Prepared Remarks

Captain William G. Schubert

Maritime Adminstrator

National Cargo Security Council

(MITAGS)

Linthicum, MD

November 8, 2004

Good evening. Thank you very much for inviting me. I am honored to be your guest and to be here on behalf of President George W. Bush and Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta.

I am pleased to share with you information about the combined efforts of the Maritime Administration and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy’s efforts to enhance the security of our nation through coordinated, effective maritime security personnel training.

As everyone knows, maritime security is a priority for the Bush Administration and for us all in the post 9/11 environment. As the Maritime Administrator, I am proud of the role that MARAD has played in implementing security measures. Today I will focus on five topics central to the issue of maritime security.

First, I will discuss the implementation of Section 109 of the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002, including development by MARAD and USMMA of maritime security standards and curricula.

Second, I will talk about the development of IMO model training courses for Ship Security Officer (SSO), Company Security Officer (CSO), and Port Facility Officer (PFSO).

Third, I will describe the work of the MARAD/United States Coast Guard MTSA Section 109 Committee. This committee has been developing a voluntary, interim system of course approval and certification for providers of maritime security personnel training.

Fourth, I will talk about the Port Security Grant Program and its relationship to today’s global economy and homeland security.

Finally, I will discuss how MARAD actively supports tankerman training courses to include Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

As many of you know, Congress specifically gave DOT, via MARAD, the authorization for maritime training under Section 109 of the MTSA.

This was a most fitting assignment, and we are currently carrying out the responsibility through the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA)—our nation’s premier institution in the field of maritime education.

In preparation for the implementation of the training program, the USMMA team analyzed legislation and international conventions, and sought the in-put of the U.S. Coast Guard. They identified nine categories requiring specific maritime security training and knowledge.

The first three categories pertain to Vessel Security Officers, Company Security Officers, and Facility Security Officers.

Training for these officers includes general knowledge of operations and conditions, current security threats and patterns, maritime security policy and organization, emergency preparedness, threat identification and recognition, security planning, equipment, documentation, and verification.

The next two categories involve those positions which have security responsibilities as part of their duties.

As such, training for these officers covers general knowledge of operations and conditions, which includes emergency preparedness, threat identification and recognition, security equipment, security documentation, certification and verification.

The next three categories cover Vessel, Facility, and Maritime Personnel who work in or have business in the port or onboard vessels.

Their training needs are met by a course in maritime security awareness which addresses the following issues:

§ knowledge of emergency procedures and contingency plans,

§ recognition and detection of weapons and dangerous substances or devices,

§ recognition of characteristics of people likely to pose a threat, and

§ techniques such people might use to circumvent security measures.

The final category is law enforcement, security, and military personnel – people who are experienced in their own areas, but not necessarily familiar with the maritime industry and its unique characteristics.

The training for these officers addresses duties in a Maritime environment with a focus on general knowledge, policy, planning, preparedness, threat identification, equipment, documentation, and certification.

I want to emphasize that the USMMA team, through its collaborative relationship with the Coast Guard and the Government of India, wrote three model maritime security courses for the IMO. These courses were reviewed by an international validation panel with the result that they are now the established international standard for maritime security education and training. Certainly, the world-wide acceptance of our model courses is an indication of the high quality, professional work done by the team.

I am pleased to report that training requirements for the Ship Security Officer (VSO in the U.S.) will be written into the STCW Code while training requirements for CSO and PFSO (FSO in the U.S.) are being considered.

MARAD currently leads a joint MARAD/USCG Committee in the development of a voluntary, interim system of maritime security course approval and certification under Section 109 MTSA of 2002.

The IMO model courses will serve as the basic benchmark for evaluation of course submissions. In-house training, videos, distance learning are among the educational tools which have been included for evaluation.

MARAD believes that the flow of commerce must mesh seamlessly with the requirements for security. Under the leadership of Secretary Mineta and myself, the Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration are working to strengthen security at our nation’s seaports.

U.S. seaports have already benefited from the more than 564 million dollars that were made available for the Port Security Grant Program. This program has awarded money to applicants who have demonstrated the willingness to explore the application of technologies such as electronic seals, vessel tracking, and electronic notification of vessel arrival to improve the security systems already in place at their port.

As some of you are aware, the first round of Port Security Grants was announced on February 28, 2002. As of today, we have financed 1,215 projects.

MARAD, in cooperation with the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the Office of Domestic Preparedness in the Homeland Security Office is currently working on the fifth round of Port Security Grants for U.S. ports. I am pleased to report that we have allocated $150 million. Clearly we are headed in the right direction.

I would like to conclude my remarks to you by updating you on the current status of LNG training course issues.

As many of you are aware, according to current forecasts, shipments of LNG will increase dramatically worldwide in order to meet growing demands for energy. MARAD has made it a top priority to ensure that the projected boom in LNG imports into the United States and Europe be accommodated safely and securely. The increased LNG shipments creates a corresponding demand for qualified officers and crews for shipboard jobs. The six State maritime academies and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy have indicated interest in expanding their ongoing tankerman training courses to include LNG.

As a consequence, MARAD has been working with the academies and industry in this effort. We believe that this increased demand for LNG shipping will create opportunities for the active work force and that there will be a need for actively sailing mariners who, if not LNG qualified, may upgrade at industry schools in the U.S.

We believe that this project is essential for national security. The energy needs of the country must be met while LNG ships and terminals are protected from the risk of terrorist attack.

In this connection, MARAD has proposed that the Merchant Marine Act be amended so that Midshipmen can get experience and training on LNG ships that may not be U.S.-flag.

I am proud to serve as the Maritime Administrator and to be directly involved in helping identify and initiate solutions to the increasingly complex security issues that have challenged our nation in recent years.

On behalf of the Bush Administration and Secretary of Transportation Mineta, I want to thank you again for the privilege of speaking with you today.

Thank you.

###