Federal Agencies » Department of Homeland Security
Recently established, the Department of Homeland Security has three primary missions -- to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters. Approximately 20 agencies have been transferred to the new department including several that directly impact the maritime industry, namely the U.S. Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration, and the U.S. Customs Service.
U.S. Coast Guard
Currently under the umbrella of the DOT, the Coast Guard is now an agency headed by the Commandant of the Coast Guard within the Department of Homeland Security. The Coast Guard plays an important role in promoting safety and security in marine transportation and has specific regulatory responsibilities in commercial vessel safety and maritime security, including:
- Administer and enforce safety standards for the design, construction, equipment, and maintenance of commercial vessels of the United States.
- Enforce vessel personnel manning and crew qualification standards.
- Provide administrative services to a number of advisory committees including, but not limited to, the Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC), the Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC), the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC), and the Navigation Safety Advisory Council (NAVSAC). These committees, which were established by law, provide advice and make recommendations to the Coast Guard on safety matters relating to their specific mandates. They are comprised of representatives from industry as well as the general public.
- Administer vessel documentation laws.
- Participate in the International Maritime Organization, an agency of the United Nations established to coordinate international maritime safety requirement and implement international maritime regimes to which the U.S. is a signatory.
- Provide regulatory implementation of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.
- Provide regulatory implementation of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
Established by the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, the TSA falls under the Border and Transportation Security Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security. The mission of the TSA is to protect the Nation's transportation systems, including aviation, maritime, land and rail, to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Previously under the Treasury Departmentand known as the U.S. Customs Service, CBP is uniquely positioned at the border/waterfront with equipment and personnel in place to perform critical tasks as part of homeland security, including the examination and tracking of the international movement of airborne and waterborne cargoes.