Date: Feb. 1, 2005

Contact: Ryan Doss
(305) 415-6683

Super Bowl cruise ships to be inspected at Port Everglades

***Media Advisory: Interviews/Video available Wednesday Feb. 2.  RSVP Required***

MIAMI - A Blue Lightning Strike Force dive team will inspect two Holland America cruise ships, that will be used as hotels in Jacksonville, Fla., for Super Bowl XXXIX, Wednesday morning at Port Everglades n Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

The Coast Guard, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division, Broward Sheriffs Office, Miami-Dade Police Department and numerous other local, state and federal agencies are teaming up for Operation Super Sweep, a Blue Lightning initiative to provide security for the various cruise ships that will serve as floating hotels.

The strike force, initiated by the USEPA/CID, will conduct searches of cruise ships to be used for Jacksonville's visitors for Super Bowl XXXIX, including a sweep of the vessels’ hulls, focusing on ensuring there are no parasitic smuggling devices attached to the bottom of the ships.

The dive operations, taking place in Tampa Fla., Cape Canaveral Fla., and Ft. Lauderdale, are being coordinated through the Department of Homeland Security, Coast Guard, FBI and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

Spokespersons from the USEPA, BSO and USCG will be available for interview.  Media are asked to be at the main port entrance no later than 9:30 a.m. Wednesday for escort onto the port by a Coast Guard representative.

Media interested in attending the Ft. Lauderdale sweep are asked to contact Petty Officer Ryan Doss no later than 4 p.m. Tuesday at 305-415-6683 to ensure access to the port facilities.

###