DHS OIG: Strategy and Plans to Counter Small Vessel Threats Need Improvement

The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General issues a report that says ‘critical programs intended to support small vessel security may not be operating effectively.’ Small vessels are categorized as any watercraft of less than 300 gross tons and used for recreational or commercial purposes, regardless of method of propulsion.

• Executive Summary

A small vessel, such as a commercial fishing vessel or recreational boat, can be used as a waterborne improvised explosive device, as a platform for conducting an attack, or to smuggle weapons or terrorists into the United States. Recognizing the threat, in mid-2006, the Department of Homeland Security initiated a working group to develop a small vessel security national strategy. In April 2008, the department published the Small Vessel Security Strategy to address these potential threats. The department is also developing an Implementation Plan, which is intended to provide direction to federal, state, and local agencies on achieving the major goals outlined in the Strategy. We reviewed the Small Vessel Security Strategy and the draft Implementation Plan to determine whether the department has developed a comprehensive approach for securing our ports, waterways, and maritime borders from small vessel threats.

Overall, the department has made progress, but more remains to be done to provide effective guidance and operate effective programs to address small vessel threats. The Strategy addresses two desirable characteristics of an effective national strategy as it defines the problem, and uses risk assessments to analyze the threats. However, the Strategy only partially addresses the remaining four characteristics. It partially addresses elements such as strategic priorities and milestones, and roles and responsibilities of state and local sectors, but it does not address performance measures, associated costs or human capital, or accountability and oversight frameworks.

Additionally, critical programs intended to support small vessel security may not be operating effectively. Although the department recognizes the need to raise public awareness and take action to mitigate the risk of small vessel threats, its approach was hindered because its components are not fully integrated. As a result, the nation’s ports, waterways, and maritime borders remain vulnerable to small vessel threats. The department partially concurred with our recommendation that it address the missing elements in its strategy. The department nonconcurred with our recommendation that it evaluate the effectiveness of the programs it intends to use to meet the strategy’s goals.

• MarEx Notes:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says that it recognizes the need to address the threats that small vessels pose to the United States. According to DHS, small vessels include commercial fishing vessels, recreational boats and yachts, towing vessels, uninspected passenger vessels, and any other personal or commercial vessels involved in U.S. or foreign voyages. With 95,000 miles of shoreline, 300,000 square miles of waterways, 360 ports of call, 12,000 marinas, and an estimated 17 million small vessels presently operating in U.S. waters, it is extremely difficult to distinguish friend from foe.