Harbor security
beefs upBusinesses working at Hawaii piers
should allow extra time to navigate
new anti-terrorism rules
Kimo Pierson, a shipping agent for Transmarine Navigation Corp., has his picture identification ready to show so it can be smooth sailing tomorrow when new requirements to get into state commercial harbors take effect.
SAFER PORTS
New security measures at state harbors include:Identification: A proper ID is needed at entrances
Training: Harbor users must be able to spot security risks
Harbor users must show a Hawaii driver's license, a state identification card or other identification at the entrance gates. In the future, the state Harbors Division will issue new identification cards specifically for waterfront use.
"It'll be business as usual, but it will be slower," Pierson said, adding that vendors statewide may it takes more time to get down to the piers.
The new anti-terrorism rules, which will affect everyone from business owners to fishermen to paddlers, are the result of a nationwide push to increase security at ports as required by the federal Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002.
The security measures, which cover all state and federally regulated harbor facilities, as well as cruise and freight vessels, will mean more work and higher costs for the state Department of Transportation, the Coast Guard and the dozens of maritime businesses and agencies that must implement new security plans.
"Just as how our airports had to make the transition with new security measures, we will be asking the public for their patience as we put in similar measures at our harbors," said state Transportation Director Rod Haraga. "The highest priority is safety for all of our harbor users."
To keep business running smoothly under the new rules, harbor users are advised to arrive about 15 to 30 minutes earlier than normal to conduct business. New requirements also subject harbor users and their vehicles to possible searches, said Scott Ishikawa, state Transportation Department spokesman.
The state department has installed and upgraded safety barriers, perimeter fencing and video surveillance cameras at many of its harbors since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, but the new rules will raise security requirements, Ishikawa said.
"The harbors here in Honolulu used to be wide open and anyone could come onto the pier. The security measures are probably long overdue," Pierson said, adding that the new rules, which include identification and training requirements, haven't been that costly for most businesses.
However, the measures have had some businesses hopping to comply, said Tom Colson of Island Maritime, a steamship agency that works with container customers.
"The new rules are impacting us a lot," Colson said. "We're going gangbusters."
In addition to needing proper identification, those who want to enter secured harbor facilities must have completed specialized maritime security awareness training, Ishikawa said.
The training is designed to help harbor users identify dangerous substances and devices, recognize threatening behavior and spot people who are attempting to circumvent security.
The Coast Guard also will begin boarding all foreign-flagged vessels, including cruise ships, that sail into U.S. ports to check whether the ships comply with rules aimed at foiling terrorists.
Impacts to Hawaii's cruise ship industry are not expected to be great, Ishikawa said.
"Not much will change, because they've had security in place for quite some time," he said.
Since the 9/11 attacks, cruise ships have routinely restricted terminals and have screened passengers and baggage, Ishikawa said.
