Port Matters

Six officers with the Harbor Police Department have a critically important job. These homeland security officers are specifically trained to search for explosives and narcotics – and they can do it all in one sniff. The Port of San Diego's Harbor Police K-9 team is one of the only federally-certified explosives and narcotics detection units in San Diego County. Learn More: j.mp/RHTm9Y

The Board of Port Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution on Tuesday, August 14, granting Dole Fresh Fruit Company a 24.5-year lease to import and export fresh fruit at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. Dole began its operations at the Port of San Diego in 2002, after moving here from the Port of Los Angeles. Through this new lease, Dole has chosen the Port of San Diego to remain its West Coast hub for operations. As a result, San Diego will retain a Fortune 500 company that brings significant economic benefits to the region. Learn More: j.mp/N1BpSn

After a decade-long, joint planning process between the Port of San Diego and City of Chula Vista, the California Coastal Commission unanimously approved the 556-acre Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan (CVBMP), on Aug. 9, 2012. The CVBMP is the largest available coastal development opportunity in California. The Port and Chula Vista will no begin the development phase with the goal of transforming the currently underused industrial waterfront property into a world-class resort and conference destination, complemented by a mix of residential, retail, and more than 240 acres of parks and nature preserve.

When fires threaten San Diego's waterfront, the Port of San Diego's Harbor Police Department is properly trained to immediately respond and contain the situation. The Harbor Police Department is the only law enforcement agency in San Diego County that dually-trains its members as police officers and marine firefighters. Learn more about the Harbor Police Department's firefighters: http://j.mp/ONqbk1

In this video, three boaters and a Port of San Diego diver share their experiences with the use of eco-friendly hull paints. Products mentioned are examples of alternative hull paints available today. Any mention of trade names or products are not an endorsement by the Port of San Diego. For more information, visit SanDiegoBayCopperReduction.org.

Thirty-one pink cloud cherry trees that the Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles recently gifted to the citizens of San Diego now grace the San Diego waterfront, just south of the USS Midway Museum, and on Shelter Island near the Yokohama Friendship Bell. Board of Port Commissioners Chairman Lou Smith introduced Japanese Consul General Jun Niimi at the cherry tree dedication ceremony on Thursday, March 29, 2012. Smith said that when visitors walk along the downtown waterfront and enjoy the solitude of the Friendship Bell, "they will be reminded of the Japanese generosity and friendship." Niimi said the trees will become a lasting symbol of the enduring relationship between Japan and the United States. Learn more: j.mp/HHNo43

A wind farm in the Tehachapi mountains, north of Los Angeles, is now home for alternative energy parts imported by the Port of San Diego from India. The Port's Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal handled its fourth shipment of alternative energy wind turbine equipment for a new client in March, 2012. The first shipment arrived at the Port of San Diego in December 2011. Learn More: j.mp/GVL3VQ

Under sunny skies, more than 200 people gathered at the San Diego Bay waterfront to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan, Phase 1 project, on January 5, 2012. The project, 15 years in the making, will include a 105-foot wide esplanade with formal gardens, plazas, shade pavilions and a waterfront promenade that will allow downtown residents, workers and visitors to stroll, jog, cycle, enjoy public events or just relax.

Anthony’s Fish Grotto is both a landmark and popular destination on San Diego Bay. It was among the first places to eat along the waterfront when the family-owned seafood restaurant opened its doors more than 60 years ago. Now it is starting a new tradition – focusing on going green, through the Port of San Diego's Green Business Challenge. Learn more: j.mp/sKA0Lg

With the arrival this week of 100 shipping containers and sleek race boats, the spectacle that is America’s Cup World Series competition has officially cruised into San Diego Bay. The containers were off-loaded from the ship H.R. Constitution on Thursday, October 27, at the Port of San Diego’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal after a month-long journey from Plymouth, England.

One of San Diego Bay’s most popular attractions – Seaport Village – is also helping the Port of San Diego in its mission to be an environmental steward. Seaport Village, located at 849 W. Harbor Drive, is a 14-acre bayside shopping, dining and entertainment complex. It features more than 70 shops, casual eateries, and waterfront restaurants and is a participant in the port’s Green Business Challenge. The Green Business Challenge – the first of its kind on the West Coast – promotes business practices that reduce energy consumption, water use waste as well as to prevent pollution. Learn More: j.mp/r6QjVR

Fall for the Arts, a celebration of art and culture, made its debut on Saturday, October 1, 2011, at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier in San Diego. The free event, attended by 3,000 people, featured 66 artists and cultural groups and gave visitors an opportunity to create artworks, listen to music, watch performances and become acquainted with the many art and cultural organizations throughout the region.

Development of the National City and Chula Vista bay fronts, enhanced tourism, infrastructure investments and opportunities for sporting and public events were among some of the strategic goals shared by stakeholders at a recent planning forum in South San Diego Bay.

A little used concrete plaza and a shuttered restaurant will soon be a place for quiet waterside contemplation. The Port of San Diego, with the help of a number of dignitaries from local cities, the county and federal governments, officially broke ground Monday, Oct. 3, 2011, for the port's 18th public park. It is called Ruocco Park for Lloyd and Ilse Ruocco, the late San Diego couple who provided funding to help build the bayfront park.

The America’s Cup World Series, a high performance international sailing regatta, is coming to San Diego Bay. The races will be held near the downtown waterfront from November 12-20, 2011. Learn more: http://j.mp/pJ6f8k (portofsandiego.org)

Mambo on the Bay, a free evening of music and dancing, attracted about 500 people to Cesar Chavez Park and showcased the Port of San Diego's efforts to bring the public to the waterfront.

More than 100 community leaders, elected officials, as well as military and industry representatives worked together at a first-of-its kind event. The Port of San Diego hosted a working, strategic planning forum on August 16, 2011, asking asked stakeholders to share their ideas for developing the port's future blueprint for the region.

Biking enthusiasts of all ages will soon be able to enjoy a new section of a San Diego bay front bike path. Construction is underway on the new 1.8 mile section of the Bayshore Bikeway. Currently, 12.5 miles of the bikeway are paved, with the rest of the route consisting of on-street sections. Eventually, the bikeway will provide a continuous 24-mile loop around San Diego Bay. Groundbreaking on the new stretch – from H Street to Palomar Street in the city of Chula Vista – took place on Friday, August 5. Learn more: http://j.mp/r3wkk2

A vital link to San Diego’s maritime history is taking shape at the Port of San Diego’s Spanish Landing Park. Beginning Saturday, July 9, 2011, the public can watch as the Maritime Museum of San Diego builds a replica of the 16th century Spanish galleon, the San Salvador. The San Salvador was the flagship Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed in when he entered the San Diego harbor, in 1542. Full story: http://j.mp/​oxeo4z (portofsandiego.org)

June 2011 marks the 5-year anniversary of the establishment of the Port of San Diego’s environmental fund. Since the fund was established in 2006, the Board of Port Commissioners has approved 62 projects – 42 of which have been completed – and committed $7.3 million to projects aimed at improving the condition of San Diego Bay and surrounding port tidelands. Learn more: http://j.mp/kDgXvu

Wayne Darbeau, President and CEO of the Port of San Diego addressed a group of more than 200 people, including Maritime Administrator David Matsuda, at the National Maritime Day Breakfast in San Diego on May 17, 2011. Darbeau said America's ports need a funding source similar to the Federal Aviation Administration, which provides financial support to the nation's airports. Learn more: http://j.mp/iHxBBa

David T. Matsuda, Maritime Administrator for the U.S. Department of Transportation delivered a speech at the Port of San Diego's Maritime Day Breakfast in San Diego, on Tuesday, May 17. Learn more: http://j.mp/iHxBBa

Sustainability and innovation are part of the business model for Port of San Diego tenant General Dynamics NASSCO, the only full-service shipyard on the West Coast. General Dynamics NASSCO is constantly striving to find new and better ways to improve air and water quality, prevent pollution and save energy. As a model for sustainable practices, NASSCO is a leader among full-service shipyards in environmental protection and preservation. Learn more: http://j.mp/l2zsGm

Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week —with the exception of Christmas —you can count on getting a scoop of anchovies or sardines at the bait barges on San Diego Bay. For more than six decades, the Everingham Brothers bait crew has been supplying bait for both recreational and commercial fishermen hoping to hook big game fish such as the yellowfin tuna. Read full story: http://j.mp/eTH9uq (portofsandiego.org)

It's retrofitted lighting, replaced gas-guzzling vehicles with Segways and hybrids, and adopted a large recycling program -- and now Pasha Automotive Services is participating in a groundbreaking effort to improve its sustainability. Pasha imports, exports and customizes automobiles at the Port of San Diego's National City Marine Terminal. It is among the 67 businesses along San Diego Bay participating in the Green Port Business Challenge. Learn more: http://j.mp/eOy2lr

Thousands of migratory birds and other wildlife have a new home on the shores of San Diego Bay. The Port of San Diego, along with partner agencies and hundreds of volunteers, are responsible for the new shore-side home. The project is part of the restoration of more than 280 acres of coastal wetlands in the Chula Vista Wildlife Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge. Learn more: http://j.mp/g4cteu

The ORACLE RC44 Cup San Diego, an action-packed international sailing competition, will be held on San Diego Bay near the downtown waterfront from March 2 through 6, 2011. It will offer the public an up-close view of some of the world's best sailing crews. The 11 teams racing represent New Zealand, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Austria, Russia and the U.S. Hosting the ORACLE RC44 Cup sailing regatta continues San Diego's prominent ranking as an international sailing venue—a distinction that dates back more than 20 years to when the America's Cup races were held off of Point Loma in 1988, 1992 and 1995. More Information: j.mp/​hTaFQn

The centennial anniversary of Naval aviation was celebrated over the Port of San Diego on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011. The Parade of Flight featured one of the Navy's largest flyovers. More than 250 U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aircraft, spanning from pre-World War II to the Blue Angels, took flight over the entire length of the bay from south to north. Learn more: http://j.mp/geKGJY

The Port of San Diego is moving to revitalize San Diego Bay's commercial fishing industry. The plan includes infrastructure improvements at its two commercial docks and the establishment of a fisherman's market where the public could buy fresh seafood. Learn More: http://j.mp/dGXfzj

The Port of San Diego is kicking off a campaign to encourage its waterfront tenants to go green. San Diego is the only city on the West Coast to take part in the Green Business Challenge. San Diego is the only city on the West Coast to take part in the sustainability challenge. Modeled after a successful program in Chicago, the Port will work with its tenants to reduce their environmental impact. The program is voluntary. Learn more about the Green Business Challenge: http://j.mp/gQWHqJ

The grand opening of the Port Pavilion was on Saturday, December 18, 2010. A day-long public open house was held, allowing community members to become familiar with the region's newest "green," or environmentally-friendly, building. Port of San Diego, Carnival Cruise Lines and local officials formally dedicated the two-level, 52,000-square foot structure.

The Port of San Diego's new Pavilion on Broadway Pier, which will serve as both a public event center and cruise ship terminal, is celebrating its grand opening on December 18, 2010. The modern, two-story facility will be the Port of San Diego's first "green" building. Its state-of-the art design is expected to win silver LEED certification after undergoing several months of review by the U.S. Green Building Council. ; The $28-million Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier was designed and built to reduce water and energy usage. In addition, cruise ships that will berth at the pavilion and the Port's main cruise terminal on the B Street Pier will use shore-side electrical power. Learn more: http://j.mp/eID61c

The Port of San Diego is celebrating the installation of a $7.1 million system that will enable cruise ships at berth to be powered by a shore-side electrical source, which will benefit the community by reducing air pollution. With the completion of the system, the port becomes the fifth port in the world and the second in California with the capability of powering a cruise ship from shore. Learn more: http://j.mp/dJo5hq

The Carnival Cruise Ship Splendor is now docked for repairs at the Port of San Diego's Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. It was towed from the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal on Thursday, November 18. Learn more: http://bit.ly/bWoywV

Think of them as floating fire engines on the water. The Port of San Diego's Harbor Police Department is home to two brand new FireStorm 36 firefighting vessels. The boats, constructed by Metal Craft Marine in Canada, are built from the keel up with firefighting in mind."This is the state-of-the art technology that we have been seeking for our patrol functions and our firefighting functions," said Harbor Police Chief John Bolduc.Press release: http://bit.ly/cU38TP

An architectural design team has been selected to move forward with the third expansion of the San Diego Convention Center. Fentress Architects, a firm based in Denver, Colorado, was unanimously approved by the San Diego Convention Center Corporation Board of Directors at a meeting on November 9, 2010. The Port of San Diego is a partner in the expansion project. (All drawings/videos depicted are CONCEPTS only.) Learn more: http://bit.ly/b8B5r8

A man balancing on one arm, a dancing figure balancing on one leg, a dolphin balancing a ball on its nose and an abstract figure balancing in a tree-like pose. These characters aren't part of a surreal circus. They are a few of the 30 new artworks in the Port of San Diego's continuing public art exhibit, Urban Trees 7, which is on display along San Diego's North Embarcadero. Learn more: http://j.mp/cvBfAk

You may have seen its hulking profile as it sails through San Diego Bay on its way to its homeport, the National City Marine Terminal. The Jean Anne, operated by Pasha Hawaii, is 10-stories high and can carry 3,000 cars, buses, trucks and other oversize cargo. Learn more: http://bit.ly/axLlwe

The Port of San Diego has officially started its largest environmental project that, when completed, will result in improved fish and wildlife habitat in more than 280 acres in South San Diego Bay. Press release: http://bit.ly/a4XCqC

San Diego Bay is wired for sound, listening for turtle tracks. For the past eight years, the Port of San Diego – through the Port’s environmental fund – has helped the National Marine Fisheries Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in their study of the endangered Eastern Pacific Green Sea Turtle. Read more: http://bit.ly/9e9DZo

Labor Day weekend is here and the Port of San Diego’s Festival of Sail is officially underway at the Maritime Museum of San Diego, along the North Embarcadero.Tour tall ships from around the world, rich with history. It's fun for the whole family. Learn more: http://bit.ly/cilZXj

A groundbreaking new vessel for the U.S. Navy has been designed and built by Chula Vista's Marine Group Boat Works, a tenant and partner of the Port of San Diego.The 114-foot RTSC-110 runs entirely on biofuel and has 100 percent shore power capability. Two more vessels are being built for the Navy's use.

San Diego Bay is the place to be on Sunday, July 4, 2010 for fireworks. That's when the 10th Annual Port of San Diego's Big Bay Boom will fill the sky with pyrotechnics.Event details: http://bit.ly/a71dbl (Press release)

The Port of San Diego has begun work on one of its major Green Port projects -- the installation of shore power at its B Street Pier Cruise Ship Terminal and Broadway Pier.The shore power system, also known as cold ironing, is expected to reduce more than 1 ton of pollutants from each ship that plugs into the system, once operational in December 2010. Read more: http://bit.ly/93jA8r

If you've spent time along the tidelands of San Diego Bay, did you know you were enjoying the state lands entrusted to the Port of San Diego? The Port of San Diego is a public agency, created by the state Legislature in 1962 to manage San Diego harbor & the surrounding tidelands. Former California Senator Jim Mills, who was instrumental in the creation of the San Diego Unified Port District, sat down with the Port's Communications and Community Services department, to explain why the Port was created and its significance to the region. http://bit.ly/aU1MFB

Who are the men and women that make up the Port of San Diego's Working Waterfront? Meet seven people, among thousands, who help keep the maritime industry alive and thriving.Overall, the Port's maritime businesses generate about $600 million annually in economic impact to the San Diego region.Learn more: http://j.mp/bqUDcZ

A three-year environmental cleanup project in the southern portion of San Diego Bay is coming to an end. The Port of San Diego's Environmental Services Department – with the help of various partners – worked together to clean up close to 130 acres of the Bay in an area known as the A8 Anchorage. Read More: http://bit.ly/ciKfS1

How would you like to have a police officer at your beck and call over dinner? Your chance is coming up. Members of the Port of San Diego’s Harbor Police Department will moonlight as waiters during the Tip-A-Cop fundraiser.

The Board of Port Commissioners of the Port of San Diego voted to take the first step toward expanding the San Diego Convention Center on Tuesday, April 6, 2010. City officials, representatives of the San Diego Convention Center and port commissioners spoke about the next steps in the process as well as their hopes to keep Comic-Con in San Diego while attracting new business to San Diego and generating new jobs. http://bit.ly/cKWYnV

A ship made famous by a Hollywood blockbuster movie is getting the star treatment on the Port of San Diego's Working Waterfront. The 179-foot long, 500-ton HMS Surprise - belonging to the San Diego Maritime Museum – is undergoing routine maintenance and inspections at Chula Vista's Marine Group Boat Works. Read full press release: http://bit.ly/9EOqfB

It's known as the West Coast's largest public celebration of sportfishing. The Port Of San Diego's Day At The Docks is the traditional start to Southern California's spring saltwater fishing season. There's food, fishing, seminars and rides along the beautiful San Diego Bay, and the best part is it's free. Read full press release: http://bit.ly/aWKyO5