R 210214Z DEC 09

ALCOAST 709/09
COMDTNOTE 3120
SUBJ: CHANGE OF SHIP SECURITY ALERT SYSTEM (SSAS) ADMINISTRATION
POINT OF CONTACT
A. GUIDANCE FOR THE SHIP SECURITY ALERT SYSTEM, COMDTINST 3120.3
(SERIES)
B. GUIDANCE FOR VERIFICATION OF VESSEL SECURITY PLANS ON DOMESTIC
VESSELS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS MANDATED BY THE MARITIME
TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ACT (MTSA) OF 2002 AND THE INTERNATIONAL
SHIP AND PORT FACILITY SECURITY (ISPS) CODE, COMDTPUB P16700.4,
NVIC NO. 04-03 C. U.S. COAST GUARD ADDENDUM TO THE UNITED STATES
NATIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE SUPPLEMENT TO THE INTERNATIONAL
AERONAUTICAL AND MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE MANUAL, COMDTINST
M16130.2 (SERIES)
1. PURPOSE. THIS ALCOAST IMPLEMENTS CHANGES TO THE UNITED STATES
ADMINISTRATION POINT OF CONTACT FOR THE SHIP SECURITY ALERT SYSTEM.
2. ACTION. EFFECTIVE 25 DECEMBER 2009, THE ATLANTIC AREA COMMAND
CENTER (RCC NORFOLK) 757-398-6700, WILL ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITIES
OF THE ADMINISTRATION POINT OF CONTACT FOR ACTION AND DISPOSITION
OF SSAS ALERTS. SECTION 5 OF REF A AND SECTION 2.11 OF REF C ARE
HEREBY SUPERSEDED.
3. BACKGROUND. THE SSAS TRANSMITS A SECURITY ALERT TO THE COAST
GUARD EITHER DIRECTLY OR VIA A COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER
(CSP) SUCH AS INMARSAT OR COSPAS/SARSAT INDICATING THE SECURITY OF
THE SHIP IS UNDER THREAT OR HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. THE COAST GUARD
MUST BE PREPARED TO RECEIVE SECURITY ALERTS DIRECTLY FROM A
SHIPBOARD SSAS, OR INDIRECTLY VIA DESIGNATED COMPETENT AUTHORITIES,
CSP, OR AUTHORITIES OF OTHER STATES, AND RELAY ALERTS TO OTHER
INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS. TO FACILITATE THE EXCHANGE OF SHIP AND PORT
SECURITY INFORMATION, THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION (IMO)
HAS DEVELOPED A LIST OF ADMINISTRATION POINTS OF CONTACT AS
REQUIRED BY REGULATION XI-2/13. THE CONTACT FOR THE U.S. IS SHIFTED
FROM THE PACIFIC AREA COMMAND CENTER (RCC ALAMEDA) TO THE ATLANTIC
AREA COMMAND CENTER (RCC NORFOLK) AND THIS INCLUDES SHIP SECURITY
ALERTS ROUTED VIA A CSP.
4. MY POC FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS SHIFT IN RESPONSIBILITIES IS
CDR BARBARA ANDERSON, LANT-30CC, 757-398-6463 EMAIL TO:
BARBARA.A.ANDERSON(AT)USCG.MIL.
5. RELEASED BY VADM R.J. PAPP, JR. COMMANDER ATLANTIC AREA.
6. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.