NEWSFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH THE U.S. ECONOMY AND NATIONAL SECURITY AT STAKE EVERY DAY, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL GOES INSIDE THE STAGGERING OPERATIONS OF AMERICA'S PORT
Bomb Scares, Missing Person Investigations and Bustling, Unpredictable Waters: New Series from Producers of "Ice Road Truckers" and "Deadliest Catch" Enters the Port of Los Angeles, One of the Busiest and Most Important Entry Points in America
(WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 7, 2008) Just 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles is the Port of Los Angeles, the nation's largest container port and one of the most important trade gateways in the world. It's a city within a city, brimming with a workforce of 16,000 and potential crises round the clock: longshoremen urgently offloading cargo, customs officials investigating suspicious containers, a port pilot circumnavigating frenzied and bustling, unpredictable waters, police divers searching for missing persons, a counterterrorism chief inspecting target points - and a tireless woman leading this crucial enterprise.
On Sunday, April 6, 2008, at 10 p.m. ET/PT, before moving to its regular time of Mondays at 10 p.m. ET/PT, the National Geographic Channel (NGC) premieres America's Port, a new eight-part weekly series from the acclaimed producers of "Ice Road Truckers" and "Deadliest Catch" that delivers an insider's view of this massive complex and the intrepid individuals charged with keeping it running smoothly and securely 365 days a year. It's a dynamic and dangerous 24/7 operation. Close the Port of Los Angeles and the neighboring Port of Long Beach, and within days, the economy would take a punishing hit, because hundreds of tons of consumer goods pass through the ports each day.
America's Port will provide an unblinking view of this vibrant and colorful nerve center for global trade. Gain access to the high-tech control rooms that coordinate thousands of calculated ship movements each year. Climb aboard a tanker with chief port pilot Michael Rubino, who stays calm while chaos erupts around him, and comb through cargo with U.S. Customs Port Director Todd Hoffman. Stay alongside the LA Port Police, one of the few police forces in the nation dedicated exclusively to 24/7 port activities, as they investigate a rape case, conduct bomb sweeps under wharfs or dive into the harbor in search of missing persons.
At the epicenter of the port's whirlwind of activity is a dynamo executive director, Dr. Geraldine Knatz. The first female in the port's storied 100-year history, Dr. Knatz is little known, but is arguably one of the nation's most important women in terms of protecting our economy and national security. In addition to these hot-button responsibilities, Dr. Knatz is also credited with making environmentalism a top priority - pledging to curb the port's air pollution from trucks, ships, locomotives and other equipment by at least 45 percent in five years.
"I think people will be amazed at the sheer magnitude of our operations," said Dr. Knatz, "and I'm certain they will embrace the individual character, dedication and pride of the people who work here, as they get a solid sense of the inherent danger, security measures and daily pressures of getting it right, every time."
Currently in production, episodes of America's Port will take viewers behind the scenes of the port - from bomb squad deployment in a post-9/11 world, to capturing counterfeits and illicit drugs, to the massive "green growth" campaign focused on eliminating hundreds of tons of vessel, train and truck pollution. And hear the personal stories and candid accounts from those in the heart of the operations who have seen and done it all.
America's Port is being produced by Original Productions for the National Geographic Channel. For Original Productions, executive producer is Thom Beers, producer is Molly Mayock. For the National Geographic Channel, executive producer is Howard Swartz and senior vice president of special programming is Michael Cascio. Executive vice president of content is Steve Burns.
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. For more information, please visit www.nationalgeographic.com/channel.
(Press Release courtesy of Port of Portland)
