Homeland Security Yields Big Grants

Close to a Million in Federal Dollars Is Designated for Steamship
Authority and for Town of Oak Bluffs

By JULIA WELLS

Homeland security came home this week when federal officials
announced the award of two hefty grants totaling some $900,000 to
improve port security on the Vineyard and in Woods Hole.

The money will go to the Steamship Authority ($624,000) and the Oak
Bluffs emergency management department ($285,000).

The grants were announced by the Massachusetts congressional
delegation this week.

"This funding is so desperately needed," said Sen.
Edward M. Kennedy in a press release about the grant money this week.

"With the attraction that the Vineyard has for people from all
over the world, there is good reason to be aware, to be vigilant and to
understand that while there is no cause for alarm, common sense dictates
that we take preventive measures," said Cong. William Delahunt
from his office in Washington, D.C., yesterday.

"The Steamship Authority is the lifeline for Island residents,
and clearly every effort should be made to protect their safety,"
said Mark Forest, an aide to Mr. Delahunt.

The funds are part of a $4.5 million grant package that will go to
Massachusetts seaports from the federal Department of Homeland Security.

Mr. Forest and Mr. Delahunt said this week that while the initial
focus was on airports after the events of Sept. 11, attention is now
turning increasingly to seaports.

"We all know very well here on the Cape and Islands that there
are millions of people who travel through our port facilities, and until
recently the federal government hasn't paid much attention -
this is going to be the first in a series of steps to provide
resources," Mr. Forest said.

Steamship Authority managers said yesterday that they still had not
been notified about the grant award.

"We're still waiting for official notification,"
said James Swindler, director of operations for the boat line.

Mr. Swindler said the money will be used to build covered passenger
holding areas in Vineyard Haven and in Woods Hole, and also to install
surveillance cameras in all the boat line terminals and fencing at the
main ports. Scanning equipment will also be purchased, Mr. Swindler
said.

Oak Bluffs harbor master Todd Alexander admitted yesterday that the
grant money is a windfall.

"Quite honestly, I don't know what we're going to
do, but you don't turn down grant money," he said. Mr.
Alexander said the grant application was prepared by local members of
the emergency management team, including town police officer George
Fisher, civil defense director Peter Martell and fire chief Dennis
Alley.

Mr. Alexander said the current plan calls for buying a new boat that
can be shared by the town harbor master, the town police and fire
departments and the dive team. The boat will be equipped for a variety
of emergency response measures, Mr. Alexander said.

The harbor master said he has no real concerns about security in the
port of Oak Bluffs. "Personally, no. But I'm not very much
of an extremist," Mr. Alexander said.

Mr. Delahunt said the grant award does not mean any of the ports are
threatened.

"I am not suggesting in any way, shape or form that any port
in the district is a target, but I just want to continue to ensure that
our have the kind of resources necessary to deter any kind of
problem," the congressman said.

"God forbid, I have no particular concern, but if there ever
should be an incident what would this mean in terms of the economy of
the Island - this is money well spent," he added.

SSA chief executive officer Fred C. Raskin said yesterday that the
boat line welcomes the grant money.

"We're delighted to hear that this will help offset the
significant potential drain on resources that security concerns will
take - we're spending dollars as we speak," Mr. Raskin
said.

Last year the boat line won an $8,000 federal grant to help offset
the cost of beefing up security, but at the time Mr. Raskin said the
grant would hardly make a dent in the cost of hiring private duty state
police officers to man the terminals during the long operating day for
the SSA.

"We're absolutely ecstatic," Mr. Swindler said.

Other grant recipients include Massport, the Massachusetts State
Police, the Massachusetts Environmental Police and the Everett police
department (the town of Everett hosts a natural gas tank farm).

"It's a very different world right now, and there is
increased attention focused on our ports all across the nation,"
concluded Mr. Forest.