COAST GUARD REMAINS ON HEIGHTENED ALERT
The U.S. Coast Guard has remained on a heightened state of alert to ensure maritime safety and security, Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.
So far, recent safeguards have been put in place at more than 360 ports and along 95,000 miles of U.S. shorelines. These measures include:
* Ninety-four security zones around the country.
* Ninety-six-hour advanced arrival notice from commercial vessels to be sent to the agency’s new National Vessel Movement Center.
* Escorts of cruise and certain naval vessels in U.S. ports.
* Armed boardings of commercial vessels.
* Joint interagency boardings and maritime security operations with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
The Coast Guard said it has activated more than 2,700 reservists and about 28,000 Coast Guard Auxiliaries have volunteered to help with non-law enforcement roles to free up Coast Guard personnel from those duties.