Discussion Questions: Compare and contrast through a critical analysis of the following laws and strategies with an emphasis on how they enhance port maritime operations: Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, The SAFE Port Act, and The Small Vessel Security Strategy

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1. Both, land and water ports  In an effort to protect the country’s waterways from terrorist attacks in the wake of the tragic events of  9/11, which took the lives to thousands of people on American soil, former President Bush signed the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 MSA into law

According to President Bush the SAFE Port Act is broken down into three sections: using technology to strengthen physical security at ports, securing the country against the threat of a terrorist-carried nuclear weapon, and marine keep on improving a potential terrorist attack . The creation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credentia one of the technologically enhanced physical security measures. As long as they were found to pose no security concern, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)-issued card was designed to enable access and biometric controls to anyone working at ports across the U.S. Another program was the Container Security Initiative, which used non-intrusive nuclear and radioactive detecting equipment to label and inspect foreign boxes being imported into the United States thereby limiting the access of contrabands through our ports.

2.The Maritime Transportation Security Acts (MTSA) purpose is to enhance the overall security measures and protect the transportation system. It requires the implementation of security measures for the vessels, infrastructures, and the ports. The Young Firm states, the MTSA is essentially a safety program that aims to better identify and deter threats at our ports and waterways (2018). The overall goal is to prevent any terrorists attacks, protect the infrastructure, and secure movement of goods safely through the ports and waterways.

The SAFE Port Act, the Security and Accountability for every Port Act, was passed in response to the concerns of the security of ports and risks of potential attacks. It was created as a response to the bid from Dubai Ports World to acquire U.S. ports in 2006 ( Compliance Online, 2010). This act also mandated advanced screening on shipping containers, as well as requiring foreign ports to abide to similar security standards. It also required any members entering the U.S. ports would have to have required documentation. The SAFE Port Act improved the security and efficiency of American ports.

The Small Vessel Security Strategy addressed the risk that small vessels might be used to smuggle terrorists or weapons into the United States (Homeland Security, 2022). It increased the awareness and security in the small vessel community as well as reinforce the relationships and connection within this community. This strategy was created by the Coast Guard as a proactive approach to the security measures in the small vessel community.

While the MTSA, the SAFE Port Act and the Small Vessel Security Strategy all share common goals of enhancing security and raising awareness of the possible security measures at our ports and on our waterways, they differ in specific approaches. The Small Vessel Security Strategy is focused on the Small Vessel Community and its security measures whereas the MTSA addresses the range of maritimes assets and the SAFE Port Act focuses on the security measures at our ports.