The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) — The Coast Guard, FBI, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and many South Texas coastal law enforcement agencies are meeting Jan. 31 in Brownsville to sign an official operation plan for maritime security in the Brownsville Ship Channel.
WHO: Capt. Samuel Creech, the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Commander and Captain of the Port for Brownsville and Corpus Christi, and representatives from: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Brownsville Police Department , Port Isabel Police Department , Port of Brownsville Police Department , Cameron County Sheriff’s Office , South Padre Island Police Department , Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
WHAT: Law enforcement leaders sign an official operation plan agreement regarding maritime security, or MARSEC, in the Brownsville Ship Channel.
WHEN: Friday, Jan. 31, 2014 at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: The Port of Brownsville Board Room 1000, Captain Donald L. Foust Road, Brownsville, TX 78521
The Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 and 33CFR part 105 require Area Maritime Security Plans to protect ports and regulated chemical facilities from Transportation Security Incidents. Further, in large Captain of the Port zones with multiple port areas, Coast Guard Headquarters requires these plans to be broken down into geography-specific annexes. The Port of Brownsville lies within the 17-mile Brownsville Ship Channel, a waterway that includes the jurisdiction of five separate law enforcement agencies. Due to this unique environment, this plan was created to ensure that all law enforcement agencies along the ship channel agree to initial actions in the event of a MARSEC increase.
Most recently, the South Texas Area Maritime Security Plan was implemented during Hurricane Ingrid when nearly 200 Mexican shrimping vessels sought refuge in the Port of Brownsville. During that time the Coast Guard and its partnering agencies worked closely together to ensure both the safety of the port as well as the Mexican fishermen.
All interested media should contact Lt. Garrett Barker no later than Wednesday, for access to the event. Lt. Barker can be reached a Dustin.G.Barker@uscg.mil or 361-438-0176.
