STWAC is a Harbor Safety Committee (HSC) as discussed in the U.S. Department of Transportation's September 1999 Report to Congress "An Assessment of the U.S. Marine Transportation System" and per Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular No. 1-00, “Guidance for the Establishment and Development of Harbor Safety Committees Under the Marine Transportation System (MTS) Initiative.” STWAC was chartered on October 31st, 2013 by the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) in Corpus Christi, Texas. STWAC provides advice to the COTP on navigation safety-related matters and MTS issues including security, mobility, and environmental protection within the Port of Corpus Christi and the associated waterways of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The Coast Guard desires HSCs where government agencies support, but do not control, the organization. Since there are no local or state entities which regulate waterway use similar to the Coast Guard, a cooperative HSC with broad membership is desirable for coordination. Consequently, STWAC is comprised of representatives and stakeholders from organizations such as the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, harbor pilots, harbor tugs, ship and barge operators, refineries, terminal operators, ship agents, maritime industry, maritime labor, governmental agencies, and other public interest groups.