The Port Report. Passenger Vessels on the Rise

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Osborne Ward
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March 2009 Inside this issue: Passenger Vessels on the Rise Passenger Vessels Employees Support DGM 1 1 Ground Breaking 3 Balikatan Exercise 3 TWIC Reminder 4 PAGGMA Softball 5 Announcements 5 For

In March alone, four cruise ships arrived on Guam bringing more than 5000 passengers and crew members, infusing much needed income into our island.

For FY 2009, a total of 12 passenger vessels have made Guam one of their destination stops.

1 March 2009 Inside this issue: Passenger Vessels on the Rise Passenger Vessels Employees Support DGM 1 1 Ground Breaking 3 Balikatan Exercise 3 TWIC Reminder 4 PAGGMA Softball 5 Announcements 5 For the last two months, an all time high of passenger vessels were welcomed at the Port s docks. In March alone, four cruise ships arrived on Guam bringing more than 5000 passengers and crew members, infusing much needed income into our island. One of the largest cruise ships to ever dock on Guam, the MV Arcadia, along with Tahitian Princess, Royal Princess and Dawn Princess made brief stops at the commercial sea port. For FY 2009, a total of 12 passenger vessels have made Guam one of their destination stops. It is quite obvious how these passengers vessels affect our tourism industry once they leave the Port compound, but how does the agency benefit from these sporadic visits? Based on the Port s terminal tariff, income is generated through Port entry, dockage, line handling, security fees, and passenger charges ($3.50 arrival/$1.5 departure). To date a total of $175,046 has been generated from this activity in FY 2009 according to records from the Finance Division. With the arrival of passenger vessels, a number of preparations are made for their brief stopover. A pre-arrival meeting is held with the following key players and their role so operations go smoothly: Port Police - security aspects, Transportation - transforming a portion of the container yard to a cruise ship Continued on page 2 Employees Show Support for DGM The Board of Director s regular meeting for March took a different twist from prior meetings. A number of employees decided to attend the session when rumors spread that Deputy General Manager Kin Cruz was asked by the Board to submit his resignation for unknown r e a s o n s. Reminiscent of the meeting when former Board Chairman Richard Northy was asked to resign in March 2007, the board room was packed with spectators to include the media. Employees sat through almost two hours of discussions and patiently waited till the Board reached the bottom of the agenda where they were given the opportunity to address the board and make comments. Continued on page 2

Page 2 continued from: Employees Support DGM Kin Quintanilla from Clerical Division started off by presenting the DGM with the championship trophies won by the softball team the night before.

They all voiced the same sentiments of support for Kin Cruz and that letting him go would be a big mistake.

It was later learned that the much supported DGM was again asked to resign & he tendered his resignation effective Friday, April 17, 2009.

onsoring agent and tour coordinators, U.S.

2 Page 2 continued from: Employees Support DGM Kin Quintanilla from Clerical Division started off by presenting the DGM with the championship trophies won by the softball team the night before. Six other employees addressed the Board to include Francis Arriola, Francis Aguon, Herman Paulino, Glenn Nelson, Felix Pangelinan, and Tony Augon. They all voiced the same sentiments of support for Kin Cruz and that letting him go would be a big mistake. As it turns out, during the executive session, the board resolved to keep DGM Cruz but with more guidelines on his responsibilities and performance. It was later learned that the much supported DGM was again asked to resign & he tendered his resignation effective Friday, April 17, continued from: Passenger Vessels terminal (logistics), Customs Border Protection and Guam Customs passenger and crew clearances, Sponsoring agent and tour coordinators, U.S. Coast Guard ensure that compliance is met and to provide guidance and clarification on issues and concerns, Harbor Master to provide updates or changes of arrival and/or berthing pier, Commercial overall coordination, Stevedores line handling and devanning of vessel stores (food, material and equipment supplies), Marketing media relations. A first since the events of 911, the Port Authority allowed local vendors to set up along the dockside selling local goods and art work. A total of 12 vendors took a chance on doing some business on March 3 with the arrival of the MV Arcadia carrying 2,200 passengers and over 500 crew members. Although business was a little slow in the morning, it suddenly spiked in the afternoon when passengers returned from their tours. Turning out to be a success, the Port intends to allow this activity for future passenger vessels to enhance the visitor s experience and promote more frequent visits by the cruise liners. The riverside program has been named Operation Starboard, a concept created by Port Police Chief Doris Aguero.

Page 3 Port Breaks Ground on Wharf Upgrades Modernization efforts at the Port Authority have gotten another boost with the recent ground breaking on a project that will upgrade the agency s wharf and

Guests who spoke at the ceremony included Governor Felix P. Camacho, Oversight Chairman for the Port Authority Senator Tom Ada, Sr. Vice President and General Manager of Black Construction Mr.

This will be the first time wharf upgrades have been made in the past 18 years and the first replacement ever of the Gantry Crane Rail system which is more than 30 years old.

3 Page 3 Port Breaks Ground on Wharf Upgrades Modernization efforts at the Port Authority have gotten another boost with the recent ground breaking on a project that will upgrade the agency s wharf and railway system. On March 24, 2009, a ceremony was held at the knuckle between F4 and F3 where employees and guests witnessed the first shovel of gravel to be turned on this project. Guests who spoke at the ceremony included Governor Felix P. Camacho, Oversight Chairman for the Port Authority Senator Tom Ada, Sr. Vice President and General Manager of Black Construction Mr. Leonard K. Kaae, and Fr. Jose Villagomez who delivered the invocation that morning. This will be the first time wharf upgrades have been made in the past 18 years and the first replacement ever of the Gantry Crane Rail system which is more than 30 years old. The existing rails were installed in the early 1970s and corrosion has affected the rail system. Even the bearing plates and grout has deteriorated underneath the rails, making it difficult for the gantry cranes to travel freely. Black Construction was awarded the bid on this project which will cost $3,928,000 and includes o t h e r upgrades to the wharf, such as asphalt pavement repairs to a l l depression and low areas that have been accumulating water, replacement of fendering system, underwater sheetpile repairs, concrete bulkhead repairs and utilities. The project is being funded through a combination of operating revenues and insurance settlement funds. Construction along Wharfs F3 through F6 is scheduled to take place over an 8 month period. The estimated date of completion is November Balikatan 2009 The Port continues its efforts to serve as a strategic partner for the U.S. military with the agency s recent assistance in the movement of military cargo heading to the Philippines for the Exercise Balikatan In early March, the Guam Army National Guard (GUARNG) brought in equipment that was shipped to the Philippines under a contract by the U.S. Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC). After a few days of being staged at the Port, GUARNG equipment and cargo were loaded onto one of Horizon Line s vessel Continued on page 4

Page 4 Page 4 continued from: Balikatan 2009 The operation involved personnel from the Port Authority of Guam, SDDC, GUARNG, Horizon Lines and Ambyth.

Military and the ocean carrier industry that occurs here on a daily basis, said Port General Manager Glenn Leon Guerrero.

Earlier this year the Port Authority of Guam began efforts to obtain designation as a U.S.

4 Page 4 Page 4 continued from: Balikatan 2009 The operation involved personnel from the Port Authority of Guam, SDDC, GUARNG, Horizon Lines and Ambyth. This military surface deployment operation once again demonstrates the great teamwork between the Port Authority of Guam, the U.S. Military and the ocean carrier industry that occurs here on a daily basis, said Port General Manager Glenn Leon Guerrero. We are proud partners in this effort and this movement of cargo shows how critical the Port Authority of Guam is to our local community, our region and our Nation. Earlier this year the Port Authority of Guam began efforts to obtain designation as a U.S. Strategic Port, recognizing its critical role for Guam and the Mariana Islands and its strategic importance to National security. This designation will benefit our local economy as well as our nation s military preparedness. If we are designated as a strategic port then we will receive higher priority after applying for federal funding. The Port recently asked the Governor and Senators to solicit Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo s assistance is gaining approval from the SDDC in our quest for Strategic Designation. The cargo will be used by the U.S. Military in their annual exercise with military members from the Republic of the Philippines. The annual bilateral exercise helps to enhance the military capabilities for both countries and strengthens their relationships. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces also take part in communityrelated projects during their time there, improving roads and offering medical and dental assistance to the people of the Philippine Islands. TWIC Reminder All employees and port users are reminded that they are required to present their Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) upon entering the Port s terminal yard. The Port Police began enforcement of this requirement on April 15, 2009 based on instructions from the US Coast Guard. However, the effective date has been extended to May 13, 2009 for those individuals experiencing delays in the arrival of their biometric cards due to technical glitches that occurred within TSA s system between October and November At the Port s discretion, an individual can obtain unescorted access to secured areas of facilities by providing port police personnel: 1) a photo ID that meets the requirements of 33 CFR , and 2) proof that their TWIC has been printed and is ready for activation. Individuals who can prove that their TWIC has been printed and is ready for activation are considered to have successfully passed the TSA security threat assessment, and therefore do not pose a security threat. For employees who do not possess a TWIC card or are unable to show a receipt that their card is ready for activation, you must obtain a pass from Port Police before entering the Port terminal yard. For more information, please contact Port Police personnel at extension 200 or 217.

Page 5 PORT Wins GovGuam Softball League The 2009 Department of Parks and

Strong team made up of the agency s employees.

for best record during the season and no losses in the playoffs.

Rosario, Frank Manibusan; Transportation Joe Leon Guerrero, Eugene Blas, Ben Tedpahago,

Leon Guerrero, Tina Leon Guerrero, Jeni Leon Guerrero, and Jason Bermudes.

Special thanks to the employees and family who regularly watched the games and cheered the

RELY FOR LIFE: PAGGMA will be sponsoring a Happy Hour Fundraiser on May 4, 2009 at Ralphy s

5 Page 5 PORT Wins GovGuam Softball League The 2009 Department of Parks and Recreation/GOVGUAM Coed Softball tournament was dominated by the awesome skills of The Port Strong team made up of the agency s employees. With a season record of 9 wins and 1 loss, PAG walked away with the championship trophies for best record during the season and no losses in the playoffs. Port Strong Team consists of employees from Stevedoring - Patrick Alvarez (Coach), Frank Cepeda Jr., Art Naputi, Junior Topasna, Corina Calvo; Terminal Craig Palomo, Steve Heflin, John Rosario, Frank Manibusan; Transportation Joe Leon Guerrero, Eugene Blas, Ben Tedpahago, EQMR Larry Charfauros, Ray J Aromin, Randy Reyes; Admin Dora Cruz, Ken Quintanilla, Annie Leon Guerrero, Tina Leon Guerrero, Jeni Leon Guerrero, and Jason Bermudes. Great work Team, way to represent the Port! Special thanks to the employees and family who regularly watched the games and cheered the players on to victory. RELY FOR LIFE: PAGGMA will be sponsoring a Happy Hour Fundraiser on May 4, 2009 at Ralphy s in East Agana. All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society s Relay for Life scheduled for May PAGGMA is inviting all members and employees to support this fundraiser and to join in their booth and walk for a good cause on May 22. For more information, please contact Ray Santos at ext. 238/411, Jeni Leon Guerrero at ext. 240 or Josette Javelosa at ext Your participation is most appreciated.

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