[milkncookies]

WASHINGTON — A report of a bomb aboard a Turkish merchant ship Thursday forced the U.S. Coast Guard (search) to escort the vessel away from the port of Philadelphia and out into the sea off Delaware, senior Defense officials told FOX News.

The ship's master notified authorities about the possible bomb, officials said. The information was revealed after the captain refused to have portions of the ship searched by the Coast Guard.

Upon reaching a safe distance off the coast, officials expect to inspect the ship.

This particular vessel is well known to authorities and its prior movements had been tracked, senior Defense officials said.

[judicial meanz]

I'm following the Turkish ship thing.

The USCG will escort it out to sea before they check it out, to avoid any potential of injury to civilians.

The Ships Master ( Captain) can refuse to be boarded all he wants, but mark my words, he WILL be boarded and they will use force if necessary to do so.

If there is a bomb on that ship, it is a crime, and being in international waters after being escorted from port will not shield it.