MSU Port Arthur guarding the economy – Pt. 2 of 2

Posted by PA3 Richard Brahm, Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur, Texas sits in an economically pivotal location. Straddling the Texas and Louisiana border, MSU Port Arthur performs multiple missions daily ranging from pollution response to vessel boardings. But they also have the monumental task of maintaining security in one of the largest petrochemical port complexes in the world.

I had the chance to follow and photograph three units attached to MSU Port Arthur. While I shadowed them I was able to learn what they do on a daily basis and saw first hand how they protect the goods that keep the economy running.

In this 2nd video I followed a law enforcement patrol from MSU Port Arthur as they inspected a local barge pushing goods into the port. Their job is to ensure that all of the people aboard the vessel are who they claim to be and also to make sure that the tug boat is safe to operate. They do this by checking the personnel’s documentation to ensure they are in compliance with all state and federal regulations.

I also had the opportunity to ride along with some 25-foot Response Boat Smalls. Those are the 25-foot orange boats you might of seen zipping around the port.

I talked to them about what a normal day for them is like. They perform tasks such as military out load operations. These MOL ops are normally supplies for troops overseas. They also touched  on setting up security zones around high value assets.

Part 1 can be found here http://heartland.coastguard.dodlive.mil/2011/08/guarding-the-economy-pt-1-of-2/

For another great article about MSU Port Arthur’s exploits read Lt. Connie Braesch‘s story here.

Tags: Law Enforcement Division, Maritime Enforcement Specialist, MSU Port Arthur, Small Boat Station Port Arthur, Tactical Coxswain