Coast Guard Begins Issuing Penalties to Vessels and Facilities that Have Not Submitted a Security Plan
The Coast Guard states that it has begun issuing violation notices for $10,000 penalties to those vessels and port facilities that have not submitted security plans required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA).
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Among other things, the regulations under MTSA required owners and/or operators of large cargo and passenger vessels, port facilities, and certain others to develop and implement security plans. These security plans were required to be submitted to the applicable authority on or before December 31, 2003.
In its press release, the Coast Guard stated that 90% of vessels and port facilities have turned in security plans as required. However, the Coast Guard states that it will be aggressively pursuing those who did not comply and explains that the penalties are being issued to those that have not submitted any of the information required. The Coast Guard adds that the names of specific vessels and facilities that have received a notice of violation will not be released to the public.
More Penalties May be Issued & Non-Compliant Operators May be Shut Down
The Coast Guard states that additional civil penalties for failing to submit the security plan may be issued at a later date, and non-compliant operators may have their operation shut down after July 1, 2004 if an approved security plan is not in place. (Sources have previously stated that the Coast Guard may issue civil penalties of $25,000 for each instance in which a security plan was required but not submitted.)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 01/23/04 news, 04012320, for earlier BP summary of the failure of some facilities and vessels to submit security plans.)
Coast Guard Contact - David Santos (757) 398-6269
Coast Guard Press Release (dated 02/04/04) available at https://www.piersystem.com/external/index.cfm?cid=651&fuseaction=EXTERNAL.docview&pressid=29036
Coast Guard Help Desk: (202) 366-9991 or toll-free at (877) 687-2243, or by email at uscgregs@comdt.uscg.mil, or Web site at www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/mp/mtsa.shtml.