2 homeland security forum responses

Matthew Noe

The SMART Port Security Legislation.

The smart port security legislation was designed and passed by the house to build upon the 2006 Safe Port Act that enhanced security measures overseas prior to threats reaching our nation. This helped with exchanging of information between different agencies such as the Customs Protection and United States Coast Guard. Our Nations borders are important in many ways more than just global commerce, but the nations security, and flow of goods related to trade. One highlighted note that was introduced by republican McCaul from Texas was to “prohibit the U.S. Coast Guard from delegating vessel inspections to foreign based classification societies that also offer their services to countries that sponsor terror such as Iran, North Korea, North Sudan, and Syria” (Committee, 2012).

The SAFE Port Act.

In 2006, The SAFE Port Act was created that had multiple guidelines associated with it. The act help develop programs and partnerships to reduce threats associated with terrorism and container shipments at our Nation’s seaports. This was a way to create jobs for the federal government to include the Customs and Border Protection agency. In this program it helped to target container shipments that were being shipped from our ports and all over the world. With the SAFE Port Act new ideas and strategies are always being schemed upon and evaluated. “The SAFE Port Act” included several new requirements related to security exercises, such as establishing a Port Security Exercise Program to test and evaluate the capabilities of governments and port stakeholders to prevent, prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism, natural disasters, and other emergencies at facilities that Marine Transportation Security Act regulates” (GAO, 2007).

The Small Vessel Security Strategy?

The small vessel security strategy was an implementation of plans that outlines different methods and actions. The strategy was emplaced to help reduce and mitigate potential exploitations of smaller vessels being used by criminals and threats to our Nation. With the threat being oriented at waterways, ports, and shorelines. “The intent of the strategy is to reduce potential security and safety risks from small vessels through the adoption and implementation of a coherent system of regimes, awareness and security operations that strike the proper balance between fundamental freedoms, adequate security and continued economic stability” (DHS, 2008).

References:

Committee on Homeland Security. (2012). House Homeland Security Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee Passes SMART Port Security Legislation, March 27th, 2012. https://homeland.house.gov/press/house-homeland-security-border-and-maritime-security-subcommittee-passes-smart-port/

GAO-08-86T. (2007). MARITIME SECURITY: The SAFE Port Act and Efforts to Secure Our Nation’s Seaports, October 4, 2007. http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0886t.pdf

Small Vessel Security Strategy. (2008). Department of Homeland Security, April 2008. https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/dhs-uscg-small-vessel-security-strategy-report-to-public-012011.pdf