ASA: Helping Out in Security Matters

The American Salvage Association (ASA) has offered to assist the U.S. Coast Guard Captains of the Port in the development, review, and update of their Area Maritime Security plans required by the Secretary of Homeland Security. Marine salvage response in the event of a terrorist attack against a maritime target is a critical consideration in the development of any security effort. ASA is very supportive of the concept of the Area Maritime Security Advisory Committees and the development of maritime security response plans. Specifically, ASA proposes to nominate an ASA board member to serve on each of the Area Maritime Security Advisory committees. "It is our belief that by utilizing the U.S. salvage community as private sector first responders following any future terrorist attacks against the U.S. maritime domain will prove extremely beneficial in minimizing damage and expediting recovery," ASA President Richard Fairbanks said in a recent letter to the U.S. Coast Guard. "Additionally, any future need for salvors in a post-attack situation will most likely require a combined effort by the salvage community - as opposed to an individual salvage company response. By including individual ASA board members on each of these committees it will ensure that the salvage community, as a whole, will be cognizant of each MSO's plan and better equipped to respond," he continued. ASA and each of its members stands ready, willing and able to assist the United States with matters of maritime protection, casualty response planning, vessel and cargo salvage, marine environmental protection, wreck removal and harbor clearance.