Page 44 - Port of Baltimore - May/June 2017

PORT PERSON
Bill Smith Uses Police Skills
as Maritime Security Expert
FORMER BALTIMORE COUNTY POLICE OFFICER NOW WORKS WITH BATA MARINE
BY MERRILL WITTY | Photograph by Kathy Bergren Smith
Bill Smith was a Baltimore County police officer from 1993 to 2008. On his days off, he experienced a change of pace by working for his father-in-law at McCluskey Marine. That’s where he learned about the tugboat and line-handling business.
He also got to know many of the ship agents at the Port of Baltimore, which presented an opportunity, in 2002, for Smith
to create a much-needed guard service for Baltimore shipping agencies and terminal operators. He left the Police Department in 2008 and committed to building BATA Marine, Inc., a full-time 24/7 Port service company specializing in maritime security and line handling for vessels and barges. The company also provides cash
By utilizing fellow
local, state and federal current and retired law enforcement officers to provide these services, we are able to offer a top- notch security service
to our customers, with flexible schedules.”
and document delivery, protective escort services and guard-shack services, among other things.
“By utilizing fellow local, state
and federal current and retired law enforcement officers to provide
these services, we are able to offer
a top-notch security service to our customers, with flexible schedules,” he said. “Obviously, I believe with
my background and law enforcement experience, that Port security is very important, and there should be more of a sense of urgency placed on it.
“Our very first stowaway, in 2002, was discovered hiding in the engine room during a combined U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection upon the vessel’s arrival in Baltimore. The person was onboard illegally with no visa/ passport. We were called immediately to place guards on the vessel until
we were required to accompany the person back to his home country, the Dominican Republic.”
Smith continued, “There are typically only four major modes of travel for a terrorist to enter a port. Since railroads and roads don’t connect us with foreign threats, that leaves
[42] The Port of Baltimore ■ May/June 2017