Written by Dr. Robyn A. Kapperman, Office of Port and Facility Compliance, Domestic Ports Division
The Office of Port and Facility Compliance is pleased to announce the publication of a consolidated report on the status and work completed in 2019 by Area Maritime Security Committees (AMSCs).
Area Maritime Security Committees (AMSC) bring together security and industry experts in order to initiate efforts that support a secure and collaborative maritime domain. The 43 AMSCs submit an annual report to the Office of Port and Facility Compliance (CG-FAC) detailing their activities and common issues relating to challenges, suggestions, accomplishments, and best practices. The consolidated report for example, assists CG-FAC and other program offices to formulate national strategies to address mutual problems and emerging threats.
Some of the highlights in the newly released report included:
• In 2019, AMSCs and their respective subcommittees collectively facilitated 2,189 events. This total included 1,010 administrative AMSC meetings (e.g., Executive Steering Committees and General AMSC meetings) and 1,179 training specific events (includes 108 joint agency training meetings, 927 maritime security training operations, 97 training exercises, 33 Incident Command System training sessions and 14 MTS Recovery Unit training sessions). These coordinated opportunities resulted in effective, real world security prevention, response, and recovery efforts.
• AMSC Participation in Updating the Area Maritime Security Plan (AMSP). AMSCs were instrumental in completing the 5-year revision and formal re-approval of their AMSPs. This complex and time-consuming effort was one of the most significant accomplishments of 2019. Each AMSC conducted an Area Maritime Security (AMS) Assessment to review the threat landscape in their Captain of the Port zone and adapted their plans accordingly.
• Cybersecurity. Cyber continues to be a key area of focus for AMSCs. AMSC cybersecurity and intelligence subcommittees sponsored an increasing number of cyber training seminars and workshops, and promoted exchange of government and industry best practices focused on identification of vulnerabilities and risk reduction within the MTS.
The consolidated report confirms that collaboration, planning, coordination, open lines of communication, and unity of efforts, with each AMSC, are essential partnerships in addressing new issues and emerging threats that could impact our national security and economic interests.
For additional information on the AMSCs, contact Dr. Robyn Kapperman at Robyn.A.Kapperman@uscg.mil.
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 publications, such as the Federal Register, Homeport and the Code of Federal Regulations. These publications remain the official source for regulatory information published by the Coast Guard.