[nwctwx]

I hope all of this isn't a diversion for somewhere else

That was my first thought actually...

AQ has a long history of using diversions. Whether this turns out to be a hoax or not, it has shown that the feds are concerned that there is a ship out there with something bad on it destined for the US. I would guess we will start hearing more stories like this in the near future.

[Viet-Boat-Rider]

Captains are used to having their way, and not having their ships searched. Beginning today, the Coast Guard is searching all ships of foreigh flag. It appears that this captain got miffed when his ship was being searched and told the CG "not to go in there, it will expload". They are now taking the ship out to sea to search it real good.

[Sacajaweau]

The terrorists MO is to make enough noise to set off the alarms to see how we handle it. They made threats to the two embassies a couple of weeks before they were bombed. Extra security was put in place (probably the optimum) and they went right through it.

I believe the new Port Security Program went into effect in February. I'm sure part of it is "Very Classified" but then, what's classified anymore with people like Berger and Hanson around.