Marine Log - July 2008 - (Page 12)

INSIDEWASHINGTON Lautenberg and Menendez put heads together on ports N ew Jersey Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez have put their heads together on port security and come up with the Port Authority Implementation Act of 2008 (S.3174). Even if it doesn’t make it into law in this session, the bill could be an important indicator of the likely direction of port security policy in any post-Bush Democratic Administration. “It’s been seven years since 9/11 and President Bush has still not secured our ports. Port security is essential to protect our residents from terrorist attack, and if this Administration won’t adequately protect us, we will,” Senator Lautenberg said, flanked by Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Officials at a gathering to announce the bill. “This bill so low, we need to do everything in our power and spare no expense to keep our ports safe and prevent terrorists from destroying our commerce and disrupting our lives,” said Senator Menendez. “This bill will fill critical gaps by enhancing and expanding our security efforts to bring even greater levels of scrutiny and accountability to port security.” PANYNJ Chairman Tony Coscia said, “Federal efforts to secure the nation’s transportation systems have not treated the security threat at our nation’s ports with due seriousness. The Senators’ bill, which builds on the recommendations of our Task Force, recognizes the critical importance of introducing uniform federal standards for all ports in the country.” Senators Lautenberg (left) and Menendez would pick up where the Bush Administration is leaving off by setting minimum security standards for every container coming into our country and helping ensure port security grants are awarded based on risk,” said Lautenberg. The bill is based in part on the December 2006 report of a PANYNJ task force. “Because the stakes are so high and the margin of error is The Senators’ bill would require cargo to be monitored from the moment it is packed into containers abroad until it reaches its destination in the U.S. Containers that do not meet the standards would be refused entry into the country. The bill also calls for minimum security standards for essential port services such as supply and launch vessels, and bunker and fuel deliveries, which are largely unregulated. It would also empower any law enforcement officer to confiscate fraudulent TWIC documents. Foreign vessels entering a U.S. port would be required to designate a “Security Individual” responsible for responding to a transportation security incident while it is docked at a U.S. port, on behalf of the ship’s owner/operator. SERIOUS AIR FOR SERIOUS PLACES Confined Space Air Ventilators 8”, 12” & 20” Models Portable Lightweight 848-8000 CFM, 110/220V 12V DC Pneumatic Americ Corporation 785 Bonnie Lane Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 For more information, call 800-364-4642 or Fax 847-364-4695 www.americ.com 12 MARINE LOG JULY 2008 www.marinelog.com http://www.skookum.org http://www.americ.com http://www.americ.com http://www.skookum.org http://www.marinelog.com

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Marine Log - July 2008 Contents Editorial Second Thoughts Update Inside Washington Coastal Shipping Communications Paints & Coatings WISTA’s Jeanne Grasso Showcase Newsmakers Tech News Contracts Events Website Directory ML Buyer's Guide ML Marketplace Tech Talk Gulf Coast Headliner

Marine Log - July 2008

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