Maritime Observation Mission

1
Maritime Observation Mission

• Presented by
• Department of Operations (Response)
• and
• Department of Marine Safety (Prevention)

2
Objectives

• Discuss the origin of MOM concept.
• Define MOM and indicate at least two legacy
  missions that MOM replaces.
• Describe 6 items of interest on the waterway that
  should be observed while performing MOM.

3
Objectives

• Describe at least 4 items of interest in the
  shoreside infrastructure that should be observed
  while performing MOM.
• Describe at least 4 items of interest on
  commercial vessels that should be observed while
  performing MOM.

4
Why MOM?

• Operation Neptune Shield defines the law
  enforcement responsibilities of Homeland Security
  Coast Guard wide.
• Define a patrol as an armed mission.
• This was interpreted by some CG commands as a
  mandate to curtail CG Auxiliary activity in water
  and shore side patrol activities.
• There was a need to differentiate Auxiliary
  activity from CG activity.
• There were instances of CG Auxiliary activity
  that was thought to be of higher risk than
  necessary (i.e. LNG escorts).

5
What is MOM?

• MOM is the Maritime Observation Mission
• Takes place in the maritime environment
• Defines our activity as observation, recording
  and reporting (no active intervention)
• Was considered an overarching mission of all CG
  Auxiliary activity in the maritime environmenton
  land or on foot or in the water or air. Every
  patrol should have MOM as a mission component.

6
MOM Guidance

• Message sent - ALCOAST 033/06 January 2006
• Directed to CG Commands, not to the Auxiliary
• Designed to clarify the role of the CG Auxiliary
  in Homeland Security

7
MOM Guidance

• The goal of MOM is to provide increased maritime
  domain awareness by observing areas of interest
  and reporting findings to the Operational
  Commander.
• Auxiliary activity can be authorized in any and
  all activities or areas where the actions of the
  boating public/citizenry are not prohibited.

8
And all those other missions?
MOM
9
What makes up a MOM?
MOM may be a bit different in every port or
sector, but the basic elements are constants.

• Ports and Waterways
• Vessels
• Land Based Infrastructure
• Targets and Vulnerabilities

10
Lets Talk

• Has your sector or order issuing authority
  provided you with guidance regarding MOM?
• What are the essential elements of your MOM?

11
Ports and Waterways

• Accesses, entrances, approaches, and anchorages,
  maneuvering and berthing areas
• Port vessel traffic management systems and aids
  to navigation
• Hazards to navigation
• Aids to navigation

12
Ports and Waterways (2)

• Environmentally sensitive areas
• Locations of chronic or potential sources of
  pollution
• Bridges, railways

13
Vessels

• Vessel markings (homeport, load lines, etc.)
• Bunkering/lightering operations

14
Land Based Infrastructure

• Types of waterfront facilities
• Container
• Bulk
• Ro-Ro
• Cruise Ships
• Ferries
• Others
• Facility security
• Facility firefighting and lifesaving readiness

15
Targets and Vulnerabilities

• Systems such as electrical distribution systems,
  radio, telecommunication and computer systems and
  networks
• Nuclear plants, power plants, cargo transfer
  piping, and water supplies

16
Targets and Vulnerabilities

• Passenger / vessel / cruise ship passengers /
  crew and baggage screening
• LPG/LNG
• National symbols/treasures

17
How do we achieve MOM?

• Land Mobile Patrols
• Carried out as a patrol with a communications via
  VHF-FM facility in a vehicle
• Cell phone OIA preferred
• Requires orders from OIA

18
How do we achieve MOM? (2)

• On foot.

.coupled with the Vessel Safety Check
program .coupled with the Program Visitor program

• Soft targets can be observed and partnerships
  developed
• Dive shops, scuba shops, rental agencies,
  marinas, waterfront amusements, restaurants, etc.

19
How do we achieve MOM? (3)

• Trident Program
• In concert with the needs of the Coast Guard and
  active duty/reserve counterparts, qualified
  individuals can provide valuable observations
  during the course of facility compliance visits
  and other duties.

20
How do we achieve MOM? (4)

• Surface Operations

21
How do we achieve MOM? (5)

• Aviation

22
Conducting Patrols

• Conduct
• Responsibility
• OPSEC
• Judgment
• Reporting
• Forms
• Reports
• Verbal vs. written
• Urgent vs. routine