BUZZARDS BAY, MA: Today, Friday, April 10, 2009, members of the Boston Police SWAT Team received maritime security training from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) home ported in Boston\’s North End. The classroom and hands-on training began yesterday and continues through today at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.The joint training was conducted to provide local law enforcement officials, that have coastal and seaport jurisdictions, with a focus on maritime terrorism prevention, mission planning, response organization, tactical training and exercises. In close coordination with local, state and federal agencies, the Boston Police Department continues its efforts to bolster readiness in the protection of Boston Harbor\’s critical infrastructure and coastal maritime transportation system. The overall goal of the training is to provide a foundation for interagency operations between Boston Police Department’s SWAT Team and Coast Guard Advanced Interdiction forces in the event of a terrorism attack or other critical incidents involving maritime vessels or facilities.
USCG Maritime Safety and Security Teams were created in direct response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Their primary purpose is to provide waterborne and shore side safety and security for strategic shipping, high interest vessels, and critical infrastructure. Normally, an MSST is a quick response force comprised of interdependent boat forces capability and littoral law enforcement boarding team capability that are ready in cycles for rapid nationwide deployment in response to changing threat conditions and evolving Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security missions. They often conduct operations upon inland waters, ports, waterways, coastal regions, and the maritime approaches to the United States.
Maritime Safety and Security Team Boston (91110) is commanded by Lieutenant Commander Dan Deptula. He can be reached at (617) 227-2970.
