20 Members of Congress Urge DHS Secretary Chertoff to Address Economic and Maritime Security in the

Published Jul 12, 2007 12:01 AM by The Maritime Executive

Harahan, LA: On June 28, 20 members of Congress signed and sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff urging attention to national defense and economic security in the offshore marine sector of the United States.

The letter raises three specific issues that relate to maritime domain awareness. The first addresses the current rulemaking process by the Coast Guard to require foreign vessels operating on the Outer Continental Shelf to provide security-related information similar to the information they are required to report when they call on a U.S. port. “We encourage you to expedite the completion of this rulemaking, and require a sufficient level of information…by foreign vessels to the Coast Guard,” the letter says.

The second issue relates to the vessels that work in the offshore energy sector and are governed by the Jones Act, the cabotage law that requires the fleet of U.S. offshore energy supply vessels serving the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska and other areas off the U.S. coastline to be owned, operated and crewed by Americans. “These … laws ensure the vitality of a U.S. maritime industry, and help to offset the disparity between U.S. vessels and their foreign counterparts, which are subjected to few safety, inspection and operation regulations of their home country and function in a cheaper labor environment,” the letter said. “… we encourage you to immediately review and reevaluate CBP’s (Custom and Border Protection) jurisdiction of the Jones Act, and develop a plan for more rigorous enforcement of these laws,” the letter states.

Lastly, the letter urges Secretary Chertoff to direct the agencies under DHS to cooperate and utilize innovative techniques to encourage compliance with the Jones Act. The letter says, “The Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection each have somewhat overlapping jurisdiction with regard to offshore energy activities…we urge you to increase the roles of each agency …. we share your goal of effecting greater coordination and cooperation among the agencies that make up the Department of Homeland Security.”

The letter was signed by Senators Landrieu (LA), Vitter (LA), Inouye (AK), Lott (MS), and Members of Congress Ortiz (TX), Baker (LA), McCrery (LA), Taylor (MS), Gene Green (TX), Bernice Johnson (TX), Pickering (MS), Alexander (LA), Bonner (AL), Boustany (LA), Al Green (TX), Jindal (LA), McCaul (TX), Melancon (LA), Poe (TX), and Lampson (TX).

“While directed specifically toward the offshore marine sector, this letter to Secretary Chertoff addresses issues that affect us all and the security of our country,” said Ken Wells, President of the Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA). “Currently foreign vessels operating in the energy sector offshore are not required to provide information to the Coast Guard or Customs and Border Protection on their crew or the nature or location of their work unless they visit a U.S. port. This represents a real lapse in our maritime security,” Wells continued.

The letter was spearheaded by Representatives Boustany and Melancon, and Senators Landrieu and Vitter. To reach their press representatives contact:

Jeff Dobrozsi, Chief of Staff to Rep. Boustany, (202) 225-2031, [email protected]

Robin Winchell, Press Secretary to Rep. Melancon, (202) 225-4031, [email protected]

Stephanie Allen, Press Secretary to Sen. Landrieu, (202) 224-5824, [email protected]

Joel Digrado, Press Secretary to Sen. Vitter, (202) 224-4623, [email protected]

Read the letter at: http://www.newsletterscience.com/marex/pdf/00000134.pdf

OMSA represents more than 250 member companies, including 100 firms that own and operate marine service vessels operating offshore. It is the leading association for the U.S. offshore transportation service industry.