PORTLAND (AP) – Portland is seeking to become the first city in which the Transportation Security Administration screens cruise ship and international ferry passengers, in addition to air travelers.
The city proposal endorsed by Sen. Olympia Snowe calls for a security screening process similar to the one at the nation’s airports, where the TSA is already in charge of checking passengers and luggage.
The pilot program, which would be the first in the nation, requires the approval of TSA chief James Loy.
Portland Transportation Director Jeff Monroe said Tuesday he hopes to have the program in place in September.
That represents the start of a two-month period when there is a spike in cruise ship traffic in addition to the Scotia Prince, which travels each day between Portland and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
The proposal would utilize TSA screeners at the Portland International Jetport, positioning some of them at the International Marine Terminal to screen passengers before the Scotia Prince departs each evening.
The TSA also would be on duty at Portland’s ocean terminal to screen passengers of visiting cruise ships before they return to their vessels.
Eventually, the two locations would be consolidated into one when the city completes its “ocean gateway,” which would provide a new home for the Scotia Prince as well as berthing space for cruise ships.
Monroe estimated the screening equipment would cost about $750,000, which would be paid with a federal port security grant.
The costs of overtime for TSA screeners has not been worked out, he said.
The city sent its letter asking for the TSA’s endorsement last week and Snowe added a letter endorsing the proposal.
“The initiative of the port of Portland to increase passenger safety serves as a model to harbors and ports throughout the country,” Snowe said Monday in a statement.
AP-ES-07-29-03 1248EDT
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