President Barack Obama is visiting the Port of Tampa on Friday to talk about trade with Latin America on his way to Colombia. Maritime folks hope he's bringing good news with him.
Dwayne Keith is president the Tampa Chapter of the Propeller Club, which promotes the maritime industry. He says the federal government has a role to play in supporting the shipping business.
"We'd certainly like to see the federal government do its part and keep this vital industry going," Keith said.
Keith supports the Short Sea Shipping Initiative, which would encourage shipping between places in the United States.
"Hopefully that comes up," Keith said. " That would one of the issues that those in the maritime community are definitely behind and we'd like to see that funded."
He also would like more money from the Harbor Maintenance Tax used for maritime projects.
