Port Security – Case Study
A contribution from Port Metro Vancouver
May 10, 2010
Port Metro Vancouver contributed to the success of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games as the Official Port Service to the event.
As part of its sponsorship agreement, the port provided key facilities and support leading up to and during the 2010 Winter Games, including use of the Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal as the location of the Main Press Centre. Canada’s largest and busiest port also helped spread the Vancouver 2010 spirit around the world through its vast network of resources and contacts with businesses from more than 100 trading economies around the world.
The port met its operational objective to minimize impacts to Port Metro Vancouver and port business. It prepared port operations plans and established internal working teams to identify and implement best practices for communications, human resourcing, operations, security and transportation. Working teams identified issues and risks associated with the event according to external impacts, and developed mitigation plans where applicable.
The port also worked with many Olympic partners to prepare for the Games, including the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) and the International Olympic Committee, the Vancouver Integrated Security Unit, the City of Vancouver, Translink, the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Transport Canada.
Standard operating procedures remained in place during the Olympics. Hosting the Games necessitated some change to the normal operations of Port Metro Vancouver. The port worked closely with Transport Canada and the Surface Planning Committee and reviewed all port security measures. The port also worked with key stakeholders, terminal operators, tenants and labour to coordinate port activities during the Games and refine plans for access and security controls, cargo restrictions and traffic management, upholding its dedication to maintaining the highest level of security at Port Metro Vancouver at all times.
The port developed and implemented a Port Operations Activity Program process for the Games including a new incident management framework and de-/escalation process to handle emerging issues.
Throughout the fourth quarter of 2009, the port actively met with terminals and stakeholders to document and agree to a plan for the traffic, operations and security overlay for the Winter Olympic Games period for the port’s South Shore area. The port also worked with and supported VANOC on the management and security of the cruise terminal dock and terminal levels at Canada Place, where the Main Press Centre was located.
An Olympic Marine Operations Centre (OMOC) was established to coordinate communication efforts during the Games. The port secured a seat in the OMOC, marking the first time a port authority had been invited to participate in a government-controlled integrated security unit. Existing communication vehicles were used in the OMOC that are in place today, such as vessel traffic services. Also, the port’s Operations Toolkit was a valuable tool used within the OMOC during the Games. Additionally, enforcement vessels from around the region provided a 24/7 marine presence.
The port participated in four Olympic-related security exercises, with two scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2009: Pegasus Guardian III on Oct. 19-23 and Exercise Gold on Nov. 2-6. These multi-agency exercises were designed to test the various safety and security plans for the Games.
During the exercises, Port Metro Vancouver employees acted as liaison officers in the OMOC, playing a key role for the port in providing expertise and situational awareness of port operations to other participants.
Pegasus Guardian III, led by the Canadian navy, focused on marine operations at a regional level. This full-scale exercise saw live assets in play, including the port’s own boat crew, as well as liaison officers in the OMOC. Other players included the Vancouver Police Department, the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards and Transport Canada. Activity occurred in Vancouver harbour, the Fraser River and locations around the Strait of Georgia.
Exercise Gold, led by the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit, was a larger-scale exercise designed to test the various safety and security plans for the Games. All levels of government participated, as well as public and private industry. Activity occurred throughout Vancouver and Whistler.
Port Metro Vancouver delivered Integrated Traffic Management Plans, working with its terminal partners to jointly manage traffic and minimize impacts. Reservations at entry gates were checked stringently to make sure all container trucks on the South Shore corridor arrived within their reservation window. A radio communication program was implemented to streamline communication among the port’s control room, terminals and railway operators, resulting in improved traffic management overall.
Regular stakeholder information sessions were held, focusing on port-related issues such as access and security controls, cargo restrictions and traffic planning, to assist port users, customers and stakeholders to prepare for the 2010 Winter Games. Speakers discussed topics of interest and included representatives from Port Metro Vancouver, VANOC, the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit, Translink, the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA), South Shore terminal operators and the Western Marine Community Coalition (WMCC).
The port also produced a 2010 Handbook for port users that included port-specific information on dangerous goods and traffic management planning.
During the Games, the port held daily briefings with internal and external resources to discuss emerging issues. Traffic, labour, security and media were monitored. The port participated in, or received updates from, a variety of external sources, including:
• BCMEA
• Government Partners Public Affairs Group
• Integrated Security Unit
• Joint Intelligence Group
• Main Operations Centre
• OMOC
• Provincial Regional Emergency Operations Centre
• Traffic Management Centre
• Transport Canada
• VANOC
• WMCC
• Provincial Regional Emergency Operations Centre
• Other stakeholders.
Years of planning for the 2010 Winter Games have resulted in improved relationships with other agencies, government partners and terminal operators. Port Metro Vancouver continues to leverage the Games with customers and government stakeholders. Together, the port community contributed to a monumental event in the history of the gateway.