Port Tampa Bay to Honor Local Maritime Veteran and Support Area Students TAMPA, Fla.—Port Tampa Bay and Tampa Port Ministries Tampa Seafarers Center will honor Terry Fluke, a 32-year Port employee, with the Captain James McKay Lifetime Achievement Award during its 16th Annual Anchor Ball Saturday, October 7, at 6 p.m., at 815 Channelside Dr., Cruise Terminal 2. The Anchor Ball is an annual charity event that supports the Tampa Port Ministries Seafarer’s Center and the Tampa Bay Maritime Scholarship Foundation. The scholarship, named in honor of George Steinbrenner, undergirds Hillsborough County Schools’ high school maritime studies program, a program created by the Propeller Club of Tampa. The James McKay Lifetime Achievement Award is named in honor of the Scottish-born schooner captain, traditionally acknowledged as a father of the Port, who in the mid-1800s began running ships between Tampa, Mobile and New Orleans, as well as shipping cattle to Cuba. McKay went on to serve as the sixth mayor of Tampa. The award is presented each year to a highly involved, long-time port industry leader. Terry Fluke, this year’s recipient is a veteran maritime industry leader who has contributed greatly to the success of Port Tampa Bay and greater community. Fluke’s career highlights:

• 1985, Began his career with Port Tampa Bay
• 1991, Promoted to terminal manager and served as manager through 2009
• 1995, Led Tampa’s first U.S. Coast Guard industry-led PREP drill
• 1997, Elected to the board of the Tampa Bay Harbor Safety & Security Committee (TBHSSC) and co-chaired the initial Vessel Movement subcommittee
• 2006, Elected chairman of the Tampa Bay Harbor Safety & Security Committee TBHSSC and serves as chair today
• 2009, operations manager for Cargill, Inc., responsible for inbound and outbound vessel operations, cargo loading and unloading and vessel logistical support

“Terry is known as a consensus builder and leader who unites others for the common good. He is well regarded by all who know him,” said Paul Anderson, Port Tampa Bay president and CEO. “Terry has made a tremendous impact on almost every aspect of port operations such as cargo logistics, vessel operations, rulemaking and public policy initiatives, port dredging projects, environmental regulations and emergency response activities.” The International Propeller Club of the United States—Port of Tampa and Port of Tampa Maritime Industries Association (PTMIA) join in supporting this annual event. “The Anchor Ball is an apex event of the Tampa Port Ministries and the Seafarers Center,” said Steven Finnesy, chaplain, Tampa Port Ministries. “It’s always a wonderful experience to see the Tampa Bay community come together in support of our mission to touch the lives of the men and women from across the world who visit the port.” 

About the Tampa Seafarers CenterThe center is operated by Tampa Port Ministries and staffed by dedicated volunteers. The center serves the crews of cargo and cruise ships that visit the port from all over the world, by meeting the physical, social and spiritual needs of seafarers, often of modest means, who spend weeks and months at sea, away from their homes and families. 

About Port Tampa BayPort Tampa Bay is Florida’s largest port and the largest economic engine in west central Florida, supporting nearly 80,000 jobs and generating almost $15 billion in annual economic impact. In addition to being a top 10 U.S. cruise port, the port handles a wide array of bulk, break bulk, containers and roll-on/roll-off cargoes, and is a major shipbuilding and repair center. Port Tampa Bay was honored as 2016 Best Port Operator by Lloyd’s List. For more information, visit www.portTB.com. For general information about the Anchor Ball, visit www.AnchorBall.org. 

About Port Tampa BayPort Tampa Bay is Florida’s largest port and the largest economic engine in west central Florida, supporting nearly 85,000 jobs and generating over $17 billion in annual economic impact. In addition to being a top 10 U.S. cruise port, the port handles a wide array of bulk, break bulk, containers and roll-on/roll-off cargoes, and is a major shipbuilding and repair center. Port Tampa Bay was honored as 2016 Best Port Operator by Lloyd’s List. For more information, visit www.portTB.com.