Monday, we welcomed the Windsor Port Authority Harbour Master, Peter Berry, to present a Brief Introduction of Safety and Security Role.
Peter Berry joined us Monday morning with so much enthusiasm and so many stories to share. In Canada Peter has served as a Canada Border Services Agency in Vancouver BC and Customs Headquarters Ottawa in various positions such as Superintendent Marine Enforcement Unit, Superintendent Container Enforcement Unit; Chief – International Mail Centre (Vancouver); Manager Postal, Courier and Low-Value Shipments.
Internationally, he served with distinction as a member of the United Nations Sanctions Assistance Mission (MACSAM) in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Completed tour of duty as a border patrol officer with the duties of interdiction of sanctioned goods along the borders of Serbia and Kosovo. Additional duties as an investigator for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) targeting the smuggling/ trafficking of humans; weapons and drugs to the major crime organizations in Serbia and Kosovo.
Appointed to the position of Harbour Master in July 2009, Mr. Berry assumed the role of the primary Traffic Control Officer, Enforcement Officer and Port Security Officer for the Windsor Port Authority. In that role, Mr. Berry works closely with law enforcement and marine agencies within Canada and the United States. The Port of Windsor is one of two ports in Canada in which the RCMP Shiprider Unit currently operates and the only port with direct proximity to the international border.
While many live within minutes of the border and the Detroit River we learned there are many events that happen on the river that we aren't always aware of. Peter shared with us many stories about impaired boaters, grounded ships, security breaches, international swimmers, vessel collisions, fires and so much more. Peter has gained so much experience throughout his career that he draws on now to keep the Detroit river safe. His best advice for the group is "if you see something, say something!"
Many things are illegally trafficked through the river including drugs, weapons, explosives and people. He explained that law enforcement would rather respond to a call of a potential danger than let it go undetected. The Windsor Port Authority Team is made up of only 4-5 people. This means, when it comes to making the river even safer, they appreciate the help of community members who monitor and keep an eye on what is happening along the shore and in the water.
