COAST GUARD SAYS CENTRALIZED DATA SYSTEMS A YEAR AWAY

COAST GUARD SAYS CENTRALIZED DATA SYSTEMS A YEAR AWAY    Adm. Thomas H. Collins, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, told members of the International Maritime Organization that the Coast Guard has been “meeting regularly” with the INS and U.S. Customs to integrate security databases.
   “We are only about a year away from developing centralized, user-friendly information systems,” Collins said, according to a Coast Guard 'white paper.'
   “Our goal is to eventually require vessel operators to submit all arrival information to just one location, allowing government agencies to share the information,” he said.
   Collins also said implementation of the Maritime Transportation Security Act caused the Coast Guard “to initiate new rulemaking for maritime homeland security.” On the present timetable, “we expect an interim rule to be published in June,” clarified “by input from stakeholders,” he said.
   A final rule will be published on Nov. 3.
   Collins said that IMO members should implement the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code for U.S. ships and ports by July 2004.
   IMO members should also “improve maritime domain awareness and the flow of security information,” and also support seafarer-credentialing efforts, Collins said.