Seamen Need to Know about the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002
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Congress passed the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 to increase maritime safety. A Louisiana maritime attorney in New Orleans explains what seamen need to know.
President Bush passed the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 to develop security plans and implement maritime safety security measures so that terrorist attacks and other safety issues can be prevented while vessels are at sea or in ports. According to the Department of Homeland Security, 95 percent of the United States international cargo travels by ship. This means security at ports is a major concern, especially since the 9/11 terrorist attack. Here are some of the highlights of this act.
Identification of High-Risk Vessels and Facilities
A main component of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 is identifying vessels and ports that are susceptible to security incidents. These include the following:
barges;
tank vessels;
passenger ships;
cargo vessels;
towing vessels;
offshore platforms; and
ports than handle any of these vessels.
This Act affects more than 5,000 facilities and approximately 10,000 vessels. There are 55 critical ports that the Department of Homeland Security will assess continually to determine how vulnerable they are to security threats. The assessment will include activities such as cargo screening, vessel security and facility access to meet strict security standards.
National Maritime Transportation Security Plan
Under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, the Secretary of Transportation is required to prepare a National Maritime Transportation Security Plan that must be implemented in the event of a security incident. This involves:
assigning duties across federal agencies and departments;
identifying security resources;
developing techniques and procedures to be used in a security incident;
immediate identification and notification of a security incident; and
ensuring cargo flow as soon as possible following an incident.
The Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 calls for stricter security measures implemented at the baggage, passenger and vehicle levels. There are many facets to this act, so those with questions should call a Louisiana maritime attorney in New Orleans to learn more. These baggage, passenger and vehicle measures include:
additional security patrols;
access control;
restricted areas;
surveillance equipment; and
enhanced procedures for personnel identification.
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
One of the initiatives of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 is the Transportation Worker Identification Credential, also known as a Transportation Security Card. This credential ties seamen to their background check, which must be passed successfully before receiving the credential. This credential aids in access control so that only authorized maritime workers can access secure areas of the ship.
Those who work on domestic vessels and port facilities will be required to obtain this credential. Foreign seamen will not be required to obtain one unless they arrive at ports in the United States and seek access to secure areas.
The Transportation Security Act of 2002 requires certain vessels to install an Automatic Identification System. This state-of-the-art system transmits information about a ship to ports and other ships. The goal of the Automatic Identification System is to provide up-to-the-minute information for comprehensive tracking and monitoring, allowing increased security while a vessel is at sea.
Ships most affected by this regulation include ships traveling internationally, commercial vessels, and cruise ships and other passenger vessels. Any one of these vessels may hold workers who could benefit from consulting a Louisiana maritime attorney in New Orleans. In addition, any new vessel built in 2003 and beyond is required to have this system installed to Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Timothy Young
Maritime and admiralty lawyer Timothy J. Young graduated cum laude from Tulane Law School in 1993. Licensed to practice in both Louisiana and Texas, he is an active member of the American Association for Justice and the Louisiana Association for Justice, including the admiralty sections of both associations. Mr. Young has given talks to lawyers in other states regarding the practice of maritime law.
At The Young Firm, our maritime and admiralty attorneys are dedicated to providing superior legal counsel to clients injured as a result of another party's reckless, careless, or negligent conduct. We meticulously prepare each case and are committed to protecting the rights of the catastrophically injured. For more than 50 years, our attorneys have been focusing on the practice of maritime/admiralty law.
Copyright The Young Firm
More information about The Young Firm
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
Identification of High-Risk Vessels and Facilities
A main component of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 is identifying vessels and ports that are susceptible to security incidents. These include the following:
barges;
tank vessels;
passenger ships;
cargo vessels;
towing vessels;
offshore platforms; and
ports than handle any of these vessels.
This Act affects more than 5,000 facilities and approximately 10,000 vessels. There are 55 critical ports that the Department of Homeland Security will assess continually to determine how vulnerable they are to security threats. The assessment will include activities such as cargo screening, vessel security and facility access to meet strict security standards.
National Maritime Transportation Security Plan
Under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, the Secretary of Transportation is required to prepare a National Maritime Transportation Security Plan that must be implemented in the event of a security incident. This involves:
assigning duties across federal agencies and departments;
identifying security resources;
developing techniques and procedures to be used in a security incident;
immediate identification and notification of a security incident; and
ensuring cargo flow as soon as possible following an incident.
The Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 calls for stricter security measures implemented at the baggage, passenger and vehicle levels. There are many facets to this act, so those with questions should call a Louisiana maritime attorney in New Orleans to learn more. These baggage, passenger and vehicle measures include:
additional security patrols;
access control;
restricted areas;
surveillance equipment; and
enhanced procedures for personnel identification.
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
One of the initiatives of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 is the Transportation Worker Identification Credential, also known as a Transportation Security Card. This credential ties seamen to their background check, which must be passed successfully before receiving the credential. This credential aids in access control so that only authorized maritime workers can access secure areas of the ship.
Those who work on domestic vessels and port facilities will be required to obtain this credential. Foreign seamen will not be required to obtain one unless they arrive at ports in the United States and seek access to secure areas.
The Transportation Security Act of 2002 requires certain vessels to install an Automatic Identification System. This state-of-the-art system transmits information about a ship to ports and other ships. The goal of the Automatic Identification System is to provide up-to-the-minute information for comprehensive tracking and monitoring, allowing increased security while a vessel is at sea.
Ships most affected by this regulation include ships traveling internationally, commercial vessels, and cruise ships and other passenger vessels. Any one of these vessels may hold workers who could benefit from consulting a Louisiana maritime attorney in New Orleans. In addition, any new vessel built in 2003 and beyond is required to have this system installed to Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Timothy Young
Maritime and admiralty lawyer Timothy J. Young graduated cum laude from Tulane Law School in 1993. Licensed to practice in both Louisiana and Texas, he is an active member of the American Association for Justice and the Louisiana Association for Justice, including the admiralty sections of both associations. Mr. Young has given talks to lawyers in other states regarding the practice of maritime law.
At The Young Firm, our maritime and admiralty attorneys are dedicated to providing superior legal counsel to clients injured as a result of another party's reckless, careless, or negligent conduct. We meticulously prepare each case and are committed to protecting the rights of the catastrophically injured. For more than 50 years, our attorneys have been focusing on the practice of maritime/admiralty law.
Copyright The Young Firm
More information about The Young Firm
View all articles published by The Young Firm
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
