Coast Guard Warns of Sea Attack

Associated Press ^ | Monday, June 10, 2002; 6:23 PM

[Asmodeus]

WASHINGTON –– Ports and ships are operating under heightened security after the Coast Guard warned of a possible terrorist attack by either swimmers or divers.

Cmdr. Jim McPherson, a spokesman for the Coast Guard, said Monday the warning was issued over the weekend after the agency received reports of a possible attack. The Bush administration warned last month of possible terrorist activity by scuba divers.

The new warning went to local Coast Guard units, who then notified port authorities, marine patrols and the maritime industry, he said, and added that the Coast Guard offered specific actions that ports could do to increase security.

McPherson would not elaborate on the nature of the warning nor the security measures.

Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge said during the weekend that al-Qaida was interested in training terrorists to attack ports and ships.

McPherson asked anyone noticing suspicious maritime activity should call the Coast Guard at 1-800-424-8802.

In a related matter, McPherson said the Coast Guard planned to transport bomb-sniffing dogs by helicopter to ships at sea, lower them and their handlers by cable to the ship, and have them look for explosives. This will be part of the agency's new maritime security team to be formed this summer. In addition, inspectors now trained to look for hazardous materials will be asked to also check for explosives or chemical weapons, McPherson said.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

For the record
In March 2001 the Coast Guard Budget was cut by 10% by Congress and approved by President Bush.
Just about a year later President Bush promised the Coast Guard more money for equipment and raises.

Regular Coast Guard Total 35,000
Coast Guard Reserves Activated since 9/11 2900

The Coast Guard increased its vigilance, readiness, and patrols
to protect the country’s 95,000 miles of coastline,
including the Great Lakes and inland waterways.

Coast Guard Auxiliary nationwide stats
By age groups
17 - 29 1,403
30 - 39 2,660
40 - 49 6,196
50 - 59 9,858
60 - 69 9,407
70 - 79 6,444
80 - 89 1,990
90 - 99 180
100+ 37
38,210 Total Coast Guard Auxiliary

[BeAlert]

MAJOR BUMP!!!!!!

[Diddle E. Squat]

NICE photo! Thanks for posting it.

[hedgetrimmer]

During the period from Sept. 11 to March 25, local San Francisco Auxiliarists have spent about 13,000 hours assisting Coast Guard missions, which have included patrolling the bay, standing watch, providing administrative support to local Coast Guard units and driving the Sea Marshals to and from embarkation and disembarkation points.

“They are a force multiplier. They add presence on the water by flying the Coast Guard colors,” says CWO Charles Kemnitz.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

For the record
It was your "We need You" thread in Sept 2001 that got me involved in the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Thank You!

[lsee]

My dad LOVES Dr. WHO!!!

[hedgetrimmer]

Thank you for answering the call. Would there were more like you.

[NautiNurse]

Ignition switch problems--otherwise ready, willing and able to patrol ping

[A Navy Vet]

And you got me fire up and joined.

[2sheep]

Excerpt from: Panama Canal & Hutchison Whampoa limited:

"Although presented as a commercial entity," according to the House Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, "COSCO is actually an arm of the Chinese military establishment." The Clinton administration has determined that additional information concerning COSCO that appears in the Select Committee's classified Final Report cannot be made public without affecting national security." ...PRC Acquisition of U.S. Technology -- PRC Purchase of Interests in U.S. Companies ...The Cox Report

Interview with Chinese Dissident Harry Wu by J.R. Nyquist

The Chinese art of war: J.R. Nyquist shows it's just beating the superior with the inferior

CHINA'S STRATEGIC DECEPTION

COSCO CHOOSES CPR SERVICE INTO U.S. HEARTLAND

China Prepares U.S. War Scenarios

Canada Targeted by China Agents (target America?)

COSCO --

Click here for the BIG PICTURE

Right click on 2sheep to go to homepage and prophecies.  Prophet Henry Gruver said in 1995:  The next time the U.S. sends troops en masse to the Middle East, Russia and China will attack with a consortium of Arab nations, N. Korea and others.

[happygrl]

Looks like the Chinese have pre-positioned themselves to be of help to our enemies.

What power they have had to make fools of our "leaders."

[mikhailovich]

Russia? hahhahaha. Time to read some new books pal.

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

I hope to God all cruise ships (especially Disney line as they are so obvious) are on guard.

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

Look up COSCO on the net China owns shipping ports ON OUR SOIL; on the left and right coasts.

[SevenDaysInMay]

Cyber attacks are coming. Signal one if by Lan, two if by C.

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

Is this a statement, thought of opinion, warning, or threat?

[dr_who]

Your pop is a man of impeccable taste.

[lsee]

DrWho

"There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes." The Doctor (Robot, 1974/5)

I developed a fondness for Star Trek at his knee, but he didn't discover Dr. Who until I'd moved away from home. Personally, I believe he's been looking forward to retirement just so he could try to view every last episode! :)