April 30, 2008
Neighborhood Watch
Here's something I read this morning that I thought was worthy of passing along. We all should keep our eyes out for anything unusual on the water.
As boating season approaches, the Bush Administration wants to enlist the country's 80 million recreational boaters to help reduce the chances that a small boat could deliver a nuclear or radiological bomb somewhere along the country's 95,000 miles of coastline and inland waterways. According to an April 23 intelligence assessment obtained by The Associated Press, "The use of a small boat as a weapon is likely to remain al Qaeda's weapon of choice in the maritime environment, given its ease in arming and deploying, low cost, and record of success."
While the United States has so far been spared this type of strike in its own waters, terrorists have used small boats to attack in other countries. The millions of humble dinghies, fishing boats and smaller cargo ships that ply America's waterways are not nationally regulated as they buzz around ports, oil tankers, power plants and other potential terrorist targets.
This could allow terrorists in small boats to carry out an attack similar to the USS Cole bombing, says Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen. That 2000 attack killed 17 American sailors in Yemen when terrorists rammed a dinghy packed with explosives into the destroyer. "There is no intelligence right now that there's a credible risk" of this type of attack, Allen says. "But the vulnerability is there." To reduce the potential for such an attack in the United States, the Department of Homeland Security has developed a new strategy intended to increase security by enhancing safety standards.
Learn more about the plan and read the full article on CNN.com in which Major John Fetterman of the Maine Marine Patrol (A RIBCRAFT customer with a fleet of RIBCRAFT 4.8s) was quoted.
Posted by ribcraftusa at April 30, 2008 10:04 AM
Comments
Sorry guys, but when I read this, I am more than happy to live in Europe, Holland! We've got lots of rules, but still we can go fast wherever it can and we can come anywhere along the shoreline except navy bases. We are not afraid of Al Qaida on Rib's!
Posted by: Steef at May 2, 2008 01:56 PM
I would agree with Steef. I do live in the U.S. and to think we are going to always be afraid of Al Qaida today and something else tomorrow is disturbing.
If the United States fails to protect our coast line the people will complain, but they are the same people complaining about all the rules. So there is no winning this issue, just do what the majority wants and hope for the best.
I just hope people take the time to enjoy the life they have by keeping an open mind and heart to all.
Posted by: Martin at May 6, 2008 06:29 PM
