Marine Safety Unit Thousand Islands
MSU Thousand Islands is a subunit of Sector Eastern Great Lakes that is located in Fort Drum NY in northern New York state. The unit's Area of Responsibility (AOR) extends 3.25 miles east of the Seaway International Bridge in Massena, NY to the longitudinal boundary line at -76º50'W in Port Bay, NY. The line of longitude in the MSU's western AOR boundary extends due north to the Canadian border in Lake Ontario and directly south, splitting the Erie Canal and Cayuga/Seneca Lakes.
MSU Thousand Islands missions include:
Pollution Response:
MSU Thousand Islands personnel conduct pollution response activities within the Coastal Zone of the St. Lawrence River and Eastern Lake Ontario.
Facility Inspections:
Regulated waterfront facilities inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with the Ports and Waterways Safety Act, Marine Transportation Security Act, and Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
Domestic Vessel Inspections:
Conducting inspections on and managing a fleet of domestic commercial vessels within MSU Thousand Islands Area of Responsibility.
Foreign Flagged Vessel Examinations:
Port State Control Examinations are conducted on foreign flagged ships for compliance with SOLAS and MARPOL regulations for vessels calling on the ports of Oswego and Ogdensburg.
Waterways Management:
Processing Permits for Marine Events (CG-4423) and establishment of Limited Access Areas in accordance with 33 CFR 100.
Marine Casualty Investigations:
Investigate marine casualties to determine root cause(s). Marine investigators use the information gathered in that process to make safety recommendations and policy changes to prevent future marine casualties, promote safety of life at sea, and protect the marine environment.
