Shrimp shelter: Coast Guard provides security for Port of Brownsville

Coast Guard Magazine, Sept-Oct, 2007 by Brittany Parker

The Coast Guard partnered with other federal and local agencies to aid in maritime and shore-side security at the Port of Brownsville, Texas, when 120 ships from the Mexican shrimping fleet arrived in Brownsville's inner harbor seeking safety from Hurricane Dean Aug. 21 and 22. The agencies, primary mission was to provide security for the Mexican fleet and monitor the port for unusual and suspicious activities.

"The Mexican fishing season begins on Aug. 14 and by Aug. 15, hundreds of Mexican shrimpers arrive [along the Texas-Mexico maritime] border to begin fishing," said George Gavito, Chief of Police for the Port of Brownsville.

They usually stay in the area until the close of the shrimping season on Oct. 14. Whenever a hurricane or tropical storm threatens the Gulf of Mexico, many of the shrimpers pull into port. Rather than sail approximately eight hours to their homeports of Tampico, Mexico, and other local ports, they typically seek their nearest safe harbor.

The Galveston, Texas, based Maritime Safety and Security Team, Coast Guard Station South Padre Island, Texas, Customs and Border Protection, Port of Brownsville police and the Texas General Land Office Oil Spill Response division jointly provided security for the Brownsville shipping channel, harbor, piers and buildings. The units offered emergency medical and support services for the Mexican fleet. In addition, Marine Safety Detachment Brownsville, and the Coast Guard Cutters Cypress and Amberjack, monitored for pollution and coastal security.

The Coast Guard's Deployable Operations Group, which became fully operational in July, assembled an adaptive force package Aug. 19 to respond to potential incidents resulting from the domestic or Mexican landfall of Hurricane Dean. Comprised of the Gulf Strike Team, MSSTs from Miami, New Orleans and Galveston, and a Port Security Unit from Tampa, Fla., the force package was immediately placed in standby status. The units were prepared to deploy in three phases to protect the Texas-Mexico border, patrol waterways and ports, respond to oil and hazardous material releases and provide humanitarian support.

Two days later, MSST Galveston deployed to Brownsville for ports, waterways and coastal security. The MSST's safe harbor operation was their first deployment as a DOG unit since the DOG became operational the previous month.

"We're a deployable unit, and we were able to deploy at a moment's notice," said Lt. Patrick Culver, the operations officer for MSST Galveston. "This was unique for us because we deployed during a [maintenance] period."

The MSST uses such periods to make repairs and conduct routine maintenance on their boats and equipment and to conduct training. The period also allowed personnel time for rest and relaxation.

"We had people on leave; people out of town," said Culver.

The commanding officer of the MSST placed his unit in two-hour recall status Aug. 19 in preparation for a possible evacuation as the hurricane's direction was unsure. Two days later, the MSST received a deployment notice for the 54-member contingent to depart for Brownsville immediately. The unit deployed with six boat crews, 14 Maritime Law Enforcement personnel, support and planning personnel and command cadre.

Coast Guard Station South Padre Island, Texas, provided maritime security for the Hurricane Dean safe harbor operation as the Mexican fleet began arriving until the MSST relieved them Aug. 22. The MSST provided essential operational assistance to augment the station and the local contingent of CBP agents and police.

"We took over the mission so that the station could respond to search and rescue cases and law enforcement, as a normal station would," said Culver.

While the MSST's boat crews secured the waterways and harbor, their physical security team, working hand-in-hand with CBP agents, performed facility inspections around the clock to ensure the safety of the port.

The joint forces ensured the compliant and well-behaved conduct of the fishermen throughout the operation.

Free from the threat of Hurricane Dean, the Mexican shrimpers departed en masse two days after arriving. Federal and local units coordinated to direct the fleet's safe and orderly departure. After nearly 10 hours, the parade of exiting shrimpers finally ended.

"We couldn't have written a better plan," said Gavito.

Story by Lt. j.g. Brittany Parker, Gulf Strike Team

Shrimp Surge Maritime Safety and Security Team Galveston, Texas, patrols the Brownsville Ship Channel as the long line of Mexican shrimp boats exit en masse for nearly 10 hours from the Port of Brownsville, Texas, Aug. 23. A total of approximately 120 boats obtained safe harbor at the port as Hurricane Dean made landfall in Mexico. The Deployable Operations Group deployed the team to provide ports, waterways and coastal security.