US tightens up security for vessels from Africa

Los Angeles: Security at African ports is being looked at more closely as the US continues to keep a tight lid on possible terrorism sources. The Democratic Republic of Congo is now listed by the Coast Guard as one of 12 maritime countries around the world (half of them in Africa) that “do not maintain effective antiterrorist measures". Any ship entering the US that has been at Congo ports in one of its last five calls has to take extra security precautions when in a Congo port, equivalent to Marsec (Maritime Security) Level 2 in the US and Security Level 2 under the Solas (Safety Of Life At Sea) convention adopted by the International Maritime Organisation and signed by all flag states. These include: • Guards and lookouts have to be posted to ensure all round visibility and to control all access points on the ship; • Thorough checks of goods and baggage, including X-ray screening where possible; • Checking vehicles for bombs and weapons. This is in addition to a range of other procedures that have to be undertaken like reporting actions taken to the Coast Guard Captain of the port before arriving in the US. Says a Washington DC maritime law and security consultant, Dennis Bryant: “Make no mistake. The authorities in the US are very serious about security precautions and the master and/or owner can land up in jail if the procedures are not followed."