Welcome to GSNMagazine. Skip directly to: main content, navigation, search box.
GSN

Editorial Features | News / Analysis

Coast Guard opens new National Maritime Center

By Louis Chunovic, Senior Editor

Published March 24th, 2008

Coast Guard -Web

The U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center has moved into its new permanent location in Martinsburg, WV, as part of a planned effort to restructure and centralize the Mariner Licensing and Documentation (MLD) Program. The Center will handle operations and oversight for issues related to Regional Examination Center operations and quality assurance. It will also handle mariner training, assessment and exams; program support; mariner information for issues related to credential applications; and mariner evaluation for issues related to professional, medical and security evaluations.


TWIC – The Transportation Security Administration issued a correction of its final rule defining who may hold a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), to include E-2 visa (treaty investor) holders. Other eligible alien visas already covered under the final rule include H-1B special occupations; H-1B1 Free Trade Agreement; E-1 Treaty Trader; E-3 Australian in specialty occupation; L-1 intra company executive transfer; and TN North American Free Trade Agreement.


FUSION CENTERS – The Department of Homeland Security announced that it plans to increase the number of DHS agents assigned to assist operations at fusion centers, which were created nationwide to coordinate with local law enforcement and public health workers. Chet Lunner, deputy assistant DHS secretary for intelligence and analysis, said the agency plans to add 13 more agents to the task, bringing the total to 35 agents assigned to the 20 fusion centers currently in operation.


MARITIME SECURITY – A study released by the Government Accountability Office warned that federal efforts are needed to address challenges in preventing and responding to terrorist attacks on energy commodity tankers. The GAO found three types of threats -- suicide attacks such as explosive laden boats, "standoff" attacks with weapons launched from a distance and armed assaults. The agency was particularly concerned that anti-terror plans at most ports are often separate from environmental regimens (including post-event clean up), while many port plans lack a prioritization of shipping activity in the immediate aftermath of a terrorist attack.


  • Print
  • Add your comment
  • trackback url: http://www.gsnmagazine.com/cms/trackback/621-1