COMDTINST 16618.8
AWW is an outreach and awareness effortAWW is an outreach and awareness effort Gives the Coast Guard Auxiliary significant Gives the Coast Guard Auxiliary significant
responsibility for the AWW programresponsibility for the AWW program Assigns the FMSC the responsibility for Assigns the FMSC the responsibility for
coordinating the AWW program within coordinating the AWW program within their area of responsibility.their area of responsibility.
Commandant’s Strategy
AWW directly supports two main elements of AWW directly supports two main elements of the Commandant’s Maritime Strategy for the Commandant’s Maritime Strategy for Homeland Security:Homeland Security: Increasing Maritime Domain AwarenessIncreasing Maritime Domain Awareness Leveraging Partnerships to mitigate Leveraging Partnerships to mitigate
security riskssecurity risks
Background
September 11, 2001September 11, 2001 Need to improve Homeland SecurityNeed to improve Homeland Security
Need for a force multiplier*Need for a force multiplier*Local InitiativesLocal Initiatives
MTSAMTSA National Oversight ProgramNational Oversight Program
Background
With more than-With more than- 95,000 miles of coastline95,000 miles of coastline 290,000 square miles of waterway290,000 square miles of waterway 70 million recreational boaters70 million recreational boaters
The U.S. Coast Guard and local firstThe U.S. Coast Guard and local first
responders cannot do the job alone.responders cannot do the job alone.
““We will not tire, we will not falter, and weWe will not tire, we will not falter, and we
will not fail.”will not fail.”
President George W. BushPresident George W. Bush
Goal
“ “The goal of AWW is to help prevent acts of The goal of AWW is to help prevent acts of terrorism and other illegal activity that terrorism and other illegal activity that jeopardizes maritime homeland security by jeopardizes maritime homeland security by having members of the maritime and having members of the maritime and recreational boating industries, as well as recreational boating industries, as well as the boating public, recognize and report to the boating public, recognize and report to appropriate authorities suspicious activity appropriate authorities suspicious activity that may be an indicator of potential that may be an indicator of potential terrorism.”terrorism.”
SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
COMDTINST 16618.8 states that COMDTINST 16618.8 states that suspicious activity “refers, but is not suspicious activity “refers, but is not limited, to activity regarding a vessel or limited, to activity regarding a vessel or pleasure craft, marine structure or pleasure craft, marine structure or waterfront facility, person, vehicle, cargo or waterfront facility, person, vehicle, cargo or stores, which a reasonably prudent person stores, which a reasonably prudent person would consider out of the ordinary or would consider out of the ordinary or unusual based on the facts and unusual based on the facts and circumstances for that situation.”circumstances for that situation.”
Suspicious Activity
People asking suspicious questions:People asking suspicious questions:• How many security guards are on duty?How many security guards are on duty?• How close can I get to the cruise ship?How close can I get to the cruise ship?• How does this bridge operate?How does this bridge operate?• What is stored in those tanks?What is stored in those tanks?
Suspicious Activity
Something out of place:Something out of place: A new 55 gallon drum under a bridge.A new 55 gallon drum under a bridge. A pleasure boat docked at a regulated A pleasure boat docked at a regulated
commercial facility.commercial facility. Vehicles parked outside a fenced in Vehicles parked outside a fenced in
facility.facility. People taking suspicious photographs.People taking suspicious photographs.
Report Suspicious Activity To
911 911 for immediate danger to life or propertyfor immediate danger to life or property
For suspicious activity call the National Response For suspicious activity call the National Response Center Hotline – Center Hotline –
1-877-24-WATCH1-877-24-WATCH
oror
1-800-424-88021-800-424-8802
WHERE YOUR INFORMATION GOES
STATE, REGIONAL,FEDERAL
AUTHORITIES
NRC1-877-24-WATCH
YOU
911Center
LOCALRESPONSE
AN EMERGENCYAN EMERGENCY
SUSPICIOUSACTIVITY
Exchange information as necessary
Your Information
ActionableActionable
IntelligenceIntelligence
IntelligenceIntelligence
Information You ProvideInformation You Provide
MTSA
Requires commercial vessels and facilities Requires commercial vessels and facilities to report suspicious activityto report suspicious activity Requires each COTP/FMSC to form an Requires each COTP/FMSC to form an
AREA MARITIME SECURITY AREA MARITIME SECURITY COMMITTEE (AMSC) and with the COMMITTEE (AMSC) and with the COMMITTEE create an AREA COMMITTEE create an AREA MARITIME SECURITY PLAN.MARITIME SECURITY PLAN.
Partnering Agencies
Coast Guard AuxiliaryCoast Guard Auxiliary U.S. Power SquadronU.S. Power Squadron Marina Operators Association of AmericaMarina Operators Association of America National Association of State Boating Law National Association of State Boating Law
AdministratorsAdministrators
WHAT TO DO
Observe and reportObserve and report
- - NEVERNEVER approach someone who may approach someone who may present a personal risk to youpresent a personal risk to you
You know what’s normal and what’s not…You know what’s normal and what’s not…
first, report your location. Then….first, report your location. Then….
-Provide details…description of-Provide details…description of
Individuals, Vessels, ActivityIndividuals, Vessels, Activity
Who to Contact
In case of In case of Emergency: 911Emergency: 911
or USCG via or USCG via Channel 16Channel 16
National Response Center- 1-800-424-8802National Response Center- 1-800-424-8802
or or 1-877-24-WATCH1-877-24-WATCH
(249-2824)(249-2824)
NRC Website is www.nrc.uscg.milNRC Website is www.nrc.uscg.mil