Coast Guard Sets Security Zone around Cruise Ships
March 24, 2005
To protect cruise ships from terrorist attacks, the U.S. Coast Guard has proposed a new rule and, as the cruise industry is anxious to give its passengers the added security of these new laws, some repercussions may arise in the tight channels and small harbors of places like Southeast Alaska.
This new rule would require boats to maintain a 100-yard distance from ships carrying more than 500 passengers while they are in transit. When said ship is moored or anchored, the no-entry zone would be set at 25-yards.
In addition the Coast Guard would require boats operating within 250 yards of cruise ships to comply with various speed restrictions and other navigational traffic orders.
The proposal is the latest in a series of new federal security measures for boats and harbors across the United States since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
While the safety of the ships passengers is very important, these rules may put a strain on local communities and visiting ships alike. "If the new rules for cruise ships restrict public or commercial use of the harbors, it becomes everyone's problem," said Rick Erickson, operations manager for the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska. He continued, "We need to be able to figure out, within each of the ports, how this will impact the cruise lines."
"The threat of maritime attacks is real as evidenced by the attack on the USS Cole and the subsequent attack in 2002 against a tank vessel off the coast of Yemen," wrote Jim Olsen, commander of the 17th Coast Guard District, in the Federal Register notice of said rules dated March 9.
"It's pretty much a national initiative," said Coast Guard Lt. Gary Koehler, chief of port operations in Southeast Alaska. "Most areas with cruise ship traffic either have (security zones) in place or they are working on them."
Director of shore operations for Princess Tours in Juneau, Kirby Day, said the rules need some clarification. "In the little communities we have, a lot of small boats approach ships in the harbor," he said. In some locations of Southeast Alaska waters, as well as other small inlets around the U.S., cruise ships have to pass by other ships or fishing vessels within 100 yards---there's no where else to go.
"It's definitely going to have an impact, said Mike Stedman, operations director for Wings of Alaska, a floatplane launch near the cruise ship docks in Juneau, "but we are not sure to what extent." Between fishing groups, floatplane operators and cruise lines, many businesses in the nation are trying to understand what effect these rules will have on them in the future. The proposal is up for public comment until April 8, 2005.
Meghann PorterSources: Bluemink, Elizabeth, JuneauEmpire.com, "Coast Guard sets limits to ship approach." March 23, 2005.
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