click for hi-res Two CBP Air and Marine agents view the Carnival Triumph as they approach the disabled ship.

Mobile, Ala. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) worked closely with Carnival Cruise lines and the U.S. Coast Guard to expedite the safe return and processing of passengers aboard the Carnival Triumph cruise ship into the U.S.

Due to the unusual circumstances surrounding this instance, CBP approved a joint enforcement boarding of the Carnival Triumph in order to expedite the clearance processing of the passengers and crew.

click for hi-res CBP marine support approaches the Carnival Triumph.

This joint enforcement team consisted of CBP officers from the Port of Mobile, Alabama along with agents from the Office of Air and Marine (OAM) New Orleans Air and Marine Branch.

“CBP demonstrated our commitment to doing everything possible to expedite the usual processing of travelers returning home,” said CBP Area Port of Mobile Director, Raymond Polley. “Our officers worked tirelessly onboard the Triumph to process approximately 4,000 passengers and crew as safely and efficiently as possible.”

	click for hi-res CBP boards the Carnival Triumph to process passengers so their arrival to port is painless.

CBP deployed two 33’ Safe Boats from the New Orleans Air and Marine Branch to transport CBP officers, marine interdiction agents, and U.S. Coast Guard personnel to this ship. Additionally, given the cruise ship terminal at the Port of Mobile is no longer operational, CBP employees temporarily restored secured internet operations to the terminal to ensure the efficient processing of the passengers as quickly and safely as possible.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.