Posted on 06/03/2002 8:26:53 PM PDT by vannrox
By KELLY LECKER TOLEDO, Ohio - Agents from the FBI are searching the files of diving instructors, looking for recently certified scuba divers in light of the latest terrorism alert, dive shop owners said Thursday. Federal authorities have indicated in the latest bulletin, issued May 23, that terrorists might be seeking a way to develop "offensive" scuba diving skills. The alert states there is no evidence of a specific plot involving divers, but there is "a body of information showing the desire to obtain such capability." The Aqua Hut, Toledo's largest diving school, was visited Saturday and again on Tuesday by FBI agents, who were looking at files of every diver certified in the last three years. The agents were searching for anything suspicious about the students. Divers who go through the certification process have training records, emergency contacts, and some medical information on file at the dive shops. Jeff Davis, who owns the store, said agents looked at records and asked questions about diving operations and where these people would most likely learn covert diving skills. "I told them they were better off checking commercial dive shops," he said. Divers who did not want to be noticed would more likely use re-breathers, which recycles oxygen and allows people to stay under water for several hours longer than traditional scuba diving, Davis said. Davis said agents told him there was a threat that divers could attack bridges or other structures, and that the FBI was looking at records in dive shops throughout the United States. Dale McCutcheon, owner of Dale's Diving Shop, Inc. in Sandusky, Ohio, said FBI agents visited there and looked at divers' files. "They wanted to know where all the dive shops were in the area, so I assume they're going to every one," he said. Agents from the Toledo FBI office did not return calls seeking comment. Michelle McGuire, owner of the Monroe Dive Center in Monroe Township, Mich., said FBI agents have not contacted her or visited the store she owns with her husband. Scuba diving has become a popular sport and business has been brisk, but as far as she knows, there haven't been any suspicious people seeking to take lessons from the shop. "A friend came in here and told me about it," she said. "As far as I'm aware, we haven't had anybody unusual." The diving bulletin is the latest in a string of warnings to Americans about possible terrorism threats. The FBI and other federal authorities have warned there could be attacks on bridges, nuclear power plants, New York landmarks, and transportation systems.
NATIONAL
FBI scrutinizes diving schools
Toledo Blade
May 30, 2002
"Ridership on cruise ships has increased exponentially over the past ten years. Ten years ago, a cruise ship of 70,000 gross tons was the largest in the world. Today, we have an entire class of cruise ships that exceed 140,000 gross tons. These new mega-ships carry upwards of 5000 passengers and crewmembers. A successful terrorist attack on any one of these ships could result in a catastrophic number of casualties, and threaten the economic viability of the entire industry.
"Just last week, Coast Guard units in Miami, along with the FBI, responded to a bomb threat against a cruise ship capable of carrying approximately 3,000 passengers and 1,000 crewmembers. The ship implemented their security plan – a plan required by the Passenger Vessel Safety Act - to prevent the threat from being realized. We successfully ensured the safety of the passengers, crew, vessel, and port as a whole."
Maybe just like the WTC, they have tried it before?
Logical Speculation:
1. Terrorists are warning of another even bigger hit on the US.
2. Rumors of Scuba purchasing terrorists in NJ and Miami.
3. Hatred of the Jews.
4. To kill lots of people, you need lots on people in a small three dimensional volume. Flat concentrations are too spread out.
5. To kill lots of people, they need to be contained so they can'y get away from fire, etc.
6. Two containers meet the bill, large highrise buildings, and large cruise ships. Highrise building must be hit on weekdays when they're full, but emergency services are available. Cruise ships can be hit on a weekend when emergency services are much less available.
7. I think a large cruise ship will be hit on a Sunday, probably in port just as it's returning from a 7 day cruise. It will be in Port Miami, on the world's largest cruise ship (just about the size of one WTC tower)the Royal Caribbean Voyager (4 to 5 thousand on board including crew). A very high percentage of Jews will be onboard.
8. Attack will be from below the water, above the water, and on board, and possibly from the air.
9. The Voyager like many cruise ships flys the Liberian flag. Terrorist crew members would hardly stick out.
10. I hope I'm totally wrong.
Clancy, I don't think that Tom Clancy ever wrote a book about a terrorist attack on a cruise ship, but I think others have. It also happen on a cruise ship in Europe many years ago?
Seriously, though, I think this is a cover action by the FBI. A day late and a dollar short. They are getting their asses drug through the mud, especially their boss, and now they are trying to LOOK GOOD.
So, the pick something that is already in the news, mainly because 1 scuba shop owner made a report to the FBI about suspicious persons taking commercial diving classes.
They would have ignored her, but she got it on the news, so now they have no choice.
Nothing like putting your plans on NATIONWIDE TV so the terrorists know they should for a while avoid scuba diving schools. For the FBI to announce this is what they are doing is about the dumbest thing (no, they have done dumber things)I have seen yet from them.
The FBI has attempted to recruit Muslims for translation and to work with them against the radical elements and terrorism. If they get people great. But if not, the terrorists still will never know for sure if new recruits are undercover agents. Time to put a little insecurity in their direction.
It's all just cover. Duck and cover. Give us more money so we can hire more people, some who speak Arabic and we can do a better job. Throw more money at the problem, that always fixes it. Never ask them to be accountable for doing a proper job with the resources they have had. Ignore all the mistakes and blunders, lies, coverups.
Yeah, this new plan will sure confuse the terrorists, scare them off. We will all be safe now !!!!(/sarcasm)
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