“The Port has worked diligently with the
Department of Homeland Security to improve the security of our
Port,” said Monique Moyer, Executive Director of the Port of San
Francisco. “As an urban port with a wide array of industries and
activities makes this effort an incredible challenge, but knowing
that these devices are now in place should make Bay Area residents
feel more secure.”
A radiation portal monitor is a detection device
that provides Customs and Border Protection with a passive,
non-intrusive means to screen containerized and break bulk cargo,
trucks and other conveyances for the presence of nuclear and
radiological materials. These systems are capable of detecting
various types of radiation emanating from nuclear devices including
dirty bombs. The Port of San Francisco completed the construction of
the RPM on behalf of U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection who fully
funded the project.
The monitors are manned by specially trained
Customs officers and are located near the exit gate at Pier 80.
Trucks drive through the portal as they exit the terminal, a process
that takes only a few seconds. If the signal light turns green the
truck proceeds out of the terminal. If the signal remains red, a
Customs Officer directs the truck to a secondary RPM that is located
out of the flow of traffic and further tests are done. An alert by
itself does not mean that a nuclear weapon or harmful radiation has
been detected. There are many legitimate sources of radiation,
including naturally occurring radiation and various medical and
industrial isotopes that pose little threat to the public. CBP
personnel will follow strict protocols to determine whether the
source of radiation is a potential terrorist threat and take the
appropriate responsive actions.
Pier 80, managed by Marine Terminals Corporation,
is the Northern California port of call for the AMPAC Group (CCNI,
Maruba, and Hamburg Sud), that serves Latin America, and the joint
venture between Polynesia Lines and Hamburg Sud, which serves Tahiti
and Polynesia. Pier 80 also has several breakbulk vessels calling
including those services offered by SK Shipping, Pan Ocean Bulk,
Hyundai, Star Shipping, Norsk Pacific, Gearbulk, and Saga Forest
Carriers.