Port Canaveral officially opened the doors to a new Port Security Operations Center with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting on November 29.

 

"Public safety and port security are complex missions at Port Canaveral. As a strategic gateway, our seaport is a vital entry point for commerce and trade," said Captain John Murray, the port’s CEO. "The safety and security of our port is not happenstance. It takes a tremendous amount of training and teamwork among and between all the professionals dedicated to the safety of our facilities, our employees, partners and guests, as well as our surrounding community."

 

Located next to Canaveral Fire Rescue Station 54 and the port’s Interagency Maritime Operations Center, the 20,135 square-foot complex consists of emergency operations, training facilities, operations center, fire training and response, badging and TSA offices. It houses the operations of the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Center, and consolidates the Canaveral Port Authority TSA and Badging Office with the Brevard County Sheriff’s office port security operations.

 

Port Canaveral Commissioner Wayne Justice, a retired U.S. Coast Guard rear admiral, underscored the importance of co-locating the agencies.  "This facility," he said, "highlights how agencies integrate to keep Port Canaveral safe for the millions of visitors who pass through our port and for the people who live and work here."