Port State Control Examination

After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, it became imperative to better identify and mitigate threats in the maritime transportation infrastructure. The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) were both enacted to require the implementation of preventative measures for vessels and maritime facilities to protect against security incidents. The creation of MTSA and the ISPS Code required the U.S. Coast Guard's Port State Control program to expand significantly. The Port State Control program met this challenge by integrating the enforcement elements of the new security standards with the traditional marine safety legacy missions of enforcing safety and environmental compliance standards. A pre-enforcement campaign was implemented in spring 2004 to prepare the maritime industry for complying with the new ISPS and MTSA requirements before the July 2004 deadline. Since the deadline, Port State Control teams have conducted an average of 25 ISPS security inspections each day. The program uses a risk-based tool to identify foreign vessels for security or safety examinations, allowing the Coast Guard to use its resources most efficiently and providing an incentive for the maritime industry to maintain effective security and safety programs. The rate of compliance has been much higher than expected and trends indicate increasing compliance rates. The two most commonly found ISPS deficiencies leading to vessel detention are a vessel's failure to meet restricted area requirements and maintain access control measures at the point of embarkation.