Versus Seafarer Shore Leave Mariner, industry, and government viewpoints. by cdR Rob smitH U.S. Coast Guard Offce of Operating and Environmental Standards mR. JosepH keefe Editor Maritime Professional and Marine News fatHeR sinclaiR oubRe Diocesan Director Apostleship of the Sea Plans, Partnerships, Policies Chief Petty Offcer Adam Dixon and Petty Offcer David Houck check the passport of a crew member aboard a cargo vessel from Hong Kong during a security board- ing at the Port of Anchorage. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Offcer Sara Francis. Spring2014_26.indd 30 3/26/14 2:07 PM