Marine Transportation Security Regulations (SOR/2004-144)

334. A marine facility security plan shall contain security procedures, as appropriate to the facility’s operations, for cargo handling for each MARSEC level for

• (a) deterring tampering and detecting evidence of it;

• (b) preventing cargo that is not meant for carriage from being accepted or stored at the marine facility without the consent of the operator of the marine facility;

• (c) identifying cargo that is accepted for loading onto vessels interfacing with the marine facility;

• (d) controlling inventory at access points to the marine facility;

• (e) identifying cargo that is accepted for temporary storage in a restricted area while awaiting loading or pick up;

• (f) releasing cargo only to the carrier specified in the cargo documentation;

• (g) coordinating with shippers and other persons responsible for cargo;

• (h) creating, updating, and maintaining a continuous inventory of certain dangerous cargoes, from receipt to delivery in the marine facility, that sets out the location in which they are stored; and

• (i) the examination of the documentation of cargo entering the marine facility.

335. For MARSEC level 1, the security procedures for cargo handling shall include, as appropriate to the facility’s operations,

• (a) verifying that cargo, containers and cargo transport units entering the marine facility match the invoice or other cargo documentation;

• (b) routinely inspecting cargo, containers, cargo transport units and cargo storage areas in the marine facility before and during cargo handling operations to detect evidence of tampering, unless it is unsafe to do so;

• (c) examining documents for vehicles entering the marine facility; and

• (d) examining seals and other methods used to detect evidence of tampering when cargo, containers or cargo transport units enter the marine facility or are stored there.

336. For MARSEC level 2, the additional security procedures for cargo handling shall include, as appropriate to the facility’s operations,

• (a) authorized screening of cargo, containers, and cargo transport units in or about to enter the marine facility and cargo storage areas for weapons, explosives and incendiaries;

• (b) intensifying inspections to ensure that only documented cargo enters the marine facility, is temporarily stored there and is then loaded on board a vessel;

• (c) authorized screening of vehicles for weapons, explosives and incendiaries;

• (d) increasing the frequency and detail of examinations of seals and other methods used to prevent tampering;

• (e) segregating inbound cargo, outbound cargo and ships’ stores;

• (f) increasing the frequency and intensity of visual and physical inspections; and

• (g) limiting the number of locations where certain dangerous cargoes are stored.

337. For MARSEC level 3, the additional security procedures for cargo handling shall include, as appropriate to the facility’s operations,

• (a) restricting or suspending cargo movements or operations in all or part of the marine facility;

• (b) cooperating with responders and vessels; and

• (c) confirming the inventory and location of certain dangerous cargoes in the marine facility.