Homeland Security News

nowCoast Web Mapping Portal

In a continuing effort to improve maritime safety and commerce through the monitoring of physical changes in weather, oceanographic and river conditions, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has launched an updated version of the popular nowCOAST Web portal. [more] (03/29/06)

Smiths Detection Enhances Rhode Island Port Security

Smiths Detection-LiveWave has been awarded a contract to engineer and deploy a prototype security solution for the Rhode Island Port Security Wireless Communications Network (RIPSWCN). [more] (03/29/06)

Terror-proofing jets

Nearly five years after September 11, the airline industry is finally adopting new in-flight technologies to keep planes safe from terrorists. [more] (03/28/06)

Shippers: Proposed Security Measures Disrupt Commerce

While lawmakers intend to move quickly to pass legislation aimed at improving maritime and cargo security, officials with major shipping and container companies fear some new rules could be disastrous for international commerce. [more]  (03/28/06)

Senator: 'Dirty bomb' test exposes security gaps

Senators said Tuesday the United States must act more quickly to strengthen security at U.S. entry points following the disclosure that undercover investigators breached security by slipping nuclear material into the United States. [more]  (03/28/06)

U.S. wants own inspectors at Bahamas port

The Bush administration will negotiate to station American customs inspectors at the largest seaport in the Bahamas, where the United States is hiring a Hong Kong conglomerate to help detect nuclear materials inside cargo, a senior customs official said Monday. [more]  (03/27/06)

Maryland – Port Security Checks for Truck Companies and Drivers

The Maryland Department of Transportation issued a News Release stating that it has begun compiling truck company and driver information into a consolidated database to enhance security measures at marine terminal truck gates at the Maryland Port of Baltimore. (02/14/06)

The Next Big Fear

A battle-hardened veteran of the jihad comes to a major American city. He has all the skills and tradecraft he learned fighting a military superpower. This jihadi recruits a small group of like-minded sympathizers and together they carry out a bold plan to attack the most striking symbols in that city. Sound far-fetched? [more] (02/02/06)

UK Transport Security ... How they do it in the UK

The UK Department for Transport released its Response to the Transport Committee’s Preliminary Report regarding transport security. The document discusses threat prediction, protection of the traveling public, and inter-governmental cooperation. Minimal coverage is provided specifically to maritime security. (01/30/06)

USCG – Vessel Entry Conditions

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Notice stating that, effective February 7, it will impose conditions on entry of vessels that have called at ports in Equatorial Guinea during the vessel's five previous port calls. This is because the Coast Guard has determined that inadequate security measures are in place in those ports. The Coast Guard has also received information showing that adequate security measures are in place in ports in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, so vessel entry conditions will not be imposed on vessels coming to the United States after having called at ports in that nation. With these changes in policy, the nations currently on the Coast Guard's list of having inadequate port security measures consists of Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Mauritania. 71 Fed. Reg. 3873 (01/24/06)

MTSA Update: Vessel Access Control

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a policy letter reiterating the requirements for vessels, facilities, and persons subject to the maritime security regulations relating to access control. Specifically, masters and vessel security officers are reminded that non-crewmembers must show an acceptable identification credential when coming aboard a ship. Permission to be on a facility does not automatically guarantee permission to be on a vessel. FMSC Policy Letter 01-06 (01/20/06)

Maritime Security Strategy

The safety and economic security of the United States depend in substantial part upon the secure use of the world's oceans. The United States has a vital national interest in maritime security. We must be prepared to stop terrorists and rogue states before they can threaten or use weapons of mass destruction or engage in other attacks against the United States and our allies and friends. [more] (09/2005)