National Security Presidential Directive 41 / Homeland Security Presidential Directive 13

NSPD-41/HSPD-13 establishes policy guidelines to enhance national and homeland security by protecting U.S. maritime interests. This presidential directive underscores the importance of securing the maritime domain, which is defined as:

“All areas and things of, on, under, relating to, adjacent to, or bordering on a sea, ocean, or other navigable waterway, including all maritime-related activities, infrastructure, people, cargo, and vessels and other conveyances.”

Key Elements of the Maritime Security Policy

• An interagency Maritime Security Policy Coordinating Committee established to serve as the primary forum for coordinating U.S. government maritime security policies. The Committee reviews existing interagency practices, coordination and execution of U.S. policies and strategies relating to maritime security and recommends improvements, as necessary. NSPD-41/HSPD-13 also directed the Committee to oversee the development of a National Strategy for Maritime Security and eight supporting implementation plans.
• A National Strategy for Maritime Security, (PDF, 30 pages - 273 KB) a collaborative interagency effort led by the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to develop a National Strategy for Maritime Security that built on existing efforts and resources.
• Eight supporting plans created by policy action working groups composed of a cross-section of federal agencies