The Coast Guard evaluates, boards, and inspects commercial ships as they approach U.S. waters.19 Moreover, the MTSA authorized the Coast Guard to create area committees composed of federal, state, local, and industry members to develop the local plans for the ports.20 Each committee has the flexibility to assemble and operate in a way that reflects the needs of its port area.21 The Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are jointly responsible for overseeing the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program to regulate and screen employees who service the ports.22 In coordination with the Coast Guard, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has a vital role in port protection. The CBP is responsible for inspecting containers and ship crews as well as cruise ship passengers arriving in U.S. ports.23 Similarly, CBP pre-screens U.S.-bound containers at selected foreign ports.24 The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) helps coordinate law enforcement efforts in collaboration with other agencies including the Coast Guard and several police forces as part of a local joint terrorism task force (JTTF).25 At the local level, the FBI sits on Area Maritime Security Committee meetings along with police and fire departments, port executives, and other agency representatives.26 The FBI and the Coast Guard serve as co-coordinators of the Area Maritime Security Committee.27 According to Arthur Goodwin, Director of Planning for the Alameda Corridor (the rail link to the LA/Long Beach ports), the Corridor contracts with the Union Pacific and BNSF railway police departments to provide security for the rail connection to the ports. All cargo that moves on the Alameda Corridor is classified as “common carriage” under federal law. Thus, the
19
Thomas O’Brien, “Port Security: Guarding America’s Front Door” (University of Southern California/California State University-Long Beach, METRANS Transportation Center, 2007), p. 2. Available at http://www.metrans.org/documents/WhitePaper2-6-07.pdf. 20 The Safe-Port Act: A 6th Month Review, ibid. 21 Ibid. 22 Ibid. p. 3. 23 Ibid. 24 Ibid. 25 Ibid. 26 Ibid. p. 8. 27 Ibid.
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