Security Zones

No doubt, you have heard of the department of "Homeland Security?" In January 2003, the United States Coast Guard became part of the federal government's newest department. A new Cabinet Officer, the Secretary of Homeland Security, has responsibility for the Coast Guard and other federal agencies that protect our shores, boarders and internal security.

One of the functions of the U.S. Coast Guard has been to "guard the coast." Many people have referred to that function as their "law enforcement" operation. The Coast Guard "Aids to Navigation" teams maintain a massive number of aids to navigation including day marks, buoys, range marks, lights, etc. The local stations still provide "search and rescue" services inland and offshore.

The events beginning with the 11 September 2001 attacks on the U.S. have resulted in many changes in our country's internal security policy. The Coast Guard has been greatly impacted by these new policies. Several groups of reservists have been activated in the last year alone. The size and mission of the Coast Guard forces along the coast has increased significantly.

An example of policy and procedure changes would be the increased vigilance at the North Carolina State Ports. In particular, the port at Morehead City, frequented U.S. Marines and the U.S. Navy ships that transport them to where they are needed in the world.

Recently, the USS Nashville (LPD-13) was in the state port at Morehead City to pick up Marines. The Nashville is an "amphibious transport dock." I know something about that operation since I served aboard the Nashville on her first six or eight trips to Morehead City. I was a member of the crew that put the Nashville in commission on 14 February 1970.

In the early 1970s, we transported Marines to Guantanamo Bay (Cuba), the Mediterranean Sea and several places in the Caribbean Sea. Our crew numbered about 475 and we were capable of carrying up to 900 Marines. We were lucky since everything we had to do was for training. Things are different for the Sailors and Marines today.

In the Morehead City State Port, temporary "security zones" are set up for certain operations that involve national security. Those decisions are made several levels up the chain-of-command from the local station. A Coast Guard patrol boat must escort all vessels through the port when a "security zone" is in place.

All mariners are advised to cooperate with the Coast Guard. The USCG has a "use of force" policy, just like other law enforcement agencies. Given that our nation's security has been threatened, I would expect the "use of force" policy to be nothing less than "firm."

When the security zone involves the U.S. Navy, the Coast Guard's policy is adjusted to consider the Navy's "rules of engagement" policy. I am not sure what that entails, but I would not want to challenge it. At a minimum, large fines and imprisonment are part of the package.

All mariners should be monitoring VHF channel 16 when underway. That's how the Coast Guard will communicate with you in a security zone. I hope that all mariners will give the Coast Guard their full cooperation when asked. They have a tough job to do. We owe it to them to be as accommodating as we can be.

Until next time, I wish you clear skies, fair winds, and calm seas!