Recreational Boats Considered a Homeland Security Threat

firstcoastnews.com ^ | 05/28/07 | jackelyn barnard

[TornadoAlley3]

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The Memorial Day holiday means it's a day on the water with the family.

Chuck Singleton does what he can to makes sure his kids are safe out here. The concern is who else is out there.

"You don't know where they come from," said Singleton. "You know, they could load up with a bomb or whatever and come right out here."

With thousands of boats on the waterways, the worry is the recreational boat is now a Homeland Security threat.

"Just the sheer numbers and ability to hide among recreational traffic is something that makes it difficult for me to find the threat and address it," said Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.

A simple boat could be used as a weapon.

"Just the fuel, this has 85 gallons in this boat and that's bomb itself," said Singleton.

The head of the U.S. Coast Guard is throwing around a couple of ideas on how to keep you safe.

One would require licenses for all boaters in all states.

The other would call for transponders on recreational boats so authorities can track their location.

"Anything to improve our coast and help everybody out, we need to do it. We just have to get control over this. I think it would be a good idea," said Singleton.

Those against the licensing or the use of transponders believe the Coast Guard needs to set up a small perimeter, a safety zone, in areas of concern, so small boats can't get into certain areas.

[Oztrich Boy]

The more I think, the sillier this gets - Al Queda buys (or steals) a used Cigarette boat, capable of travelling at 80mph. Leave the transponder in the boat and keep it on. When you get right next to the nuclear power plant, trigger the explosives. Nobody will know to stop you until the last few seconds and then it’s too late, transponder or no.

Heck buy or steal two boats and swap transponders - now that big fast boat is telling Homeland Security it's a 12' dingy with a half horsepower outboard

[ANGGAPO]

Someone suggested using off limit areas around critical sites. The FAA uses the same technique in routing aircraft around critical areas. For boats, wandering into a restricted area would bring the Coast Guard in a hurry. Just mark up the navigation maps with spots to avoid.

[Pentagon Leatherneck]

I agree, Valin. This

“Anything to improve our coast and help everybody out, we need to do it. We just have to get control over this. I think it would be a good idea,” said Singleton.

represents the fuzzy thinking of too many Americans: register, regulate observe evry danged thing in life and we’ll all be safe. News item: THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF SAFETY IN THE WORLD!

TC

[Dixie Yooper]

We have become very dependent on our vast infrastructure of power lines, water mains, gas lines and roadways. Having lived through hurricane Isabel in the Washington DC area, I learned what it must have been like to live like my great grandparents did when they imigratedhere in the late 1800’s. Luckily, the electricity and water came back on after 3 days. If hit hard enough, any of us could end up like the Katrina victims did and get thrown back into the 19th Century for longer than we care to be.

[mtbopfuyn]

Small pleasure craft represent little risk as the explosives capacity is small and most reasonable targets are not reachable by boat. Yes you could blow up a bridge or perhaps even damage a building. But the greater threat is for a boat to be used as a means to transport a group of terrorists.

Hey buddy, we can't have logical thinkers here.

[ikka]

Deport all the Muslims who are overstaying their visas - that might be a start.

[Tennessee_Bob]

Oh, don’t do that - I live in Oak Ridge, in a non-flood plain area, so I don’t think my insurance would cover it.

[toast]

Loose lips sink ships, house boats and can destroy hydro electric dams. It’s a good thing no one ever visits this website for ideas...

I also have thought of easy, cheap, methods terrorists could use to cause great damage to lives and property within the U.S.
I have not yet voiced them. But I am starting to wonder if I should. Having authorities possibly come up with contingency plans before an attack, or prevention of an actual attack, could save many lives.

[JZelle]

Lets fix that small border problem first!

[listenhillary]

The Security risks of (moving vans, cube trucks,tractor trailers) recreational boats should not be taken lightly.

[traviskicks]

"The head of the U.S. Coast Guard is throwing around a couple of ideas on how to keep you safe. One would require licenses for all boaters in all states. The other would call for transponders on recreational boats so authorities can track their location."





Libertarian ping! To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here.

[HangnJudge]

Hi Tenmnessee Bob!

Good to here from you

[7thson]

We just have to get control over this. I think it would be a good idea," said Singleton

The key point.

[Snardius]

It would easy enough to load the hull of our houseboat with fuel oil / urea mix, seal it, float it up to the dam, and detonate the bomb.

I'm no explosives expert but it seems to me that even if you could float that much fertilizer on a 58' houseboat (to say nothing of the sight of it lumbering up to the dam} the resulting explosion wouldn't damage the dam too much...unless it was built by beavers...:)

[Capt. Tom]

"You know, they could load up with a bomb or whatever and come right out here."

It would be easier to load up your car or truck and drive it into a traffic tunnel and blow it up. - tom

[Snardius]

No one here has even mentioned the most deadly threat known to man....Snakes on a Plane....

[wtc911]

I’m surprised that the Staten Island Ferry or a fully booked cruise ship leaving the harbor haven’t been taken out by a speed-boat bomb. There is no way to protect against it.

[BrewingFrog]

To me, the issue here isn’t one of concern for security. Like so many other phrases, such as “It’s for the children,” this is meant to mask the real purpose of the idea: more revenue.

I’m sure that this will continue to be floated as a “safety” and “Homeland Security” concern. What they really want is that $100 license fee that the State will charge you.

Anyone who complains is obviously not in favor of “safety” or “Homeland Security...”

Perhaps they’ll make us take our shoes off before we get in our boats?