Executive Order 13273: Further Amending Executive Order 10173, as Amended, Prescribing Regulations Relating to the Safeguarding of Vessels, Harbors, Ports, and Waterfront Facilities of the United States
President: George W. Bush
Updated federal port-security regulations by defining Coast Guard Area Commander and confirming that Captains of the Port, District and Area Commanders, the Commandant and designated Coast Guard personnel may exercise the enforcement powers in 33 CFR part 6.
Status: In effect.
Is Executive Order 13273 still in effect? Yes. Active within 33 CFR part 6; regulations further amended in 2024.
What does Executive Order 13273 do?
The order assigned these duties: Captains of the Port — Enforce the port-security rules under superior Coast Guard direction; District and Area Commanders and Commandant — Supervise or directly exercise powers vested in Captains of the Port.
Checked the amendments to EO 10173 and the current 33 CFR part 6 framework. EO 14144’s 2024 cyber-risk amendment is described as a later change to the maritime safeguarding regulations.
Before and after
Before the order
EO 10173 and 33 CFR part 6 already supplied port-security powers, but did not reflect the modern Coast Guard Area Commander structure.
After the order
The Coast Guard used the revised chain of command as part of its port-security regime after September 11, 2001. The Maritime Transportation Security Act added a separate statutory framework later in 2002. EO 14144 further amended 33 CFR part 6 in 2024 to address malicious cyber activity without undoing EO 13273’s command provisions.
Who had to do what
| Agency / office | Action | Timing / position |
|---|---|---|
| Captains of the Port | Enforce the port-security rules under superior Coast Guard direction | Ongoing |
| District and Area Commanders and Commandant | Supervise or directly exercise powers vested in Captains of the Port | As operationally required |
| Designated Coast Guard officers and petty officers | Enforce part 6 when properly designated | As designated |
What happened next
EO 13273 signed.
EO 13273 amended the part 6 definition and enforcement provisions.
The Maritime Transportation Security Act created additional port and facility security requirements.
EO 14144 amended part 6 to expressly address cyber threats to maritime infrastructure.
Legal and source detail
How it works legally
The Magnuson Act, now 50 U.S.C. § 191, authorizes presidential port-security regulations when specified threats exist. Enforcement actions remain subject to the Constitution and other applicable statutes and regulations. Later cyber amendments expanded the regulatory tools; they did not revoke this order. No order-specific merits judgment was located.
Sources by type
If a source is unavailable, first check the cited publisher or another official repository. The cited publisher remains the authority.
Primary and official sources
Orders, laws, court records and official implementation material.
How we checked this
Last checked against the sources above on October 2, 2026. How we research →