Coast Guard cites 90 percent return for security plans

Coast Guard cites 90 percent return for security plans    The U.S. Coast Guard said 90 percent of vessels and port facilities turned in security plans as required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act.
   The Coast Guard has begun issuing notices of violation accompanied by $10,000 fines to those ships and ports that have not filed security plans, the agency said in a statement.
   Large cargo and passenger vessels, port facilities, and outer continental shelf facilities were required to submit a vulnerability assessment report and a security plan.
   “Additional civil penalties for failing to submit the security plan may be issued at a later date, and non-compliant operators may have their operation shut down after July 1 if an approved plan is not in place,” the Coast Guard said.
   The names of those fined have been designated as “sensitive security information” and will not be released to the public, the agency explained.