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Port helps secure full maintenance dredging of the Lake Worth Inlet
The next maintenance dredging project of the Lake Worth Inlet is anticipated to begin in January 2022. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District awarded the contract to Cashman Dredging and Marine Contracting CO. LLC.
The federally funded $5.9 million project is expected to be the largest dredging event in 20 years for this harbor.
"The biggest difference this time around is the project will completely empty the settling basin, which is where the majority of the shoaling originates," said Executive Director Manuel Almira. |
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The project calls for dredging the harbor’s entrance channel, settling basin, extended settling basin, and the expanded settling basin’s southern portion to a required depth of 35 to 39 feet Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) with two feet of allowable overdepth. It also calls for dredging the northern portion of the expanded settling basin to a required depth of 35 feet MLLW with two feet of allowable overdepth; and for dredging Cut 1, Cut 2, the southern turning basin, and the northern turning basin to a required depth of 25 to 33 feet MLLW with two feet of allowable overdepth.
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"The goal is to get this Port out of draft restrictions and emergency dredging with regularly scheduled dredging on an annual or semi annual timeframe," said Port Engineer Ron Coddington.
The funding for the project was secured after several meetings between the Corps and Executive Director Manuel Almira and Port Engineer Coddington. The partnership is in an effort to see if this kind of funding and dredging will limit shoaling events and allow dredging every two years without shoaling restrictions.
Coddington says when we have draft restrictions during shoaling events, Tropical Shipping leaves as much as $500,000 value in cargo at the docks in Halifax, Canada due to the required light loading of the Hope Class vessels.
"It is exciting to see the hard work of the Executive Director, Port Staff and the great folks at the Corp of Engineers who made this happen, pay off, so Port of Palm Beach can best serve our tenants and shippers," Coddington said.
The neighboring Town of Palm Beach will receive approximately 350,000 cubic yards of FREE sand to nourish its beach. The project is slated to start late January and wrap up sometime in April.
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Port's monthly financials and cargo tonnage reports
The monthly financials and cargo tonnage reports for the month of August are now available on our website.
Read reports
Congratulations to the following companies for exceeding prior-year-to-date cargo tonnage:
Port Contractors 36% increase
Teeters 35% increase
Tropical Shipping .04% increase
Stonerock .03% increase
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Job opportunities with Port tenants and users
Several Port of Palm Beach tenants and users are actively hiring.
Tropical Shipping has more than 30 job openings in the accounting, documentation, dispatch, fleet maintenance, facilities maintenance, marine, port operations, purchasing and warehouse departments.
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SSI Petroleum has three job listings:
Fuel Polisher-Tank Wagon Driver
Dispatcher- Bulk Fuel
CDL Class A Driver with Hazmat and Tanker Endorsement
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Palm Beach Parking has openings for valet runners/drivers.
Interested? Call Palm Beach Parking Executive Vice President Nick Leone at 561-308-0720.
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Annex Property gets facelift
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The $1M annex property development project is running smoothly. We are currently adding palm trees along the barrier wall to help shield adjacent property owners from port operations.
The project also includes adding fire service water lines, electric service and lighting. This area will provide more than four acres of new secure storage space to our tenants and users. The improvements are expected to be completed by early January 2022.
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State Representative presents Board of Commissioners with copy of new port charter
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Port of Palm Beach Board of Commissioners publicly thanked State Representative Matt Willhite for his assistance with changing the Port charter. Rep. Willhite attended the September Board Meeting where he presented the board with a copy of HB 915 signed by Governor Ron DeSantis. The bill, which Rep. Willhite sponsored, was signed into law on July 6, 2021. Rep. The new charter eliminated specific bond requirements for the board of commissioners and secretary-treasurer, allow for annual pay adjustments and install other technical changes.
"On behalf of the Port of Palm Beach District Board of Commissioners, I want to thank Rep. Willhite and his staff for their time and support of the Port charter legislation," said Board Chairman Joseph Anderson.
"Their month-long efforts educated state legislators on the Port's missions and its role in creating jobs and accelerating economic growth in Palm Beach county and the state of Florida," Chairman Anderson said.
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Port Director recognized as a top Hispanic leader
For Hispanic Heritage Month we want to recognize our Port Executive Director Manuel "Manny" Almira.
On October 13 during the monthly Board of Commissioners meeting, Manny received a recognition award from the Florida Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber's Chairman Sam Roman thanked Manny for being a leader in Palm Beach County's Hispanic community. Roman shared how Manny is a well-respected and influential role model to the Hispanic youth.
Congrats Manny!
We are lucky to have you at the helm.
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Port staff promotions
This month, Rick Placeres was named Director of Port Security. Rick joined the District in March 2014 as a Security Manager. He works closely with Port staff, tenants, users and federal and local law enforcement agencies to ensure safety and security at the Port. The former Marine Sergeant has spent the last 40 years working in both the distribution and security industries. He's held several roles along his careers including Director of Distribution for Eden Manufacturing, Function Manager for Walgreens Distribution center and Security Manager for Sunstates Security Service. Rick holds a Bachelors in Business Administration from the University of California. He is currently studying criminal justice at Palm Beach State College. Rick is a proud father of three. His daughter Jessica is a teacher in New York, his other daughter Kassandra is a West Palm Beach Police Officer and his son Ricky is an entrepreneur in New Jersey. His pride and joy are his three beautiful grandchildren.
Congratulations Rick!
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Port Engineer Ron Coddington has been assigned to oversee the Facilities and Maintenance department. He is working on implementing a maintenance software that will allow the team to track assets and easily manage work orders.
Congrats Ron!
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Port of Palm Beach new hires We are excited to welcome two new members to our Port of Palm Beach team.
Meet our new Security Officer Carlos Kamaka. Carlos is a City of Riviera Beach resident who is no stranger to the Port. He's spent the last seven years working for security companies contracted by the Port. |
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Frederick "Ross" Ellis joins us as a Facilities Worker/ Switchman. He previously worked for a Riviera Beach based marine supplies and equipment company as the operations and fuel manager.
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October Port Employees Work Anniversaries
Congratulations to the following employees who are celebrating work anniversaries:
Harbor Master Jeff Baker- 20 years
Security Sergeant Sean Hunter- 17 years
Security Officer Kuumba Payne- 16 years
Security Officer Michael Bennett- 14 years
Maintenance employee Mac Maynard- 13 years
Locomotive Conductor David Pierce- 9 years
Facilities employee Eklund Fredericks- 8 years
Assistant Controller Bruce Cuningham- 1 year |
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Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line promotions
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line invites you to explore the ship and enjoy the endless opportunities of entertainment with these offers below. The safest way to cruise the Bahamas is with Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. The combination of fully vaccinated guests, on a spacious ship with capacity capped at 50% for social distance, travelling for 2 nights to a beautiful expansive and not crowded beach location is one of the most enjoyable and safest vacation experiences available anywhere today.
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Halloween Sea Nights BOGO + Free Cabin Upgrade
On all October and November sailings, book two passengers for the price of one + FREE cabin upgrade! From spook-tacular savings to themed cocktails to a haunted house aboard, don’t miss your chance to celebrate Halloween, the Bahamas Paradise way.
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2021/2022 Sailing Season Vacation Full Sail Ahead
$200 OFF per cabin ($100 off per person) + 5 free drinks + FREE cabin upgrade + $25 onboard credit on a cruise to the Bahamas! For a limited time, we're offering major savings on our signature 2-night sailing to paradise.
Home Town Heroes
Essential workers—this is for you. For your continued dedication to serving our community, especially over the past year and a half, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line invites you to Sail Free on a much-deserved 2-night Bahamas getaway to Grand Bahama Island. Essential workers can book a free cruise to Grand Bahama Island and their guest in the same stateroom pays $129.
All terms & conditions can be found on our website www.bahamasparadisecruise.com. Book now by calling (800) 995-3201.
BOOK YOUR NEXT CRUISE
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Port tenant, Sevenstar Yacht Transport has a new covered storage area near the liquid asphalt terminal. The 50 by 50 foot arch shelter was installed in a matter of days. Port Engineer Ron Coddington is working on getting LED lighting installed. The total project cost was approximately $53,000. |
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Doing Business with the Port
The Port of Palm Beach recently issued an invitation to bid (ITB) for the purchase of rail materials for our upcoming Port rail improvements.
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Stay in the know During the September Board of Commissioners meeting, the board:
- Approved a contract with Nason, Gerson, Harris & Fumero, P.A. for counsel services. John Fumero is the Port's new legal counsel.
- Selected HDR as the consultant for the Port Infrastructure Development Program and Shaun David and Associates for the annual audit services.
- Approved Port Tariff No. 24
During the October Board of Commissioners meeting, the board:
- Approved for staff to begin negotiations with Weiser Security for security services
- Approved for Port Engineer to begin negotiations with Pound Consulting for the installation of cathodic protection system on the port's bulkheads
- Approved agreement with Ozinga Cement, Inc.
- Approved the request to issue an RFP for roller compacted concrete placement at the Tropical Shipping container staging area
- Approved the request to issue an ITB for cathodic protection materials
- Approved the purchase and installation of electric door operators for warehouses located in Southgate facility
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Upcoming Commission MeetingsYou're invited to attend our Board of Commissioners meetings. - November 18 at 3 PM
- December 16 AT 4 PM
- January 20 at 4 PM
The public is welcome to attend the in-person board meetings held in our Board Room located on the 6th Floor of the Maritime Office Complex at One East 11th St Riviera Beach, FL. Face masks are strongly ENCOURAGED for all board meeting attendees. View agendas and minutes |
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