USCG Streamlines Ship Security Process

Beginning January 31, members of the maritime industry required to provide arrival and departure information to the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be able to do so through the submission of one report.

The Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) require vessels to submit crew, passenger, vessel, voyage and cargo information for safety and security purposes and for the enforcement of U.S. immigration, import, and export laws, prior to arrival in a U.S port or place. In the past, vessels were required to submit this information separately to both the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection.

The new Electronic Notice of Arrival/Departure System (eNOAD) will provide the maritime industry with one avenue to submit the required vessel, crew, and passenger information. This system currently cannot receive information for Customs and Border Protection’s mandatory electronic cargo information regulation; however, the two agencies are continuing to work on ways to share this kind of information. Other enhancements to the system include allowing the user to update previously submitted information. The system will also send an e-mail acknowledgement that the report was received.

“This is one example of how agencies within the Department of Homeland Security are coordinating and collaborating to protect our nation’s interests” said U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thomas Collins. “This is a common-sense solution that exemplifies why we have a Department of Homeland Security, and I am proud that we are able to eliminate duplicative reporting requirements.”

While use of this new system is not currently mandatory, Customs and Border Protection regulations will be published that will require submission through this system.

“We are committed to simplifying and easing requirements for our industry partners while we strengthen maritime security. With a single electronic submission, we improve not only the quality but also the accuracy of the information we receive and simultaneously speed the flow of trade and secure our nation,” CBP Commissioner Robert C. Bonner said.