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AWO DEVELOPS MODEL VESSEL SECURITY PLAN

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The American Waterways Operators, the national trade association for the American tugboat, towboat and barge industry, has developed a model vessel security plan in an effort to mitigate vessel vulnerabilities to terrorist attack. The goal of the AWO Model Vessel Security Plan is to protect people and property and prevent vessels from being used as weapons of mass destruction. The Plan was developed after 9/11 by a special AWO Security Working Group, in close consultation with the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It was recently approved by the AWO Board of Directors at the association's Spring Convention in Washington, D.C.

The Plan addresses terrorism prevention considerations under the categories of Awareness, Training, Personnel Practices, Planning, and Emergency Response. In addition, the Model Vessel Security Plan Matrix lists both required and suggested actions to be taken with regard to physical security (vessels and fleeting areas), en route/in transit security, communications, and cargo. These actions correlate with the Coast Guard's Maritime Security (MARSEC) Conditions, and vary based upon the type of cargo carried. An appendix of the Plan categorizes nearly 100 commonly carried hazardous cargoes that could potentially be used as a weapon of mass destruction. The appendix will be updated as AWO and Coast Guard technical experts continue to analyze other hazardous cargoes to determine how they should be classified.

AWO President Tom Allegretti noted, "In developing this Model Vessel Security Plan, AWO continues its effort to be a constructive leader in the safety and security of the American tugboat, towboat and barge industry. We hope this plan provides AWO members with a template that they can use to develop and augment their own vessel security plans. In this way, our industry continues its role as 'the eyes and ears' on the waterways of this nation."

The AWO Model Security Plan is available on the AWO Web site at www.americanwaterways.com under "Model Vessel Security Plan."

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