Gov. Scott "Goes To Work" At Port Of Miami
MIAMI (CBSMiami/NSF) -- Gov. Rick Scott went to work Friday at the Port of Miami for one of his "Let's Get to Work Days."
The governor donned a hard hat and bright orange safety hat and went to work Friday morning with Seaboard Marine, an ocean transportation company, to check heavy construction equipment waiting to be loaded onto a cargo vessel.
While being advised by a Seaboard Marine employee, Scott inspected forklifts, bulldozers and diggers bound for Costa Rica and Panama.
He also inspected oversized cargo destined for export and extremely time-sensitive import cargoes.
"Working at the Port of Miami today convinces me all the more that Florida is the best place for companies to import and export their products," Governor Scott said. "That is exactly why we must make sure our ports are able to compete with other ports in the Southeast and along the entire Eastern seaboard."
Friday afternoon, he spent some time working aboard Carnival Cruise Lines' Imagination.
He's expected to join employees providing a warm welcome to guests as they arrive and check in for a fun-filled, three-day cruise to the Bahamas. As a welcome host, onboard announcer and "Just Ask" host, he will provide guests information about the ship and the cruise
Scott, a Republican, borrowed the "workdays" idea from former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bill Graham. The Democrat performed hundreds of "workdays" during his eight years as governor and 18 as a senator.
Scott has been making stops across the state to work jobs with regular Floridians. This is the governor's fifth "work day." Last month, he waited tables and washed dishes at a Panama City Beach seafood restaurant.
The maritime cargo activities at Florida ports are responsible for generating more than 550,000 direct and indirect jobs and $66 billion in total economic value. Overall, the cruise industry is responsible for more than 115,000 jobs in Florida, according to the governor's office.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
