News

Retired USCG Vice Admiral Brian Peterman was featured on Homeland Security Today yesterday to share his insight into the effect Hurricane Sandy has had on port operations and the role of the caption of the port.

The Coast Guard captain of the port has extensive powers in the port to be able to close ports and direct activities in the port. Because that power rests in the captain of the port's hands and not with another DHS agency, that power really gives him or her the lead in DHS preparations in port contingencies. That said, the captain of the port knows what kind of cargo goes through the port and the importance of that cargo. The captain can prioritize the preparation and recovery efforts to make sure the most important things are addressed first.

Peterman also shared his experience as commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District at a time captains of the ports in Florida had to prioritize the movement of gas and diesel for vehicles used by first responders and the public to prepare and recover from a storm.

In Florida, there are no refineries. All of the gas and diesel that comes into Florida has to go through pipelines or through the seaports. So we need the seaports open particularly for gasoline and particularly the diesel the first responders needed for their trucks. We really needed that running again along with having people being able to gas their cars up to evacuate and get back. That's what you are going to see happening after Sandy.

The article concludes with Peterman sharing his opinion on the GAO's recommendation of a top-down approach for DHS agency coordination.

To read the full article please go to Under Coast Guard Watch, Ports Slowly Return to Normal After Hurricane Sandy.