As with any military organization, the New York Naval Militia constantly trains and prepares for its missions, giving a great deal of attention to working with other federal, state, county, and local agencies to plan for contingencies and share information with respect to port and coastal security.
The U.S. Coast Guard has been tasked by the Department of Homeland security with overall responsibility for security for the nation's ports and waterways. In New York, U.S. Coast Guard Activities (sector) New York is responsible not only for the Port of New York-New Jersey-the nation's largest in terms of tonnage carried-but also for the waterways and ports on the Hudson River from Yonkers to Albany and on Lake Champlain to the Canadian border. This is the largest individual Coast Guard command in the country. U.S. Coast Guard Group (sector) Long Island Sound is responsible for the Long Island-Block Island Sounds.
Ninety percent of the population of the state of New York lives within ten miles of the coastline, which makes maritime security a paramount priority. In addition, the Port of New York, with its miles of public beaches, the Statue of Liberty, and waterfront parks, is known for its hospitality and sponsorship of such prominent public events as the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks, Fleet Week, Operation Sail, numerous watercraft festivals, and special events such as the maiden voyage arrival and departure ceremonies for the passenger liner Queen Mary 2 and the 2004 Republican National Convention.
To manage such events and ensure their safety, the Coast Guard frequently reaches out to cooperating state and local agencies. When the call is made for mutual aid assistance to meet a surge in homeland security and port safety requirements, the New York Naval Militia (NYNM) is one of the agencies immediately available with specially trained personnel and small craft.
The NYNM is one of the military components of the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs (NYSDMNA). Originally established in the revolutionary era, it has developed into an active and well-trained federally recognized service force and is an element of the Department of the Navy, with dual federal-state jurisdictional identity. NYNM personnel have seen duty in the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and currently in Iraq.
Of the 40 ,0 500 personnel enrolled in the NYNM, 95% are Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard active reservists, and 5% are veterans and/or volunteers, including personnel with critical military and service skills such as Seabees, doctors, lawyers, transportation and communications specialists, and cooks; 135 members are U.S. Coast Guard reservists.
The NYSDMNA, acting through the adjutant general under the authority of the governor, responds to emergencies and provides integrated response teams to support state, local, federal, and homeland security emergency needs, such as homeland defense; natural, man-made, or technological disasters; major accidents or rescues; and mutual aid missions to assist local government throughout the state, as well as the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps.
In addition, NYNM is developing a mutual assistance database in which boats operated by the state, municipalities, police, fire department, and public utilities will be inventoried for use in emergencies and special situations.
From September 2001 through June 2004, the NYNM has contributed 10,000 personnel service days related to response and mutual aid rendered in connection with the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on 11 September 2001. It also has established the New York Naval Militia's New York State Military Emergency Boat Service (NYSMEBS). As part of Operation Empire Shield-augmenting law enforcement and civilian security personnel at bridges, tunnels, train stations, subways and other sites to deter terrorists, respond to any attack, and help any victims-NYSMEBS has had 973 total days on mission and 870 total days on station. Its small boats have moved 29,850 NYNM boat crew and NY Army National Guard personnel, making 12,257 trips covering 18,152 miles (excluding security zone patrols).
While on homeland and coastal security assignments, the NYSMEBS also has participated in marine search-and-rescue missions, including assisting vessels grounded or in distress, and has been assigned to participate in other specific port and homeland security assignments in the Port of New York during Fleet Week 2004 and the 2004 Republican National Convention at the specific request of the Coast Guard or other authorities.
Currently, a number of other states, including New Jersey, South Carolina, Alaska, and Ohio, maintain naval militias in various forms to address important state coastal and port security needs. This is, at least in part, a testament to the New York Naval Militia and its fleet of exceptional vessels and well-trained, competent personnel, who work hard to meet specific port and coastal security requirements of the state of New York whenever and wherever the need arises.
Robert Pouch has served as president and chairman of the board of Barber Steamship Lines and Barber Ship Management, Inc. he has been a member of the Board of Commissioners of Pilots of the State of New York since 1982 and is its executive director. he serves on the board of directors of the National Cargo Bureau and is a commander in the New York Naval Militia.