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Last Update: February 11, 2008
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
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The distance a boat may approach a Navy ship has changed in the last couple of years. In light of the recent terrorist activities in London and the heightened Maritime Security Level (MARSEC) for the Washington State Ferries, all boaters are encouraged to be particularly conscious of the Coast Guard Security Zones around military vessels and the Washington State Ferries.
All boaters are advised to remain outside the Naval Vessel Protection Zone, both while the ships are underway and moored. Any vessel that must pass within 500 yards of a U.S. Navy ship must operate at minimum speed and contact the U.S. Coast Guard or Navy vessel to request permission to navigate within 500 yards of the vessel. No vessel may approach within 100 yards of a U.S. Navy ship.
Local law enforcement personnel, the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy will enforce the Naval Vessel Protection Zone while the fleet is in Seattle. Under no circumstances should boaters cross into the 500-yard restricted area around U.S. Navy ships. Any boaters entering the restricted area will face a very rapid response. At a minimum, vessel owners can expect to be boarded by authorities and directed to leave the restricted area. Vessel owners found in violation of Naval Vessel Protection Zones could face criminal and civil penalties including a felony conviction, impounding of their boat, up to six years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The current seaport security level is MARSEC I.
The Coast Guard has established security zones to protect passenger vessels (over 100 feet in length) such as ferries and cruise ships in Puget Sound. Vessels within 500 yards of a ferry or cruise ship should slow to minimum speed to maintain a safe course, and maintain at least 100 yards distance at all times unless they have obtained permission to approach from the ferry or cruise ship captain or the Coast Guard's offical patrol. If you see something suspicious, please contact the Coast Guard's 24-hour watch line at (206) 217-6002, or by e-mail.
Vessels requesting to pass within 100 yards of a passenger vessel shall contact the Official Patrol or passenger vessel master on VHF-FM channel 16 or 13. Violators may be liable for a civil penalty of not more than $27,500 for each violation.
Operation Safe Commerce is a $58 million program initiated by the U.S. Government to explore commercially viable options to increase security in international supply chains.
Started in New England as a local public-private partnership, Safe Commerce was expanded in 2002 when Congress provided funds for supply chain security demonstration projects. Under a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) grant program, the Ports of Seattle, Tacoma, Los Angeles, Long Beach and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (referred to as "Load Centers") were invited to submit proposals because they handle more than 82% of the container cargo transiting the U.S.
The Seattle/Tacoma Load Center was awarded nine demonstration projects and a baseline management fee for total grant funding not to exceed $27,528,219. The Port of Seattle is the administrative lead and will administer these grant funds.
Results of the demonstration projects will be evaluated by the TSA in the development of new international standards for cargo containers.
For more information about these projects and about seaport security in general, contact:
Arif Ghouse
Manager, Seaport Security
Port of Seattle
206.728.3117
ghouse.a@portseattle.org
Mike Zachary
Planning and Logistics
Port of Tacoma
253.428.8639
mzachary@portoftacoma.com
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has awarded grants for 12 projects totaling more than $10 million to the ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Everett as part of the Seaport Security Program - a national effort to increase security at the nation's strategic and economically important seaports. In 2002 the three ports received $4.75 million for eight projects.
This year's regional request includes:
Projects at the Port of Seattle include perimeter security enhancements and lighting improvements at piers and passenger terminals, and security force upgrades.
The Port of Seattle is the administrative lead for receipt and disbursal of grant funds.
The Port of Seattle is working with a variety of government agencies to ensure that the container terminals, cruise ship facilities, waterfront access areas and Elliott Bay are safe and secure. Below are links to some of those agencies.