Charge d'Affaires Speeches

International Ship and Port Facility Symposium (ISPS)

Opening remarks by Chargé d’Affaires, D Brent Hardt
Royal Bahamas Police Force Headquarters, New Providence

August 22, 2007

 

Minister Foulkes, Mrs. Beneby, Capt. Allens, Mr. Ferguson, Lt. Commander Fredie, Lt. Commander Bonner.  Good Morning.  I am pleased to welcome everyone to this year's International Ship and Port Security symposium.  This is the fourth consecutive year that the United States Embassy in Nassau has been able to co-sponsor this symposium with the Bahamas Port Authority, and we are delighted to be able to continue this important collaboration. 

Last year The Bahamas welcomed nearly 4 million cruise tourists to its shores.  At any one time there are several thousand tourists from the United States and elsewhere disembarked to enjoy a day in Nassau.  Some of them enjoy the beach, many (we hope) enjoy the shopping in the local markets, and many enjoy the delights of Bahamian cuisine.  One thing tourists should not have to worry about is the security of their ship or the dock where it is berthed.  Thanks to the work of all of you here today, and of your counterparts around the world, maritime travel and commerce today has remained safe from both accidents and deliberate attack. 

Maritime security is inherently an international concern and requires coordinated international efforts to maintain.  By reviewing the latest security challenges and jointly developing new ways to meet them, we can develop new 'best practices' that can benefit all of the world’s seafaring nations.

This symposium and ones like it around the world are a key part of that effort.  This event is in part a product of the Country Visits Program of the U.S. Coast Guard’s International Port Security Program.  These visits are predicated on invitations from our partners, and we are grateful for your invitation to be here today.  The ISPS program currently has over 30 Coast Guard officers and civilian personnel dedicated to it.  These professionals work with their counterparts around the world.  The officer responsible for The Bahamas, Ray Negron, is stationed in Portsmouth, Virginia and recently visited Nassau.

While the ISPS Code has specific requirements, the U.S. government and U.S. Coast Guard fully respect that partner nations and ports will implement their own innovative and useful practices to meet security requirements.  It goes without saying that we are interested in how partner nations choose to address the critical issues of access control, restricted areas, handling of cargo, delivery of supplies, and security issues such as monitoring, policies and procedures, and training.  And, during our Coast Guard visits, security measures are examined with an eye toward understanding how the total security posture meets the minimum requirements established by the ISPS Code. 

Since the Coast Guard began the Visits Program in the spring of 2004 they have visited dozens of partner countries.  Overall, the implementation of the ISPS code has been to a very high standard.  Most countries, including the Bahamas, have been able to report their compliance to the International Maritime Organization.  I would also like to note here our appreciation for the outstanding work of Lt. Commander Herbert Bain of the RBDF, who has done such an excellent job in ensuring the Bahamas continues to meet ISPS standards.
As I noted, security is a continuing challenge.  The agenda for this symposium hits the right topics—intelligence, crime, the role of customs and immigration, terrorism issues, and of course, the challenge of cruise passengers.  If the past is any guide, I know you will have a productive two days. 

 

Thank you.