COMDTINST 16618.8

2. COMDTINST 16618.8 • AWW is an outreach and awareness effort • Gives the Coast Guard Auxiliary significant responsibility for the AWW program • Assigns the FMSC the responsibility for coordinating the AWW program within their area of responsibility.

3. Commandant’s Strategy AWW directly supports two main elements of the Commandant’s Maritime Strategy for Homeland Security: • Increasing Maritime Domain Awareness • Leveraging Partnerships to mitigate security risks

4. Background • September 11, 2001 • Need to improve Homeland Security • Need for a force multiplier* • Local Initiatives • MTSA • National Oversight Program

5. Background With more than- • 95,000 miles of coastline • 290,000 square miles of waterway • 70 million recreational boaters The U.S. Coast Guard and local first responders cannot do the job alone.

6. “We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail.” President George W. Bush

7. Goal “The goal of AWW is to help prevent acts of terrorism and other illegal activity that jeopardizes maritime homeland security by having members of the maritime and recreational boating industries, as well as the boating public, recognize and report to appropriate authorities suspicious activity that may be an indicator of potential terrorism.”

8. SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY COMDTINST 16618.8 states that suspicious activity “refers, but is not limited, to activity regarding a vessel or pleasure craft, marine structure or waterfront facility, person, vehicle, cargo or stores, which a reasonably prudent person would consider out of the ordinary or unusual based on the facts and circumstances for that situation.”

9. Suspicious Activity • People asking suspicious questions: • How many security guards are on duty? • How close can I get to the cruise ship? • How does this bridge operate? • What is stored in those tanks?

10. Suspicious Activity • Something out of place: • A new 55 gallon drum under a bridge. • A pleasure boat docked at a regulated commercial facility. • Vehicles parked outside a fenced in facility. • People taking suspicious photographs.

11. Report Suspicious Activity To • 911 for immediate danger to life or property • For suspicious activity call the National Response Center Hotline – 1-877-24-WATCH or 1-800-424-8802

12. WHERE YOUR INFORMATION GOES SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY AN EMERGENCY YOU Exchange information as necessary NRC 1-877-24-WATCH 911 Center STATE, REGIONAL, FEDERAL AUTHORITIES LOCAL RESPONSE

13. Your Information Actionable Intelligence Intelligence Information You Provide

14. MTSA • Requires commercial vessels and facilities to report suspicious activity • Requires each COTP/FMSC to form an AREA MARITIME SECURITY COMMITTEE (AMSC) and with the COMMITTEE create an AREA MARITIME SECURITY PLAN.

15. Partnering Agencies • Coast Guard Auxiliary • U.S. Power Squadron • Marina Operators Association of America • National Association of State Boating Law Administrators

16. WHAT TO DO • Observe and report - NEVER approach someone who may present a personal risk to you • You know what’s normal and what’s not… first, report your location. Then…. -Provide details…description of Individuals, Vessels, Activity

17. Who to Contact In case of Emergency: 911 or USCG via Channel 16 National Response Center- 1-800-424-8802 or 1-877-24-WATCH (249-2824) NRC Website is www.nrc.uscg.mil