Posted on 04/14/2005 7:16:37 PM PDT by zappermom
Wed 13 Apr 2005
9:47am (UK) Naval Security Reviewed over Ship Intruder
By Ben Mitchell, PA
A review of security at a major UK naval base has been carried out after an alleged intruder was found on board a visiting US aircraft carrier, the Royal Navy said today.
The alleged trespasser was discovered on board the USS Harry S Truman, anchored off Stokes Bay, Gosport, Hants, on Saturday night during a week-long visit to Portsmouth Naval Base.
A navy spokesman said the man had allegedly passed through both Royal Navy security and US Navy security to get on board passenger boats used to ferry crew back and forth from the visiting warship.
It is understood that the mans identity was not checked by the Royal Navy security guards as the bases rules dictate with the responsibility being left to the US guards on duty at the gate.
The spokesman added that a thorough review of security had been carried out at the naval base since the incident and a number of changes implemented.
The spokesman explained that the jetty for the boats was very close to the public area in the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard museum complex and the large number of visiting sailors from the US aircraft carrier had allowed the confusion.
Royal Navy spokesman Anton Hanney said: I wouldnt want to talk about embarrassment but we are taking it very seriously, as we would any security breach.
Our main focus at the moment is to put everything right and to improve our arrangements.
Mr Hanney said that he did not believe the incident would put off future visits by American or other foreign ships.
He said: It shouldnt cause any problems with future visits because we are making the necessary security improvements.
A Hampshire Police spokeswoman said that 37-year-old Abdoul Masmoud Yessoufou, from West Africa but of no fixed abode, had been charged with trespass under sections 2(2) and 4(3) of the HM Naval Base (Portsmouth) Byelaw 1981.
He is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court this morning.
The spokeswoman said that Yessoufou was originally held under the Terrorism Act 2000 but had since been released into normal police custody.
The USS Harry S Truman, which arrived at Portsmouth last Monday, departed on schedule on Sunday. s
Latest News:
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm
"Abdoul Masmoud Yessoufou"
Do you think this guy's maybe just a Boy Scout that just got lost?
Yeah, probably just a tourist that got lost. (!)
My son is on the Truman and believe me this story could give me nightmares.
This is a frequent security exercise. No breaking and entering, rather sending people to "waltz-on-in" to places. All that's required is to look like you belong.
"...Yessoufou, from West Africa but of no fixed abode,"
Those Brits, what a way with words.
This is not good, to say the least. It sounds like the first security point passed the torch to the second security point, which did not come through.
I also read a week or so ago that the British now are relaxing their rules for screening the flying public. I don't know that that is such a good idea.
I feel sooooo much safer now. THANX!
I wish I would have read "It is understood that the dead mans identity was not checked"
Ping.......this one was too easy, what a warning the intruder is giving.
Remember last year, all the messages with Kitty Hawk in them?
I was so sure that it meant something else, maybe I was wrong.
.......it's 'OBL' on vacation?
Who has the water watch ping list?
Probably one of the crew members' boyfriend.
There were plenty of references that made us think of North Carolina (Kitty Hawk) too.
More on this story:
Wed 13 Apr 2005
5:00pm (UK)
Asbo Imposed on US Naval Warship Intruder
By Ben Mitchell, PA
An intruder who sparked a security review at a UK naval base after he was found on board a US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier previously breached security three times at Heathrow Airport, a court heard today.
Portsmouth magistrates today imposed an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo) preventing Abdoul Masmoud Yessoufou from entering restricted areas at Portsmouth Naval Base, the neighbouring ferryport and Southampton International Airport.
The court heard that the 37-year-old sparked a security review after he was discovered on board the USS Harry S Truman, anchored off Stokes Bay, Gosport, Hants, on Saturday night during the vessels week-long visit to Portsmouth.
Colin Shackel, prosecuting, said that Yessoufou had mingled with a group of sailors returning by boat to the aircraft carrier from a jetty in a restricted area next to the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard which is open to the public.
When confronted by a US Navy yeoman, Yessoufou, from Newport, Isle of Wight, said that he was with a woman at the front of the group and he was allowed to embark the small boat taking the sailors to the warship, Mr Shackel said.
The court heard that it was at least two hours later that he was challenged by a US Navy master-at-arms and escorted off the ship where he was initially detained by police under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Mr Shackel said the only apparent explanation for Yessoufous behaviour was to satisfy his curiosity.
Bill Meads, defending, said: Its a most unusual state of affairs.
He appears to have been able to wander into the dockyard and wander on to an American aircraft carrier for a couple of hours before being detected.
Some pretty serious questions are now being asked as a result of his behaviour and it may be he has done someone a few favours about security arrangements.
The court heard that Yessoufou had appeared before Uxbridge magistrates on three occasions in February this year after breaching security at Heathrow Airport and reached airside in three separate incidents.
He also appeared before Southampton magistrates after reaching airside again at Southampton International Airport on January 5, this year.
Chairman of the bench, Tony Young, said that an Asbo would be prepared against Yessoufou banning him from entering restricted areas at Portsmouth Naval Base, Portsmouth Continental Ferryport and Southampton International Airport.
Latest News:
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm
"Naval Insecurity"
I used to be worried that my belly button would disappear.
The guy was released and attempted to do it again!!!
****
Navy Ban Man Arrested Again
A man who managed to get on board a US aircraft carrier was arrested today attempting to enter a naval base less than 24 hours after being made subject to an anti-social behaviour order banning him from entering prohibited areas
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=4397258
(Zappermom, welcome to FR)
The guy is focused on his goal, huh?
Getting awfully upset over a picayune incident. Everything was so much grander in the good old days.
LOL. Evidently, he's free to try again and again.
"If at first you don't succeed, then try, try again!"
The bombing of the USS Cole was a deeply disturbing event, but potentially a CARRIER?
If this was not a scheduled test (as can happen in cases of, for ex. units testing air base sec.), someone's head needs to be on a plate right about now.
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