WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Delahunt today announced the award of over $330,000 in Department of Homeland Security Port and Transit Security Grants to several applicants from the South Shore and Cape and Islands.

“I’m pleased that the Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority and Sprague Energy will receive a combined total of more than $330,000 from the federal government.  The security of all our ferry and coastal energy facilities is critical to the economic health of our region where tourism and commerce are dependent on a thriving marine transportation system,” Delahunt said today.

The funds are designed to assist port, business and transportation operators comply with recommendations from federal agencies, including the Coast Guard, for security improvements to terminals, vessels and other assets. In this latest round of awards, the Steamship Authority of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket received $274,120 under the Ferry Security Grant Program and $48,975 in Port Security funds. In addition, Sprague Energy of Quincy received $8,600 in Port Security monies for surveillance equipment and fencing.

“These federal grants not only help make our ports safer, but they ease the significant financial burden our terminal operators face in complying with expensive federal security guidelines,” Delahunt said.

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