Thousands of U.S. ports and ships will have to toughen security against the threat of terrorism under rules issued by the Homeland Security Department on Tuesday. Much of the cost will be borne by the maritime industry. Some 10,000 ships and 5,000 coastal facilities will be required to assess their vulnerabilities, hire and train security officers and purchase security equipment. The nation’s 361 ports will have to establish security committees, draft security plans and hold training drills and exercises. Under the rules, people waiting to board large passenger ships, including ferries, could be subject to the types of body and baggage screening now in place at airports. But a Coast Guard official said that would happen only during times when the nation’s terror alert has been raised to “orange,” and only on certain ships deemed most vulnerable. Full Story
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