Ports, Docks & Marinas
Port, Dock & Marina Security in California
Gate officers, escorts and waterfront patrols for terminals, docks and marinas — supporting your facility security plan and scaling up when the security level rises.
- Licensed & insured
- 24/7 dispatch
- No long-term contract
- Se habla español
Waterfront experience
Gates, piers and parking.
TWIC-aware access
Escort and ID-check procedures.
Scales with MARSEC
Extra patrols on short notice.
Documented
Logs for your FSO.
Quick answer
What security rules apply to California ports and marinas?
Waterfront facilities that receive certain vessels — such as passenger vessels certificated for more than 150 passengers, SOLAS vessels or foreign cargo vessels over 100 gross register tons — must operate under a Coast Guard-approved Facility Security Plan under 33 CFR Part 105. Anyone needing unescorted access to secure areas must hold a TWIC card, and facilities must check the ID of non-TWIC visitors and escort them. Most recreational marinas fall outside Part 105 but still face theft, trespass and vandalism. Safeguard On Demand provides gate officers, escorts and patrols for both.
Key facts
- MTSA facilities need a Coast Guard-approved plan
- TWIC required for unescorted secure-area access
- Visitors without TWIC must be escorted
- Extra guards and patrols at higher MARSEC levels
- Recreational marinas usually outside Part 105
The challenge
Waterfront security is different
Ports and marinas combine federal rules, heavy traffic and open water.
TWIC staffing
Officers posted at secure areas need TWIC cards, which makes short-notice staffing hard.
Escort surges
Truckers and vendors without TWIC arrive in waves at busy terminals.
Marina theft and trespass
Boats, engines, electronics and fuel are targeted at night.
Coverage options
Waterfront security services
Combine services into one program.
Our standards
What every port and marina post includes
The same standard on every shift.
Written post orders
Duties and escalation contacts approved by you.
Hourly photo reports
Timestamped photos and notes.
Supervisor field checks
Unannounced visits.
BSIS-licensed officers
Guard Card and background check.
Before you hire
Questions to ask a port and marina security company
Here is how we answer.
| Ask the vendor | Safeguard On Demand |
|---|---|
| Do your officers hold TWIC cards? | We staff secure-area posts with TWIC-holding officers when the post requires it. |
| Can you handle escorts? | Yes — escort procedures that follow your facility security plan. |
| Can you add guards when MARSEC rises? | Yes, with short-notice staffing. |
| Do you protect recreational marinas? | Yes — patrols, gate officers and monitoring. |
| Will we get logs for our Facility Security Officer? | Yes. |
| Is there a long-term contract? | No long-term contract. |
Who we protect
Waterfront facilities we protect
Statewide
Port and marina security across California
Served from the office nearest your site, with officers across 13 California counties.
How it works
How port and marina security starts
A short, documented process.
01
Site review
Property, hours and incident history reviewed.
02
Post orders
Duties and contacts written and approved.
03
Officer orientation
Officers learn the site before day one.
04
Reports & review
Shift reports and regular check-ins.
Choosing coverage
Gate officers, patrols or cameras?
Regulated terminals need gate and access-control officers who follow the facility security plan, plus patrols of the perimeter and parking. Recreational marinas usually get the most value from mobile patrol and remote video monitoring of docks and lots overnight.
Federal requirements
MTSA facility security and TWIC
Under 33 CFR Part 105, covered facilities must have a Facility Security Plan that addresses each vulnerability identified in the Facility Security Assessment and sets measures for each MARSEC level; the plan is submitted to the Coast Guard Captain of the Port for approval (33 CFR 105.400). Facilities must prevent unescorted access to secure areas by anyone without a TWIC and check the ID of non-TWIC visitors and vendors; at MARSEC 2, measures can include additional guards and perimeter patrols (33 CFR 101.514, 105.255). TSA issues TWIC cards, valid for five years.
Every officer must hold a BSIS Guard Card and work for a licensed private patrol operator — 8 hours of Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force training before registration, 32 more hours within six months, and 8 hours of continuing training every year. Verify any company or officer on the state’s DCA License Search.
Security checklist
- Facility Security Plan current
- TWIC-holding officers for secure posts
- Escort procedure in writing
- MARSEC surge staffing plan
- Perimeter patrol schedule
- Logs for the Facility Security Officer
Budgeting
What affects the cost of port and marina security
We do not publish one-size rates. These factors move the price.
Hours of coverage
24/7, nights only or business hours.
Armed vs. unarmed
Armed posts cost more.
Guard vs. patrol
Patrols cost less than full-time posts.
Site size
Acreage, buildings and entrances.
Location and risk
Site history and neighborhood.
Contract length
Short-term vs. ongoing.
Port and marina security FAQs
Officers needing unescorted access to secure areas of an MTSA-regulated facility need a TWIC.
Most do not, unless they serve vessels covered by 33 CFR Part 105.
Yes, following your facility security plan.
Yes, including when MARSEC levels rise.
Across 13 California counties from offices in Santa Ana, Los Angeles (Northridge), San Diego, the Inland Empire, Sacramento and Silicon Valley.
Where we provide this coverage
Posts are staffed from the nearest of our six California offices — same day in most areas. Free assessment: (800) 640-2327.