Subject: PI Safety and Security
Part of the Presidents Island Industrial Association Board of Director's commitment is the safety and security of all Island businesses, their employees, customers and visitors alike. That being said, the Board has discussed many options and plans that could offer a reliable warning system to Island residents in the event of a potential safety hazard on or around the Island. Currently, we have several options that we are considering and carefully investigating. One such option was reviewed at our last Board meeting; the AWS (Alert Warning System) managed by the US Coast Guard. This system is currently in use by all of the marine served business on the Island that fall under the Maritime Security Regulations. This system currently serves many ports throughout the river system and has a tried and proven history of success. Therefore, the Board members in attendance voted unanimously to present this system to the Association for their review and consideration. The following is some reasons for the Board decision and are as follows:
1. Proven success
2. Managed, maintained and monitored by a very reliable source (USCG)
3. Totally integrated with all EMS and law enforcement agencies
4. Simplistic – User friendly
5. Timely response
6. Minimal or no monetary investment
For more information, please review the USCG presentation below…
Homeport is a website that the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) maintains that contains marine safety and maritime security information available to the public: http://homeport.uscg.mil
There are designated waterfront facilities on Presidents Island that the USCG regulates and these facilities are required to maintain a USCG approved security plan. Most of these facility owner/operators are members of the Port of Memphis Area Maritime Security (AMS) Committee.
There are three Maritime Security (MARSEC) Levels: 1, 2, and 3. MARSEC Level 1 corresponds to Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) Threat Condition: Elevated (Yellow), MARSEC Level 2 corresponds to HSAS Threat Condition: High (Orange), and MARSEC Level 3 corresponds to HSAS Threat Condition: Severe (Red).
In the event of an increase in MARSEC Level ordered by the USCG Commandant, District Commander, or Sector Commander, you may notice an increased level of activity on Presidents Island. Facility and vessel owner/operators subject to the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) will be notified to enhance their security posture in accordance with their USCG approved security plans.
A feature of Homeport is the Alert and Warning System (AWS). Facility and vessel owner/operators will be notified of an increase in MARSEC Level via AWS. Federal, state, and local authorities would also be notified via AWS. In addition, AWS can be utilized to notify marine safety and maritime security stakeholders of urgent safety related matters.
USCG Sector Lower Mississippi River’s (SECLMR) Command Center can send a brief message to designated lists of message recipients. SECLMR maintains several AWS Lists. The message will first be sent to a 24-hour phone number. It is preferred that this be a mobile phone. The message will start immediately after the phone is answered. At the end of the message, the message recipient will be prompted to touch “1” in order to acknowledge the message. If the call is not answered, the message will be sent to an email address. In order to acknowledge the email message, hit Reply and then hit Send. No other reply is required. The SECLMR Command Center has the ability to monitor who, when, and how the message was acknowledged. Many of the Port of Memphis AMS Committee members have more than one member of their organization on the AWS list.
SECLMR has conducted AWS drills with satisfactory results. AWS drills are conducted quarterly. Drill results indicate that AWS is the fastest, most reliable method to send emergency messages.
Waterway users and port tenants not subject to the MTSA have been voluntarily added to AWS Lists and participated in AWS drills. For additional information, contact USCG Port Security Specialist Phil Boruszewski of SECLMR at 901-521-4828, or Philip.H.Boruszewski@uscg.mil
Please report without delay all suspicious activity to the Memphis Police Department and USCG SECLMR at 901-521-4824.
Subject: PI Safety and Security
Part of the Presidents Island Industrial Association Board of Director's commitment is the safety and security of all Island businesses, their employees, customers and visitors alike. That being said, the Board has discussed many options and plans that could offer a reliable warning system to Island residents in the event of a potential safety hazard on or around the Island. Currently, we have several options that we are considering and carefully investigating. One such option was reviewed at our last Board meeting; the AWS (Alert Warning System) managed by the US Coast Guard. This system is currently in use by all of the marine served business on the Island that fall under the Maritime Security Regulations. This system currently serves many ports throughout the river system and has a tried and proven history of success. Therefore, the Board members in attendance voted unanimously to present this system to the Association for their review and consideration. The following is some reasons for the Board decision and are as follows:
1. Proven success
2. Managed, maintained and monitored by a very reliable source (USCG)
3. Totally integrated with all EMS and law enforcement agencies
4. Simplistic – User friendly
5. Timely response
6. Minimal or no monetary investment
For more information, please review the USCG presentation below…
Homeport is a website that the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) maintains that contains marine safety and maritime security information available to the public: http://homeport.uscg.mil
There are designated waterfront facilities on Presidents Island that the USCG regulates and these facilities are required to maintain a USCG approved security plan. Most of these facility owner/operators are members of the Port of Memphis Area Maritime Security (AMS) Committee.
There are three Maritime Security (MARSEC) Levels: 1, 2, and 3. MARSEC Level 1 corresponds to Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) Threat Condition: Elevated (Yellow), MARSEC Level 2 corresponds to HSAS Threat Condition: High (Orange), and MARSEC Level 3 corresponds to HSAS Threat Condition: Severe (Red).
In the event of an increase in MARSEC Level ordered by the USCG Commandant, District Commander, or Sector Commander, you may notice an increased level of activity on Presidents Island. Facility and vessel owner/operators subject to the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) will be notified to enhance their security posture in accordance with their USCG approved security plans.
A feature of Homeport is the Alert and Warning System (AWS). Facility and vessel owner/operators will be notified of an increase in MARSEC Level via AWS. Federal, state, and local authorities would also be notified via AWS. In addition, AWS can be utilized to notify marine safety and maritime security stakeholders of urgent safety related matters.
USCG Sector Lower Mississippi River’s (SECLMR) Command Center can send a brief message to designated lists of message recipients. SECLMR maintains several AWS Lists. The message will first be sent to a 24-hour phone number. It is preferred that this be a mobile phone. The message will start immediately after the phone is answered. At the end of the message, the message recipient will be prompted to touch “1” in order to acknowledge the message. If the call is not answered, the message will be sent to an email address. In order to acknowledge the email message, hit Reply and then hit Send. No other reply is required. The SECLMR Command Center has the ability to monitor who, when, and how the message was acknowledged. Many of the Port of Memphis AMS Committee members have more than one member of their organization on the AWS list.
SECLMR has conducted AWS drills with satisfactory results. AWS drills are conducted quarterly. Drill results indicate that AWS is the fastest, most reliable method to send emergency messages.
Waterway users and port tenants not subject to the MTSA have been voluntarily added to AWS Lists and participated in AWS drills. For additional information, contact USCG Port Security Specialist Phil Boruszewski of SECLMR at 901-521-4828, or Philip.H.Boruszewski@uscg.mil
Please report without delay all suspicious activity to the Memphis Police Department and USCG SECLMR at 901-521-4824.