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
With about 100,000 miles of maritime borders and an exclusive economic zone of 3.4 mil- lion square nautical miles, "U.S. border security" is a topic as big as the Coast Guard itself. The articles in this edition of Proceedings describe border security activities and operations from the South Pacif c to the Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, and the member states of the International Maritime Organization. In addition to the immense geographic range of U.S. maritime border security, the many aspects, def nitions, and views of "border" and "security" provide even more opportuni- ties for a rich discussion. Borders on maps and charts have very specif c locations. In prac- tice, it is not always so simple. Author Aaron Casavant introduces us to concepts such as "the functional equivalent of the border," while he and other authors address a variety of border security activities that we undertake well outside our own legally def ned borders. If the term "border" is more expansive than we might guess, "security" is a concept that is as big as an ocean. As you will read, the Coast Guard is involved in many traditional border security operations, such as interdicting drug and human traff cking and enforc- ing our f sheries laws and regulations. The risk of oil spills near international borders leads us to environmental security activities, while the issue of seafarer access reminds us that sometimes we need to remove barriers to advance the ideals we are trying to preserve through security. If security has many facets, partnerships belong at the heart of all of them. Author Dr. Tiffany Smythe, for example, puts partnership on a solid academic foundation in describing the role of "social capital" in border security and resilience; and I am sure that she and all of the other authors would join me in echoing Admiral Servidio and Admiral Brown's thanks to our many partners in border security. This edition concludes with an article by Mr. Mike Smith, who challenges us to envision a world without borders. While borders still have their utility today, the phrase written in the main lobby of the Canadian Embassy here in Washington, D.C., reminds us that: "Borders def ne two peoples, but need not divide them." If we cannot yet achieve a world without borders, we can certainly embrace the sentiment expressed by our Canadian neighbors and f nd new ways to cooperate with border nations that promote joint secu- rity, prosperity, and trade. Champion's Point of View 5 Spring 2014 Proceedings www.uscg.mil/proceedings Editorial Team Barbara Chiarizia Executive Editor Leslie C. Goodwin Art Director Sarah K. Webster Managing Editor Proceedings is published quarterly in the interest of safety at sea under the auspices of the Marine Safety & Security Council. Special permission for republication, either in whole or in part, except for copyrighted mate- rial, is not required, provided credit is given to Proceedings. The articles contained in Proceed- ings are submitted by diverse public and private interests in the maritime community as a means to promote maritime safety and security. The views expressed by the authors do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. Coast Guard or the Department of Homeland Security or represent off cial policy. Editorial Contact Email: HQS-DG-NMCProceedings@ uscg.mil Mail: Commandant (CG-DCO-84) ATTN: Editor, Proceedings Magazine U.S. Coast Guard Stop 7318 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. S.E. Washington, DC 20593-7318 Web: www.uscg.mil/proceedings Phone: (202) 372-2316 Subscription Requests Proceedings is free. Subscriptions www.uscg.mil/proceedings by CAPt AnDrew tuCCi Chief, Off ce of Ports and Facilities U.S. Coast Guard Spring2014_FINAL.indd 5 3/21/14 11:13 AM