Posted:
August 20, 2008
American Maritime Officers member James "Dwayne" Ragland Aug. 3 assisted in the apprehension of a stowaway, who was swimming to shore in Port Canaveral from a cruise ship docked there.
Ragland, the deckhand aboard the tug Captain Brinn, spotted the stowaway swimming near the tug around 6 a.m. Ragland challenged and questioned the swimmer, and notified the captain. Authorities were notified and two officers were dispatched. Ragland made sure the stowaway remained in the water until the officers arrived on scene and apprehended him.
"A stowaway's intent is to enter this country illegally and, although this individual did not appear to commit any terrorist activities, your action contributes to a more secure waterfront for everyone in the port," said Seabulk Towing Inc. President Kenny Rogers in a letter of commendation. "The local Port Canaveral law enforcement authorities confirmed the existing security measures worked only because you did the right thing at the right time.
"Most importantly, you promptly and properly notified your captain so he could alert the local authorities," Rogers said. "Your physical presence and verbal challenge in questioning this person gave the authorities time to act. You courageously maintained positive supervision of this person until help arrived. Your judgment in this situation is quite commendable."
The apprehended swimmer admitted he was a stowaway on a cruise ship at the port, and was described as Romanian with no identification.
The Captain Brinn is part of the Port Canaveral Towing fleet, a division of Seabulk Towing. AMO represents the officers and deckhands in the fleet.
AMO member assists in apprehension of stowaway in Port Canaveral
American Maritime Officers member James "Dwayne" Ragland Aug. 3 assisted in the apprehension of a stowaway, who was swimming to shore in Port Canaveral from a cruise ship docked there.
Ragland, the deckhand aboard the tug Captain Brinn, spotted the stowaway swimming near the tug around 6 a.m. Ragland challenged and questioned the swimmer, and notified the captain. Authorities were notified and two officers were dispatched. Ragland made sure the stowaway remained in the water until the officers arrived on scene and apprehended him.
"A stowaway's intent is to enter this country illegally and, although this individual did not appear to commit any terrorist activities, your action contributes to a more secure waterfront for everyone in the port," said Seabulk Towing Inc. President Kenny Rogers in a letter of commendation. "The local Port Canaveral law enforcement authorities confirmed the existing security measures worked only because you did the right thing at the right time.
"Most importantly, you promptly and properly notified your captain so he could alert the local authorities," Rogers said. "Your physical presence and verbal challenge in questioning this person gave the authorities time to act. You courageously maintained positive supervision of this person until help arrived. Your judgment in this situation is quite commendable."
The apprehended swimmer admitted he was a stowaway on a cruise ship at the port, and was described as Romanian with no identification.
The Captain Brinn is part of the Port Canaveral Towing fleet, a division of Seabulk Towing. AMO represents the officers and deckhands in the fleet.