Posted on 06/26/2006 2:47:07 PM PDT by bd476
Hi Admin Moderator, if it's not too much trouble, could you please update the title to:
Update: Port Hueneme California Reopens After Terror Threat (Naval Shipyard)
Thanks Cindy! Glad you like the updates and here's the latest!
CBS
Port Reopens After Terror Threat Probe
PORT HUENEME, Calif., June 26, 2006(AP) A seaport in Ventura County, northwest of Los Angeles, was reopened Monday after a four-hour investigation of a potential terror threat turned up nothing suspicious.
Authorities closed off the Port Of Hueneme in Ventura County after a dockworker discovered the message scrawled in marker on a metal pillar in the hold of a ship carrying bananas from Guatemala, said Will Berg, the port's marketing director.
Berg said the message read: "This nitro is for you Mr. George W. Bush and your Jewish cronies."
Federal authorities gave a slightly different version, saying the inked message was: "Nitro (plus sign) glycerin, my gift for G.W. Bush and his Jewish gang."
About 20 people aboard the ship, a 30,000-ton refrigerated vessel that arrived from the Port of Quetzal in Guatemala, were evacuated, he said. Workers already outside the port were being kept out, though anyone inside was allowed to remain.
FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said agents were at the scene but would not comment further.
Divers were called in to inspect the water. But Berg says nothing suspicious was found besides the original message, and the port was reopened.
The port is located northwest of Los Angeles.
Port Reopens After Terror Threat
Thank you for updating the title so quickly!
The Age.com.au and Reuters
No explosives found at Californian port
June 27, 2006 - 7:54AM (Australia)
A bomb threat against US President George W Bush and his "Jewish gang" scrawled on a cargo ship shut down part of a major California port until investigators determined that no explosives were on the vessel.
Officials shut down a terminal at Port Hueneme, about 96 km north of Los Angeles, after a dock worker discovered the message inside the refrigerated cargo ship, arriving from Guatemala with a load of bananas.
Laura Eimiller, a spokeswoman for the FBI, said the threat, which was written on a metal pillar in the hold of the ship, the Mild Lotus, read: "nitro + glycerin, a gift for gw bush and his jewish gang."
Nitroglycerine is an explosive liquid that can be used to manufacture explosives like dynamite and for construction and demolition purposes.
Authorities initially said that the entire port was shut down as a precaution but later said that only the terminal and surrounding area were closed to civilian traffic while bomb squads searched for explosives.
Bomb-sniffing dogs were used to search the ship, several surrounding vessels, cargo and buildings. Divers inspected the hull of the ship.
A US Coast Guard spokesman said ship had Panamanian registry but had last docked in Guatemala. An investigation was underway.
State officials who assess possible threats discounted a link to terrorism, but said they would monitor the situation.
"We don't see any apparent connection to terrorism," said Chris Bertelli, a spokesman for the California Office of Homeland Security.
The port of Hueneme, 96 km north of Los Angeles, is the only commercial deep water port between Los Angeles and San Francisco and serves as a point of import and export for automobiles, produce and forest products.
It is also the only military deep water port between San Diego and Puget Sound in Washington state.
With about half of all US imports arriving at the country's 361 ports each year, a militant attack on the maritime sector could cause hundreds of billions of dollars in damage, in addition to the human toll.
But despite a series of security improvements since September 11, 2001 - including physical security, ship tracking and identification procedures - officials say large gaps remain in the long supply chain between the origin of goods and their final destination.
No explosives found at Californian port
Kenny Bunkport wrote: "Is "cronies" part of the terrorists' vocabulary?"
"...Laura Eimiller, a spokeswoman for the FBI, said the threat, which was written on a metal pillar in the hold of the ship, the Mild Lotus, read: "nitro + glycerin, a gift for gw bush and his jewish gang..."Update
It's interesting that this incident occurred the day after the annual Seabee Days Public Tour at Port Hueneme, although it appears that they had a lot of security present.
Join the U.S. Navy Seabees at Port Hueneme as we celebrate the 20th annual Seabee Days celebration Saturday, June 24 through Sunday, June 25, 2006. This year's celebration will mark the 20th annual Seabee Days where the community is invited aboard for a first-hand look at the Navy's construction engineers.
Seabee Days highlights the mission and accomplishments of the men and women of the Naval Construction Force, affectionately known as the Seabees.
Seabee Days will feature demonstrations of Seabee construction skills, static displays of construction equipment, weapons and field camp construction, hands-on demonstrations and displays plus a wide variety of activities and lots of free entertainment throughout the weekend. The event is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and admission and parking are free.
Seabee Days kicks off Saturday at 11 a.m. with a full dress military parade as more than 700 Seabees accompanied by the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band march out onto the Parade Field. In addition, a formation fly-over of Navy E-2C Hawkeye early warning aircraft will follow the parade.
.....
Ship Tours ~A rare opportunity in today’s post 9/11 world, the public will be able to tour a Whidbey Island class dock landing ship and an Austin class amphibious transport dock ship.
Due to heightened security, guests must first sign up for ship tours at the Seabee Days Information booth located at the event site.
.....
Please note that NBVC has heightened security measures in place. All vehicles and personnel entering the base are subject to search. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: coolers, backpacks, skateboards, bicycles, glass containers, pets, alcohol and weapons. The cooperation of our guests is greatly appreciated.
.....
Seabee Days at Port Hueneme
Just getting here. Thanks for the pings.
Update: Port Hueneme California Reopens After Terror Threat (Naval Shipyard)
Posted by bd476
On News/Activism 06/26/2006 2:47:07 PM PDT · 25 replies · 476+ views
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, AP & CBS ^ | June 26, 2006
California Port Shut Down Over Possible Terrorist Threat (Port Hueneme)
Posted by Diver Dave
On News/Activism 06/26/2006 2:22:16 PM PDT · 102 replies · 3,412+ views
FOX News Channel ^ | 26 June 06 | AP
You're welcome, Onyx.
It sure seems more than a coincidence that Seabee Days (the annual free public tour) was held yesterday and Saturday at Port Hueneme.
I was driving home from my job in Northern VA at 6 pm and heard it on the local (WMAL) news. So I called my coworkers at Port Hueneme and they knew nothing about it. lol.
There are always ships in and out of there. I think the timing was coincidence.
merry10 wrote: "I was driving home from my job in Northern VA at 6 pm and heard it on the local (WMAL) news. So I called my coworkers at Port Hueneme and they knew nothing about it. lol."
Wow, that's interesting Merry. The reports made it sound as if all of Port Hueneme was shut down. I've heard that the ship is still under lock and key.
A friend phoned long distance after hearing it on the local news out of State.
Now "that" is wierd.
I dont' know if people were able to enter, but my coworkers were allowed to leave.
Thanks RonDog!
Coincidentally yesterday and Saturday they held the annual free public tour:
Seabee Days at Port Hueneme
.
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