Maritime security : progress made in implementing Maritime Transportation Security Act, but concerns remain : statement of Margaret Wrightson, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues

PDFResearch PaperGAO-03-1155TSecurityMaritime industryPort operationsMerchant vesselsTerrorismTestimonyUnited StatesUnited States. General Accounting OfficeUnited States. Government Accountability OfficeWrightson, MargaretNTL-MARINE/WATERWAYS TRANSPORTATION-MARINE/WATERWAYS TRANSPORTATIONNTL-MARINE/WATERWAYS TRANSPORTATION-PortsNTL-MARINE/WATERWAYS TRANSPORTATION-Ships and VesselsNTL-MARINE/WATERWAYS TRANSPORTATION-U.S. Coast GuardNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-SAFETY AND SECURITYUS Transportation CollectionAfter the events of September 11, 2001, concerns were raised over the security of U.S. ports and waterways. In response to the concerns over port security, Congress passed the Maritime Transportation Security Act in November 2002. The act created a broad range of programs to improve the security conditions at the ports and along American waterways, such as identifying and tracking vessels, assessing security preparedness, and limiting access to sensitive areas. A number of executive agencies were delegated responsibilities to implement these programs and other provisions of the act. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation asked the General Accounting Office (GAO) to conduct a review of the status of the agencies' efforts to implement the security requirements of the act. This testimony reflects GAO's preliminary findings. Testimony includes status of interim rules and Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Teams by the U.S. Coast Guard. The progress made by the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) and the Maritime Administration (MARAD), the two other agencies with the largest set of responsibilities under MTSA, is also outlined. Of major concern is the status of an automatic vessel identification system. Another issue examined was whether the new Integrated Maritime Information System (IMIS) under the auspices of the Transportation Security Administration duplicates older and more extensive efforts by the U.S. Coast Guard. Figures, tables, 18 p