Maritime Awareness in the Blogosphere

April

April 7

TWIC, MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIALING, AND PIRACY REPORTING

Dennis Bryant on Bryant's Maritime Blog

TWIC updates, guidance on proof of TWIC registration for MMC, and Maritime Administration guidance on piracy reporting.

http://bryantsmaritimeblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/blog-7-april-2009.html

April 3

MARITIME SECURITY - ARE WE SECURE NOW?

Nathan Manefee on The Maritime Blog

I wanted to take a break from reporting casualties and bleak economic news to shift some focus towards maritime security. It is a topic that certainly has been discussed thoroughly since 9/11, but I believe it is an issue that is more relevant today than ever before. So I pose the question. Are we more secure along our maritime borders than 4 years ago? What about 8 years ago?

http://themaritimeblog.com/482/maritime-security-are-we-secure-now

April 2

DHS - CARGO AND CONTAINER SECURITY

Dennis Bryant on Bryant's Maritime Blog:

Testimony of Acting Commissioner Jayson Ahern, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before the Subcommittee on Homeland Security of the House Appropriations Committee on the topic of cargo and container security. ... Acting Director Charles Gallaway, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) testified concerning efforts to detect smuggled nuclear material.

http://bryantsmaritimeblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/blog-2-april-2009.html

April 1

INDIAN NAVY TO OPERATE UAVS FROM INS PARUNDU

D R Bhoopathy on MarineBuzz?

Indian Navy commissioned a full-fledged naval air station INS Parundu at Uchipuli, Tamil Nadu on March 26 to step up its operations along the Palk Bay, the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar. The air station has facilities to operate Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

http://www.marinebuzz.com/2009/04/01/indian-navy-to-operate-uavs-from-ins-parundu/

TRACK YOUR VESSEL

Tim Flanagan on MadMariner?

Simple, inexpensive technologies can track your boat, no matter where you are.

http://madmariner.com/blogs/navagear/26315

THE FUSION OF PARANOIA AND BAD POLICY

Harley Geiger on PolicyBeta?

Last week, the Missouri Information Analysis Center (the Missouri fusion center) retracted a report entitled "The Modern Militia Movement" which said that support for mainstream third party presidential candidates was indicative of involvement in violent militia groups. The Missouri fusion center's characterization of people engaged in legitimate political activity as potentially dangerous drew public condemnation and raised questions about oversight of fusion center activities.

http://blog.cdt.org/2009/04/01/missouri-fusion-center-report-exemplifies-risks-of-domestic-intelligence-gathering/

March

March 31

SAFETY MESSAGING, DISTRESS ALERTS AND SAR SUBCENTERS

Dennis Bryant on Bryant's Maritime Blog

The IMO issued guidance on Automatic Identification System (AIS) safety-related messaging and distress alerts, and a press release regarding new regional SAR sub-centers in Africa.

http://bryantsmaritimeblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/blog-31-march-2009.html

March 23

DHS BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION, TWIC, AND USCG OCEANIA QUAD TALKS

Dennis Bryant on Bryant's Maritime Blog

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released testimony on US-VISIT program, which includes the collection of biometric information from passengers departing the US by ship and the collection of biometric information by the US Coast Guard during interdiction of suspected migrant smuggling activities.

http://bryantsmaritimeblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/blog-23-march-2009.html

March 21

VTS PHOTO GALLERY - A LOOK INSIDE MARITIME VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICES WORLDWIDE

John Konrad on gCaptain

The Volpe Center recently implemented a vessel communications and tracking network for the Saint Lawrence Seaway. The network, based on the automatic identification system, promises improved safety, security, and efficiency throughout the Seaway.

http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/vts-photo-gallery-a-look-inside-maritime-vessel-traffic-services-worldwide/

March 20

SINGAPORE ENHANCING COASTAL SECURITY

Dennis Bryant on Bryant's Maritime Blog

The Government of Singapore released the speech delivered by Mr. Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs at the Global Security Asia conference.

http://bryantsmaritimeblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/blog-20-march-2009.html

March 19

UK - SHIP-YACHT COLLISION AND AIS

Dennis Bryant on Bryant's Maritime Blog

The UK Maritime and Coast Guard Agency (MCA) issued a press notice stating that it, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), and the Royal Navy responded after a yacht in the English Channel reported that it had suffered a collision with a cargo ship. The MCA checked its Automatic Identification System (AIS) records and found a cargo ship near to the location of the collision. Upon inquiry, the cargo ship admitted that it had hit the yacht.

http://bryantsmaritimeblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/blog-19-march-2009.html

March 16

TWITTER CLONE HUNTS DOWN SOMALI PIRATES

John Konrad on gCaptain

We have already seen how the Red Cross and United States Coast Guard have successfully implemented Twitter in their efforts to disseminate information and update participants during times of emergency. Has the US Navy joined the social media revolution to help combat piracy in Somali waters? Well in its own way (of course). ... While the implementation of Automated Identification System (AIS) has been revolutionary in its ability to track and communicate with ships, AIS gives us only a small peak into the capabilities Information Technology has to change the way we operate ships. By integrating real time chat, the multinational forces in the area suddenly are able to coordinate their efforts, a powerful tool previously not available to them.

http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/twitter-clone-hunts-down-somali-pirates/

March 11

TWIC UPDATE - 1 MILLION NOW ENROLLED IN TWIC PROGRAM

Mike Schuler on gCaptain

One million port and longshore workers, truckers and others at ports across the nation have enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. The program's goal is to ensure that any individual who has unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities and vessels has received a thorough background check and is not a known security threat.

http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/1-million-now-enrolled-in-twic-program/

February 2009

Feb 24

STEP UP TO THE MARITIME MIC - ANNOUNCING YOUBLOG

John Konrad on gCaptain

Have a great idea you'd like to share with the industry? ... Now is your chance to prove your worth. Created by gCaptain readers, the "YOUblog forum" features subjects of discussion that are of interest to our members.

Feb 18

AIS EXPANSION PROPOSED

Dennis Bryant on Bryant's Maritime Blog

Enhanced security relating to small vessels operating in waters of the United States has been under consideration for several years. The recent terrorist attack in Mumbai, India has placed the issue on the front burner. ... While the initial domestic requirement for installation and use of AIS did not go far beyond the international requirement, all indications are, this is about to change in a significant way for owners and operators of domestic vessels.

WORLD POLITICS REVIEW: U.S. NAVY USES "SMART POWER" TO FIGHT PIRATES

David Axe on Warisboring

In January, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton advocated a new national security strategy entailing closer cooperation between the State Department, the military, government and civilian humanitarian agencies, and foreign allies. "Smart power," she called it. Just a month later, U.S. smart power is becoming a reality in one of the world's most troubled regions.

Feb 17

UAE Identity Cards - Better than TWIC?

Netsurfer on Maritime Middle East Unveiled

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to roll out their national identity card which consolidates numerous legacy documents and incorporates biometrics.

Feb 11

FACTORS ACCOUNTING FOR PIRACY - THE RAND CORPORATION WEIGHS IN ON PIRACY IN SOMALIA

John Konrad on gCaptain

Last week the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held hearings on the state of International Piracy On The High Seas. Along with the usual speech with Q&A session (Video Link) was excellent written testimony from well known figures in maritime security including Rear Admiral William D. Baumgartner USCG, Giles Noakes BIMCO and Peter Swift, INTERTANKO. The testimony of most interest however was that of Peter Chalk, Senior Political Scientist at the RAND Corporation. (ed. Note: Chalk's key factors include decreasing focus on maritime surveillance since 9/11 and lax port and coastal security.)

Feb 8

EARTHNC - INTERVIEW WITH GOOGLE EARTH EXPERT VIRGIL ZETTERLIND

John Konrad on gCaptain

Last week we were pleased to bring you Google's announcement of ocean data inclusion in Google Earth. Today we bring you an interview with the leading Google Earth developer of marine products, Virgil Zetterlind of EarthNC? . For those unfamiliar with Virgil's work, the company translates marine charts into vector graphics for use in Google Earth. They also assist you in overlaying additional services like AIS based vessel tracking and marine weather charts.

January 2009

Jan 30

IRISH AIS CARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS

Adm. Thad Allen on iCommandant

In previous blog entries I have talked about how Global Problems Require Global Solutions. To that end, individual nations need to enact their own legislation to contribute to the security of the global system. ... Some of our partners have made considerable progress.

Jan 20

AIS SART - New Technology And The Sharing Critical Information

John Konrad on gCaptain

Expanded use of AIS-based communication among vessel operators holds great promise for maritime safety.

Jan 18

Interview With AMVER - MAIS Podcast Episode 32

Messing About in Ships Podcast on gCaptain

History of AMVER and how it works, as the voluntary vessel tracking system celebrates its 50th Anniversary.

Jan 13

GCAPTAIN INTERVIEW - RDML RONALD J. RABAGO, USCG DIRECTOR OF ACQUISITION PROGRAMS

John Konrad on gCaptain

RDML Rabago talks about the Coast Guard's plans for future applications of AIS in maritime awareness.

Jan 12

U.S. PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON ARCTIC REGION POLICY RELEASED JANUARY 12, 2009

Betsy Baker on the Arctic Mapping and the Law of the Sea Blog

This entry posts the newly-released policy - including a requirement to increase Arctic maritime domain awareness in order to protect maritime commerce, critical infrastructure, and key resources.

Jan 10

LinkedIn Maritime & Shipping Guide

John Konrad on gCaptain

John highlights several groups that can be valuable to the global maritime community of interest to develop working relationships through LinkedIn? , a popular networking site for professionals.

-- ChadHolmes - 23 Jan 2009