This is a test. This is only a test.
But, when it comes to maritime security – protecting America’s waterways, nautical infrastructure and the intricate Port system – “tests” become serious business.
Whether the danger comes from a natural disaster, unforeseen emergency or accident, or a domestic or foreign terrorist threat, responding in a timely, effective manner is a National and International matter since so much of the domestic and global economy leans upon maritime transit.
Therefore, it’s paramount to prepare for such scenarios, which is why last quarter security officials from the Port of South Louisiana and 3 neighboring ports, the U.S. Coast Guard, InfraGard Louisiana, the FBI and municipal emergency management teams from Kenner and St. Bernard all came together and participated in a multi-agency simulation exercise.
The 8th NOLASEC Communications Exercise was led by Commander Eric J. Acosta of the Port of St. Bernard and Lester Millet III, the Safety Risk Manager at the Port of South Louisiana, who together essentially orchestrated faux (yet still realistic) physical threats and cyberattacks upon the lower Mississippi River that tested the preparedness of various security agencies and their ability to work in unison under dire conditions. For obvious reasons, Millet III couldn’t reveal the specific details of the test, but did credit Acosta for creating a worthwhile and complex multi-layer exercise. The NOLASEC exercise was sanctioned and approved by the New Orleans sector of the U.S. Coast Guard and sponsored by InfraGard Louisiana.
“These exercises that Eric (Acosta) and I have done are some of the largest in Louisiana,” Millet III said. “We’re very proud of the exercise, we wrote the exercise, and delivered it. The whole point is to test and validate your plans and procedures, this time in a simulated crisis.
“One of my favorite sayings is, ‘Practice like you play,’” Millet III continued. “So, if you don’t test and validate your plans and protocols, then when it comes time to actually use them, you might have issues.”
Port of South Louisiana Executive Director Paul Aucoin added:
“It never hurts to be prepared, because you never really know what could happen. So we’re asked to always participate in these exercises and they’re always good for us – to test our preparedness and make sure we’re communicating properly. Maritime security is what it boils down to, and I think it should give everyone a sense of assuredness that we are doing this – that we’re not taking things for granted and willing to test to see, ‘Just how prepared are we?’”
In total, 152 individuals representing 71 facilities and 15 agencies participated in the NOLASEC simulation exercise, which took place along a 55-mile stretch of the Mississippi River ranging from Davant, Louisiana, to River Mile 234 in Port Allen. During the course of the exercise, various facets of these agencies’ maritime security operations were tested, including: communications, the capabilities of Incident Command Systems, the Incident Command and Control units of the Maritime Security Operations Center, and Intelligence Analysis and Production. By participating in the exercise, facilities and vessels earned their annual security credit from the U.S. Coast Guard. Additionally, the New Orleans Sector of the U.S. Coast Guard had its Area Maritime Security Plans (AMSP) tested and validated.
Millet III says a detailed after-action report of the exercise in identifying major strengths, along with recommended corrective measure for the Coast Guard’s AMSP will be authored and kept on file at Sector New Orleans.
“These tests are important because it shows us where we are – what we’re doing well and what needs to be improved,” Aucoin said. “If our response to something is off, or our communication is poor, those are the things you want to know from a test so that you can immediately correct it. It never hurts to get better at what you do, and to be at your best just in case this played out in a real-world situation.”
