Posted on 11/16/2002 9:25:42 AM PST by colette_g
NUKE SUB BREAK-IN
Two people were questioned by police after a boarding a nuclear submarine inside a top-security naval base.
An anti-nuclear campaign group claimed two of its members even managed to ring the sub's bell.
The incident sparked fears over security at the base.
The intruders were found inside the Devonport Naval Base, Plymouth, where HMS Vanguard is undergoing a re-fit.
They were arrested by Ministry of Defence police.
A Royal Navy spokeswoman today said the pair had been found on the submarine.
"They got on to the outer casing of the submarine and broke a fire alarm box. They didn't actually ring the ship's bell," she said.
The campaign group Trident Ploughshares is currently holding a four-day "peace camp" in Plymouth.
A statement from the group today said its activists had entered the naval base, showing MoD security to be "woefully inadequate".
Last Updated: 17:06 UK, Saturday November 16, 2002
Our British pals need to tighten up. Someone oughtta swing from the yardarm for this.
Well and that was my thought also but the writer failed to be clear on that point. The way the statement was phrased seemed to indicate that the bell had some significance here, when the real issue is that these yahoos were able to breach security at a nuclear sub base.
When I was in the Navy I had one occasion to visit the nuclear sub base, but was told point blankly that you try to set foot on one of those boats without proper authorization, and you could very well get shot. But then again that was 30 years ago, I guess times have changed.
These guys meant business... shoot first - ask questions after. Turns out the biggest of the 3 subs was heading out to sea.
Trajan88; TAMU Class of '88; aTm Aggies... beat the HELL outta MO!
Not really. If these people can get on the base and climb onto the hull of a ship, what would keep others from doing the same except to attach an ex*plosive device to the hull?
Personally, I think it's those uniforms. <|:)~
Not only that, the damn thing is in REFIT. 99% chance that means small or no regular crew, no arms, and power plant shut down or running at minimum. This is a nothing story.
I don't think it matters. The following was posted in response to the article "London Tube Cyanide Plot":
As long as the American government continues to leave the doors and windows wide open to our house, there will be no Homeland Security.
3 posted on 11/16/2002 2:59 PM CST by Joe Hadenuf
We have certain political figures on the West Coast that are preaching the disolution of our union. Kick them the hell out.
I have no patience for traitors or saboteurs.
Good points. And its time to stop calling these people 'terrorists'. They are the 'enemy'. The enemies of modern society and they are at war with us. Anyone who thinks terrorism is new is pretty much ignorant of military history. A very long time ago they were called 'sappers'. Usually they were the mentally deranged who had explosives attached to them, a fuse lite and they were told to run to that building over there. Anyone getting non-authorized access to a nuke sub needs to be quickly brought to ambient room temperature. No matter if you call them terrorists or activists. The fact that they could get on the sub demonstrates that the shoot to kill orders were not in place as they should have been.
I once roomed with someone who served in the Royal Navy. He routinely tested and repaired the electrical circuitry on the sub. Whenever they were testing and checking the 'firing circuitry', a loaded gun was placed to his head. You can guess why. That type of precaution is why we have not had a nuclear weapons 'accident'.
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