|
|
Port tenant assists with deployment of artificial reefs
It's not every day you see artificial reef modules staged on the docks at the Port of Palm Beach. In fact, the last time Heavy Lift Services took on a project like this was last August when 18 mermaid sculptures arrived at the Port.
"These artistic and innovative sculpture reef designs weigh anywhere from 1700 to 3500 pounds. Luckily, we have the capability and experience to safely move them around without damaging the modules," said Joey Dias, third generation stevedore with Heavy Lift Services.
This time around, the stevedore company safely handled 55 artificial reef modules that were transported to the reef site located 25 feet off the north end of Palm Beach.
"The Port is very close to our reef site, thankfully. It is about a 10- minute boat ride out from the Port so that really helps with logistics of deployments at the site. Also, the Port has the acreage necessary to be able to put the modules onto the barge and then be able to deploy with the contractor" said Stacy Brown, CFO of 1000 Mermaids Project.
The deployment by the 1000 Mermaids Artificial Reef Project, in partnership with Palm Beach County's Department of Environmental Resource Management, Reefcells.org and the newly founded Ocean Rescue Alliance, will grow the existing diving and eco-tourism destination from 18 artificial reef modules to over 55.
The sculptures are made of limestone and concrete. The materials are donated by the builder himself, Chris O'Hare.
"The art sparks the interest of divers and snorkelers, while the material creates additional habitat for fish and benthic marine life that are a source of food for bottom feeding animals and a indicator of good water quality," said Jena McNeal. Senior Environmental Analyst and Artificial Reef Coordinator for Palm Beach County's Department of Environmental Resource Management.
Of the 55 modules. two were built by an Eagle Scouts group, one was made by 60 Palm Beach State College students and there was a memorial reef for a fallen firefighter, Kevin Mehaffey, who was an avid diver.
On the day the modules were placed on the seafloor, Heavy Lift Services spoke with a local television station about its role in the project.
Watch video |
|
|
|
|
|
Update on Emergency Dredging ProjectDredging of the Lake Worth Inlet commenced on October 27th. The hopper dredge Atchafalaya conducted work for about a week before dredging came to a halt due to Tropical Storm Eta. Recent high winds have also tampered with the the project. Dredging will resume when weather conditions allow. The dredging depth is set for 39 feet plus two allowable over dredge for outer channel and 37 feet plus two allowable over dredge for inner channel. The volume of sand to be removed is approximately 100,000 cubic yards. The sand will be released in a near shore disposal area southeast of the entrance channel. Mariners are urged to transit at their slowest safe speed to minimize wake and proceed with caution when navigating through the inlet. All support vessels will monitor VHF channels 16 using 13 as the working channel.The project will ensure the inlet remains accessible to Port tenants who are moving all types of cargo including sugar, molasses, asphalt, diesel fuel and essential goods bound for the Caribbean islands.Port of Palm Beach operations support $304 million in local and state business revenue while providing about 2,800 direct jobs. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palm Beach Harbor Pilot Retiring after serving almost four decades
Palm Beach Harbor Pilot Captain Gregory Turner is starting a new chapter in his life. Capt. Turner will retire November 30th after spending 37 years navigating vessels through the Lake Worth Inlet.
He began his career serving 18 months on a North Sea oil rig supply vessel. He later dedicated six years of his life on oil tankers and three years on freighters. He soon realized ship handling and piloting was his next professional step.
His experience leaned from transiting more than 40 ports worldwide, landed him at the Port of Palm Beach. He joined the Palm Beach Harbor Pilot Association in August 1983. To date, he's successfully navigated more than 18,000 ship transits.
"It's been a privilege working with all the licensed maritime professionals at the Port. The next maritime adventure awaits, " Capt. Turner said.
The Port of Palm Beach and its tenants thank Capt. Turner for his professionalism, commitment and passion to the maritime industry. |
|
|
|
|
|
Port Executive Director serves as panelist in virtual forumThis month Port Executive Director Manuel Almira participated in a virtual forum that highlighted the work of Florida seaports. Almira was featured on the containerized cargo panel, along with leaders from other Florida ports. He spoke about the Port’s plan to grow containerized cargo by maximizing the Port’s rail facility. He also shared insight on how importers and exporters can benefit from FTZ #135. As chairman of the Florida Ports Council, Almira concluded the forum with positive news about the Port of Palm Beach. He explained how liquid and dry bulk cargoes including asphalt, sugar and molasses, have increased significantly in the last year. The forum was hosted by the Florida Ports Council and Enterprise Florida.
|
|
|
 Port Executive Director Manuel Almira giving closing remarks during virtual forum.
|
|
|
|
|
|
RFP deadline extended
The bid deadline for the RFP Annex Property Improvements has been extended to December 22nd.
An additional addendum has been added to the RFP.
|
|
|
|
Tenant Spotlight: Three Generations at Heavy Lift Services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Glen, Tina and Joey Dias with Heavy Lift Services.
|
|
|
|
Thank you to the following Port employees who have served our great nation
|
|
|
|
|
|
Celebrating a decade at the PortCongratulations to Beatrice Greffin for reaching a 10-year service milestone. Beatrice began her career at the Port of Palm Beach in 2010 as the Port’s Human Resource Manager. She was later promoted to Director of Human Resources and Administration. Beatrice wears several hats as she is also our District Clerk.
“It’s hard to believe I have been here 10 years. The time has just flown by and that's mainly because of the great group of people I work with every day,” Beatrice said.
We want to thank Beatrice for being a valuable member of our team.
|
|
|
|
 Director of Human Resources/ Administration and District Clerk Beatrice Greffin.
|
|
|
|
Meet our new employeesJoin us in welcoming two new members to our team.
Bruce Cuningham is the Port's Assistant Controller. He is responsible for cash management, fixed asset management and payroll.
Cuningham is no stranger to the Port. He worked here from late 2011 to 2014.
"I am very glad to be back with this great organization," Cuningham said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
James Aikens was named Port of Palm Beach IT Administrator November 5, 2020. James has been working in Home/Commercial automation for over 20 years and that led him into a more focused role in the IT world nearly 12 years ago. He recently sold his private IT service and consulting firm to join the team at the Port of Palm Beach.
He holds many industry and trade certifications including Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP), Apple Certified Associate (ACA) and DHS Cyber Resilience Workshop.
James is from Cincinnati and moved to South Florida in 2007. He and his wife, who is a registered nurse, have three children. They also have fur babies, two dogs and a cat, and own a 125 gallon saltwater aquarium. During his spare time, James travels to race car competitions with his wife to compete.
Please join us in welcoming Bruce and James to the Port of Palm Beach Family. |
|
|
|
|
|
Tropical Shipping speeds up service
Tropical Shipping recently added an inventory robot to its team. The robot speeds up the receiving and loading process at its warehouse in Miami.
|
|
|
|
Port wins marketing awardThe Port of Palm Beach was recently recognized by the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones. The Port was awarded the 2020 Catherine Durda Marketing Award for a short video promoting FTZ #135.
Port staff Micheal Meekins, Jackie Machado, Carl Baker and Yaremi Farinas worked together to make this happen. The award gives the Port one complimentary registration to the NAFTZ Annual Conference 2021 in Miami, FL.
Watch video
|
|
|
|
Holiday Closures
Port of Palm Beach Administrative Offices will be closed Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. For immediate assistance, call the Main Security Gate at 561-383-4144.
Southeast Hay Distributors office located at the Port’s Southgate facility, will be closed Thursday, November 26, Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28.
Monarch Shipping will be closed Thursday, November 26 and Friday November, 27.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holiday Toy DriveWe are now accepting toy donations that will be donated to a charity called Little Smiles. We are looking for new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages.
You can drop off the gifts on the 6th floor lobby of the MOC or call the Port's Public Information officer, Yaremi Farinas, at 561-319-0098 to schedule a pickup time.
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Commission MeetingsDecember's Regular Board of Commisisoners Meeting has been changed back to December 17. - December 17
- January 21
- February 18
You're invited to attend our Board of Commissioners meetings, held at 4:00 pm in the Cruise Terminal, on the 2nd Floor of the Port's Maritime Office Complex (MOC). The MOC is located at 1 East 11th Street in the City of Riviera Beach.
View agendas and minutes |
|
|
|
 Board Chairman Wayne Richards, Vice Chairman Joseph Anderson, Secretary/ Treasurer Blair Ciklin, Commissioner Dr. Jean Enright and Commissioner Katherine Waldron.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Drive-thru food distributions continueFood distributions held at the Port of Palm Beach continue every Saturday from 3 PM to 5:30 PM. The weekly events are possible thanks to Hospitality Helping Hands and its partners.
The no-contact food distribution events provide families with nutritional groceries, baby products and pet food. Drivers are asked to enter the Port on 301 Broadway Avenue. |
|
|
|
COVID-19 Update
You can stay up-to-date on how the Port is handling the COVID-19 pandemic, by visiting our COVID-19 alert page on our website.
|
|
|
|
Check out our new videos on YouTube
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stay Connected | Follow Us
Want to stay connected with the Port? Follow us on these social networks.
|
|
|
|
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
