Pubdate: Tue, 26 May 2009
Source: Northern Light, The (CN NK)
Copyright: 2009 CanadaEast Interactive, Brunswick News Inc.
Author: James Mallory


The chief executive officer of the Port of Belledune believes security
at the facility is among the best in the world.

Rayburn Doucett said many measures are taken to reduce illegal
activities such as drug smuggling and terrorism.

"I think our port is as secure as you can have a port in this
particular area," said Mr. Doucett, noting that close to $1 million
has been spent on security at the port since Sept. 11, 2001.

Constable Julien Doth of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in
Belledune recently made a presentation to the Belledune village
council, outlining the files he's following. He indicated that
stopping the flow of illegal drugs is a major focal point for the RCMP
in Belledune.

For its part, the Belledune Port Authoirty has been stepping up
security in recent years, especially since an incident in December
2004, where 52 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of
between $6 million and $15 million was seized from a Croatia
registered ship.

"We've had clear sailing ever since," said Mr. Doucett when asked
about any subsequent drug incidents. "We've had no trouble that we
know of."

He said the port authority wants to create an awareness and reputation
for top-notch security to avoid future incidents of attempted
importation of illegal drugs.

"We just want to make sure that everybody knows that we have top notch
security here and (that it's) not one to try to come into."

Mr. Doucett said there are various security check points when a new
ship comes into the port. He said it's a combination of port staff and
other organizations that make the security tight.

"As soon as a ship is coming in, especially a foreign ship, we end up
notifying customs and the RCMP arrive here. They are the ones who do
the judging as far as how serious the situation is and how much
they're going to search," he explained.

"Before anybody is allowed off, (Mounties are) the first ones on. They
go through the ship and before that happens, the company bringing the
ship in...they have to post two security guards in place before you
get to the ship so nobody gets near the wharf, three hours before the
ship arrives."

Mr. Doucett also noted that new security card features were
implemented this year.

"At one time everybody had a number. They'd go 1,6,5,8, whatever it is
and away you go through the gate...That doesn't happen anymore. There
are swipe cards with pictures on them and whoever goes through that
gate has got to be responsible. If they don't swipe the cards, they're
not going to get back out. At one time when you put the number in,
when you came back out the gate automatically lifted because you were
already in there."

Mr. Doucett added that security cameras also record every move that is

"We have cameras at our dock, we have a complete set-up here inside
our building at the port. We can tell what's happening 24 hours
because its' all filmed."

The Port of Belledune is a year-round deep-water port that had 112
vessels from all over the world docked there in 2008.
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