USCG Raises Security Measures against Ships Calling at Gambian Ports

zoom The US Coast Guard is, as of July 6, imposing a set of conditions of entry on vessels arriving from the Gambia, as the country was deemed to have deficient port anti-terrorism measures. Any vessel that visited a port in the Republic of the Gambia in its last five port calls prior to calling at any US port will have to implement measures per the vessels security plan equivalent to Security Level 2 while in Gambian ports. Ship operators must ensure that each access point to the vessel is guarded and that the guards have total visibility of the exterior (both landside and waterside) of the vessel while the vessel is in Gambian ports. The vessels master and the Company Security Officer must also attempt to execute a Declaration of Security while in Gambian ports, as well as log all security actions in the vessels security records. The security actions taken must be reported to the cognizant Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) prior to arrival into US waters. The vessel may also be required to ensure that each access point to the vessel is guarded by armed, private security guards and that they have total visibility of the exterior (both landside and waterside) of the vessel while in US ports.