U.S. Coast Guard receives more security plans on ships, ports

U.S. Coast Guard receives more security plans on ships, ports    The U.S. Coast Guard has received security plans from 99 percent of U.S. port facilities and vessels.
   The percentage shows a rapid increase since Feb. 4, when the Coast Guard reported it had received security plans from 90 percent of U.S. vessels and ports.
   Jolie Shifflet, spokesman for the Coast Guard, said the agency did not have a percentage breakdown between vessels and facilities.
   Industry sources expect all U.S. port facilities to comply by the legal deadline of July 1.
   The U.S. Coast Guard has also warned of adverse consequences if U.S.-flag and non-U.S.-flag ships have not implemented the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code of the International Maritime Organization by July 1, and if ships call at non-ISPS-compliant overseas ports.
   “In the event that a country’s ports are non-compliant with the international standards, vessels arriving in the U.S. from ports in that country will be subject to additional port state control measures,” Shifflet said.
   Such additional measures may include at-sea boarding prior to entry into port, controlling the vessel’s movement, armed escort, time or routing measures, comprehensive security inspection, and denial of entry.
   “These measures will remain in place until the country demonstrates compliance,” Shifflet added.