(July 8, 2005) -- LBReport.com has confirmed with the U.S. Coast Guard [and cleared prior to publication] that portions of the Port of LB falling within the mass transit sector (vessels such as ferries carrying 150 or more passengers and the like) have been raised to MARSEC 2 -- Marine Security Two Level.

Lt. Peter Gooding, USCG Chief, Waterways Management Division for the L.A.-LB Sector, told LBReport.com that the change is consistent with a directive of the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security which on July 7 raised to Code Orange the threat level applicable to mass transit portions of the transportation sector nationwide. Lt. Gooding said MARSEC 2 means increased security [we didn't seek details and he didn't provide any]. There are three MARSEC levels...and until July 7 the entire Port was at MARSEC 1.

The first indication of an impending change came in a public statement by an LBFD official at a July 7 news conference called by the City of LB in the wake of the terror attacks on London's mass transit system.