17
Oct
SUMMARY
The U. S. Coast Guard will impose conditions of entry on vessels arriving from Iraq (with the exception of several exempted port facilities).
Conditions of Entry (COE) are intended to protect the United States from vessels arriving from countries that have been found to have deficient port anti-terrorism measures in place.
Port Security Advisory (PSA 1-18) has been issued with the details. (Click Here)
This policy takes effect for vessels that arrive in the United States upon or after October 26, 2018, after visiting ports in Iraq as one of their last five ports of call.
This policy takes effect for vessels that arrive in the United States upon or after October 26, 2018, after visiting ports in Iraq as one of their last five ports of call.
Exceptions: The following Iraqi ports are maintaining effective anti-terrorism measures and are exempted from these requirements:
- Al-Basrah Oil Terminal,
- Khor Al Amaya Oil Terminal
- Al Maqal Terminal 14
Other countries that have ports not maintaining effective anti-terrorism measures are also listed in the Port Security Advisory.
IMPORTANT
Paragraph C of the PSA describes “Actions Required by Vessels Visiting Countries Affected”.
Vessels that visited any country listed during their last five port calls will be boarded or examined by the Coast Guard to ensure the vessel took the required actions.
Failure to properly implement the actions listed in paragraph C.1 through C.5 may result in delay or denial of entry into the United States.
Based on the findings of the Coast Guard boarding or examination, the vessels may be required to ensure that each access point to the ship is guarded by armed security guards and that they have total visibility of the exterior (both land-side and waterside) of the vessel while in U. S. ports.
The number and location of the guards must be acceptable to the cognizant U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port.
For those vessels that have demonstrated good security compliance and can document that they took the measures called for paragraph C, the armed security guard requirement will normally be waived.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that agents representing a vessel that has visited one of the countries listed, gain a copy of the ships log which details the security measures (as listed in paragraph C) implemented by the vessel’s crew during the vessels port call. That copy should be forwarded to the USCG Port State Control section for their review prior to the ship’s arrival in the U. S.
