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Security Levels
Marine Safety Unit Chicago
DepartmentsWaterways Management
Division
The department handles the day-to-day waterway management issues and concerns that
arise on our busy waterways which
encompasses Southern Lake Michigan, and over 177 miles of river including the Chicago River
(Main, North, and South branches), the Calumet River, the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal,
the Des Plaines River, and the Illinois River.
They work closely with various
waterway stakeholders and users including: the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers - Chicago and Rock Island Districts, the City of Chicago, the Illinois River Carriers
Association, American Waterways Operators, Chicago Park District, Private and Public Developers,
USCG Eighth and Ninth District Aids to Navigation and Bridge Branches to not only ensure that
commercial mariners have free and unobstructed use of our Federal navigable waters, but that all
users maintain equal access to safe and secure public waterways.
They also review applications for marine event permits and draft local notices to mariners
including temporary and permanent safety and security zones as well as broadcast notices to mariners.
Facilities Division
Inspections Division
The Response Department has several other functions besides pollution response, including: UCGC
Auxiliary
U.S. Coast Guard Recuiting Planning Department
Detachment of two civilian employees from Sector Lake Michigan that handle port security and contingency planning needs in
the MSU Chicago area of responsibility.
Electronic Support
Division Detachment (ESDD)
Resident Agent Office Chicago is staffed by three Special Agents and is currently co-located with MSU Chicago. Useful
forms and additional information for each department listed above
Additional information
on this
unit
and
Sector
Lake
Michigan
The Facilities Department conducts the annual MTSA Compliance exams for 101 facilities
required to meet the security regulations found in 33 CFR 105. These inspections include the
review and approval of Security Plans; on-site verification of the plan's implementation,
documentation, and training; as well as participation in drills and exercises. MTSA Security
Spot-checks (an abbreviated version of the annual MTSA Compliance exam) are also conducted
randomly throughout the year at each regulated facility.
Additionally, our Facilities Inspectors oversee annual safety and environmental compliance
inspections of 40 facilities that transfer bulk oil and hazardous materials and 5 facilities
that transfer cargoes of a particular hazard. These inspections include the review and
approval of Operation and Emergency Manuals, as well as Response Plans in preparation for on-site
visits to ensure compliance with federal regulations including verification of documentation
and training, participation in drills and exercises, and transfer monitors of oil and hazardous
materials.
A primary mission of MSU Chicago is to ensure that commercial vessels
operating within the MSU's area of responsibility are in full compliance
with applicable federal laws and regulations. Our marine inspectors
ensure that vessels are seaworthy and properly maintained. This includes
ensuring machinery, steering, and other engineering systems function properly; that vessel repairs are m
ade in accordance with established standards; that crews are adequately trained and proficient in their duties;
and that lifesaving and firefighting equipment is properly maintained and readily available. The current fleet of
vessels in MSU Chicago's area of responsibility is 235, resulting in an average of 707 inspections per year.
The types of commercial vessels operating within the MSU's area of responsibility include:
Response Division
One of the primary missions of the Response and Facilities Department is emergency
response to pollution incidents. This includes containment and clean-up of oil discharges
and hazardous substances introduced into the navigable waters of the United States. Whether
the incident involves a few gallons of diesel from a pleasure boat or thousands
of gallons of fuel oil from a large vessel, our pollution responders use the best tools and
contract the best equipment and personnel to clean up the spill and lessen environmental
damage. Our personnel are trained in Incident Command System procedures and carry the
qualifications of Pollution Investigators (PI) and Federal On
Scene Coordinator Representative (FOSCR). By all available means we ensure persons
responsible for discharges are contacted and directed to initiate mitigation and
clean-up action. In a joint effort to minimize damage to the environment caused by
pollutants, the Marine Safety Unit coordinates response efforts to spills with other
involved agencies, including other Federal, State and local partners.
Investigations Division
The Investigations Division investigates all reportable marine casualties, violations of law or regulation, and acts of
misconduct or negligence by licensed or documented merchant mariners. These investigations seek to determine cause
and detect violations of law/regulation, which contributed to the cause of the casualty. They also process the necessary
paperwork for civil penalty action cases resulting from violations of inspection laws and the negligent operation of vessels.
Additionally, they investigate and present before the Administrative Law Judge, when appropriate, suspension and
revocation-related issues involving: alleged misconduct; negligence; incompetence by merchant mariners; and violations
of dangerous drug laws.
They also actively audit the Marine Employer Chemical Testing Program to ensure compliance with these important regulations.
They investigate marine casualties and accidents to determine the root cause, so that through regulation and education similar
incidents might be prevented from reoccurring. Additionally, they investigate incidents to collect evidence of
misconduct, negligence, or violation of law or regulation by Coast Guard licensed, certificated, or documented members of the
Merchant Marine. Such cases are then presented before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who can suspend or revoke a mariners
license, or allow mariners to develop a joint motion, or mutually agreed upon penalty with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Tenant Commands
Coast Guard
Investigative Service (CGIS)
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