Maritime Safety and Security Teams

 In the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the US Coast Guard identified the need to develop the capacity to counter such threats in the maritime environment.  The Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSSTs) were established to fill this void.  The MSSTs provide a complementary non-redundant capability to deal with the threat of a terrorist attack in the US maritime environment.  Because the Coast Guard is both a military service and a law enforcement agency, it brings unique capabilities to this task.  The first MSST was commissioned in Seattle on July 3, 2002.  There are currently thirteen MSSTs located around the nation.  The average MSST has a staff of 75 personnel, specially trained in maritime interdiction and law enforcement; anti-terrorism; force protection; chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) detection; vertical insertion; underwater port security; tactical boat operations; and non-permissive boarding.  Some of the training is conducted at the Joint Maritime Training Center at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, operated by the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.  The JMTC is a designated Center of Excellence (COE) for Less-Lethal Technologies and Fast Boats.  Among other things, the MSSTs enforce security zones; conduct port state control boardings; protect military outloads; and provide security at major marine events.  The Maritime Safety and Security Teams were recently in the news when it was announced that budget cuts might lead to the decommissioning of five teams.  Politicians from the affected areas have expressed strong opposition to this proposal.