TSA Partners with Ferry Operators to Enhance Security and Test New Technology
News & Happenings
June 28, 2007
ACY Federal Security Director Ronald
Facciponti supported provided three
TSOs from ACY to support this program.
LTSO's Tahnee Croskey and Jim Phelan
and TSO Mark Garcia operated the
SPO-20 equipment for the five day
project in Cape May.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) continues to aggressively test advanced explosives detection technology as part of its multi-phased Security Enhancement and Capabilities Augmentation Program (SEACAP). Designed specifically for the maritime environment, each phase of the pilot program gives TSA the opportunity to network with different ferry and cruise ship operators around the country, test emerging technologies and develop strategies the agency can use to respond to specific threats that arise from new intelligence or major events.
In the past three years, TSA has conducted pilot tests on several high-volume commuter ferry systems, including the Cape May-Lewes Ferry in New Jersey, the Golden Gate Ferry in California and the Jamestown Scotland Ferry in Virginia. The agency has employed several types of explosives detection machines to screen either ferry riders or passenger vehicles lining up to board the boats.
"Travelers throughout all transportation modes will benefit from the enhanced screening procedures and technology improvements SEACAP has yielded," said Jim Bamberger, TSA branch chief, Maritime Passenger Security. "Other ferry operations with different challenges like automobiles and oversized vehicles are being evaluated for future pilot programs. We're grateful to the ferry operators, equipment providers, the Coast Guard and our transportation security officers (TSOs) who are helping us do everything possible to keep ferry passengers safe."
SEACAP's most recent initiatives have led to productive partnerships with the New York City Department of Transportation, which runs the Staten Island Ferry and the Delaware River Bay Authority (DRBA), operator of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. In April, TSA used passive millimeter wave screening equipment to screen passengers for person-borne explosives before they boarded the Staten Island Ferry to lower Manhattan. And beginning June 14, TSA returned to Cape May to run a five-day test of passenger and baggage screening equipment with the assistance of DRBA, the Coast Guard and TSOs from Atlantic City International Airport.
