ILWU Longshoreman testimony to Senate (port security)

http://www.ilwu.org/press/2006/upload/Mitre_testimony_short_2-28-06.pdf

But we also urge the federal government, including Congress, to focus its attention beyond the controversy over one future, commercial contract and to recognize and correct the immediate, major deficiencies of security that exist today in America’s ports. It is the current lack of effective port security since the terrorist attacks of 9-11 that is the real concern of dockworkers and millions of Americans who live in close proximity to our nation’s ports.

The Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA), initiated by this Committee and passed in 2002, provides the foundation for the nation’s port and cargo security. In 2004, the Coast Guard -- designated as the lead enforcement agency under MTSA -- issued comprehensive, detailed and - we believe - effective port security regulations for marine terminal and vessel operators to follow. Unfortunately, the MTSA security regulations have been implemented and honored in the breach, with both foreign and domestic companies ignoring most of the required measures designed to improve port security. Just like the current case over the Dubai contract, the problem of system wide noncompliance with existing port security regulations arises from allowing commercial interests to override security interests.

MTSA regulations allow terminal operators to write their own facility security plans. This is a mistake and yet another example of commercial interests overriding security concerns. We allow terminal operators to create their own security rather than having one model and enforcement mechanism for all terminals at all ports.