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Developments in Maritime Awareness

2009

April

U.S. COAST GUARD HOSTS OCEANIA MILITARY LEADERS FOR MARITIME SECURITY TALKS

Military leaders from the four stakeholder countries in Oceania gathered in Honolulu March 17 and 18 for discussions concerning security policy in the Pacific and strategies for expanding maritime surveillance in the region. Rear Adm. Manson Brown, commander of the Fourteenth Coast Guard District, held the first Coast Guard-led Quadrilateral Talks (Quad Talks) meeting with Australian, New Zealand and French delegates at Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The two-day meeting advanced ideas and programs to improve maritime domain awareness.

http://coastguardnews.com/us-coast-guard-hosts-oceania-military-leaders-for-maritime-security-talks/2009/03/23/

US COMBATANT COMMANDERS TESTIFY ON IMPORTANCE OF MDA

During testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee March 18 on security developments in his area of responsibility, Commander US Northern Command General Victor Renuart, Jr., USAF explained the importance of Maritime Domain Awareness to US growth and the need for a common operating picture based on a common system architecture between the US and Canada. During the same session, Commander US Southern Command Admiral James Stavridis, USN praised the interagency and international success of the maritime partnerships that are flourishing in his region, and in particular, the Joint Interagency Task Force - South (JIATF-S) in fusing intelligence and surveillance information to counter maritime threats. Commander US Africa Command General William Ward, USA referred repeatedly to the importance of Maritime Awareness programs in helping nations in his area of responsibility develop the capacity to secure and govern their maritime domains and pointed to the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) Project as an excellent example of successful interagency coordination. He highlighted the success of 18 African nations participating in the Maritime Safety and Security Information System (MSSIS).

http://www.northcom.mil/News/Transcripts/090319.html

http://armedservices.house.gov/pdfs/FC031809/Stavridis_Testimony031809.pdf

http://armedservices.house.gov/pdfs/FC031809/Ward_Testimony031809.pdf

TWO DOZEN NATIONS AND MARITIME SECURITY CONFERENCE ENHANCE INTEROPERABILITY

SORRENTO, Italy (NNS) -- More than 180 military and civilian attendees representing 24 nations took part in the Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Centre of Excellence (CJOS COE) second annual Maritime Security Conference in Sorrento, Italy, March 31 - April 2.

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=43978

US-CHINA INFO SHARING WILL IMPROVE SAFE TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS

The US Secretary of Transportation and China's Minister of Transport signed an agreement to improve communication and collaborate on developing technical information to support regulatory improvements to support the safe transport of dangerous goods.

http://www.dot.gov/affairs/dot4009.htm

"EAGLE VISION" SYSTEM SUPPORTS MDA

Whether detecting floating threats off coasts or fighting the flames of California wildfires, officials from the 950th Electronic System Group are using a key imagery collection system known as Eagle Vision to transition victories from homeland defense into capabilities for war-fighters to use around the world.

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123141203

DOJ DIRECTS $1 BILLION IN RECOVERY ACT FUNDS TO COPS PROGRAM

The Justice Department's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, a key GMISS 2008 partner supporting the maritime community's efforts to improve waterways policing capabilities, is receiving $1 billion to create or save law enforcement jobs nationwide under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2009/March/09-ag-239.html

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

February

MARVIEW 2.2

The Maritime Administration released Version 2.2 of MarView, its Web site for maritime information sharing. The upgrade adds a data directory providing users a listing of data sources available within MarView based on their user permissions. Upgraded interfaces include data on Ports, Locks, Bridges, and Dams. The new version also gives users a significant upgrade to MarView? 's Live Vessel Search function, which now includes live vessel positions, historical tracks, and detailed vessel information, layered over Google Earth 3D. An Environmental Functional Area was added to keep users current on environmental policies and news. Collaboration workspaces were also upgraded for improved navigation and real time messaging. The Advanced Analytics functionality now gives all MarView? users the ability to view interactive reports and charts, search MarView? data in multiple ways, view and extract raw data, and create custom dashboards. www.MarView.gov.

SEAPORTS MAINTAIN STRONG PRESENCE IN FINAL STIMULUS BILL

With the stroke of his pen, President Obama signed into law a sweeping economic recovery bill better enabling America's seaports to fulfill their vital role as part of the nation's critical transportation infrastructure February 17. Provisions include port security measures and charting. http://www.aapa-ports.org/Press/PRdetail.cfm?itemnumber=13085

EU DATA WILL ENRICH GOOGLE OCEAN

Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface, yet there are huge gaps in available data on the oceans in comparison with land-related data. The European Commission is working to fill in the gaps in the marine data to further marine knowledge in the EU. Initial data will be made available to public and private operators from the end of the year, for applications such as the newly released Google Ocean, which enables users to explore underwater terrain and browse ocean related information. A major contribution to this investment in scientific knowledge will be the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODNET) whose task is to assemble and process fragmented hydrographical, geological, biological, physical and habitat data in order to build up complete pictures of sea-basins. http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/google_ocean_en.html

EUROPEAN COMMISSION MARITIME AFFAIRS ON THE LAUNCH OF GOOGLE OCEAN

Increasing awareness of the seas and knowledge of the oceans is a central objective of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy. In this respect, Google Ocean is a tool which is in line with our own objectives of making marine knowledge more accessible to the interested or concerned citizen as well as other stakeholders. ... In order to respond to the challenges - and opportunities - our seas provide us with, the European Union set forward a new way of policy making through the Integrated Maritime Policy. On its part, the European Commission is therefore setting up a Network to process fragmented data on seabed geology, living species and chemical pollution in order to build up complete sea-basin pictures. This is being done through a European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODNET). http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/speeches/speech020209_en.html

NAVAL OCEANOGRAPHY, GOOGLE SHARE INFORMATION ON THE WORLD'S OCEANS

The Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMOC) entered a cooperative research agreement to share unclassified information about the world's oceans through the new version of Google Earth launched February 2. A Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), allows Google to use certain unclassified bathymetric data sets and sea surface temperatures from the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) as well as meteorological data from Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC). http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=42271

NOAA DIVES INTO OCEAN IN GOOGLE EARTH

Visitors to a new element of a popular online Earth exploration tool will discover an abundance of NOAA information and images during their journey. Google Earth unveiled Ocean in Google Earth February 2. http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/20090202_googleocean.html

NOAA'S NEW POLAR-ORBITING SATELLITE IS LAUNCHED

A new NOAA polar-orbiting environmental satellite was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California February 6, and is now circling the globe every 102 minutes taking images and measurements to support NOAA's efforts to forecast and monitor the environment. http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/20090206_nprimelaunch.html

INTERAGENCY CENTER TRACKS ICEBERGS TO ENSURE SAFETY AT SEA

A multi-agency center operated by the Navy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Coast Guard provides continuous tracking and monitoring of ice movements to support national interests throughout the world. http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=53093

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TO END OVERFISHING -- NOAA TEAM TO TRAIN FISHERY OBSERVERS IN SENEGAL

NOAA scientists will travel to the west African nation of Senegal this week to train government officials and university students to be marine resource observers on fishing boats. The observers will collect scientific information about the health of fish stocks and the amount of incidental bycatch of marine mammals and other protected species. This information is used to manage fish stocks and protect marine resources domestically and internationally. http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/20090128_senegal.html

NOAA SATELLITES HELPED RESCUE 283 PEOPLE IN 2008

NOAA satellites were key factors in the rescues of 283 people throughout the United States and its surrounding waters in 2008. In each incident, NOAA satellites detected and located a distress signal from an emergency beacon and relayed the information to first responders on the ground. http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/20090128_satellite.html

COAST GUARD ANNOUNCES PUBLIC MEETING ON NOTICE OF ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE, AUTOMATED IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM PROPOSED RULEMAKING

The U.S. Coast Guard will hold a public meeting scheduled for March 5, at Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 2nd St., SW, Washington, from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. to accept comments on a proposed rulemaking to amend Coast Guard regulations governing Notice of Arrival and Departure and Automatic Identification System requirements. The proposed rule, published in the Federal Register Dec. 16, 2008, would expand the applicability of Notice of Arrival and Departure and Automatic Identification System requirements to include more commercial vessels, modify Notice of Arrival and Departure reporting requirements, establish a mandatory method for electronic data submission and would establish a separate requirement for certain vessels to submit notices of departure. Under this proposed rule the applicability of Automatic Identification System requirements would be extended beyond Vessel Traffic Service areas to all U.S. navigable waters. https://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/786/252262/

INDUSTRY, CORPS AND COAST GUARD CONVENE FOR INLAND NAVIGATION TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE

On February 3-4, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and members of the tugboat, towboat and barge industry convened in Vicksburg, MS for the Inland Navigation Technology Conference 2009. The conference was designed to highlight the impact of digital technology on inland navigation safety and efficiency and enable the sharing of information among the Corps, Coast Guard, NOAA and industry. http://www.americanwaterways.com/press_room/newsletter/2009/02-13-09non.pdf

NIEM GETS A UNIFORM AND TAKES TO THE SEAS

Since its inception in 2005, the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) expanded into many new and exciting areas within the justice and homeland security missions. In 2008, NIEM continued to grow across the federal government through two key relationships-Universal Core (UCore) and the Maritime Information Exchange Model (MIEM). http://www.niem.gov/newsletter200902.php

SAFETY FIRST: CBP JOINS COMPREHENSIVE EFFORT TO ENSURE IMPORTED GOODS ARE SAFE AND RELIABLE

CBP efforts to ensure products entering the US are safe for consumers overlap other collaborative initiatives. "... we are very comfortable with the results of the working group and with advancing the initiatives we have a lead role on," Sauceda added. "It is very similar to CBP's response to terrorism- layered, risk- and intelligence-based, and dependent on our ability to collaborate and communicate with others." (CBP Frontline Magazine, Page 12) http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/publications/frontline_magazine/frontline_fallwin.ctt/frontline_fallwin.pdf

NAVCENT CONCLUDES MARITIME SYMPOSIUM

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) concluded a three-day Maritime Infrastructure Protection Symposium (MIPS) Feb. 5, which brought together many industry professionals, security consultants and maritime corporations with regional and Coalition partners. MIPS was designed to improve the defense and crisis response of partner, Coalition and infrastructure-related organizations. Presentations ranged from identifying and detecting infrastructure threats to the private sector's role in maritime security. http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/articles/2009/020.html

SEAPORT LEADERS TO GATHER MARCH 23-24 IN DC

Although seaports serve as a vital economic lifeline for the movement of goods and services, the prosperity they deliver can be temporarily compromised when the economy falters. This may result in short-sighted under-investment in national transportation infrastructure to reductions in other programs, such as security, which help protect port facilities against terrorism. To address these concerns, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) will bring hundreds of port industry leaders, trade and transportation officials, federal policymakers and legislative staff members together in Washington, D.C., March 23-24, for its annual Spring Conference. Topics will include ports as a critical component of homeland security. http://www.aapa-ports.org/Press/PRdetail.cfm?itemnumber=12921

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

January

FUSION CENTER PRIVACY ASSESSMENT.

The DHS Chief Privacy Officer has released the "Privacy Impact Assessment for DHS State, Local and Regional Fusion Center Initiative." The report is required under Section 511 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. The full text of the report is available at:

http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/privacy/privacy_pia_ia_slrfci.pdf

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOV'T AFFAIRS ON MUMBAI ATTACKS.

The Committee heard testimony Jan. 8 from top intelligence and law enforcement officials about lessons learned from the terrorist attacks on Mumbai in November 2008, and examined the implications of the sea-based attack on US maritime security. Read more at http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&Affiliation=C&PressRelease_id=2e6bb3f8-4856-4fc3-bc83-6ad4727ee11d&Month=1&Year=2009

Video and transcripts are available at: http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Hearings.Detail&HearingID=c37643a5-60c7-41d0-8082-896ab289f42b

HORN OF AFRICA PIRACY WEB PAGE.

One of the Maritime Administration's roles is to provide useful information to both the private and public sectors in the event of a transportation crisis. Given the significant disruption to the Marine Transportation System (MTS), and the danger to the life of merchant mariners caused by piracy off the coast of Somalia, the Maritime Administration created a Web page consolidating pertinent information sources on HOA piracy to help ship owners, operators, and other maritime industry representatives prevent seajackings. The page includes a link to a Somali Piracy Collaboration Group established on MarView? . The HOA Piracy page can by accessed by visiting the main Maritime Administration Web site at http://www.marad.dot.gov/index.htm and clicking on "HOA Piracy."

MARITIME SECURITY CENTER WEB SITE.

The Maritime Security Centre (Horn of Africa), run by the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR)has established a Web site to provide information and guidance for the shipping community at http://www.mschoa.org. The MSC HOA) is a coordination center tasked to safeguard merchant shipping operating in the region by preventing and deterring acts of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, off the Horn of Africa and in the Somali Basin. The site includes maritime intelligence, advice to masters, alerts, transit guidance, and several other features, as well as news feeds related to piracy.

ESTA.

As of Jan. 12, travelers from all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries are required to obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to traveling to the United States. The new digital system has already processed more than 1.2 million ESTA applications, with 99.6 percent of applicants approved, most within seconds. More information is available from DHS at: http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1231771555521.shtm

CBP 10+2 INFO SESSIONS.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection scheduled information sessions to provide the trade community an opportunity to learn more about the new Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements (a.k.a. ISF/"10+2") interim final rule. These events give the importing and filing community a basic understanding of how to fulfill the new requirements. The following cities are scheduled for January 2009:

  • Oakland, CA - Wednesday January 14, 2009
  • Baltimore, MD - Thursday January 22, 2009
  • Philadelphia, PA - Friday January 23,2009
  • Charleston, SC - Wednesday January 28, 2009
  • Savannah, GA - Thursday January 29, 2009

For more information and additional sessions, visit: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/01072009_3.xml

NIEM TRAINING.

The National Information Exchange Model, a joint DHS/DOJ initiative, provides common, well-defined data elements forming as the basis for data exchange development and harmonization between various agencies of the federal government and state, local, and tribal organizations. The NIEM Practical Implementer's (PI) Course is now available in an online format. The e-learning version is designed to instruct students in the same way that classroom participants are taught. More information is available from the January NIEM Newsletter at: http://www.niem.gov/newsletter200901.php#n3

-- ChadHolmes - 23 Jan 2009

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