CG Announces NMSAC Meeting – 7-5-16

The Coast Guard is publishing a meeting notice in Monday’s Federal Register (81 FR 39939-39940; available on-line today) for a meeting of the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee. The public meeting will be conducted via teleconference.

Topics to be discussed during the meeting include:

• Coast Guard Cyber Security Tasking;

• TWIC Next Generation Specifications; and

• Extremely Hazardous Cargo Strategy

Cybersecurity Tasking

The NMSAC has been tasked (See CG Homeport ➡NMSAC ➡Full Committee Meeting Minutes ➡September, 29-20 2015 for a list of the latest tasking statements; sorry the CG does not use links) to take a look at the feasibility of forming a Maritime Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) to share cybersecurity related information with the maritime industry. NMSAC has been asked to answer three questions:

• Is a Cybersecurity ISAC in the best interest of the Maritime Industry?

• Is a Cybersecurity ISAC feasible?

• What elements/mechanisms should exist to actively engage and recruit participation in Cybersecurity ISAC?

Next Generation TWIC

A year ago the NMSAC was tasked with looking at potential card options and features for future development of a standard which is sensible, achievable, and timely for the NexGen TWIC. That tasking included the following questions to be addressed by NMSAC:

• Should TWIC consider additional markers, if it can be accommodated, such as a QR barcode detailing card care information?

• Should TWIC consider changes to the topographical features on the front or back of the TWIC card?

• Should TWIC permit reading of the facial image in the same manner as fingerprints? [The facial image would be readable without PIN and over contact OR contactless interface]?

• Although not readily available in the immediate future, should the TWIC be available as a virtual credential?

• What other additional information should be imbedded in the TWIC, if any?

Extremely Hazardous Cargo Security

The NMSAC will receive a tasking at this meeting to work with the Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee to develop an implementation strategy for the Extremely Hazardous Cargo Security Strategy. The term ‘Extremely Hazardous Cargo’ describes a specific subset of Certain Dangerous Cargo (CDC) shipped in bulk by ship or barge. It includes bulk shipments of Chlorine, Ammonium Nitrate, Anhydrous Ammonia, LPG, and LNG. The requirement to establish this strategy was set by Congress in §812 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 (PL 111-281).

Public Comments

There is a 15-minute period set aside for public comments during the teleconference. Written comments on the above topics may be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal (www.Regulations.gov; Docket # USCG-2016-0499). Written comment should be submitted by 6-27-16.