U.S. Coast Guard Lessens Security Conditions for Vessels from Cuba

On March 16, 2016, the U.S. Coast Guard announced that it is removing security conditions of entry on vessels arriving from ports in Cuba. The removed conditions date back to 2008 when the Coast Guard declared that Cuban ports were not maintaining effective anti-terrorism measures. As a result, the Coast Guard required arriving vessels that had visited Cuba in their last five port calls to comply with certain security measures, such as implementing a Security Level 2 plan, logging security actions taken, maintaining guards while in port, etc. Effective March 16, 2016, vessels arriving in the U.S. from ports in Cuba are no longer required to implement those security measures. 

The Coast Guard notice does not affect the Department of Treasury or Department of Commerce requirements and prohibitions with respect to Cuba.