Marine security contribution program

Fleet personnel have also long been engaged in supporting fisheries enforcement activities, which continues today. The Policy did not, however, describe a mandated security role for the Coast Guard, nor did it specify what support roles and responsibilities were expected of it. Those contributions include initiatives in which the Coast Guard has taken the lead, and initiatives in which another department has taken the lead, with the Coast Guard providing support.

It does so by means of proactive leadership and management of the maritime security file within the Department of Fisheries and Oceans DFO , under the direction of the Commissioner of the Coast Guard and on behalf of the Deputy Minister. The success of the Maritime Security Branch is largely dependent on communication and information sharing.

It does this with other government departments OGDs whose programs it supports, with Headquarters directorates whose programs and services are enhanced in order to provide solutions for OGD partners, and with the regions responsible for delivering on Coast Guard commitments. The work of the Maritime Security Branch largely involves coordination, facilitation, analysis and problem solving: confirming what is, determining what could be, and defining how to get there, always in consultation with program, operational and technical experts inside and outside the Department.

It implements changes in response to legislative and regulatory changes, and provides support to other sectors within DFO in response to those changes. The Maritime Security Branch is a member of the Interdepartmental Marine Security Working Group, and the Director, Maritime Security, represents the Department on this and other federal and international working groups dealing with maritime security issues.

The Coast Guard provides value-added support to the federal enforcement and intelligence communities by leveraging existing programs and services to provide collateral benefits to its partners in the form of on-water capabilities and shore-based operational support.

Since , it has also been providing dedicated capacity in support of its partners. AIS was initially developed as a tool for collision avoidance and vessel traffic management in busy waterways. Ships travelling near our coasts are required to automatically transmit AIS data, such as position, course and speed, in the Very High Frequency maritime band, which has a range of about 50 miles.

The Coast Guard has successfully implemented the national AIS project, building AIS shore infrastructure so that vessel data is now collected for virtually the entire east and west coasts and the Great Lakes — St.

Lawrence Seaway. Collateral safety benefits can also accrue from various Coast Guard security initiatives. Championed and co-developed by the Canadian Coast Guard, LRIT is a system for monitoring the movements of large vessels on the high seas, in the interest of national and global maritime security.

In addition, this satellite-based system can be a vital tool in search-and-rescue operations in all waters not covered by the short-range Automatic Identification System. LRIT can also play a role in environmental protection; for example, in the case of an oil spill, archival LRIT information can be used to help identify the polluting vessel.

These Centres act as maritime intelligence gathering points, where civilian and military resources are brought to bear to detect, assess and support the response to security threats.

Canadians can be proud of the role the Coast Guard has played in the creation of the satellite-based Long Range Identification and Tracking LRIT system, an important international tool for maritime security. It enables participating governments to obtain encrypted identification and positional information on vessels intending to enter their ports or travelling within nautical miles of their coast.

Working closely with the IMO, the Coast Guard took the role of de facto systems manager for the project and chaired international LRIT meetings which dealt with technical requirements as well as political, financial and other issues. The Coast Guard has not only championed the system internationally, it has also positioned Canada as a world leader in LRIT implementation. Providing this assistance to the developing world results in vessel data from those countries being available to port and coastal states, thus improving global Maritime Domain Awareness.

As the Coast Guard does not have a direct mandate for maritime security, it undertakes security initiatives on behalf of partners. As every driver, cyclist and even pedestrian knows, the mere sight of a police car makes us much more inclined to observe the rules of the road. This holds true in the maritime environment as well. These vessels, with their distinctive red and white hulls, provide a strong maritime presence in all our coastal waters and the Great Lakes — St.

With the tremendous number of vessels traveling within a few miles of our coastlines, it is imperative for both security and safety purposes that these vessels be identified and monitored. The AIS is based on an internationally mandated equipment carriage regulation requiring large vessels to have approved equipment that automatically transmits key data such as identification, position, course and speed over the Very High Frequency maritime band. Lawrence Seaway have full AIS coverage. The Coast Guard collects vessel data at its physical shore stations including remote sites , and routes and filters it for its domestic security partners, allowing them to see the real-time position of all vessels within 50 miles of our shores, especially those approaching our ports.

AIS is an important sensor that can be used in concert with other sensors and sources of information to provide a more complete and verifiable picture of the Canadian maritime domain. Under the contribution program, which is retroactive to April 1, , ports and marine facilities will be able to apply for funds to assist with new security equipment and programs called for under their security plans.

These funds will also help them to extend and build on these security enhancements in the future. Application guides are currently being distributed to stakeholders. Information sessions for potential applicants will be held across Canada starting in early December. Further opportunities to apply will be available over the next three years. For more information on the Marine Security Contribution Program and the application process including the official application kit, please visit:.

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