NATION Coast Guard to develop new safety regulations

STATES NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON -- The nation's ports and maritime industry would face a tab of about $1.4 billion to comply with new federal safety regulations being developed by the U.S. Coast Guard.
To develop the rules, due by June in draft form, the Coast Guard will conduct public hearings to evaluate the security needs of U.S. ports and for the maritime industry. A hearing in Cleveland will be Jan. 30 at Sheraton Cleveland City Centre Hotel, 777 St. Clair Ave.
In a draft notice issued last week, the Coast Guard elaborately set requirements for tugs, freighters, barges and other ships, as well as ports.
"Discussions will aid the Coast Guard in determining the type of vessels and facilities that pose a risk of being involved in a transportation security incident, and identifying security measures and standards to deter such incidents," said Coast Guard Rear Adm. Paul J. Pluta, assistant commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection.
The cost will be stiff -- not only $1.4 billion immediately for vessel, facility and port security, but $6 billion over the next decade, the analysis accompanying the notice stated.
Here's what the Coast Guard wants to do:
U Facility security: Security officers and paperwork will run up a $963 million bill in the first year, with annual costs estimated at $535 million.
UPort security: The Coast Guard wants Port Security Committees set up and new Port Security Plans developed at a cost of $120 million.
U Vessel security: New security officers, equipment and handling the paperwork will cost the industry $188 million immediately.
, and another $144 million annually. More than 140,000 hours would be required to complete the paperwork alone, the Coast Guard estimates.
The flurry of activity is an offshoot of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, which was signed into law by President Bush on Nov. 25, 2002. The measure would require the Coast Guard to develop streamlined rules that protect U.S. ports and enhance the security aboard vessels. A final rule is expected to be in place by November.
The rules are sweeping, and will apply to facilities that transfer, store or otherwise handle dry bulk or general cargo; marinas; military installations and vessels; nautical school vessels and sailing school vessels; oil spill response vessels; recreational vessels and uninspected passengers vessels; ship repair facilities; small passenger vessels on domestic voyages; uninspected fishing vessels; waterfront areas that are densely populated or host large public events; and other areas within the port that are critical to port operations or public safety.