COMDTINST 16618.8 AWW is an outreach and awareness effort Gives the Coast Guard Auxiliary significant responsibility for the AWW program Assigns the FMSC the responsibility for coordinating the AWW program within their area of responsibility. AWW grew out of local Marine Domain Awareness programs and Maine Coast Watch following 9/11. The goal is to have as many “eyes and ears” as possible on the water who are familiar with their local area, would recognize activity which was unusual or out of place, and know who to report such discrepancies to. Commandant/COMDTINST 16618.8 assigns to the Coast Guard Aux. Significant responsibility for implementing the America’s Waterway Watch Program. AWW > A National Program > Local Focus - Provide overall direction - Validate local initiatives - Provide Resources and Training support - Promote consistency and awareness of best practices - Recognizes regional differences and promotes local program autonomy while providing national oversight and support.

Commandant’s Strategy AWW directly supports two main elements of the Commandant’s Maritime Strategy for Homeland Security: Increasing Maritime Domain Awareness Leveraging Partnerships to mitigate security risks Marine Domain Awareness is a phrase and a theme which is frequently repeated anytime the AWW program or the Commandant’s goals are discussed. MDA is defined as “the effective understanding of objects and activities in or near the Marine environment that could affect American’s security, safety, economy or environment.” Coast Guard has a long history of working cooperatively with state and local law enforcement agencies. Coast Guard has recently entered into memoranda of agreement with some of these agencies to support the security of our nations ports and waterways.

Background September 11, 2001 Need to improve Homeland Security Need for a force multiplier* Local Initiatives MTSA National Oversight Program Within one week of the Sept 11th attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon Admiral James Loy, Coast Guard Commandant, stated that the Port Security Mission would be placed on a priority level equal to that of SAR. DHS established *Additional CG Aux involvement and established the need for American Waterways Watch MDA / Coast Watch Programs / Increased Harbor Patrols MTSA – Maritime Transportation Security Act, was passed by Congress on November 25, 2002. MTSA imposes specific requirements on the commercial maritime industry, both shipping and waterfront facilities. It also requires owners and operators to “without delay, report activities that may result in a transportation security incident.” (33 CFR 101.305)

Background With more than- 95,000 miles of coastline 290,000 square miles of waterway 70 million recreational boaters The U.S. Coast Guard and local first responders cannot do the job alone. In his March 3rd, 2005 testimony before Congress, Admiral Collins provided the following information on Coast Guard performance for FY 2004. 36,000 Port Security Patrols 6,900 Air Patrols 19,000 Security Boardings 7,200 vessel escorts 32,000 SAR Calls 10,000 Commercial Vessel Boardings 24,000 Reports of Water Pollution/HAZMAT Release CG AUX 34,000 members contributed 3 million volunteer hours. Importance of USPS-USCG AUX partnership.

“We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail.” President George W. Bush President Bush set the tone for the war on terrorism.

Goal “The goal of AWW is to help prevent acts of terrorism and other illegal activity that jeopardizes maritime homeland security by having members of the maritime and recreational boating industries, as well as the boating public, recognize and report to appropriate authorities suspicious activity that may be an indicator of potential terrorism.” Taken from COMDTINST 16618.8, Implementation of the America’s Waterway Watch program. Instruction received final approval on 10 Feb 2005. Provide a deterrent through vigilance. Educate the Marine Industry and the Boating Public Provide a means for the public to become involved

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY COMDTINST 16618.8 states that suspicious activity “refers, but is not limited, to activity regarding a vessel or pleasure craft, marine structure or waterfront facility, person, vehicle, cargo or stores, which a reasonably prudent person would consider out of the ordinary or unusual based on the facts and circumstances for that situation.” Those in law enforcement will find this definition familiar and similar to the general definition for probable cause.

Suspicious Activity People asking suspicious questions: How many security guards are on duty? How close can I get to the cruise ship? How does this bridge operate? What is stored in those tanks? Refer to exerps from FIR’s.

Suspicious Activity Something out of place: A new 55 gallon drum under a bridge. A pleasure boat docked at a regulated commercial facility. Vehicles parked outside a fenced in facility. People taking suspicious photographs.

Report Suspicious Activity To 911 for immediate danger to life or property For suspicious activity call the National Response Center Hotline – 1-877-24-WATCH or 1-800-424-8802

WHERE YOUR INFORMATION GOES SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY AN EMERGENCY YOU Exchange information as necessary NRC 1-877-24-WATCH 911 Center STATE, REGIONAL, FEDERAL AUTHORITIES LOCAL RESPONSE

Information You Provide Your Information Actionable Intelligence Information You Provide Incidents may be repeated over a period of time. Reporting units may not be aware that a certain activity has been repeated at a particular location, or that a certain suspicious activity has occurred over a period of time at a variety of locations. As individual reporting units, you form the base of the information pyramid.

MTSA Requires commercial vessels and facilities to report suspicious activity Requires each COTP/FMSC to form an AREA MARITIME SECURITY COMMITTEE (AMSC) and with the COMMITTEE create an AREA MARITIME SECURITY PLAN.

Partnering Agencies Coast Guard Auxiliary U.S. Power Squadron Marina Operators Association of America National Association of State Boating Law Administrators Local Yacht Clubs Fishing Supply Stores Dive Shops Bridge Operators

WHAT TO DO Observe and report - NEVER approach someone who may present a personal risk to you You know what’s normal and what’s not… first, report your location. Then…. -Provide details…description of Individuals, Vessels, Activity When we ask people to become involved in the AWW program, we are asking them to become another set of eyes and ears on the water. “OBSERVE AND REPORT.” DO NOT BECOME PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY SITUATIONS.

Who to Contact In case of Emergency: 911 or USCG via Channel 16 National Response Center- 1-800-424-8802 or 1-877-24-WATCH (249-2824) NRC Website is www.nrc.uscg.mil Remember – Channel 16 is an open frequency – anyone with a marine radio or receiver can hear you. Probably best used only as a last resort for reporting suspicious activity.

QUESTIONS ?