Future Maritime Security Issues

Back in December of ’07, the USCG tasked the NMSAC to identify the top issues that they see in the future for maritime security, specifically:

“The Coast Guard desires to be forward leaning and anticipatory of future trends/policy issues on maritime concerns that will confront the Department in the coming years and will require NMSAC’s attention. This committee’s subject matter knowledge affords the ability to identify those issues and recommend topics for consideration of future NMSAC meetings. The committee is requested to address the following:

1. In the next 2 years, what will be the biggest concerns confronting industry on matters affecting national maritime security and the USCG.
2. Of these concerns, please identify which topics NMSAC should take up for discussion and recommendation.”

You can read the entire task statement here.

In April, the Committee responded, identifying 8 key areas that are of particular interest to the Maritime Industry:

1. Efficient and Effective Implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program and the necessary card reading infrastructure.
2. Incident response planning and communications
3. Vessel Boarding Policies and Joint Command Centers with CBP.
4. Five year review of the ISPS Code at the International Maritime Organization.
5. Implementation of the Long Range Information and Tracking (LRIT).
6. The Port Security Grant Program (PSGP).
7. Subchapter H Regulations and Policy.
8. Seafarer Rights and Fair Treatment
   

I’ll take the time in the following blog posts to update you on the status of each of these issues as they addressed by the USCG and NMSAC.