Common Sense Security for Tow Boaters

What do you know?
 

You as a tow boater are at the "front lines" of Maritime Security. You are the "eyes" and "ears" of the Higman Alternative Security Program (ASP) and Homeland Security's Maritime Security Program. You may not realize it or may not have even thought about it.  But, it's true. Our boats and crews are constantly traveling this nation's various waterways from the Houston Ship channel, ICCW and our rivers, going to and from numerous docks and terminals, encountering countless vessels from pleasure boats, towboats, to large seagoing vessels. It is a part of your daily routine.  And, because it is a routine that happens constantly, who better than you to know when something just isn't right and could be a security threat.

Some things to consider and think about:

Do you check all "authorized "visitors on your boat for their TWIC/ID before they come aboard? Are you checking for the expiration date? Do you make sure the photo on the TWIC/ID matches the person who presented it to you? Do you verify that the TWIC/ID has not been altered or changed in any way? Do you have all "authorized" visitors sign in?

Do you know the Marsec Levels and what to do in the event the level changes?

Do you know who your Vessel Security Officer is (VSO) and Alternate Vessel Security Officer?

Do you know Higman Marines' Company Security Officer (CSO) and Alternate Company Security Officer? 

How do you recognize suspicious activity?  Suspicious activity could be taking pictures, videotaping, drawing and or mapping, or a small boat in a restricted area.  It could be strangers asking detailed questions to gain information. Listen very carefully when engaged in conversation with a stranger; when they start asking questions about our operation and how we conduct business - be very careful.

Suspicious behavior is displayed behavior that is out of place or out of character with the environment a person(s) is in. What activity is the person(s) engaging in that is out of place with the immediate environment (their surroundings)? Remember, people are not suspicious.  Behavior is!

How do you recognize and handle a suspicious package? Some characteristics of a suspicious package are:

• Excessive postage, handwritten or poorly typed address, misspelling common words, strange return address or no address at all, not addressed to any specific person. 
• Powdery substance felt through or appearing on the package, oily stains, discolorations or odor, excessive packaging material such as masking tape or string.

How do you handle a suspicious package? You don't!

Do not touch it, shake it, or pick it up. Keep away from it!

Any suspicious activity or suspicious packages should be reported to the VSO and CSO.

All crewmembers must have knowledge of the ASP and should review it at the discretion of the VSO. Awareness is the key in vessel security so all crewmembers should:

• Be knowledgeable of any current security threats.
• Be able to recognize and detect dangerous substances and devices.
• Be observant and able to recognize suspicious behavior.
• Be prepared to recognize fraudulent Id's/TWIC.

• In the "Instrument task pane" found on the far right, click and select "new task pane".
• Right click on the new task pane that shows up and select "rename this task pane".  Change the name of the task pane to something like "ETA's ICWW".  Push okay.
• Left click on your new task point pane and the "new instrument panel" will open up.  It will be blank.

Now build your route monitor instrument panel:

• Right click on the new instrument panel and the "add instrument panel" will appear.
• Scroll down until you reach the "route monitor".  Click on it and push "Add"

In your new instrument panel:

• Left click on "Mile Marker ETA"
• The "add mile marker ETA" box will appear.
• In the "add mile marker for ETA", type the waterway and the mile maker,
• In the "Comments" box type the name of the location

Remember to add the route code like GW which is ICWE. Here are some others: HS is Houston Ship Channel, GE - ICWE, LM is Lower Mississippi River.

For example:

• Mile marker: GW 357
• Comment:    Galveston Causeway Bridge

Additional Mile Markers can be added for other locations:

• Right click in the instrument panel.
• Click on "add another mile marker ETA".
• Repeat until you have all the mile maker ETA setups you need.

This is not a new obstruction but one you should not forget. You may need to push into this area when receiving fuel at McGinnis Fuel. It is advised that you push in about 600 ft below the Kinkaid Light to avoid the mooring block. Don't forget it's there when you pull out after fueling.