Secretary of Transportation Appoints SeaSecure President to US Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council

US Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta has appointed Kim E. Petersen, Executive Director of the Maritime Security Council and President of SeaSecure LLC, to sit on the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC).

FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA (PRWEB) January 9 2004--US Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta has appointed Kim E. Petersen, Executive Director of the Maritime Security Council, to sit on the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC).

The MTSNAC is a chartered, non-federal body that advises the Secretary of Transportation on Marine Transportation System issues. The Council's membership is comprised of leaders from 30 commercial transportation firms, trade associations, state and local public entities, the recreation boating industry, academics, and environment. In a letter to other members, Raymond R. Barberesi, the Executive Director of the MTSNAC announced that ten members were rotating off of the Council and welcomed the Maritime Security Council, which was added for a three- to five-year term. New members also included the National Governors Association and the National Waterways Conference.

Petersen, who is also the President of SeaSecure, a global leader in maritime security and counter-terrorism consulting, will represent the interests of the Maritime Security Council on the MTS National Advisory Council. The Maritime Security Council represents over 70% of the worlds shipping and is the sponsor for the Maritime Information Sharing & Analysis Center (ISAC).

The Maritime Security Council is pleased to accept this appointment," said Petersen. We will work hard to ensure the Secretary is properly advised of those issues of concern to our constituency, particularly as they relate to the implementation and enforcement of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and the US Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002."

The ISPS Code was adopted by the UNs International Maritime Organization (IMO) to address maritime security at all international ports and the security of ships engaged in international commerce. The ISPS Code has set strict standards for port and ship operators that must be achieved by 1 July 2004.

About the MTSNAC:

The Marine Transportation System -- or MTS -- consists of waterways, ports, and intermodal landside connections, which allow the various modes of transportation to move people and goods to, from, and on the water. The MTS National Advisory Council is a chartered, non-federal body, whose purpose is to advise the Secretary of Transportation on MTS issues. Its membership is comprised of leaders from over 30 commercial transportation firms, trade associations, state and local public entities, recreational boating interests, academics, and environmental groups.

Most people are aware of highway, air, and rail transportation issues as they directly impact the general public. Few people, however, understand the importance of our waterway system, which moves over 95% of U.S. imports and exports and is critical to our national defense. MTSNAC exists to help policy makers and the general public understand the issues and participate in the development of solutions. For more on the MTSNAC see: www.mtsnac.org.

About the Maritime Security Council:

The Maritime Security Council (MSC) was created in 1988 to address the many security concerns of the U.S. and international maritime community. The MSC is a member-driven organization that works closely with United States and other government agencies concerned with commercial vessel security. The MSC has established partnerships with a number of these agencies in its efforts to prevent illegal drug trafficking, stowaways, theft, piracy, terrorism, and hijacking and represents the interests of ocean cargo carriers, cruise lines, ports, and related industries before US and foreign government agencies.

In 2000, the MSC was appointed as the Technical Advisor to the U.S. State Department on maritime security and counterterrorism and works closely with the Overseas Security Advisory Council. The MSC is also an advisor to INTERPOL on maritime security issues. For more on the MSC see: www.maritimesecurity.org.

About SeaSecure:

SeaSecure is widely recognized as the nations leading expert in maritime security, and its staff have performed security and vulnerability assessments in over 90 countries and 165 seaports. In 2001, SeaSecure was selected as the lead security consultant to all of Florida's deep-water ports and, in 2002, to perform seaport and facility vulnerability and threat assessments at over a dozen strategic seaports in the United States. SeaSecure's international clients include some of the world's largest seaports, shipping companies, and cruise lines. SeaSecure provides recognized maritime security training to governments and industry, including the US and Chinese governments. For more on the SeaSecure see: www.seasecure.com.

About Kim Petersen:

In addition to being the President of SeaSecure, Mr. Petersen is also the Executive Director of the Maritime Security Council, which represents over 70% of the worlds shipping. His civilian career has included senior staff positions with former US Secretaries of State Kissinger and Haig. He also served at the US Senate and US Defense Department and is a former Captain in the Armys Special Forces. He has directed security for such companies as Princess Cruises and Renaissance Cruises. He attended Harvard Business School and Virginia Commonwealth University. Kim has frequently given expert testimony before Congress on maritime security and his writings have been published in several journals and books. He has been featured on such programs as CBSs Sixty Minutes," ABCs 20/20," the Evening News with Peter Jennings, and National Public Radio. He is a Visiting Professor at the UNs World Maritime University.

Contact:

Ron Thomason: 954-567-4700

www.seasecure.com

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