§70101. Definitions
For the purpose of this chapter:
(1) The term "Area Maritime Transportation Security Plan" means an Area Maritime Transportation Security Plan prepared under section 70103(b).
(2) The term "cybersecurity risk" has the meaning given the term in section 2200 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.
(3) The term "facility" means any structure or facility of any kind located in, on, under, or adjacent to any waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
(4) The term "National Maritime Transportation Security Plan" means the National Maritime Transportation Security Plan prepared and published under section 70103(a).
(5) The term "owner or operator" means-
(A) in the case of a vessel, any person owning, operating, or chartering by demise, such vessel; and
(B) in the case of a facility, any person owning, leasing, or operating such facility.
(6) The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
(7) The term "transportation security incident" means a security incident resulting in a significant loss of life, environmental damage, transportation system disruption, or economic disruption in a particular area. In this paragraph, the term "economic disruption" does not include a work stoppage or other employee-related action not related to terrorism and resulting from an employee-employer dispute.
(Added
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Section 2200 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, referred to in par. (2), is classified to section 650 of Title 6, Domestic Security.
Amendments
2022-Par. (2).
2018-Pars. (2) to (7).
2006-Par. (6).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Regulations
"(1)
"(2)
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.
Maritime Border Security Cooperation
"(1) partner with other Federal, State, and local government agencies to leverage existing technology, including existing sensor and camera systems and other sensors, in place along the maritime border to facilitate monitoring of high-risk maritime borders, as determined by the Secretary; and
"(2) subject to the availability of appropriations, enter into such agreements as the Secretary considers necessary to ensure the monitoring described in paragraph (1)."
Integrated Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement Operations Between the United States and Canada
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) establish, as an element of the Program, a training program for individuals who will serve as maritime law enforcement officers; and
"(2) conduct training jointly with Canada to enhance border security, including training-
"(A) on the detection and apprehension of suspected terrorists and individuals attempting to unlawfully cross or unlawfully use the international maritime border between the United States and Canada;
"(B) on the integration, analysis, and dissemination of port security information by and between the United States and Canada;
"(C) on policy, regulatory, and legal considerations related to the Program;
"(D) on the use of force in maritime security;
"(E) on operational procedures and protection of sensitive information; and
"(F) on preparedness and response to maritime terrorist incidents.
"(d)
"(e)
Waterside Security of Especially Hazardous Cargo
"(a)
"(1)
"(A) initiate a national study to identify measures to improve the security of maritime transportation of especially hazardous cargo; and
"(B) coordinate with other Federal agencies, the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee, and appropriate State and local government officials through the Area Maritime Security Committees and other existing coordinating committees, to evaluate the waterside security of vessels carrying, and waterfront facilities handling, especially hazardous cargo.
"(2)
"(A) an analysis of existing risk assessment information relating to waterside security generated by the Coast Guard and Area Maritime Security Committees as part of the Maritime Security Risk Analysis Model;
"(B) a review and analysis of appropriate roles and responsibilities of maritime stakeholders, including Federal, State, and local law enforcement and industry security personnel, responsible for waterside security of vessels carrying, and waterfront facilities handling, especially hazardous cargo, including-
"(i) the number of ports in which State and local law enforcement entities are providing any services to enforce Coast Guard-imposed security zones around vessels transiting to, through, or from United States ports or to conduct security patrols in United States ports;
"(ii) the number of formal agreements entered into between the Coast Guard and State and local law enforcement entities to engage State and local law enforcement entities in the enforcement of Coast Guard-imposed security zones around vessels transiting to, through, or from United States ports or the conduct of port security patrols in United States ports, the duration of those agreements, and the aid that State and local entities are engaged to provide through such agreements;
"(iii) the extent to which the Coast Guard has set national standards for training, equipment, and resources to ensure that State and local law enforcement entities engaged in enforcing Coast Guard-imposed security zones around vessels transiting to, through, or from United States ports or in conducting port security patrols in United States ports (or both) can deter to the maximum extent practicable a transportation security incident;
"(iv) the extent to which the Coast Guard has assessed the ability of State and local law enforcement entities to carry out the security assignments that they have been engaged to perform, including their ability to meet any national standards for training, equipment, and resources that have been established by the Coast Guard in order to ensure that those entities can deter to the maximum extent practicable a transportation security incident;
"(v) the extent to which State and local law enforcement entities are able to meet national standards for training, equipment, and resources established by the Coast Guard to ensure that those entities can deter to the maximum extent practicable a transportation security incident;
"(vi) the differences in law enforcement authority, and particularly boarding authority, between the Coast Guard and State and local law enforcement entities, and the impact that these differences have on the ability of State and local law enforcement entities to provide the same level of security that the Coast Guard provides during the enforcement of Coast Guard-imposed security zones and the conduct of security patrols in United States ports; and
"(vii) the extent of resource, training, and equipment differences between State and local law enforcement entities and the Coast Guard units engaged in enforcing Coast Guard-imposed security zones around vessels transiting to, through, or from United States ports or conducting security patrols in United States ports;
"(C) recommendations for risk-based security measures to improve waterside security of vessels carrying, and waterfront facilities handling, especially hazardous cargo; and
"(D) identification of security funding alternatives, including an analysis of the potential for cost-sharing by the public and private sectors as well as any challenges associated with such cost-sharing.
"(3)
"(A) the Congress; or
"(B) first responders requiring such information for the protection of life or property.
"(4)
"(b)
"(c)
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
Risk Based Resource Allocation
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(d)
Watch Lists for Passengers Aboard Vessels
"(a)
"(1)
"(A) implement a procedure under which the Department of Homeland Security compares information about passengers and crew who are to be carried aboard a cruise ship with a comprehensive, consolidated database containing information about known or suspected terrorists and their associates;
"(B) use the information obtained by comparing the passenger and crew information with the information in the database to prevent known or suspected terrorists and their associates from boarding such ships or to subject them to specific additional security scrutiny, through the use of 'no transport' and 'automatic selectee' lists or other means.
"(2)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(d)
Vessel and Intermodal Security Reports
Findings
"The Congress makes the following findings:
"(1) There are 361 public ports in the United States that are an integral part of our Nation's commerce.
"(2) United States ports handle over 95 percent of United States overseas trade. The total volume of goods imported and exported through ports is expected to more than double over the next 20 years.
"(3) The variety of trade and commerce carried out at ports includes bulk cargo, containerized cargo, passenger transport and tourism, and intermodal transportation systems that are complex to secure.
"(4) The United States is increasingly dependent on imported energy for a substantial share of its energy supply, and a disruption of that share of supply would seriously harm consumers and our economy.
"(5) The top 50 ports in the United States account for about 90 percent of all the cargo tonnage. Twenty-five United States ports account for 98 percent of all container shipments. Cruise ships visiting foreign destinations embark from at least 16 ports. Ferries in the United States transport 113,000,000 passengers and 32,000,000 vehicles per year.
"(6) Ports often are a major locus of Federal crime, including drug trafficking, cargo theft, and smuggling of contraband and aliens.
"(7) Ports are often very open and exposed and are susceptible to large scale acts of terrorism that could cause a large loss of life or economic disruption.
"(8) Current inspection levels of containerized cargo are insufficient to counter potential security risks. Technology is currently not adequately deployed to allow for the nonintrusive inspection of containerized cargo.
"(9) The cruise ship industry poses a special risk from a security perspective.
"(10) Securing entry points and other areas of port facilities and examining or inspecting containers would increase security at United States ports.
"(11) Biometric identification procedures for individuals having access to secure areas in port facilities are important tools to deter and prevent port cargo crimes, smuggling, and terrorist actions.
"(12) United States ports are international boundaries that-
"(A) are particularly vulnerable to breaches in security;
"(B) may present weaknesses in the ability of the United States to realize its national security objectives; and
"(C) may serve as a vector or target for terrorist attacks aimed at the United States.
"(13) It is in the best interests of the United States-
"(A) to have a free flow of interstate and foreign commerce and to ensure the efficient movement of cargo;
"(B) to increase United States port security by establishing improving communication among law enforcement officials responsible for port security;
"(C) to formulate requirements for physical port security, recognizing the different character and nature of United States port facilities, and to require the establishment of security programs at port facilities;
"(D) to provide financial assistance to help the States and the private sector to increase physical security of United States ports;
"(E) to invest in long-term technology to facilitate the private sector development of technology that will assist in the nonintrusive timely detection of crime or potential crime at United States ports;
"(F) to increase intelligence collection on cargo and intermodal movements to address areas of potential threat to safety and security; and
"(G) to promote private sector procedures that provide for in-transit visibility and support law enforcement efforts directed at managing the security risks of cargo shipments.
"(14) On April 27, 1999, the President established the Interagency Commission on Crime and Security in United States Ports to undertake a comprehensive study of the nature and extent of the problem of crime in our ports, as well as the ways in which governments at all levels are responding. The Commission concluded that frequent crimes in ports include drug smuggling, illegal car exports, fraud, and cargo theft. Internal conspiracies are an issue at many ports and contribute to Federal crime. Criminal organizations are exploiting weak security at ports to commit a wide range of cargo crimes. Intelligence and information sharing among law enforcement agencies needs to be improved and coordinated at many ports. A lack of minimum physical and personnel security standards at ports and related facilities leaves many ports and port users very vulnerable. Access to ports and operations within ports is often uncontrolled. Security-related and detection-related equipment, such as small boats, cameras, large-scale x-ray machines, and vessel tracking devices, are lacking at many ports.
"(15) The International Maritime Organization and other similar international organizations are currently developing a new maritime security system that contains the essential elements for enhancing global maritime security. Therefore, it is in the best interests of the United States to implement new international instruments that establish such a system."
Maritime Security Professional Training
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(b)
"(1) The training and certification of maritime security professionals in accordance with accepted law enforcement and security guidelines, policies, and procedures, including, as appropriate, recommendations for incorporating a background check process for personnel trained and certified in foreign ports.
"(2) The training of students and instructors in all aspects of prevention, detection, investigation, and reporting of criminal activities in the international maritime environment.
"(3) The provision of off-site training and certification courses and certified personnel at United States and foreign ports used by United States-flagged vessels, or by foreign-flagged vessels with United States citizens as passengers or crewmembers, to develop and enhance security awareness and practices.
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) each of the 6 State maritime academies;
"(B) the United States Merchant Marine Academy;
"(C) the Appalachian Transportation Institute; and
"(D) other security training schools in the United States.
"(d)
"(e)
"(f)
[For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center of the Department of the Treasury to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 203(4), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.]
Report on Training Center
Performance Standards
"(1) develop and maintain an antiterrorism cargo identification, tracking, and screening system for containerized cargo shipped to and from the United States either directly or via a foreign port; and
"(2) develop performance standards to enhance the physical security of shipping containers, including standards for seals and locks."
Report on Foreign-flag Vessels