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Men filming ferry ride raise suspicion [Tacoma, WA]
tribnet.com ^ | July 7, 2002

Posted on 07/07/2002 4:10:56 AM PDT by TomGuy

Men filming ferry ride raise suspicion

The Associated Press

State ferry officials have told the U.S. Coast Guard and the Washington State Patrol about two groups of men taking extensive videotapes on state ferries in the past 10 days.

Four men who appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent were videotaping, taking notes and talking on cellphones during two round trips June 24 on the ferry Spokane between Edmonds and Kingston, said Susan Harris of the Washington State Ferries.

"They seemed to be filming more of the interior of the cabin rather than the normal tourist filming, which is always the exterior," she said.

They became agitated when told to leave the vessel at each terminal as required, she said. The captain went home and decided to report the incident the next day.

On July 3, a different group of men appearing to be of Middle Eastern descent took extensive videotapes on the ferry Tacoma between Bainbridge and Seattle, she said.

"They were filming all over the place" even before boarding the ferry, and some observers said they were just tourists, she said.

She said no terrorist incidents have occurred on the ferries.

"There's no proof that there's anything to be concerned about; it's just that we're on heightened alert," she said.

Chief Warrant Officer Ray Cain with the Coast Guard said the incidents have been reported to the State Patrol, which handles law enforcement on the ferries, because they are considered part of the highway system.

"They were notified and they would investigate, trying to identify any such individuals," Cain said.

State Patrol officials were not available for comment late Friday.

(Published 12:30AM, July 6th, 2002)


TOPICS: Breaking News; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Washington
KEYWORDS: cameraincidents; ferry; memenfilming; videotaping
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To: elfman2
Beg to disagree...Taking out a Washington State Ferry would be ridiculously easy. Bainbridge Ferry, which I take, carries over 1000 passengers to the city during rush hours and Mariners game times plus 250 cars. All some terrorist would have to do is drive on with a trunkload of explosives. Ferry docks were being patrolled by security fellows since 911 until a couple of weeks ago when the locals complained of "inconvenience" and patrols were stopped. I don't have to tell you that the locals are almost 100% stupid liberals.

The millenium bomber, Ahmed Ressam, was stopped by a young INS fellow coming off ferry from Victoria, B.C. back in 1999 with enough explosives in his car to blow the ferry to smithereens. Had they not caught him, his route would necessarily have taken him past my door and onto the Bainbridge ferry to Seattle, where he had a motel reservation that night...then on to LA where he planned to blow up the airline terminal.

Blowing up 1000+ people on a ferry would be much easier than taking down the WTC...less planning, less risk, fewer terrorists commiting suicide. Big bang for the buck, so to speak. I put nothing past them.
141 posted on 07/07/2002 3:58:49 PM PDT by PoisedWoman
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To: Don Myers; Prodigal Daughter; Thinkin' Gal; Jeremiah Jr; babylonian; mancini; JudyB1938; ...
>That is interesting. Do you have a source for further reading?

We were told of the refugee matter personally in Israel in 1998.  There are a few prophecies we think are true on our FR-homepage (right click on 2sheep and scroll down).  See particularly Dimitru Duduman's dreams and visions which we believe are correct. Also, Henry Gruver produced a 2-1/2 hour video in 1995 called something like "The Coming Russian Invasion of America" which should wake anyone up.  There are many false prophets prophesying all sorts of things and we toss out as false all who say "revival" instead of "harvest," or teach escapist Pre-Trib Rapture or Ecumencism or those which glorify man instead of God. 

The Rabbis in Israel felt the spring feasts of 2001 were the start of Jacob's Trouble which many Christians count to be the Tribulation.  9/11 certainly triggered things in America.  On 10/3/01, I had a dream in which I was told to put a tool outside the door and to pack it away.  It was a fire-starter or flame-thrower a farmer might use to burn fields.  At the same time I had a vision of the word "Omega" which means End.  It is past time to argue on religious forums what is true and what is false so we have stopped that.  Each man is responsible for his own person and should seek the Lord individually.

142 posted on 07/07/2002 4:11:22 PM PDT by 2sheep
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To: Grampa Dave
. So those who ride the ferries, just have a camera handy to take pictures of the Diversity Visa Lottery Winners when they start to take pictures.

I plan to do exactly that, since MY ferry is one of those being cased by the Muslim creeps. The ferry system had posted guards in the lots where boats line up to drive on, but pulled them last week because the locals (100% libveral idiots) complained of inconvenience. Tho I don't go into Seattle often, I do leave my car and walk up and down the rows of other waiting cars in the ferry line checking out anyone suspicious. We all have to be vigilant.

143 posted on 07/07/2002 4:22:07 PM PDT by PoisedWoman
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To: PoisedWoman; per loin; HardStarboard; Polybius
" It would take two (2) Walla Walla-class ferry sinkings to surpass the death toll of 911."

I've only ridden this ferry twice when it had maybe 300 people aboard. I think initial reports of the WTC attack mentioned 30,000 occupants. One tenth were killed. One in ten deaths of lets say 1000 passengers is no small event, especially if you know one of those 100. But 100 deaths and a downed ferry does not rock the free world, trigger and economic depression, and cause 30 billion direct damages to a community.

This is a wild guess, but I suspect that with the recourses required to assault a ferry, overpowering security and assure its destruction, a dozen car bombs could be set off at sports stadiums, parades or crowded cafes. Also, it's an all or nothing event. One thing goes wrong, and it's a US coup. I think there are better targets.

144 posted on 07/07/2002 7:43:03 PM PDT by elfman2
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To: 2sheep
Prophets have long been saying that an Arab coalition (with Russia and China) will attack America. Jews in Israel have been told for several years by the Lord to "prepare for refugees from America."

Do you have a biblical source for this?

145 posted on 07/07/2002 8:24:43 PM PDT by JesseShurun
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To: TomGuy; livius; Wonder Warthog
Here's the San Francisco Bay story:

Bay terror fears (Suspicious man on ferry)

146 posted on 07/07/2002 8:36:41 PM PDT by Shermy
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Here's the San Francisco Bay story:

Bay terror fears (Suspicious man on ferry)

A frightening sequence of events and clues gleaned by U.S. intelligence has some in law enforcement believing that a maritime terrorist attack against San Francisco could be imminent.

Local ferry operators became alarmed last week when someone described as Middle Eastern man boarded a ferry to Alcatraz but did not leave the boat when it reached the island. Instead, the man videotaped boat traffic and used a stopwatch to time the route.

"He got on the boat to go to the island, but never got off when the other tourists did. Instead, he asked unusual questions about the timing and frequency of the trips, all the while videotaping and using the stopwatch," a source told The Examiner.

The frequency of suspicious activity in San Francisco became apparent to the feds and local law enforcement in October when three men, described as Middle Eastern, boarded a ferry at Pier 41 for a trip to Alameda.

The boat's crew became alarmed when one of the men made his way to the upper deck to observe the captain piloting the ferry, another man used a stopwatch to time the route and a third man videotaped the Anchorage 9 terminal, a source said.

The crew noted the men did not appear interested in filming standard tourist attractions like bridges or other known sites. The report stated in part: "While it is not an overt act of terrorism, it is not (considered) normal passenger activity."

This was preceded by an alarming incident that occurred in Daly City on Oct. 20. Six Blue and Gold Fleet and Golden Gate Transit uniforms were stolen from a ferry employee's car, in addition to ferry schedules, maritime maps and a copy of the U.S. Coast Guard's Rules of the Road.

Anyone wearing the uniforms is automatically granted unlimited access to "all the ferry boats and buses in the Bay Area."

The employee told authorities the thieves didn't bother to take money or a cache of CDs left inside the car.

According to a report of the theft:

"Maybe it's nothing, but when you put it all together, it starts to add up," a source said.

An incident that occurred Oct. 8 still makes Erin Everett cringe with fear.

Everett, an employee at the St. Francis Yact Club, was approached by a man she described as Arabic who wanted to rent a large boat "to see the beautiful coast of California."

When Everett told the man the club wasn't in the business of renting boats, the man became agitated and insisted money wasn't a problem. He was willing to spend whatever it took, Everett recalled, to rent a large boat.

When Everett suggested he try Fisherman's Wharf, he said he never heard of it and abruptly left the office. He returned a few minutes later demanding directions to the popular tourist destination. Suspicious, Everett called the Coast Guard and FBI, who sent an agent the next morning to retrieve a security videotape of the man.

"He kept saying money wasn't a problem. I don't know what it means, but it was scary," Everett said.

Recent terrorist alerts by the Coast Guard, the FBI and the California Anti-Terrorism Warfare Center in Sacramento point to growing concerns among those in the intelligence community that a seaborne attack against the country is imminent.

The FBI contacted San Francisco Police Chief Fred Lau last week requesting information on The City's dive shops. The feds issued similar appeals to other law enforcement agencies situated near waterways or harbors.

Ferry operators told the Examiner of efforts to beef up security on their boats plying the Bay, saying crews are on the lookout for suspicious activity and that engine rooms and pilot houses are now sealed to the public. During the summer peak season, 4,000 people travel to Alcatraz every day.

"We have good reason to believe that something is being planned," said another law enforcement source. "When you begin putting pieces of the puzzle together, it starts to make sense."


147 posted on 07/07/2002 8:38:06 PM PDT by Shermy
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To: elfman2
An aircraft carrier costs about $5 Billion. Add a couple of billion for aircraft. But the financial damage would be of less importance, to the Islamics than the "glory" of putting down a US aircraft carrier, or even one of the lesser, but major, ships at the yard.
148 posted on 07/07/2002 8:38:29 PM PDT by per loin
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To: Dave S
This was not an instance of gross generalization disguised as inductive logic, as you have implied. It was a case of making associations through deductive logic, which makes sense if it is a given that Muslim terrorists were already sending their families home before the LAX terrorist incident.
149 posted on 07/07/2002 8:44:55 PM PDT by TN Republican
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To: JesseShurun
>Do you have a biblical source for this?

See #142.   Also Jer 50 & 51; Rev 17 & 18, Is 13, Is 47, Ezek 38.  Henry Gruver pointed to Deut 28:50 ff.


150 posted on 07/07/2002 9:17:36 PM PDT by 2sheep
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To: BigBobber
I agree, Puget Sound is also closer in the event of Nuclear attack since it is closer (farther north). It is within range of Chinas missiles Alameda was not.

As for the ferry attacks, I don't know if passengers have access to their vehicles or not, but even if they don't a concealed hand gun could take care of the guards. After that Arabs coming aboard in ones and twos could go to their vehicles and get rifles and even machine guns out of their trunks. They are not searched.

Take the bridge and they have effective control of the ferry. There would probably be people jumping over the sides after that, but as big as these ferrys are half would probably be knocked unconscience from the fall.

Some snipers with 30.06 w/ scopes on the bridge could keep any potential rescuers away, and the cold water would kill many before help arrived. The news helicopters would be kept back that way too but they would still be close enough to film a missle attack by the National Guard Jets.

The carrier captian would probably not get authorization to fire until the ferry was under his effective target zone (too close). I expect he would order abandon ship except for essential personnel. (fire crews etc.)

It would be a big show for Al Quaida.

151 posted on 07/07/2002 9:21:06 PM PDT by monday
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To: elfman2
"I think there are better targets."

and they are?

152 posted on 07/07/2002 9:28:32 PM PDT by monday
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To: BullDog108
One of the sites said the combo camera was not available till July 22ND!

Be sure and check whether it is being shipped yet!

153 posted on 07/07/2002 11:14:19 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
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To: per loin
"An aircraft carrier costs about $5 Billion."

You tell me all the facts you know about security around those aircraft carriers, not what's in your imagination, and I'll decide if I'll take you seriously.

154 posted on 07/08/2002 5:11:52 AM PDT by elfman2
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To: monday
#5
155 posted on 07/08/2002 5:13:54 AM PDT by elfman2
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To: monday
"It would be a big show for Al Quaida."

Until something goes wrong, like their plan is discovered in any one of 100 ways, the captain is suspicious of them and refuses to leave doc, some of their members miss the ferry, a few passengers have guns, a couple of good cops are aboard, they're jumped by passengers, the fire extinguishing system goes off,...

The only reason 911 worked was because we were completely asleep. Not quite a piece of cake when a nation's on alert…

156 posted on 07/08/2002 5:25:51 AM PDT by elfman2
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To: 2sheep
"On 10/3/01, I had a dream in which I was told to put a tool outside the door and to pack it away. It was a fire-starter or flame-thrower a farmer might use to burn fields. At the same time I had a vision of the word "Omega" which means End."

I think you'll find friends on this thread.

157 posted on 07/08/2002 5:34:39 AM PDT by elfman2
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To: elfman2
Weapons that cannot be fired are not necessarily effective weapons, and as I've mentioned here before, the first slips are within about 50 seconds cruising time from the ferry dock. That is a very short time for info to be collected, processed, and conveyed through the appropriate channels to those authorized to decide whether or not to fire on an apparently out of control ferry carrying 2500 civilians. Nor is it likely that the individual charged with making the decision to fire, would do so without first attempting communication with the ferry.

With response times so short and critical, the obvious place for increasing security is on the ferry system itself, but anyone familiar with Washington State politics knows how likely it is that intelligent action will be taken there. As one ferry-riding poster mentioned above, the ferry system has already dropped much of the security it had installed after 9-11. The ability of those "Arabs" to recon the ferry and drive off in a vehicle with no license plates shows just how effective ferry security is.

158 posted on 07/08/2002 10:07:00 AM PDT by per loin
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To: per loin
"the first slips are within about 50 seconds cruising time from the ferry dock."

I respect your assessment of the proximity of the ferry landing to the shipyard, and I generally respect your attempt to relate your concerns here. But you've demonstrated that you're uninformed as to the security employed by the Navy.

I remember in war games in the Marines I'd need to prepare threat assessments supporting operations and mission planning. As a newbie it was tempting to pile the maximum capabilities of everything on top of one another and present an unrealistic threat from a force, blocking off airspace to the maximum range of suspected SAMs, projecting ground forces from their most forward plausible location and giving them the capability of moving at their most rapid rate.

In the case of the Ferry, you appear to have it at its maximum capacity, taken over almost instantly, accelerating to its maximum speed to an aircraft carrier that may be the ship in the closest proximity.

You don't know what kind of patrols the Navy has to block access or what weapons are ready and trained on the entrance. You don't know how guards are trained and tested and you don't who has the authority is to fire under what circumstances.

You're free to warn people of what you know, but you're not qualified to assess the real danger until you have more information about the other side of the equation. And if you don't temper your estimate of the terrorist with an injection a lot more realism, you're not going to be believed.

There was a nurse here in October who was spamming any relevant thread with hysteria about what had to be done to protect against bio-warfare. She would have had us virtually shut down the economy. She was truly fear mongering. You're not as over the edge as her, but I think you're creeping a little in that direction.

I've spent all the time I can on this. I wish you well.

159 posted on 07/09/2002 8:00:15 AM PDT by elfman2
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To: elfman2
Not quite a piece of cake when a nation's on alert…

elfman, you don't seem to understand the mindset in liberal leftie Seattle, and especially on Bainbridge Island, population 20 thousand Marxists Nuevo, albeit well-heeled Marxists

If Muslim gunmen showed up on a ferry, passengers would pick up their cell phones and try to get federal assistance for them. I've talked myself blue to neighbors here, explaining that we should be vigilant and take these things seriously, and you cannot even imagine the blank stares. Everyone here is locked into the "we shouldn't hurt innocent people" mantra, which protects them, albeit fraudulently, from acknowledging that terrorists want to hurt them. I would expect few if any heroes here, it's not a gutsy ballsy place like NY.

160 posted on 07/09/2002 10:11:12 AM PDT by PoisedWoman
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