Coast Guard maintains constant watch over New Jersey ports

(03/07/06) STATEN ISLAND ? The United States Coast Guard is keeping a constant eye on vessels entering New York and New Jersey from its Vessel Traffic Center (VTC) on Staten Island.
Port security has recently been thrust into the headlines with a pending deal that may allow an Arab company to take over operations at six U.S. ports. The Coast Guard helps keep an eye on ships bringing cargo to New York and New Jersey. In order to perform this task, displays from several port cameras are monitored from displays at the VTC.
Coast Guard officials say they typically watch for vessels acting out of the ordinary. If a situation warrants further investigation, a cutter can be dispatched to the area. The vessel can then be stopped and searched if necessary.
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