Members of Port Security Unit 308, based out of Kiln Mississippi, test radio communications after arriving to Naval Air Station Key West for Hurricane Irma response efforts, Sept. 14, 2017. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Dustin R. Williams
ORLANDO, Fla. — Coast Guard personnel are working alongside partner federal, state and local agencies in the Florida Keys to ensure the safety and security of facilities in the port.
Officer presence has been boosted in the area to protect areas of economic concern, military bases, port infrastructure, military and responding personnel, and Florida Keys citizens.
A safety zone is in place and is being enforced by patrolling personnel from the following units:
· Coast Guard Port Security Unit 308, from Kiln, Mississippi
· Coast Guard Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team, from San Diego
· Coast Guard Marine Safety Security Team 91114, from Miami
· Coast Guard Station Islamorada
· Coast Guard Station Marathon
· Coast Guard Station Key West
· Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
· U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Land based safety and security concerns are being enforced by:
· Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
· Key West Police Department
· Florida Highway Patrol
“The main priorities of these teams are to provide security for responders and assessment teams and to ensure the safety of the boating public and for those citizens returning to the Keys,” said Cmdr. Lexia Littlejohn, deputy incident commander, Sector Key West Incident Command Post. “We are patrolling 24/7 with our personnel and we will take all known threats to the safety of responders and the citizens seriously.”
For imagery and video of the Hurricane Irma response, please visit our Flicker page.
