Charleston seaport agencies conduct training aboard cruise ship

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Field Operations at Charleston Seaport as well as local, state, federal law enforcement and emergency services agencies recently participated in a training session aboard the Carnival Ecstasy cruise ship.

The training session, led by CBP, gave the participating agencies an opportunity to tour the ship, identify areas of interest to their responsibilities and meet with Carnival’s Miami-based security management and shipboard teams.

The tour and training included the engine room, safety and security protocols, fire prevention equipment and medical capabilities, the command bridge, passenger and crew cabins, and ship storage areas.

“Port security is not just the responsibility of one person or one agency,” CBP Charleston Area Port Director Robert Fencel said. “The overwhelming participation by the Charleston-area public safety agencies highlights the strength of our community. The attendance by Carnival Cruise Lines’ senior security management from Miami reflects their high level of support and continued partnership in this important mission.”

The organizations that participated in the event included US Customs and Border Protection, Federal Bureau of Investigation, US Coast Guard, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, SC Department of Natural Resources, SC National Guard, SC Air National Guard, Charleston County Sheriff’s Department, Charleston County Emergency Medical Services, City of Charleston Police Department, North Charleston Police Department, North Charleston Fire Department, and Mount Pleasant Police Department.