Background - CI_16010

b. The MTS Initiative is a Secretary of Transportation led effort in response to the reality that U.S.

ports are not positioned to deal with the changing nature and volume of maritime trade over the

next two decades. The initiative calls for a broad-based, systems approach to managing

waterways. Reference (a) sets forth a series of recommendations designed to improve the

nation's MTS. The marine transportation system defined in this initiative is comprised of three

primary components - waterways, ports and their intermodal connections. These components,

along with vessels, vehicles and MTS users, make up the MTS. Each component is a complex

system within the larger MTS and is extrinsically linked with the others. The MTS itself is a

valuable sub-system of our nation's overall transportation system. All MTS stakeholders must

work together to ensure that the system can support the level of traffic expected in the next

century in a safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner. Coast Guard Areas,

Districts and field commands should familiarize themselves with reference (a) and specifically

review the recommended actions called for at the regional and local level in chapter six.

c. The MTS report recommended the creation of a stakeholder coordination framework. Two key

elements of the framework are the MTS National Advisory Council (MTSNAC), comprised of

private sector members and the Interagency Committee for the MTS (ICMTS), comprised of

federal government agencies and chaired by the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and

Environmental Protection. Other elements include regional and local MTS committees. At the

time of publication of this instruction only two Regional MTS Committees exist: the Great Lakes

Waterways Management Forum and the South Atlantic MTS Organization (SAMTSO).

References (a) through (c) generically refer to local MTS committees as "Harbor Safety

Committees," though only 10 percent of the identified HSCs use this three-word phrase in their

titles. Additionally, this term, although accepted as a generic label for these committees does not

provide a complete descriptor of their responsibilities. Therefore, it is important to remember

that many of these groups consider a wide range of issues concerning the MTS in addition to

safety, such as environmental and security concerns. A complete listing and description of all

the identified local MTS committees or HSCs are listed in reference (c).

d. Three HSC National Conferences have been held to date. The last two conferences attempted to

show how the HSCs fit into the larger Marine Transportation System and how they can be a vital

part of the MTS Initiative to improve this system. This effort has met with mixed success.

While some HSCs have quickly adapted to becoming the local or port MTS committee, other

HSCs have remained adamant that they should not expand beyond their original mandates or

missions to address only safety for their port area. Respecting their local knowledge and

expertise, we cannot (and should not even try to) force HSCs to change in a way that might

jeopardize their effectiveness and vital role in improving port and waterway safety in their areas.

However, we should try to ensure that all local MTS issues have a proper forum in which to be