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 Sector Sault Sainte Marie
Prevention Department

Roles and Responsibilities

 
The Chief, Prevention Department is responsible for all Coast Guard operations directed at preventing maritime casualties, marine oil spills, accidents, and security related incidents at and on regulated waterfront facilities and vessels, including critical infrastructures. 

Under the direction of the Sector Commander and in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies, the Chief, Prevention Department shall:

       Manage all Sector Prevention staff and department sub-units in accomplishing the standing Officer in Charge, Marine Inspections (OCMI) and Captain of the Port (COTP) missions.  These assets are available at all times to support the full range of Sector operations

        Direct all Coast Guard operations aimed at preventing maritime casualties, marine oil pollution, accidents, and security related incidents at and on regulated waterfront facilities and vessels, including critical infrastructures for the safety and security of our resources

          Coordinate operations with the Sector Command Center (SCC) to 
ensure Common Operational Picture (COP) and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) within the Sector Area of Responsibility (AOR)

          Provide proper risk assessment and operational support as needed
and as directed

          Coordinate with the Planning Department and other Sector elements
to conduct prevention mission planning as a tactical process,
including but not limited to addressing the Sector Commander’s intent, concept of operations, execution, monitoring, and feedback

         Coordinate with Other Government Agencies (OGA), most importantly the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as need be to accomplish departmental goals and objective  

       Coordinate with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and other maritime stakeholders to ensure the continuity of safety, security, and environmental protection prevention operations

Internal/External Relationships

 

Cooperative consultations with members of the maritime industry and interested agencies are essential to foster positive relations and promote the objectives of the Sector.  The Chief, Prevention Department must consider many elements, agencies, and groups affecting the safety and activity levels within the Sector’s AOR and shall ensure effective cooperation with representatives of these and other interests as required.  These include, but are not limited to:

        Agencies and groups based on the geographic arrangement and character of waters and facilities within the marine inspection zone

        Federal agencies having specific responsibilities relative to marine inspection, investigations and waterways management. These agencies include, but are not limited to, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U. S. Navy (USN), U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), National Cargo Bureau (NCB), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Transport Canada, Canadian Coast Guard, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

           Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and environmental protection agencies whose activities have an impact upon marine inspection, investigations, and waterways management.  These agencies include, but are not limited to state occupational safety and health agencies, local marina harbormasters, marine divisions of state police, environmental agencies, fish and wildlife agencies, and state and local fire departments.

Shipping companies and their personnel

          Equipment factories and their personnel

       Shipping terminals and other waterfront facilities and their operators

         Shipyards and vessel repair facilities

       Entities that provide port services, such as port authorities, local pilots, shipping agencies and agents, longshoreman and maritime unions, including their officers

           Vessel classification societies

            Local waterways groups as applicable

            Environmental protection and action groups

 

Prevention Department Staff

The Prevention Department is complimented with 9 personnel between the ranks of E-4 to O-4.  The department consists of the Inspections Division and the Waterways Management Division. 

Inspections Division: The Chief, Inspections Division is responsible for managing and overseeing the regulatory and inspection elements of the Coast Guard’s marine safety, security, and environmental protection responsibilities.  Under the direction of the Chief, Prevention Department and in accordance with all applicable federal laws, regulations, and policies, the Chief, Inspections Division, shall ensure overall compliance in regulated communities, including but not limited to:

        U. S. and foreign flag vessel inspections, including verification that Vessel Security and Response Plans have been exercised

       Regulated waterfront facility inspection (fixed and mobile),
including that Facility Security and Response Plans have been exercised

           Local port safety and security.

           Aquatic nuisance species inspection and verifications

           Un-inspected vessel safety

Maritime Transportation Security Act, including the Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC)

           Merchant mariner licensing and documentation

           Transfer and transport of hazardous and dangerous cargoes  

       Conduct, manage, and oversee the Coast Guard’s
maritime investigation responsibilities, including Marine casualty investigations and Investigations of negligence, misconduct, incompetence, or use of dangerous drugs or alcohol, and all violations of federal laws and regulations by Coast Guard licensed and documented mariners or personnel

Waterways Management Division:  Under the direction of the Chief, Prevention Department and in accordance with all applicable federal laws, regulations, and policies, the Chief, Waterways Management Division, shall:

       Manage and oversee the system design, constituent interface, and regulatory elements of the Coast Guard’s maritime mobility responsibilities and ensure effective, efficient commerce and access on navigable waterways, including but not limited to:

Limited Access Areas, Public Access Areas, and regulated waterfront facilities and vessels; e.g., Safety Zones, Security Zones, and Regulated Navigation Area

Marine event permits

Waterways Analysis and Management System / Ports and Waterways Safety Assessment (WAMS/PAWSA)

Collection of data for light lists, radio-beacon charts, and Notices to Mariners to forward to appropriate office

Disseminate all information concerning the malfunction, failure, damage, or loss of aids to navigation and marine information vital to public safety

Adhere to the Aids to Navigation (ATON) positioning standards

Contact Information

                    Investigations Division                                       (906) 635-3341
                    Facility Inspections Branch                                (906) 635-3343
                    Vessel Inspections Division                                (906) 635-3310
                    Waterways Management Division                      (906) 635-3310
                    Aids to Navigation Division                                 (906) 635-3270
                    Sector Command Center                                    (906) 635-3236