Captain of the Port of Baltimore

By Meghan Davis

Edited by Corey Cherenfant

US Coast Guard crew members ready aids to navigation buoys following orders from the Captain of the Port to open a second channel after the Key Bridge collapse in March 2024. (USCG)

The current Captain of the Port of Baltimore is Captain Pat C. Burkett. He took command in June 2024, not long after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed. Captain Burkett has served in a variety of senior operational and regulatory roles in the U.S. Coast Guard. He previously served as Chief of the Prevention Division in the Coast Guard’s Thirteenth District, worked as the Coast Guard Liaison to the Military Sealift Command, and held several major operational jobs around the country. These included serving as Executive Officer at Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville, Investigating Officer at Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh, and Marine Inspector at Coast Guard Sectors New Orleans and Miami. Over the years, he has earned multiple military awards and brings a strong background from his work in the Pacific Northwest.

Captain Burkett’s office is at the U.S. Coast Guard Yard, located at 2401 Hawkins Point Road in Baltimore. The yard is an industrial area filled with cranes, large equipment, and maintenance buildings. It sits next to the Tanyard Cove neighborhood and overlooks Curtis Bay. Within the Yard, the Captain of the Port’s office serves as the central command point for maritime safety and security operations in the region.

Under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, the Captain of the Port is responsible for making sure all port facilities stay safe and secure. This includes reviewing and approving facility security plans, conducting inspections, and verifying that facilities properly train and supervise their contract security personnel. The Captain of the Port also has the power to issue fines and penalties when facilities fail to follow these standards.

Cybersecurity and foreign-made equipment have recently become major issues for U.S. ports. In November 2024, the Coast Guard released MARSEC Directive 105-5, which expands on Directive 105-4 from February 2024. These rules set new cybersecurity requirements for ship-to-shore cranes built in the People’s Republic of China. Because about 80% of U.S. port cranes come from Chinese companies like ZPMC, federal officials have raised concerns about potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Reports from The Wall Street Journal and the FBI found unauthorized cellular modems installed on some cranes, which led to new rules requiring port operators to get clearance from the Captain of the Port before entering sensitive areas.

The Captain of the Port also commands Coast Guard forces that handle maritime safety, security, and environmental protection throughout the Potomac River, the Chesapeake Bay (north of the Maryland–Virginia line), and the Atlantic waters off Ocean City. In Baltimore, this includes the city’s 50-foot shipping channel, five public terminals, including the Maryland Cruise Terminal, and twelve private terminals. According to an MPA 2023 report on the economic impact of the port, the Port of Baltimore plays a major role in the economy. Port-related activity in Baltimore supports approximately $16.2 billion in personal income in Maryland. It supports 51,365 direct jobs and is linked to more than 346,137 jobs statewide when related port activity is included. It also generates more than $2.8 billion in state and local taxes and $63 billion in business income.

Captain of the Port Briefing Unified Command after collapse of the Key Bridge in March 2024. (DoD)

One key part of modern port security is the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). This card requires maritime workers and contractors to pass a federal background check before they can enter secure areas. To enter any terminal area with restricted access, an individual must present their TWIC. The Department of Homeland Security keeps an updated list of canceled or revoked cards to stop unauthorized access. TWIC has become essential to protecting port facilities by keeping unvetted people out of restricted spaces.

The Captain of the Port is essential to the operation of the Port of Baltimore. The office ensures that goods move efficiently, federal laws are followed, and different agencies work together. This coordination is one of the main reasons the Port of Baltimore remains both secure and productive.

The role of the Captain of the Port extends beyond Baltimore’s safety and economy to the entire national supply chain. Through the enforcement of regulations, crisis response, and coordination with other agencies, Captain Burkett and his team demonstrate the Coast Guard’s dedication to protecting people, property, and commerce on America’s waterways.