Cocoa Beach News

Representatives from all aspects of the maritime shipping industry met in Cocoa Beach, Fla., May 16-18 for the Caribbean Shipping Associations’ (CSA) Shipping Executives Conference. Attendees include shippers, ship owners, port authorities and terminal operators, and non-vessel owners, such as brokers. A major theme of the conference was the close relationship between Florida ports and the Caribbean markets. “Florida ports have had a long relationship of trade with the Caribbean nations, and are proud to count them as some of our most valuable partners,” said Doug Wheeler, president and CEO of the Florida Ports Council. The CSA conference focused on the emerging market opportunities represented by the opening of Cuba to commerce, as well as the widening of the Panama Canal.

The Canaveral Harbor Inlet Sand Bypass Project has earned the top state ranking for 2014/15 inlet management funding. As a result, Port Canaveral is expected to receive $100,500 in grant funding from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for beach renourishment. To date, Port Canaveral has spent more than $2 million on the sand bypass and related beach restoration projects, leveraging more than $2.2M in additional state funds and more than $45 million from the US Army Corps of Engineers. According to Dr. William Stronge, every $1 spent on beach projects generated almost $48 in sales tax revenue last year. "We recognize the importance of our beaches to Brevard County and the state's economy," said Port Canaveral CEO John E. Walsh.

Do yachting and racing mix? Yes, when powerboat veteran Gene Weeks, his wife, Paula and yacht builder, Cheoy Lee Shipyards, join the Powerboat P1 Superstock Series. When the venerable Cheoy Lee Motoryachts took advantage of the market evolution from super-yachts to smaller, sleeker Express Yachts, the company tapped the expertise of Gene Weeks who raced and had helped build brands like Donzi and Statement. Weeks and his wife, a mechanical and motorsports-savvy woman, moved to Doumen, China for two years to help design and build Cheoy Lee's new Alpha Series.

Cocoa Beach resident Tom Weinberg will serve as Chairman of the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners for 2013. The former Chief of Staff for former Florida Sen. Mel Martinez was elected unanimously to the position during the first meeting of the year for the Board. Also elected were Titusville attorney Jerry Allender as Vice Chairman and Cocoa citrus grower Frank Sullivan as Secretary/Treasurer. Titusville attorney John H. Evans begins his first term on the Board. Also serving will be Merritt Island auto dealership owner Bruce Deardoff, the immediate past Chairman of the Board.

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) changes date of 'Shifting International Trade Routes' workshop, details other events. The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)—the trade association representing seaports throughout the Western Hemisphere—has slated 13 maritime industry programs for 2013, including its sixth annual “Shifting International Trade Routes” workshop in Tampa, Jan. 24-25; its annual Spring Conference in Washington, D.C., March 18-19; and its 102nd Annual Convention and Exposition, Oct. 13-17, in Port Canaveral, Orlando and Cocoa Beach, Fla., hosted by the Canaveral Port Authority.  

 The full schedule of 2013 AAPA programs can be accessed by clicking here.

J. Stanley Payne, Chief Executive Officer of the Canaveral Port Authority, will serve on the 2009-10 Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). He was named to the 10-member board during the annual AAPA meeting held this year in Galveston, Texas. AAPA is an alliance of leading ports in the Western Hemisphere. The mission of the organization is to protect and advance the common interests of its diverse members as they connect their communities with the global transportation system.

During its first meeting of 2008, the Canaveral Port Authority elected Titusville attorney Joe Matheny as the new chairman of the Board of Commissioners. The five-member board voted unanimously for Matheny, the District 2 representative who has served on the board since 1998. "We have experienced dramatic success during the past two years with topping the $50 million revenue mark for the first time in our history, moving into the Port's new modern administration building, and signing major cargo deals such as the new Vitol fuel tank farm," Matheny said after the Board vote. Matheny secedes outgoing chairman Tom Goodson of Rockledge, who owns a paving company. The District 3 representative was elected to the Board in 2002.

Canaveral Fire Rescue, the Cape Canaveral Hospital, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and Holmes Regional First Flight will be conducting a small scale Mass Casualty drill. The drill will take place at Canaveral Fire Rescue Training facility in Port Canaveral. The drill will test response and plans of emergency responders and local hospitals. Participants include Canaveral Port Authority, Health First, Cape Canaveral Hospital, Canaveral Fire Rescue, Brevard County Fire Rescue, Cocoa Beach Fire Rescue, and Brevard County Emergency Management.

Rodney Ketcham, the owner of a Cocoa Beach commercial real estate firm, was elected chairman of the Canaveral Port Authority during the board's first meeting of 2002. Other officers elected were: Raymond Sharkey as vice chairman, a retired aerospace manager serving his second term representing District 1; Donald Molitor as secretary/treasurer, the retired telecommunications business owner represents District 3 and also is serving his second term. Other board members are: Titusville attorney Joe Matheny, a second-term representative of District 2, and Ralph Kennedy, a construction business owner and Port Commissioner since 1990. He represents District 4.