“I’ve never seen a port doing a better or tighter job in relation to cargo handling,” said Nevin Smith, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Seaport Security, at a meeting attended today by Port Everglades Department staff and law enforcement officials at the Broward County Convention Center.  He praised the current Port administration with their “top-down approach” to security enforcement and said that the amount of change in the timeframe he witnessed at Port Everglades was unprecedented at any port in Florida.

Broward Sheriff Ken Jenne also praised his staff, Port Everglades staff, the U.S. Coast Guard, FDLE, Homeland Security and other law enforcement agencies on their cooperation towards strengthening the South Florida seaport’s security program.

Since the passage of Florida State Statute 311.125 in November 2000, nearly $45 million has been invested in new security infrastructure and thousands of hours have been contributed to security training to safeguard the Port from terrorism, theft and transportation of illegal contraband.

Security infrastructure developments included the installation of more than 200 fixed and closed-circuit cameras monitoring Port entry and exit points and providing surveillance of the Port landside and waterside perimeters.  Port Everglades became the first commercial seaport to install floating waterside barriers that protect vessels carrying sensitive cargoes.  

Access Control Points, staffed with personnel from the Broward Sheriff’s Office, have been erected at each of the Port’s four entrances.   In addition, approximately 17 miles of underground conduit was installed to provide fiber optic cabling to serve a system of closed circuit television and automated access control that is monitored within the Security Operations Center.

Training, an important component of a security system’s success, also became a focal point as Port Everglades began requiring all private security firms to have their personnel complete a customized seaport security training course.  More than 1,000 security guards completed the Port’s security course in the past year.  

Port Everglades was also one of the first seaports in Florida to be in full compliance with the Federal Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA).  Port Everglades’ compliance status with Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 105 is valid for the next five years.

As one of South Florida’s leading economic engines, Port Everglades is the gateway for international trade and cruise vacations.  Port Everglades is ranked as the second busiest cruise port worldwide, the nation’s 12th busiest containerized cargo port and South Florida’s main distribution hub for petroleum products including gasoline and jet fuel.  The Port Everglades Department is a self-supporting Enterprise Fund of Broward County government that does not rely on local tax dollars. The Port provides more than 13,550 direct jobs and generates $2.4 billion in business activity and $761.1 million in personal income annually in Broward County.  

More information on Port Everglades, which is governed by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, is available on the Internet at www.broward.org/port or by calling (954) 523-3404.