Crowley Hosts and Participates in 30-Agency, Full Scale Port Security Exercise in San Juan, Puerto Rico

(San Juan, Puerto Rico; Oct. 11, 2007) – Crowley Maritime Corporation’s liner services group in Puerto Rico opened its port terminal and participated in the first major Caribbean port security exercise last week involving approximately 30 agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard and multiple federal, commonwealth and local agencies, and some 200 personnel.

The exercise scenario, directed by the USCG Unified Command, simulated a reported breach of security at Crowley’s Isla Grande port terminal where two possible terrorist suspects implanted an explosive device under a chlorine tank with a destructive potential of a 1.1 mile radius. As part of the exercise, the Port of San Juan and Crowley’s Facility Security Plan were tested. The area security was elevated to Maritime Security (MARSEC) level 2 and later to the maximum MARSEC 3.

Crowley’s involvement is further evidence of the company’s overall dedication to maritime domain security and the safety of their vessel and facility operations both in the island and the U.S., and its ongoing commitment to partner with authorities to protect the people of Puerto Rico from potential emergency and security incidents.

“The USCG Sector San Juan appreciates the cooperation received from Crowley Liner Service and recognizes that their contribution was vital for the success of this event,” said Victor A. Gonzalez, port security specialist and contingency planner, USCG sector San Juan. “Roberto Lugo’s (Crowley vice president and general manager) showcase of leadership, initiative and disposition of his resources, exceeded the expectations of the private sector in a multi-agency exercise of this magnitude.”

Esteban Hernandez, Crowley’s facility security officer in San Juan, coordinated this event with the USCG and the other participating agencies. Ed Alford, Crowley’s director of security based out of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., also attended as a participant in the exercise Unified Command structure, serving as the facility representative.

“Crowley was proud to be an active host and participant in the first Caribbean basin Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, and Transportation Security Administrations port response exercise,” said Lugo. “This security drill has given us the opportunity to test our established capabilities, and our ability to interface with the respective agencies in a cooperative partnership at a time of a heightened security situation or local emergency. From the feedback we have received, Crowley performed very well. This bodes well for any future situation we might encounter.”

Crowley and its predecessor company have been serving the Puerto Rico market since 1954, longer than any other carrier in the trade. The company, with more than 225 Puerto Rico employees, is also the No. 1 ocean carrier between the island commonwealth and the U.S. mainland with more weekly sailings and more cargo carried annually than any other shipping line.

Jacksonville-based Crowley Maritime Corporation, founded in San Francisco in 1892, is a privately held family and employee-owned company that provides diversified transportation and logistics services in domestic and international markets by means of five operating lines of business: Liner Services; Logistics Services; Petroleum Services, Marine Services and Technical Services. Other services provided within these business lines include contract towing and transportation; ship assist and escort; energy support; salvage and emergency response; vessel management, and petroleum and chemical transportation, distribution and sales. Additional information about Crowley its subsidiaries and business units may be found on the Internet at www.crowley.com.

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