2010-11_ANNUAL_REPORTS_-_FINAL_VERSION_(3)

security vulnerabilities to piracy, and provide guidance to ship crews on “best practices” against piracy
prior to transiting piracy danger areas. During fiscal year 2010, 14 APAT visits were conducted. As of
September 30, 2011, a total of 44 visits had been conducted since program inception in 2009.
Maritime Security Program and Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement
Defense sealift continues to rely heavily on the U.S. commercial sector. The National Security Sealift
Policy of October 5, 1989, states that a vital objective of the Nation is to ensure that sufficient military
and civil maritime resources will be available to meet defense deployment and essential economic
requirements.
One way MARAD meets this objective is by administering the Maritime Security Program (MSP) and
Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) program. MSP vessel operators receive financial
support to partially offset the higher operating costs of keeping these vessels registered under the U.S.-
flag, and also obtain priority consideration for DOD peacetime cargoes. VISA is, a complementary
sealift readiness program approved by the Secretary of Defense.
The MSP and VISA programs are designed for a coordinated seamless transition from peace to war or
national emergency while these vessels continue serving in the commerce of the United States. More
than 90 percent of all U.S.-flag dry cargo ships are enrolled, obligating more than two-thirds of the
carrying capacity of the entire commercial U.S.-flag dry cargo fleet to national security needs when
necessary. As of September 30, 2011, there were 60 ships enrolled in the MSP fleet, including 37
containerships, 19 roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) vessels, two heavy lift vessels, and two tankers.
During fiscal year 2011, one MSP tanker was replaced by a RO/RO vessel, increasing the MSP fleet’s
militarily-useful RO/RO capacity by approximately 142,261 square feet. MSP ships continued to
support U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan by transporting military cargoes and cargo supporting the
rebuilding of Iraq. To date, 81 current and former MSP ships have contributed to this effort. MSP ships
also continued to employ approximately 2,400 mariners, maintaining the labor pool that is critical to
national security crewing requirements.
The MSP also provides support for U.S.-flag tankers operating in international trade. These tankers, as
well as others, participate in the Voluntary Tanker Agreement (VTA). Like VISA, the VTA is designed
to make commercial vessels available to support DOD contingency operations.
Enrolling in the VISA program satisfies the requirement for MSP operators to enroll in a DOD-approved
Emergency Preparedness Program. MSP participants commit 100 percent of MSP vessel capacity to the
VISA program. MSP participation represents more than 75 percent of VISA capacity commitments.
The remaining commitments are provided by other U.S.-flag vessels operating in U.S. domestic trade,
international trade, or in carriage of commercial and DOD preference cargoes. As of September 30,
2011, there were 132 ships enrolled in the VISA program.
Together, MSP and VISA have modernized the U.S.-flag merchant sealift fleet, increased the sealift
capacity and improved the mix of vessels that are readily available for military use.
Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010
In accordance with the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act 2010 (CVSSA), MARAD (including the
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy) collaborated with the U.S. Coast Guard and FBI to develop the model
course “Crime Prevention, Detection, Evidence Preservation and Reporting on Cruise Vessels.”
Interim requirements for training went into effect July 27, 2011. MARAD is responsible for the
oversight of training providers.
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