Port Maritime Security

In our past history, The United States Customs and border officials have been focused on relatively common matters of enforcing laws regarding trade and immigration, watching over agriculture and economic interests from pest and disease, and processing people, vehicles and goods. After the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001, the primary concern was the homeland security. The threat of terrorists and terrorist tools coming through our borders all add to an increased set of dangers to The United States. Is it the responsibility of our United States Military to defend our country from these threats? The following myths are often understood as true, when in fact they are not.

Terrorism has been one of the major concerns of the entire world; however, the incident of 9/11 entirely changed the perception of governments towards the issue of terrorism. In this regard, the United States of America has significantly improvised its approach towards dealing with terrorism. The approach of the U.S. is also justifiable as the United States is the only country that had to face the maximum ramifications caused by terrorism as thousands of people have lost their lives in multiple terrorist acts. Moreover, the U.S. has also tolerated the loss of billions of dollars in the shape of loss of capital, and investing in improved military and intelligence services. Despite of all these efforts, the U.S. has always felt the threat of terrorist activities; based on this fact, the government and legislature of the United States of America has enacted many acts of Congress to ensure the security of the residents, capital, and assets of the country. Out of various strategies to make United States a safer country, the Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act in considered the most imperative yet debated topic among the politicians as well as the public of the U.S.

The recommendations include risk assessments to ensure that efforts are carried out to improve security and security data management to ensure that data is properly handled and disseminated to appropriate agencies and stakeholders. MTS must ensure that all U.S. personnel in domestic and international ports are appropriately trained for their job function. Along with all personnel working at ports, related infrastructure sectors, on vessels, or operating vessels must have proper identification. DHS further recommends developing more advanced security technology to enhance and identify gaps in security. It is also suggested that MTS examine industry, national and international transportation safety frameworks to determine if enhancements would improve MTS security. Furthermore MTS should create and manage a collaborative system of stakeholders to maintain security as well as make efforts to lessen security vulnerabilities. Finally, MTS must constantly amend and improve the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 and the International Ship and Port Facility

However, it is integrated within other strategies the multiple agencies are currently using. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP estimates the 70,000 foreign boat arrivals recorded in the Pleasure Boat Reporting System (PBRS) was only a small portion of the small boats that arrived in the U.S. The risk is small vessels are also risky. It is possible to configure them with Waterborne Improvised Explosive Devices (WBIEDs) writes Department of Homeland Security (2008). Most security policies are set up to reduce the security risk of larger vessels. The intent of the strategy was to inform the public on measures that they can take to keep the waterways and the country safe. Since there are a large number of small vessels in the waterways, it is possible for them to see suspicious activities before law enforcement agencies see it. They should understand what actions to

The SAFE Port Act was approved in October, 2006, which to hardened the maritime ports. This Act will help track and protect vessels before they reach American ports. The Act itself is defined, “To improve maritime and cargo security through enhanced layered defenses, and for other purposes.” (2006). The SAFE Port Act has elements of protection against radiation, employee-employer disputes, and border patrol operations in the United States Virgin Islands. This Act also incorporates elements on partnerships between the United States government and private sector trade partnership in order to yield against terrorism and illegal smuggling operations. This SAFE Port Act talks to every possible idea to protect the security of our ports. How

This paper explores an overview of the mission and the overall organization of the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It will also discuss the roles and responsibilities of the organization, its history, and how they support the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This paper will provide you with facts, highlights, and challenges germane to CBP. You will understand how CBP interacts and operates with the intelligence community and the Armed Forces in order to meet up to their responsibilities.

The government of the United States has no greater concern than protecting her people, both when at home and at abroad (Harvey, 2012). Thus, being prepared to combat terrorism is of critical importance, not only because of the often severe consequences of the attacks in terms of loss of life for innocent Americans and property damage, but equally because of the destruction which the attacks or threats can cause to the independence and the legal order (Franco & Sell, 2010). When a politician,

The Land of the free and home of the brave…America…The land of opportunity. A land surrounded by borders both physical and geographical, borders that are made of steel and stone, water and trees. Since the beginning of this great nation as we know it, there have been border security check points in place to include port security. As time and events have occurred and elapsed, America’s borders have evolved. Significant events such as the attack on Pearl Harbor and the terrorist attacks of 9/11 have forced the United States Government to increase and adapt to evolving threats while simultaneously combating the rush of illegal entry and smuggling. Billions of dollars have been spent over the past twenty years in conjunction with Homeland security operations and initiatives to button down the borders of the United States. No matter how much money and resources are poured into securing our borders one thing will occur always…Smuggling. Smuggling is basically defined as “moving illegal goods into or out of a country” (Dictionary.com). What is the United States Government doing to combat smuggling? How are the borders to the North and what items are usually smuggled in from Canada? What are the top 5 things smuggled in through the Southern Borders? What is coming through our East coast port security? Smugglers have gotten creative with ways to move their product over America’s borders. All in all, combating smuggling at

Moreover, it is national policy to support the maritime industry. According to Section 1, "Purpose and policy of United States," 46 App. U.S.C. 861, 2002: "It is necessary for the national defense and for the proper growth of its foreign and domestic commerce that the

A current issue being debated about American national security applies to border security. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s top priority is “to keep terrorists and their weapons from entering the U.S. while welcoming all legitimate travelers and commerce.” (U.S. Border Patrol, 2016)  So why has this issue become such a huge deal? According to a CSMonitor article,

On September 11, 2001, roughly 3000 innocent people were killed in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia from a series of ruthless coordinated terrorist attacks which were carried out in the air. These attacks forever changed airport security measures throughout the United States and the World. The attacks resulted in the immediate creation of the Transportation Security Administration, which was stood up to increase airport security measure to prevent repeating such horrible acts on United States soil. Sixteen years later, the United States is a safer country and airport security has improved. With all the new technology rapidly being introduced, security officials are always trying to

Described as a weakness in security, vulnerabilities represent a “gap or exposure in the protection of an asset that can lead to damage or destruction…” (Edwards & Goodrich, 2013, p. 12). Much like other transportation systems, the Port of Boston has several vulnerabilities that must be adequately addressed in order to properly secure the port. The top three vulnerabilities to the Port of Boston are listed below.

Massport has enacted several policies and procedures to tighten security and better secure their various waterfront terminals. These policies include, but may not be limited to:

The 9/11 incident crippled the American economy and its impact is still felt at present times. Following this tragedy, a commission was initiated by President George W. Bush and the congress to investigate the reasons behind the bombing and provide recommendations to help avert such occurrences in the future. Therefore, this paper discusses the impact of making the US border more secure, the rationale behind replacing the "need to know" with the "need to share". Moreover, the paper highlights the DOD's role the role in border and coastal security, its relationship with the Department of Homeland Security and how DOD supports civil authorities.

ABSTRACT: The United States and the European Union share common values, economic interests, and security challenges. The expansion of the European Union into the countries which were under the Soviet sphere of influence continues to complicate the internal border security of the European Union. Given the liberalization of trade within the EU and in turn into the US, the port and border security of each trading partner is connected in this global economy. This paper examines some of the border security issues facing the EU and how these challenges affect the United States. Particular interest is paid to the porous borders of the former Warsaw Pact countries given their