THE U.S. Coast Guard has implemented “tougher” security requirements for sea vessels, including a 96-hour advance notice from foreign flag vessels prior to entering the U.S. and its territories.
Lt. Kenneth R. Bryan, supervisor of the Marine Safety Detachment on Saipan, yesterday said the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks resulted in the need for stricter security and safety policies in the maritime industry.
“Prior to Sept. 11, they were only required to provide 24-hour advance notice, and that’s provided to the local Coast Guard office,” Bryan told Variety in an interview.
Currently, a 96-hour advance notice to the National Maritime Center is required, along with other information on crew members.
The National Maritime Center is a U.S. Coast Guard headquarters field unit.
Bryan, who was guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Saipan’s Tuesday meeting, said the Coast Guard’s mission and activities include search and rescue, protecting national security, enforcement of maritime laws and ensuring environmental protections.
There are currently 30 Coast Guard team members on Saipan, including two in active duty, reserve and auxiliary members.
Bryan said the Coast Guard has changed its risk management structure because of the improvements that have taken place at Saipan’s port area in the last 10 to 20 years.
“We’re importing more hazardous materials, we’ve got more ships coming to the port, and a whole lot of things going on. That’s probably where the Coast Guard spends most of its time on risk management here,” he said.
The Coast Guard has 75,000 members—35,000 of which are on active duty—and this number is targeted to increase by 5,000 in the next few years, said Bryan.
“If there’s one major problem with the Coast Guard, I think it’s that our vision has always exceeded resources,” he said.
In related news, the Japanese consul to the CNMI, Takeo Saito, has joined the Rotary Club of Saipan along with PacifiCare’s Venni Folta and Micropac’s Bill Nishihira.
The three were presented to the general membership during yesterday’s meeting at the Hyatt Regency Saipan.
