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$1.5 Million Launches First-In-Nation Program at SUNY Maritime
Monday, December 15, 2003
Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno and Governor George E. Pataki today announced the allocation of $1.5 million in startup funds from the State to create the New York State Strategic Center for Port and Maritime Security, including first of their kind programs designed to increase port and shipping security, at SUNY Maritime in the Bronx.
"This funding represents a commitment to maintaining New York�s place as a leader in effective and innovative Homeland Security efforts, and I am hopeful it will become the preeminent facility for port and maritime security issues in the nation," Senator Bruno (R-C, Brunswick) said. "By investing in this type of border and transportation security research, we are contributing to the efficient, reliable flow of people, goods and services while preventing terrorism and other forms of criminal activity from damaging our citizens, nation and economy."
"This new initiative at SUNY Maritime represents another step forward in the ongoing effort to protect New York�s ports and shipping facilities from acts of terror," Governor Pataki said. "New York State continues to play the role as the nation's leader in terms of developing and implementing innovative homeland security strategies."
"New York State has led the nation in economic, social, and scientific progress. This new facility will bring all those facets together and harness them for the safety of our entire nation," said Senator Guy Velella (R-C, Bronx/Westchester), Senior Assistant Majority Leader, whose district includes SUNY Maritime. "SUNY Maritime has long been the flagship for the maritime industry, now by working together we will also lead the way in securing all our ports."
"This new center will enhance our ability to contribute to the overall goal of a safer, more secure New York and America," said SUNY Chancellor Robert L. King. "SUNY Maritime is the ideal choice to lead the research, education and training efforts to secure and protect ports, shipping and cargo. Governor Pataki and Majority Leader Bruno are to be commended for providing the resources to establish this maritime and port security center."
"Based on a statewide series of homeland security public hearings we recently completed, the need to bolster port security was clearly identified as a major need," said Senator Michael Balboni (R-C, Mineola), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs. "The initiation of this unique program at SUNY Maritime is a major step towards protecting vital shipping interests in New York and across the nation and is a welcome addition to our ongoing fight against terrorism."
"I would like to thank Governor Pataki and Majority Leader Bruno for this display of confidence in the State University and our Maritime campus in particular," said State University of New York Board Chair Thomas F. Egan. "The State University is again leading the nation in preparing our students for the challenges of a global economy and society, while at the same time making a substantial contribution to fighting terrorism. I am very proud of this recognition of the quality of the research and educational capabilities of the State University."
"The First Senate District has many critical ports of entry that require greater security during these troubled times," said Senator Ken LaValle, Chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee. "I am pleased that we will be using the coordinated fiscal and intellectual resources of SUNY Maritime, Stony Brook University, and Brookhaven National Laboratory to develop strategies that will protect our ports and create �safe borders.�"
"Maritime College intends to work closely with our partners to leverage our unique capabilities in research, technology and training to help Federal and State authorities maintain safe maritime services," said Vice Admiral John R. Ryan, President of SUNY Maritime College.
"Stony Brook University has focused our significant technology research capabilities on the challenges presented to better secure our homeland," said Dean Yacov Shamash, SUNY Stony Brook. "Many economic and security experts have pointed at the great vulnerabilities that arise from America's robust international trade and significant port operations. We are proud to be the research lead on this first-in-the-nation focused center to address the need for better securing the international supply chain and maritime industry."
"Our maritime industry relies heavily on the tenets of speed, reliability and cost. However, recent security related developments, including the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 and new programs and regulations implemented by the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard, will all impact the port and its customers," said Joseph J. Seymour, Executive Director, Port Authority of NY & NJ. "The creation of the Research Center will provide a platform for the training of maritime security personnel and for the evaluation and testing of emerging applications and business processes. The Port Authority applauds the partnership among SUNY Maritime, Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Labs and we look forward to working with the Research Center in the furtherance of this important undertaking."
Of the $1.5 million in funding to establish the Center, $1 million dollars provided by the Senate will be used to hire personnel, identify projects and begin specialized training and research. The remaining $500,000 in startup funding, provided by SUNY, will supply personnel, materials and in-kind support. The funds will be used in conjunction with a $1.7 million commitment from federal
sources for material and equipment, including a 260 foot vessel secured by Admiral Ryan earlier this year that will house the Center on the SUNY Maritime Campus.
In order to keep the Center in operation on an ongoing basis beyond this initial startup funding, the SUNY Research Foundation has outlined a plan to secure additional funding from private enterprise and federal grants, including funds available through the 2002 Maritime Transportation Antiterrorism Act.
The New York State Strategic Center for Port and Maritime Security, whose primary mission will be to bolster security at ports in the New York metropolitan area, the United States and around the world, is a working partnership of SUNY Maritime, SUNY Stony Brook, Brookhaven National Laboratory, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and various private sector partners.
The Center will focus on four major port and maritime activities: Research and Development on security and supply chain integrity systems; Security Education and Training, including a first-in-the-nation Master�s Degree and certificate programs in Port and Maritime Security; Testing and Evaluating new security solutions; and Security Policy Research.
Security and Supply Chain Integrity Research
The Center will be able to develop a research and development branch to explore new technologies for container and cargo tracking, monitoring and inspection, enhanced wireless communications and interrogation systems, and container fingerprinting in an effort to improve efficiency and security.
Security Education and Training
The Center will use its academic and professional maritime and port security experts to develop and disseminate multiple first-in-the-nation maritime security programs for individual, industry and government utilization, including undergraduate and Master�s Degree programs; a certificate program in port security preparedness and response; crisis management drills; and security awareness training.
New Security Solutions
The Center will help initiate and coordinate testing and evaluation of new security solutions for suitability, viability, sustained performance, interoperability and end-to-end solutions in conjunction with the private sector, the nation�s principal provider of good and services.
Security Policy Research
The Center will conduct strategic studies and projects to help government and industry leaders meet critical security challenges, as well as launching global efforts with the international community in an effort to balance maritime speed, efficiency and security in the post September 11th world.
The Center will initially coordinate and conduct public policy research in the areas of Global Security Solutions, Supply Chain Monitoring Solutions, Economic Impacts of Enhanced Security Alternatives and Models for National Industry Reeducation.
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