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New steps taken to curb attractive terrorist targets
The US Customs and Border Protection department plans to conduct a study on enhancing homeland screening practices for cruise passengers, according to Cruise Log.
The move follows the recommendations of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report.
“The study will look at the benefits of getting more passenger information into the hands of homeland security officials, similar to the Transportation Security Administration’s Passenger Name Record system used with airlines,“ says Cruise Log.
In a statement, the Customs office said it agrees with GAO’s recommendation to enhance the existing screening process for cruise ship passengers.
The 52-page report, titled "Maritime Security: Varied Actions Taken to Enhance Cruise Ship Security, but Some Concerns Remain," notes that cruise ships are “attractive terrorist targets."
In a statement, Cruise Lines International Association says its members participated in the formulation of the report and will participate in the new study.
"The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) supports the efforts made by the Department of Homeland Security to ensure the continued safety of millions of cruise passengers – our industry’s Number One priority,” CLIA says.
The US Coast Guard and other federal agency officials noted in the GAO report that cruise lines have “a professional staff dedicated to security duties,” and that cruise lines implement security measures beyond what is required of them,” according to CLIA.
Cruise lines already provide Homeland Security with a passenger and crew manifest for each ship leaving or entering US ports. The manifest, according to CLIA, is checked against "certain databases, such as terrorist watch lists."
The GAO report says while there was no credible threat against cruise ships in 2009, the Coast Guard is aware that terrorist groups have the "capability" to attack a cruise ship.
By David Wilkening
David
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