The Regulatory Subcommittee (RSC) Vessel Timeline Task Group (TG) has been charged with the responsibility to address the following tasks from AMSC Facility Security Work Group (FSWG) Task Statement Action Sheet.

FSWG TASK: Working Group to address issues and opportunities related to security at facilities within Houston-Galveston-Texas City- Freeport region, including the impactions for other stakeholder actives and overall operations within the port complexes.

FSWG Short Term Tasks:

1.    Identify security-related issues that adversely impact facility access and vessel support leading to restrictions on shore access for mariners, excess vessel movements, and other negative impacts for vessels and facilities with the region.

2.    Identify and document best practices being used by facilities that reduce or eliminate these restrictions/impacts.

3.    Develop and implement a plan to begin outreach to individual facilities, stakeholder groups and the marine community to address issue and drive improvements in each of these areas.

4.    Monitor pending regulatory requirements for their impact on the industry and develop plans to enhance a coordinated implementation and issues resolution within the region.

5.    As needed, communicate lessons learned and/or recommendations to the FMSC and AMSC and, as requested, provide additional assistance related to proposed regulatory or policy changes

Objective - Develop a document that outlines the actives of a vessel from its Notice of Redness (NOR) until it departs from a facility.  Objective #1 is to provide a better understanding for Vessel and Facility personnel as the operations of the other and Public (government) operations.  Objective #2 is to see if there can be any time saved to speed up these activities. 

By completing these objectives, the RSC Vessel Timeline TG will meet the FSWG Task and the FSWG Short Term Tasks 1, 2, 3, and 5 above.

Overview - There are two distinct programs that go into effect once a vessel presents their NOR 96 hours in advance.  One involves operations by the Public interests (government) - the CBP and USCG and the other involves operations by the Private interests - the facility and ship owners and ship agent.  Each of these operations needs to be mapped and their steps outlined.

FS WG and RSC Issues and Concerns - By completing the objective, the RSC Vessel Timeline TG will have addressed the following FSWG and RSC issues and concerns raised in outreach meetings

a.     Industry is not aware of the vessel screening process

b.    The shore industry is not knowledgeable about vessels' notices of arrival

c.     Navigational hazards, moving ships, environmental impact, etc

d.    Critical role of the vessel agent in facility access issues (e.g., advance notice, hiring a service to bring mariners to/from the ship, etc.)

e.    Criticality of communications between FSO/facility security staff and ship representatives (some facilities involve the FSO in the initial arrival conf., some facilities provide guidelines on facility security issues to vessels upon their arrival)

f.     Currently, there is a need by both the Public and Private interests to better understand the operations of the other. 

g.    Most FSO's are not totally familiar with what actually happens on the Public (CBP and USCG) side before a vessel is allowed to enter US waters and dock at their facility.  Such understand may aid in Seafarer access.

h.    Applicable Regulation need to be analyzed and interpreted.

i.      Determine acceptable alternatives or equivalencies to the regulations - that is, identify best practices.  

Co-chairs

Tim Garber - Jo Tankers

Tom Hudson - MOL Tankship Management LTD.