Naval Operations Concept - Defense Technical Information Center

operations—they help willing allies and partners build the capacity,
proficiency and interoperability to do the same.
Increased Cooperation
The United States has numerous maritime law enforcement treaties and
security arrangements to address various maritime security challenges,
including drug interdiction, migrant interdiction, counter-piracy, fisheries
enforcement, and proliferation security. Each agreement is unique and
tailored to requirements, diplomatic and political relationships, and the
domestic laws and policies of the participating nations. These agreements
expand U.S. maritime authority and eliminate border seams that
are exploited by illicit actors. As transnational maritime threats evolve,
the Naval Service will continue to collaborate with the requisite U.S.
authorities to develop any additional arrangements with foreign partners
that are required to achieve maritime security. The Naval Service
also supports mechanisms that underpin maritime security, including
organizations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
that has instituted vessel tracking, vessel and port security measures,
and strengthened the Convention on Suppression of Unlawful Acts at Sea
(SUA); international law including the U.N. Convention on the Law of
the Sea; regional, multinational, and bilateral agreements; domestic laws
and regulations; and private-sector practices and procedures.
Within the U.S. Government, the Naval Service is a key stakeholder in
the Maritime Operational Threat Response (MOTR) plan, which establishes
protocols that facilitate coordinated, unified, timely, and effective
planning and execution by the various agencies that have maritime
responsibilities. Lead and supporting agencies are based on the location
of the threat, existing law, desired outcome, magnitude of the hazard,
response capabilities required, asset availability and authority to act. This
interagency approach builds upon the unique contributions of each entity
to respond to a full range of maritime security threats, including terrorism,
and establishes the procedures to coordinate actions that frequently
support a tactical response by the Naval Service. The Navy and Coast
Guard, in accordance with the National Fleet policy, integrate their
multi-mission platforms, infrastructure, and personnel to generate force
packages tailored for specific maritime security responses and missions.
This practice allows each Service to leverage the unique capabilities of
the other, as part of a joint task force thousands of miles from the United
Chapter Maritime Security