Submitted by Cmdr. Tim Grant, Office of Port & Facility Compliance, Domestic Ports Division
The National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC) held its fall public meeting in Houston, Texas, November 6-7, to review and discuss various issues relating to national maritime security.
Committee members discussed topics such as unmanned aerial vehicles and cyber security, and the American Association of Port Authorities gave a presentation on its perspective of the port security grant program. Further, Customs and Border Protection gave a presentation on its Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT), a voluntary program through which CBP works with the trade community to strengthen international supply chains and improve U.S. border security.
Mr. Marcus Woodring, chief port security and emergency operations officer for the Port of Houston, and his security staff gave committee members a tour and overview of port security operations, including an exhibition of the port’s fireboat and mobile command post, obtained through port security grant funding. Other committee members then provided brief updates about items or events ongoing in their representative sectors.
Port of Houston’s mobile command center.
To close the meeting, Chief of the Coast Guard’s Office of Port and Facility Compliance and NMSAC’s Designated Federal Officer Capt. Ryan Manning recognized four outgoing committee members for their tremendous contributions and efforts to advance maritime security in U.S. ports.
Mr. Larry Laverriere was awarded the Coast Guard’s Public Service Commendation, and Mr. John Crowley (Rear Admiral, USCG, retired) was awarded the Coast Guard’s Meritorious Public Service Award for his service as the chairman of NMSAC from 2016-2018. Mr. Joseph Lawless and Mr. Paul Londynsky also received the Coast Guard’s Public Service Commendation but were unable to attend the meeting. Manning said each outgoing member’s dedication and leadership were critical to the success of the NMSAC and ensured the committee provided effective advice and recommendations to the Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security, enhancing the security of the nation’s critical Marine Transportation System.
Editor’s note: All available and publicly releasable documents related to this meeting are posted to Homeport; the full meeting minutes will be posted within 90 days of the meeting.
This blog is not a replacement or substitute for the formal posting of regulations and updates or existing processes for receiving formal feedback of the same. Links provided on this blog will direct the reader to official source documents, such as the Federal Register, Homeport and the Code of Federal Regulations. These documents remain the official source for regulatory information published by the Coast Guard.