Archive for December, 2005

• Jon D. Haveman, Public Policy Institute of California
• Howard J. Shatz, Public Policy Institute of California
• Ernesto A. Vilchis, Princeton University
  

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of current U.S. port security programs, discussing efforts both to protect ports as a target and to prevent international goods movement from being used as a vector for terrorists, their weapons, or their supplies. We provide an overview of U.S. government activities in the years leading up to 9/11, and details about each of the main port-security efforts after 9/11. We also evaluate these efforts and find opportunities for improvement in terms of effectiveness, prevention versus recovery planning, use of available resources, priorities and implementation, and funding. Although much has been accomplished to secure the nation’s ports since 9/11, this analysis concludes that much is yet to be done.

Full Article

The Coast Guard has a three-tiered system of Maritime Security (MARSEC) levels consistent with the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS). MARSEC Levels are designed to provide a means to easily communicate pre-planned scalable responses to increased threat levels. The Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard sets MARSEC levels commensurate with the HSAS. Because of the unique nature of the maritime industry, the HSAS threat conditions and MARSEC levels will align closely, though they will not directly correlate.

MARSEC levels are set to reflect the prevailing threat environment to the marine elements of the national transportation system, including ports, vessels, facilities, and critical assets and infrastructure located on or adjacent to waters subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S.

MARSEC Level 1 means the level for which minimum appropriate security measures shall be maintained at all times. MARSEC 1 generally applies when HSAS Threat Condition Green, Blue, or Yellow are set.

MARSEC Level 2 means the level for which appropriate additional protective security measures shall be maintained for a period of time as a result of heightened risk of a transportation security incident. MARSEC 2 generally corresponds to HSAS Threat Condition Orange.

MARSEC Level 3 means the level for which further specific protective security measures shall be maintained for a limited period of time when a transportation security incident is probable, imminent, or has occurred, although it may not be possible to identfy the specific target. MARSEC 3 generally corresponds to HSAS Threat Condition Red.

How do I add the MARSEC Level to my web site?

To add the current MARSEC Level to your web site, insert the following tag into your html source code.

Resources:

• MARAD – Maritime Security Course
• USCG – Maritime Security Regulations
• USCG – MARSEC

Robert Taylor and Bill Seelig, NFESC – Code 51

BAY AREA’S NEW EFFORTS IN THE WAR ON TERROR
COAST GUARD WEAPON: High-tech net to keep boats from off-limits areas

– Greg Lucas, Chronicle Staff Writer

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

The U.S. Coast Guard, looking for ways to deter water-borne terrorist attacks, plans to deploy a new law enforcement tool: nets designed to tangle the running gear of boats entering restricted waters.

The netting, a floating line of 40-inch-long loops spaced 8 inches apart, would be used primarily to temporarily cordon off a section of harbor or bay.

“It would form a line of demarcation in the water. Think of it like the yellow tape police use on land,” said Neal Armstrong, a nonlethal weapons program manager for the Coast Guard at its Washington, D.C., headquarters. “It would be another tool in our tool bag.”

The Coast Guard, since the July 7 London bombings, has increased its presence on passenger ferries in the Bay Area, and the use of anti-propeller nets would be one way to stretch personnel even further, Armstrong said.

“We’re out and about,” said Lt. Kelly Thorkilson, a Coast Guard spokeswoman. “You are going to see us out on the water, in the air, on the land.”

The nets, known as the Mark 11 Static Barrier Running Gear Entanglement System, were the subject of a 320-page environmental review by the Coast Guard. The review was triggered by fears that, depending on where the nets are used, turtles, manatees, sea lions and other aquatic life might become snarled.

But the Coast Guard concluded that the nets won’t harm wildlife, and for the next 60 days, the agency is seeking comment on its findings from state and federal agencies and others. Use of the nets won’t start until late fall, at the earliest.

The nets, which cost about $32 a foot, would be used to create what the Coast Guard calls security zones. The nets would be particularly useful to help protect large gatherings such as a political convention, conference or sporting event.

Full Story

Domestic port safety and security has long been a core Coast Guard mission. However, in the wake of the terrorist attacks committed on September 11, 2001, emerging threats to the U.S. homeland have prompted an increased Coast Guard focus on protecting domestic ports and the U.S. Maritime Transportation System from terrorist threats.

As part of the U.S. response to these threats, the Coast Guard has undertaken a PEA for the decision to establish and operate the MK 11 Static Barrier RGES at various and currently unknown U.S. ports throughout the U.S. Maritime Domain, when necessary. The MK 11 Static Barrier RGES would be used to provide a barrier around a high value asset or to establish a “line of demarcation” thereby outlining a security or safety zone and allow security forces sufficient time to react and counter a threat.

The MK 11 Static Barrier RGES would have a line that floats on the surface of the water, with 40-inch long loops spaced every 8 inches. Inflatable 15-inch buoys would be placed every 100 feet. Lights would also be attached every 100 feet, midway between the floatation buoys. Anchoring systems would be required every 200 feet.

The RGES could operate in typical harbor, anchorage, and wharf environments including fresh, salt and brackish waters, in air and water temperatures and thermoclines, as would typically be expected in a port/harbor environment. U.S. Coast Guard personnel would provide a continuous watch over the deployed MK 11 Static Barrier RGES.

Public input is important to the preparation of the Final PEA. Your concerns and comments regarding the establishment and operation of MK 11 Static Barrier RGES and the possible environmental impacts are important to the Coast Guard. Dated: July 8, 2005.Richard Button,CDR, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Office of Cutter Training.[FR Doc. 05-13957 Filed 7-14-05; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-15-P

Source: Federal Register

U.S. Coast Guard: Situation report
Wings of Gold, Winter 2001 by King, Thomas C

The Coast Guard is scheduling the functional test of the non-lethal Running Gear Entanglement System (RGES) against an evasive target. The RGES is a device that mounts on the starboard stub wing of an H-60 and pneumatically launches a 100-foot, 716-inch polyspectra rope net perpendicular to the flight path of the aircraft. System development and testing has been conducted jointly with the U.S. Navy through Project Erickson, which is tasked with developing non-lethal technology for Coast Guard missions. Previous tests on land and against non-evasive boats were successful. CGAS Elizabeth City HH-60 Jayhawks conducted these tests and are scheduled for the next phase of testing.

Source: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3834/is_200101/ai_n8944157

On the border: Station Alexandria Bay and Border Patrol agents work together to prevent illegal importation across America’s Northern border.

Coast Guard Magazine; 9/1/2004; Taylor, Allyson

Station Alexandria Bay introduced the Running Gear Entanglement System to the Border Patrol as a new tool of detaining boats that are suspected of smuggling. From a black box mounted on the tow bit at the stern of a Coast Guard boat, 60 feet of line is shot toward the boat by 3300 pounds of pressurized air. Once the line is in the water, the boat runs over it, causing it to become entangled in the propellers of the engines. The engines cut out, ultimately forcing the boat to come to a stop. Agents are then able to question the boat’s operator and inspect the boat’s contents.

Source: Coast Guard Magazine

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Portable Entanglement Net
United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
United States Coast Guard (USCG)

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is issuing a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) soliciting concept designs, proposed modifications of existing systems, and/or working prototypes of small portable net entanglement systems. The “nets” shall be at least 50 feet in length, made of a suitable rope or twine to entangle one or more propellers on an outboard powered planing craft at least 15 feet in length. The entire net/projectile assembly shall be easily recoverable. Any projectile used to pull the net shall pose minimum risk of injury to persons onboard the vessel to be entangled.

The USCG has developed various devices to entangle the propellers of small outboard or inboard/outboard (IO) powered craft (length over all up to 40 feet, total power up to 675 HP using one or more outboard or I/O engines) that do not comply with orders to stop. An existing system, the Running Gear Entanglement System (RGES) consists of a header-line with U-shaped loops of rope suspended below it. It has been proven effective, but must be deployed by dragging it in front of the vessel to be stopped.

The USCG has found that it is relatively easy to fire a net into the water such that the net affixes itself to the lower unit. The difficulty has been in getting the net to entangle the vessels propeller blades. The next step of research and development is broken into two phases. Phase I produces a concept design and conducts a design review at the developers facility; develops a working launching and entanglement concept demonstrator; delivers a test plan for government approval, and conducts deployment and entanglement demonstrations against an outboard-powered planing boat. Phase I also develops a test report and delivers one working concept demonstrator of the launching system and net.

Phase II makes any needed improvements and modifications and performs uniform testing of promising systems against a standardized target craft. The scope of this BAA covers all of Phase I.

Deadline: September 30, 2005

Additional Information:

• An Assessment of Non-Lethal Weapons Science and Technology (2003) – Naval Studies Board
• James Bond harpoon’ to stop terrorist attack from the Thames

House Standing Committee on Commerce – Public Testimony
Presented by Jonathan B. Smith
Wave Dispersion Technologies, Inc.
______________________________________________________________________________
Date: Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Contact: Jonathan B. Smith
Phone: 248-229-9010
Fax: 248-282-0640
Address: Wave Dispersion Technologies, Inc.
2240 Greer Blvd.
Sylvan Lake, MI 48320
E-mail: [email protected]
______________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Chairman and members of the House Commerce Committee, my name is Jonathan Smith and I am here today representing Wave Dispersion Technologies—a homeland security company based in Sylvan Lake, Michigan. My company has been a member of Automation Alley since 2000. Wave Dispersion Technologies participated in the Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor program in 2004 as an applicant for commercialization funding.

Wave Dispersion Technologies has developed an innovative homeland security product called, WhisprWave®. WhisprWave® is a maritime port security barrier that has been characterized by the U.S. Navy as the definitive survivable line of demarcation with installations protecting ports, critical infrastructure, and military assets. Our customers include the Navy, the Coast Guard, the Army and the Army Corps of Engineers. We are also working with a major systems integrator capable of distributing our product on a global basis.

Additionally, Wave Dispersion Technologies is developing subject matter expertise in the homeland security field:

• I am nearing completion of the Michigan State University Online Certificate in Homeland Security Studies, which includes an courses on the Foundation of Homeland Security, Issues in Terrorism, and Public-Private Partnerships in Homeland Security.
• My company receives many invitations to present on the topic of maritime security, most recently receiving an invitation from the Office of the Secretary of Defense to present at the Sea Shield Conference.
• We also plan to present at a security summit in Dubai this September on oil and maritime critical infrastructure protection.

Our company was self-financed from initial prototype through product commercialization. However, the scope of our Michigan operations suffered because of the to costly nature of product development and lengthy commercialization cycles. Our products are in demand globally and are designed to be assembled either locally or in the field. It is encouraging to see the legislature focus upon these type of investments because it will provide a distinct incentive to companies like ours to maintain and grow further operations in Michigan.

I am here this morning to advocate and support the specific inclusion of funding for homeland security and defense technology commercialization in the proposed legislation, HB 5047. While there are a number of versions of the propoosal being considered, I am pleased to see discusssions regarding targeted R&D and technology commercialization investments. In an effort to encourage the growth of Michigan’s homeland security industry, I offer support of the following recommendations:

• We encourage programs that invest in Michigan-based, university validity testing and the prototyping process. The discovery that Thomas Edison made is that you innovate by iterating quickly, by having lots of prototypes. Prototyping allows you to learn from risks almost immediately. You get a sense of the performance range of a product or service that teaches you more about the idea than a thousands hours spent intellectualizing.
• Seed funding of product commercialization through the State’s SmartZone business accelerators to insure market validity and access to future financing.
• A peer review of company applications to participate in the R&D program that gives significant weight to market/customer validation.

Besides enlisting the support of the nation and the globe in the War on Terrorism, it is critical that the nation utilizes its unique entrepreneurial capabilities in creating a solution to maritime security issues and other homeland security problems. I believe that more of the State’s R&D efforts should be focused upon Edison’s philosophy of innovation. It is very easy to get bogged down in the red tape associated with R&D, but it is important that the focus remains on market solutions and value creation, not myopically on the process. Finally, the focus should be on economic development over a federal style basic research program to ensure a return on the State’s investment and that job creation results from the effort.

As my fellow colleagues who are very involved with Automation Alley and have already expressed their thanks, I too am appreciative toward the House leadership and this committee for continuing allowing this debate to continue. I also support many of the concepts that are under consideration by this committee and echo the sentiments of Rochelle Black and Brigadier General Donald Schenk that our state officials are moving in the right direction for job expansion and economic growth in Michigan.

Wire Details:
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=104446

Related:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10545284/from/RL.4/

Wave dispersion system gets new installation: Wave Dispersion Technologies Inc., a Sylvan Lake company managed by search engine optimization entrepreneur Jonathan B. Smith, announced Monday that it had completed the installation of one of its WhisprWave® Small Craft Intrusion Barrier™ systems at the United States Coast Guard base in Alameda, Calif. The installation was completed last Wednesday. The floating marine barrier, made of large interlocking plastic pieces, encloses a security zone of 2,400 feet and incorporates two gates to allow movement of Coast Guard cutters into and out of the exclusion zone. The total contract, valued at more than $900,000, is the largest completed contract to date. The WhisprWave systems are marketed both for security against unauthorized small boat entry and for combating erosion.

Photos:

www.whisprwave.com/press-releases/uscg-alameda-installed.htm.

Blog Tags: Floating Security Barrier, Small Craft Intrusion Barrier™, SCIB™, WhisprWave®, Maritime Security, Port Security, USCG, United States Coast Guard, Force Protection

Wire Details:
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=104419