Port Safety (USCG)

The Port Safety mission has a long history in the United States Coast Guard. It was expanded during the 20th century to include the protection of ports, harbors, vessels, and waterfront facilities against accidents, negligence, and sabotage. These responsibilities have been assigned to the COTP primarily through the Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972. This Act resulted from several major groundings and oil spills and provided port safety authority for the COTP to protect the use of port transportation facilities, and to enhance efforts against the degradation of the marine environment.

The port safety mission is primarily concerned with the prevention of accidental damage to ports, facilities, and ships in order to protect the environment and facilitate commerce.

The major activities that support the Port Safety mission include:
* Pollution prevention.
* Response to pollution incidents.
* Pollution investigation.
* Harbor patrols and surveillance.
* Contingency planning.
* Drills and exercises.
* Monitoring of liquid and hazardous cargo transfers.
* Monitoring of fuel transfers.
* Container inspections.
* Facilities inspections.
* Explosive cargo loading supervision.

While Port Safety is concerned with "accidents" that harm people or property, Port Security is concerned with "deliberate acts" intended to harm people or property.

ee also

*National Defense for a related discussion
**Port Security Unit for the special operations force assigned to protect U.S. civilian and military interests in international ports
*Maritime Security for the program that governs intentional damage.