Upgrades include perimeter fencing, vessel storage
PORT ARANSAS, Texas -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine recently announced the completion of renovations to a local 6,480 square-foot Marine Unit facility aimed at improving security and upgrading existing systems.
Renovations to this Office of Air and Marine Facility were completed March 2015
“This renovation provides much-needed software and technological upgrades, perimeter and interior security upgrades and storage for our vessels, trailers and other equipment,” said Corpus Christi Marine Operations Director Ashly Fenton.
The Corpus Christi Marine Unit is located on Mustang Island, one of the longest barrier islands along the Texas Coast. The area of operation for the unit is about 175 miles along the eastern Texas coastline including waterways north of the Port Mansfield/Port Mansfield Channel up to the mouth of the Colorado River and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.
The marine unit originally opened its doors in 2008 and was one of 11 such units mandated by Congress. In August of 2010, the unit moved to its current location in Port Aransas but security and vessel storage concerns persisted.
In July 2014, renovations began to the existing facility which required major demolition and construction inside, upgraded surveillance system inside and around the property, and fencing which had to comply with community regulations. The final cost totaled $1.4 million.
“We are definitely pleased with the finished product,” Fenton said. “The software improvements to our communications and security systems brings us online and up-to-date with other established CBP locations. While having a secure vessel storage on the property eliminates the need to pay vessel storage costs.”
Improvements which began last July were completed March 2015.