One State Struggles To Meet Port Security Deadlines

No state in the US is so dependent upon maritime shipping as Hawaii. So bringing its 60 port and harbor facilities in line with stringent new security measures set out by Washington, which must be implemented at the start of next month, is something of a priority for state planners. A recent story in The Honolulu Star by Rosemarie Bernardo entitled "Coast Guard Steps Up Security" describes the toll complying with the new regulations is taking on maritime authorities in the state.

"All U.S. ports are required to develop security plans and send them to a center on the mainland to be reviewed," writes Bernardo. "To protect Hawaii's lifeline, Coast Guard officials are working 'feverishly' to comply with new national and international security measures at ports by July 1."

The story outlines the measures taken by both state officials and Coast Guard authorities who oversee Hawaii's shipping infrastructure to meet the deadline. The author also lays out the new requirements Washington expects the Coast Guard to have ready at all ports throughout the US by the deadline. These include:

• To be able to board all foreign ships entering US ports.
• To restrict US waters to ships that fail to meet the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.
• To track vessels en route from foreign ports in counties that are not in compliance with the above-mentioned international code.

To read the full version of the story, visit: http://starbulletin.com/2004/06/12/news/story4.html.