The San Francisco Bay Harbor Safety Committee, in coordination with the Coast Guard and local industry partners, evaluates the region’s capability to respond to an emergency involving an ultralarge container vessel in San Francisco Bay on May 21, 2014. The purpose of the towing drill is to evaluate the capability of existing tugboats within San Francisco Bay to tow an ultralarge container ship. This was the first drill of its kind conducted in the United States. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Adam Stanton domain. It will also explore the managed integration of novel technologies via regulatory updates, regional interagency cooperation, and risk analysis. Strategic Priorities Enhancing American competitiveness and leadership is a prevailing strategic objective of the executive and leg- islative branches of the federal government. Since 2017, the president of the United States and Congress have outlined the importance of public and private sector investment in space activities, offshore renewable energy installations, artificial intelligence, and aquaculture. The national benefits of these industries are framed in exec- utive orders and legislation as conduits for bolstering national security, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, purs- ing environmental justice, creating jobs, and providing healthy food options.1 While each industry is distinct, they all share a maritime nexus and are part of the MTS. Coasts, lakes, rivers, canals, and ports are a compo- nent of the nation’s transportation infrastructure.2 The viability and health of navigable waterways are crucial to the nation’s economy individually and collectively. According to the Association of Port Authorities, in 2018 maritime commerce generated $5.4 trillion in economic activity, sustained 31 million domestic jobs, and created approximately $378 billion in federal, state, and local taxes.3 Like any system, the whole is only as good as the sum of its parts. Disruptions occurring in the MTS have cascading effects, including reducing the availability of goods and services. This is because approximately 71 percent of United States imports and exports, accounted for by tonnage, are transported by ship.4 For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, supply-chain disruptions and changes in consumption patterns caused unprecedented port congestion in multiple locations throughout the United States. Most notably, in late 2021, 80 container ships waited off the coast of Los Angeles-Long Beach, loaded with cargo valued at $25 billion.5 The signifi- cant delays experienced by ships waiting offshore or at anchorage to offload cargo contributed to domestic and global equipment, material, and consumable shortages. Failure to monitor risk and prevent future disrup- tions in the MTS will be costly. For this reason, it is cru- cial that government entities, the maritime industry, and stakeholders work cooperatively to maintain the viabil- ity, accessibility, and health of navigable waterways, especially as novel technologies and new uses emerge. Regulatory Perspective Thirty-five federal departments, agencies, and bureaus have authorities related to the MTS. 6 As time and 7 Summer 2023 Proceedings
