The Association has had reference to USCG Port Security Advisory (1-14), which is republished here. The Association is also grateful to Witt O'Briens for permission to re-quote from their Circular 003-14 of 4 April 2014.
Members' will be aware of the Associations previous advices on security challenges when calling Libyan ports, especially ports in the east of the country.
The USCG has now published a list of recommended steps that vessels should take when calling at any port in Libya, specifically:
- (a.) Minimize ship-port interface activities such as crew changes, bunkering, and taking on stores;
- (b.) Take measures consistent with the ship's security plan equivalent to Security Level 2;
- (c.) Ensure that each access point to the ship is guarded and that the guards have total visibility of the exterior (both landside and waterside) of the vessel;
- (d.) Attempt to clarify security responsibilities between the vessel and the port facility;
- (e.) Document/record specific actions taken in the ship's security records required by Part A, Section 10 of the ISPS Code; and
- (f.) Report the actions taken directly to the cognizant U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the port prior to U.S. arrival.
It should be noted that these are not just good security advices, but that for any vessels calling at the U.S. after a Libya call it is very important to ensure that (f.) is complied with to ensure that the arrival in the U.S. is able to be handled smoothly. Vessels that do not so comply are likely to find greater scrutiny before being permitted entry and that may entail delays.
The U.S. Coast Guard also reiterates the warning about proceeding to oil terminals in Eastern Libya, as not all areas are under Government control and the local situation remains fluid and uncertain. The Association has previously advised Members in that regard.
Furthermore Witt O'Briens have advised that:
QUOTE Background The Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) mandated that the United States Coast Guard (USCG) evaluate the effectiveness of anti-terrorism measures in foreign ports and provides for the imposition of conditions of entry on vessels arriving to the United States from countries that do not maintain effective anti-terrorism measures (MTSA, 46 USC § 70108).
Actions required by vessels visiting countries affected All vessels arriving to the United States that have visited countries where anti-terrorism measures are required during their last five port calls must take actions 1 through 5 listed below while in the countries affected as a condition of entry into U.S. ports:
- Implement measures per the ship's security plan equivalent to Security Level 2;
- Ensure that each access point to the ship is guarded and that the guards have total visibility of the exterior (both landside and waterside) of the vessel. Guards may be: • provided by the ship's crew, however, additional crewmembers should be placed on the ship if necessary to ensure that limits on maximum hours of work are not exceeded and/or minimum hours of rest are met, or • provided by outside security forces approved by the ship's master and Company Security Officer.
- Attempt to execute a Declaration of Security;
- Log all security actions in the ship's log; and
- Report actions taken to the cognizant U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port prior to arrival in the U.S.
Actions taken by U.S. Coast Guard Vessels that visited the countries affected during their last five port calls will be boarded or examined by the Coast Guard to ensure the vessel took the required actions. UNQUOTE
Witt O'Briens further advise that vessels may, depending on the findings of the USCG inspection require security guards to be stationed on the vessel while in U.S. ports, subject to arrangements acceptable to the responsible USCG Captain of the particular port. If a vessel is able to demonstrate that while in the foreign country concerned it complied with the security requirements to a sufficient level then, in the discretion of the USCG, the requirement for guards on board while in the US port may be waived.