Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 15, 2009

Maritime Agencies to collaborate on policies to streamline government

Who: Federal agencies with maritime missions

What: Transforming Interagency Information Sharing Workshop

When: June 17

Where: U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C.

Why: Better manage maritime threats and hazards

When it comes to streamlining government, policy lags behind technology.

In an upcoming series of workshops, several of the agencies that manage America's maritime affairs will collaborate to develop a recommended interagency policy to enable government agencies to share information to reach the full potential of digital connectivity.

The first Transforming Interagency Information Sharing workshop kicks off June 17 at U.S. Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D.C.

A wide range of agencies address maritime issues, from the threat of sea-borne terrorism, human and drug trafficking, and environmental protection, to the safety of boaters and mariners, predicting and responding to natural disasters and safeguarding the critical infrastructure that enables a global economy. However, no single agency can compile all the data required to monitor the maritime environment. By transforming policy to enable effective information sharing, these agencies can put the full range of data collected by the government at the fingertips of every agency that needs it while ensuring compliance with the statutes and regulations that protect privacy and civil liberties.

The workshops are organized by the Office of Global Maritime Situational Awareness, a multi-agency office responsible for developing shared access to interagency and international information to improve awareness of maritime factors that could impact the safety, security, economy and environment of the United States.

More information about the workshop is available at www.gmsa.gov/transform.

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Members of the media seeking additional information can contact Chad Holmes at 202-372-3065, or email chad.b.holmes@uscg.mil.

-- ChadHolmes - 15 Jun 2009