HOUSTON ASIS MEETING MINUTES

JANUARY 31, 2002

Chapter 012

Pamela Duncan, Secretary

The Chapter met January 30, 2002 at the Doctor’s Club. Chairman Mike Mason CPP presided. 60 members and 10 guests attended.

Opening Prayer and Pledge: Mike Mason

Business Issues:

LEBF: A $500 donation was given to Lt. Richard Ricks, Harris County Sheriff’s Department, who was severely injured in a fall at his home.

Treasurer’s report: Bob Cascino.

CPP Review: Karim Vellani CPP; The new session will begin March 5^th. Schedules are available. There will be two speakers per topic to broaden perspective of the issues. Detailed information can be found on the web page or by contacting Karim.

Web design. We have hired web designer Bruce Rodriguez, A+, CNA, MCSE with BCR Computer Services. Mr. Rodriguez redesigned and maintains the CFE web pages. Our goal is to make the site a central information location, supplemented with alternate forms of communication on a request basis.

Student mentoring: One of our members brought a student-guest. Mike encouraged each member to participate in student mentoring.

Law Enforcement Recognition Award: Officer Scott Moulton

Officer Moulton is with the Liberty Police Department and is one of 60 area officers who work special duty at Equistar’s Channelview and Mt. Belview plants. While on patrol December 28, 2001, Officer Moulton observed an unauthorized vehicle down by the San Jacinto River, which borders the plant. The vehicle sped off as his car approached. Officer Moulton proceeded to search the area and heard a cry for help. After establishing himself as a police officer, the victim revealed his location. The victim had been abducted, had his throat cut, stripped and thrown into the water. Officer Moulton was able to assist the victim to his car and provided emergency medical treatment until EMS could arrive. Officer Moulton, accompanied by his wife Vicky, was presented a plaque in appreciation for his exceptional response that resulted in the saving of a life.

Speaker: CDR Mark Swanson, U.S. Coast Guard

CDR Swanson is the Executive Officer and Alternate Captain of the Port of Houston. He is a 1984 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy and earned two Masters Degrees in 1990. After serving in a number of locations, including Sweden, he was stationed in Houston in 1996. He will be leaving shortly for duty in Valdez, Alaska.

CDR Swanson first provided a brief history and overview of the Coast Guard Offices throughout the Houston area. Houston is the largest port in U.S. and second in the world (Rotterdam). The Houston area encompasses Galveston Bay (including the ship channel, Texas City, Bayport and the Port of Houston), Trinity Bay, Barbour’s Cut, Freeport, portions of the Intercoastal Waterway and up to 70 miles offshore into the Gulf of Mexico. Three branch offices are staffed approximately 211 active duty, 120 reservists and over 50 civilian personnel. The offices of the Commanding Officer, Captain of the Port and Officer in Charge Marine Inspections focus on prevention. The offices of the Federal on Scene Coordinator and Incident Commander focus on response. An average week includes:

59 commercial vehicle inspections

70 licenses

10 pollution response investigations

Multiple Security audits

7 Marine casualty investigations

11 container inspections

28 boat patrols

4,400 vessel transits

Other statistics of interest include:

9400 deep draft vessel transits per year; 700 per day including 40 liquefied gas tankers each week.

Houston is the #1 port for U.S. ship arrivals

Houston is the #1 port for foreign tonnage

Over 50% of U.S. gasoline is refined in this port

Offshore lightering accounts for 22% of all crude oil brought to the U.S.

Cruise ships are now sharing passage space with industrial ships

Navigatable waterways are crossed by 3 interstates in 3 places (IH45, IH10, 610)

The ship channel is 53 miles long, 45 feet wide and 40-50 feet deep; but only 5-8 feet deep on either side.

It has the second largest recreational boat population in the U.S.

It has the largest unregulated fishing fleet

It contains inshore oil platforms

Houston Exxon-Mobil is the largest refinery in the world

Dow has the largest petrochemical plant in the Western Hemisphere

Shell has its largest plant in the U.S.

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is in Freeport

With these factors, alone, Homeland Security is a major focus for the Coast Guard. They have multiple Maritime Domain Awareness programs that cover approaches, coastal areas, and the various ports. This effort involves liaisons with other local federal offices including the FBI, INS, NOAA and Customs. The Hogansac Port Security Committee is currently reviewing port I.D. standards and best practices. Security measures have been increased since 9/11 and include mandatory 24 hour manned waterfront security, positive gate control, restricted motor vehicle parking with 100 yards of a vessel, 96 hour advance notice of arrival, and review of crew and cargo stowage changes. They are also training commercial pilots and fleet operators on suspicious activity.

The average response time for an incident is under 8 minutes. There will be a new link on the Coast Guard’s web page for Marine Safety Information Bulletins, as well as the National Response Center (1-800-424-8802).

After a question and answer period, CDR Swanson was presented with a plaque in appreciation of his time and expertise.

The next meeting is February 27 at 11:30 at the Doctor’s Club.