Port and Maritime Security Act Set to Pass in Congress
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2002–The Maritime Transportation Antiterrorism Act of 2002, which its sponsors say would significantly improve security around the nation’s ports, is set for final congressional approval when legislators return to Washington Nov. 12.
The bill, which has been stuck in a House-Senate conference committee since June, would integrate federal, state, local and private law enforcement agencies overseeing security at America’s seaports. Much of the debate focused on how to fund the bill, which would authorize an estimated $1 billion in grants and programs through fiscal 2008.
Senate and House negotiators reached a tentative deal on the measure on Oct. 17 after Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee chairman Ernest F. Hollings (D-SC) dropped his insistence that a new cargo user fee or an extension of U.S. Customs Service tonnage duties fund the bill. Shippers and port authorities had opposed the Hollings plan, and the bill was held up for months until Hollings dropped his proposal.
The legislation would require the Coast Guard to work in conjunction with port authorities to develop terrorism response plans and establish local port security committees. It would also authorize $5.9 billion for Coast Guard operations in the current fiscal year.
“The bill has very important elements to it that gives the Coast Guard greater authority in protecting our ports and waterways,” said Andrew Shinn, public affairs specialist for the First Coast Guard District in Boston.
It is not yet clear how the Coast Guard units in Newburyport and Gloucester, which mainly conduct maritime search and rescue efforts, would be integrated into the national port security efforts.
Dean Jones, public affairs officer for the First Coast Guard District, said specific policy information would not be known until the bill is approved. Jones said that since Sept. 11, 2001, all First Coast Guard District units have become “multi-mission capable” in order to conduct homeland security operations and that the new law would further improve their ability to protect Massachusetts’s ports.
A spokesperson at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington declined to comment on pending legislation..
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) co-sponsored the Port Threat and Security Act, which was incorporated into the larger bill. It would direct the Secretary of Transportation to report to congressional committees on the activity of foreign ships in U.S. ports and on U.S. steps to improve registration procedures for all ships. It would also place sea marshals on vessels with potentially dangerous cargoes entering the United States.
“Our nation’s ports and harbors our are first line of defense, and over 2 billion tons of freight move every day from our ports to all corners of our country via railways, highways and pipelines,” Kerry said Oct. 23. “Even before Sept. 11 our maritime and port security was in sorry shape. However, the attacks on New York and Washington made it clear we must take immediate steps to secure our ports against any terrorist attacks.”
If Congress approves the bill next month, it will be sent to President Bush, who is likely to sign it.. However, Congress may not decide how to fund the bill–either through regular appropriations or other legislation-until next year.
The House approved its version of the bill in early June, and the Senate acted last December.
The act would mandate for the first time that all ports, facilities and vessels have comprehensive security plans maintained by port authorities and the Coast Guard. It would also direct the Department of Transportation to institute maximum-security plans by conducting background checks of port employees, issuing transportation security identification cards and limiting access to security-sensitive areas.
The Coast Guard would be authorized to board ships entering U.S. ports to deter highjackings and other terrorist threats, as well as to check seafarers for proper identification and restrict firearms and other weapons at ports.
The American Association of Port Authorities, the alliance of leading ports in the Western Hemisphere, was one of the groups opposing the Hollings plan to tax the maritime industry. The group’s president, Kurt Nagle, said he was pleased Congress had finally reached an agreement to pave the way for final passage next month.
“Enhancing seaport security is a top priority for U.S. ports today, and we look forward to partnering with the federal government to protect our international borders,” Nagle said.
Federal authorities would have a better idea of how the Department of Transportation and the Coast Guard intend to implement the new maritime security measures once Bush signs the bill into law.
Published in The Newburyport Daily News, in Massachusetts.
