Small Boats Seen As A Terror Threat

[Purveyor]

Source: USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — The nation's 17 million small boats are facing increased scrutiny from the Homeland Security Department, which fears they could be used in a nuclear attack or a lethal explosion at a U.S. port.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said this month that he had ordered agency leaders to "raise the protection level with respect to small boats." Attacks this decade by terrorists ramming bomb-filled speedboats into a U.S. battleship and a French tanker are worrisome, Chertoff said.

The Coast Guard is seeking a new federal requirement that all boat operators carry identification wherever they are on the water so it can build a database of boaters found in restricted areas. The agency also wants to require state boating courses to teach security protocols such as avoiding cruise-ship terminals and military facilities.

Although new mandates would apply to operators of state-registered boats — usually those with an engine — the Homeland Security Department is focused on protecting major ports near large cities.

Boat operators, represented by the Boat Owners Association, support the effort as long as they don't have to get separate ID cards or install costly tracking devices, association lobbyist Margaret Podlich said.



Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-10-30-boatterror_N.htm

[ixion]

1. ah, the smell of fascism in the morning

:puke:

[Newsjock]

2. BOOGA BOOGA!

Osama wants to steal your fish!

[Sanity Claws]

3. More restrictions on Americans' right to travel

[liberal N proud]

4. Our automobiles will be next

The family plot against the rest of the US.

Fear is all they have to sell the American voter!

[Eurobabe]

5. Bicycles Seen as a Terra Threat

What next, kiddie carts?

[kysrsoze]

17. Simply walking outside without your papers will be next

[Eurobabe]

19. no, simply BREATHING will be next!!

this is sick.

TERRA, TERRA, TERRA!! :nuke: :nuke:

[kysrsoze]

21. I agree. This really f*cked up. If they're so concerned about port and nuke plant safety

put up a perimeter zone and armed guards around the areas (like the oil depots in Iraq) and let everybody get on with life. WTF?

[zabet]

6. Hoo boy...

won't my hubby be happy to know he is a threat
to national security. 3 commercial fishing boats
with the largest being 22'.

[Frustratedlady]

7. My question to Cheroff is, "Are you watching the BIG boats, yet?"

How many years has it been that containers have been allowed to slip through? I'm truly surprised they didn't come across a major find in those, but then, I guess if you aren't looking, you won't find?

[Bigmack]

23. I've thought the same thing....

as I check my boat thru customs.

Giant containerships cruise right on by me in Puget Sound, and I know all those containers aren't being checked.

But you gotta know... all this attention to the little guy is done in order to impress on us how dangerous things are in Murika, and to generally show that Fatherland Security is everywhere. Of course, we know it ain't true.

[bluedog]

8. we carry ID already

registration and fishing licenses....boat trailer registerions.....some of us carry Sea-Tow.......

We have been stopped many times when passing pilings by the SunShine Skyway Bridge here in Tampa Fl.....always asked for all kinds of ID.....and there are charts that map off restricted waters here......

[DemNoir]

9. There is your daily Fascism update

Hillary will probably be sponsoring the bill on this within 10 days... "Thats why with Senator Lieberman I am proud to be sponsoring the "Safe Waters Act"......

[rurallib]

11. I'd like to say LOL but you are probably right

[aquart]

13. Your sarcasm is still a slanderous smear devoid of proof.

But don't let it worry you or anything.

[DemNoir]

16. Well!

I think your post is a Slander of a smear of a slander. I demand a tearful apology on the floor of congress!

[Ian David]

10. How dare they...

[InkAddict]

12. Mandatory courses in boating safety and maritime regulations

seem like a good thing for boat owners, for their own well-being and concerns for liability, but additional identification requirements are intrusive, restrictive and not necessary, given other legislation, IMHO.

[gratuitous]

14. Not only intrusive and unnecessary

But as the boilerplate lawyers' language goes, not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of any significant terrorist activity. Yet, Chertoff will strain those small boat gnats to a fare thee well while cargo ships loaded with uninspected containers sail right into the country's major ports unimpeded.

[Maine-i-acs]

15. Good to see the Bush admin. finally reacting to the Cole bombing.

The outgoing Clinton admin warned the incoming Bush admin about the alleged Cole perpetrators. Bush chose not to respond directly - was 'tired of swatting flies'.

Now in 2007 they are acting on it. I feel safer now (not).

[Demeter]

18. Smells Like a Set Up to Me

Does that include Poppy's cigarette boat, I wonder?

[mlevans]

20. Small boats?

I notice they do say "usually those with an engine," but how small is small? We have a dorey and a canoe. It's a little hard to get them up to ramming speed, but we really need to cover all the bases, don't you think?

[Acadia Blue]

22. They won't inspect cargo....they won't guard the borders....they sell

key industries to the Arabs.....yea, small boats? They are not interested in keeping us safe. Its all show.

[hatrack]

24. Ladies & Gentlemen, presenting 'Murka's latest freedom-hating terra-ist!!

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514NNAW9YWL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg

BOO!!!!!!!!!

[DRoseDARs]

25. Small Goats Seen As A Terror Threat

Have you seen them in the mountains? Those little bastards can go anywhere! Ain't nowhere you can hide from them!

[probablereason]

26. more brilliant ideas from homeland security

What a great idea, next time we see a small craft laden with explosives, we can pull them over and check them for their boater's drivers license. There's no way terrorists could fake that.

Now if only the sailors on the Cole could have yelled out to the small boat laden with explosives..."hey sir, you need to show me your boater's license before you come any closer buddy!"

[lutefisk]

27. "Fleas seen as terrier threat".........n/t

[enough]

28. The purpose is to accustom the populace to more and more police harrasment.

[Old_Growth]

29. Swift boats seen as an error threat..........n\t

[Solly Mack]

30. Tip - a- canoe and GTMO too!

[fedsron2us]

31. Here is an example of the likely threat

[truthisfreedom]

32. There's only one real small-boat threat to America...

http://graphics.boston.com:80/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2004/10/06/1097069659_6858.jpg