Coast Guard to hold small vessel security summit

Coast Guard to hold small vessel security summit The U.S. Coast Guard said it would host a security summit in June to discuss ways to improve security for small vessels on U.S. waterways to prevent a 'USS Cole'-style attack on a large vessel or critical shore facility.
   Under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, commercial vessels must supply security plans, provide 96-hour advance notice of arrival, have an automated identification system and are subject to long-range tracking. But very little is known about the 77 million boaters or 13 million recreational vessels that ply U.S. waters.
   Stephen Flynn and other security experts warn that the United States is vulnerable to a small-vessel attack on port infrastructure or ships carrying dangerous cargo.
   U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Transportation Security Administration, the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, the FBI and other agencies will participate in the summit, along with invited representatives from the recreational boating community, and small commercial and fishing vessel operators.
   A date and location for the two-day meeting in the Washington area have yet to be determined.
   In making the announcement, Commandant Thad Allen cited concerns such as effective control of the maritime border, unrestricted access to critical waterside infrastructure, and few existing standards in many states for ensuring minimum knowledge of maritime rules and regulations, operator proficiency, or identification requirements.
   Flynn has called for licensing boaters, as motorists are, to help keep track of waterway users.