After our FSO and Refresher courses ended, we packed up our equipment and moved down the hall, filling a large conference room for the kick-off for the Symposium proper. After introductions from Ed, our first event was the Captain of the Port Panel. After our FSO and Refresher courses ended, we packed up our equipment and moved down the hall, filling a large conference room for the kick-off for the Symposium proper. After introductions from Ed, our first event was the Captain of the Port Panel.

We had three distinguished panelists: Captain Kelly Denning, Deputy Sector Commander, CAPT Eric King, currently the head of training for the Coast Guard and the prior Captain of the Port at Sector San Juan, and Captain Ryan Rhodes the Captain of the Port, Sector Lower Mississippi River in Memphis TN. The Captains thanked the FSOs for their work in protecting the nation’s maritime security. Hot topics for the panel were cyber security, Area Maritime Security Committees, and drones. Participation in AMSCs enables FSOs to work together and take advantage of shared resources. For example, use of drone detecting technology has helped authorities in the New Orleans area to locate drone operators and respond to complaints from facility operators. This in turn helped support a new State law that increases the penalties for illegal drone operations.

Cyber security was another hot topic, and both panelists and participants commented that the recent emphasis on cyber security is drawing physical security and cyber security personnel together. A challenge in the cyber domain is understanding when a cyber breach of security or suspicious activity must be reported to the Coast Guard. The discussion helped everyone understand that this issue is not as clear cut as it is for physical security events. On the issue of TWIC, Captain Denning encouraged any facilities that are considering redesignating their Secure areas, to do so as early as possible. Captain Denning also stated that any such request include an FSA and proposed FSP amendment that indicates that the change would not result in increased risk of a TSI. Based on the energy level and pace of discussion, it is clear that the rest of the symposium will be lively!

“This is not a theoretical class on facility security”

The stars were quite literally out this afternoon as both Admiral Carl Schultz, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and Rear Admiral Richard Timme, Commander Eighth District Commander, joined our Symposium. Admiral Schultz did so via a recorded address to Facility Security Officers. Both Admirals emphasized the importance of Maritime Security and the role that FSOs and other industry personnel play in keeping the Marine Transportation System safe, secure, and resilient, Although security classification restrictions kept Rear Admiral Timme from providing details, he made it clear that serious threats continue to exist in the Gulf region and elsewhere. One of his strongest statements was that “This is not a theoretical class on facility security”. That is a truth that every FSO should take to heart, and it reflects the reason we at S&A do everything we can to equip FSO’s to succeed.

Admiral Timme also discussed trends in the maritime domain, including larger, more complex ships, growing trade volume, and the fact that the United States is now an energy exporter. Significant marine casualties, such as the capsizing of the car carrier Golden Ray near Savannah in 2019 and the more recent grounding of the container ship Ever Given in the Suez Canal demonstrate supply chain risks and the need for FSOs and others in the port community to cooperate in Area Maritime Security Committees and similar forums. The Admiral noted that for those large scale events, the first question from authorities is often “is this a cyber event?” Facility operators need to “know their network” so they will be able to determine if that might be the case, or demonstrate to others that cyber was not a factor.

We were particularly pleased that Admiral Timme took the time to recognize S&A client Trade Point Atlantic as the recipient of the 2020 Rear Admiral Richard E. Bennis Award for Excellence in Maritime Security.
Rear Admiral Richard Timme, capped the day and began his remarks by recognizing Tradepoint Atlantic, a long time S&A client, as recipient of the Admiral Bennis award for excellence in facility security.
A common theme among both Admirals was the growing complexities of the MTS and the importance of the MTS to the nation’s supply chain. Cyber risks, drones, new port and vessel technologies innovative fuel and energy sources. All of these and more are factors that industry and the Coast Guard must work together on to manage. Our Symposium is one way in which we are able to do just that.