U.S. Coast Guard Sailors patrol the harbor as evening approaches…

 

The Port Security Program (PSGP) is one the largest federal grants in the 2015 budget. This grant totaling $100,000,000 is meant to directly stimulate & develop MaritimeSecurity / Maritime Infrastructure within the United States. This grant is one amongst several tools being utilized by the U.S. Congress to safeguard the Nations Infrastructure against terrorism.

An overwhelming majority of the United States Maritime Infrastructure is owned by the State Governments, along with a handful operated by private parties.

Grant money from the PSGP is intended to help the state governments further develop Maritime Infrastructure & Security in order to promote Risk Management awareness within the ports that take part in the program.

It is believed that these grants will increase security presence in ports, promote training exercises and help the coast guard identify gaps in port security that need to be addressed in order to better help the coast guard keep American ports safe.

The 2015 PSGP has several goals it hopes to achieve with the grant money. The first, and arguably the most important role hoped to achieve with the program is enhancing the United States Ports / Coast Guard National preparedness System so they can act swiftly in the case of a terrorist attack. The U.S. believes the Coast Guard & Ports are lacking in terms of Response, Prevention, Mitigation, Protection, and recovery missions. It is hoped that the program will bring together the U.S. Maritime Community in building a stronger and more secure Nation.

The Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) has established that Eligible PSGP Applicants are as follows: Agencies implementing Maritime Security Risk plans, Port Authorities, State and Local Governments tasked with providing various Maritime Security Services, the United States Coast Guard, (USCG) and facility operators.

When dispersing grant funds, those agencies / port areas that are deemed crucial to national strategic defense will be given first priority.

The DHS has announced that ferry systems across the U.S. are also to benefit from the PSGP. But Ferry’s cannot receive both the PSG grant, and the Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) grant. If a ferry system is selected to receive the TSGP grant, they cannot receive the PSGP grant, and visa versa.

According the language in the PSGP bill, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must disperse funds to the Nation’s highest risk ports on a first priority basis. The Port Security Program has identified 146 ports as critical to the nation’s security.

The DHS has divided ports into several different award recipient groups. Ports deemed the most crucial to National Security are in Tier 1. Ports that are deemed not as crucial to National Security are in Tier 2. Ports that are both in the same tier must compete for funds on as needed basis.

Questions / Comments? Contact: Mark@cmaritime.com.cn