Using tools like the Automated Targeting System (ATS), Custom and Border Protection's National Targeting Center (NTC) provides tactical targeting and analytical research to support intra-departmental and inter-agency anti-terrorist operations. The NTC also supports operations in the field, including the Container Security Initiative (CSI) personnel stationed at critical ports throughout the world.

　

 To prevent bioterrorist attacks on the U.S. food supply, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration places personnel at the NTC to screen high risk imported food shipments and to implement provisions of the Bioterrorism Act of 2002.

　

Contact: Department of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection/National Targeting Center

Phone: 703-621-7700

Fax: 703-391-1983

E-mail: hugh.austin@dhs.gov

　

　

 About 10,000 ships make over 68,000 U.S. port calls each year. The NVMC in Kearneysville, West Virginia, receives all information regarding arrivals and departures of merchant ships in U.S. ports. This information is then categorized and forwarded to the U.S. Coast Guard's Intelligence Coordination Center and the appropriate U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port offices.

　

Contact: Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Coast Guard Intelligence Coordination Center/ Mr. Richard Harding

Phone: 202-267-6356

　

　

 This joint U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy initiative dates from November 2001 and exists in Norfolk, Virginia, and San Diego, California. The goal of SCC-J is to protect and defend assets within the port. It provides maritime domain awareness to deter, detect, and defend against terrorist acts. It controls access to Maritime Critical Infrastructure, Key Assets, and Military Essential Waterways.

　

Contact: Department of Homeland Security/Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard (G-OCC)/Mr. K. Peterson

Phone: 757-638-2763

　

　

 The U.S. Coast Guard Intelligence Coordination Center, co-located with the Office of Naval Intelligence at the National Maritime Intelligence Center in Suitland, Maryland, established COASTWATCH, a process that analyzes the 96-hour Notice of Arrival reports using law enforcement and intelligence information and reporting vessels of interest so that the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies could appropriately respond to board those vessels before they reached port, if necessary. The U.S. Coast Guard continues this practice today and has improved electronic sharing of notice of arrival reports and accompanying intelligence information with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protections (IAIP) Directorate, Department of Defense, and other components of the Intelligence Community.

　

 At the NMIC, the U.S. Navy's Office of Naval Intelligence brings military and civilian employees into a single command to provide "one-stop shopping" for national level maritime intelligence. The NMIC also hosts the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA) and the Coast Guard Intelligence Coordination Center (ICC) and the Naval Information Warfare Activity (NIWA).

　

Contact: Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Coast Guard Intelligence Coordination Center/LT J. Dietrich

Phone: 301-669-4463

　

NMIC Senior Watch Officer: 301-669-2613

　

　

 Located in Norfolk, Virginia, and Alameda, California, these units compile, synthesize and distribute intelligence products from the federal, state, and local levels dealing with maritime security to homeland security officials across the country responsible for securing U.S. ports and waterways.

　

Contact: Department of Homeland Security/Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard (G-OCC)/Mr. K. Peterson

Phone: 757-638-2763

　

　

 Operation Port Shield implements and enforces the security requirements of the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002. Under this verification program, the U.S. Coast Guard inspects every foreign vessel, at sea or at the dock, during its initial visit to the United States and thereafter, using a Risk Based Decision Targeting Matrix. Foreign vessels calling upon the U.S. must comply with requirements set forth in the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Furthermore, the U.S. Coast Guard inspects domestic waterfront facilities which receive foreign vessels subject to the ISPS Code for security compliance with ISPS. Additionally, vessels calling upon the United States from foreign ports in non-compliant countries are subject to a series of graduated and increasingly severe restrictive actions to ensure they do not pose a security risk. U.S. Coast Guard program officers also visit foreign countries to evaluate antiterrorism measures in place at ports abroad.

　

Contact: Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Coast Guard/LT Craig Toomey

Phone: 202-267 0476

Fax: 202-267-0506

E-mail: cstoomey@comdt.uscg.mil

　

　

 An AIS is navigation equipment installed on ships that automatically sends the ship's identity, position, course, speed, navigational status, and other safety-related information to other ships and shore-based agencies, allowing for ship tracking and monitoring by Vessel Traffic Systems (VTS) located in various U.S. ports. The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter V requires carriage of AIS on all ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards engaged on international voyages, cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards not engaged on international voyages, and all passenger ships irrespective of size.

　

Contact: Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Coast Guard/LT Craig Toomey

Phone: 202-267-0476

Fax: 202-267-0506

E-mail : cstoomey@comdt.uscg.mil

Website: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/mp/mtsa.shtml

　

　

 The U.S. Coast Guard has established committees in all the nation's ports to coordinate the activities of all port stakeholders, including other federal, state and local agencies, industry and the boating public. These groups collaborate on plans to secure their ports and pool resources to deter, prevent and respond to terror threats.

　

Contact: Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Coast Guard/CDR Tina Burke

Phone: 202-267-4143

E-mail: tburke@comdt.uscg.mil

Contact: Mr. Ike Eisentrout

Phone: 202-267-0895

E-mail: beisentrout@comdt.uscg.mil

　

　

 Under this program, the U.S. Coast Guard is examining the key infrastructure in the nation's 55 most economically and strategically important ports for potential vulnerabilities. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard is creating a system to display key port information in an electronic geospatially referenced format to serve as a database that can be easily searched for national, regional and local information. This information will be available to port officials across the country to help them make decisions about how to reduce vulnerability of their ports.

　

Contact: Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Coast Guard/G-MPP-3/CAPT Tim Mann

Phone: 703-418-6609

Fax: 703-418-6764

E-mail: tmann@comdt.uscg.mil

　

　

 The Port Security Grants Program provides federal resources for projects to enhance facility and operational security for critical national seaports. The funds assist ports in analyzing vulnerabilities and then closing gaps in security through physical enhancements like access control gates, fencing, lighting and advanced communication and surveillance systems. The program also funds security strategies that prevent and respond to terror threats.

　

E-Mail: portsecuritygrants@dhs.gov

Web Site: https://www.portsecuritygrants.dottsa.net

　

　

 U.S. Customs and Border Protection uses NII technologies to screen a larger portion of the stream of commercial traffic in less time while facilitating legitimate trade. CBP officers use large-scale gamma ray and x-ray imaging systems to screen conveyances for contraband, including weapons of mass destruction. Inspectors also use personal radiation detectors to scan for signs of radioactive materials, as well as high-tech tools such as density meters and fiber-optic scopes to peer inside suspicious containers.

　

Contact: Department of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection/Office of Field Operations

Phone: 202-344-1180

Fax: 202-344-1435

　

　

 Under this program, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Federal Bureau of Investigation work to prevent use of merchant mariner credentials by terrorists and criminals. The U.S. Coast Guard has strengthened its background checking process for commercial seamen and has begun using more tamper-resistant credentials.

　

Contact: Department of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection/Office of Field Operations

Phone: 202-344-1376

　

　

 The goal of the TWIG program is to develop a secure and uniform credential to prevent potential terrorist threats from entering sensitive areas of our transportation system. When implemented, the TWIC will ensure that credentials contain a biometric identifier to authenticate identities Of TWIC holders. By having one universally recognized credential, workers avoid paying for redundant cards and background investigations to enter secure areas at multiple facilities. The prototype phase is being conducted at 26 facilities in six states including the transportation facilities in the Delaware River Basin area, the Los Angeles and Long Beach area, and 12 major port facilities in the state of Florida. Up to 75,000 transportation workers are expected to participate in the prototype test. The prototype is funded with $55 million from the Transportation Security Administration's budget.

　

E-Mail: credentialing@dhs.gov