Small Boat Terror Strikes and Security

[Cookiely]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/27/small. ... index.html
If they can't keep drugs out of this country, what makes them think they can keep out any other kind of threat? Enlisting the aid of boaters isn't a bad idea, but wouldn't a strike like that be rather quick and hard to detect?

[gtalum]

They can't.

Like the TSA and airport "security", it's just an attempt to make it look like they're doing something about something over which they have little or no control. I'm sure the banners they put on cruise ships ("Stay 500 Feet Away") will prevent a lot of strikes too.

[Cookiely]

They can't.

Like the TSA and airport "security", it's just an attempt to make it look like they're doing something about something over which they have little or no control. I'm sure the banners they put on cruise ships ("Stay 500 Feet Away") will prevent a lot of strikes too.

My aunt took me to a movie, and I saw my first cruise ship up close. They had a couple of security guards (who were definitely more interested in ogling the women at an open air bar than watching out for the ship), but believe me I was in throwing distance of the ship. I was much closer than 500 feet.

[H733Driver]

They can't.

Like the TSA and airport "security", it's just an attempt to make it look like they're doing something about something over which they have little or no control. I'm sure the banners they put on cruise ships ("Stay 500 Feet Away") will prevent a lot of strikes too.

My aunt took me to a movie, and I saw my first cruise ship up close. They had a couple of security guards (who were definitely more interested in ogling the women at an open air bar than watching out for the ship), but believe me I was in throwing distance of the ship. I was much closer than 500 feet.

Oh ye of little faith...before anyone gets all up in arms over what works and what doesn't work...or something over which we have little or no control...take it from a 1st-hand source i.e. someone who's on the water doing the job...

What you see and or write in reference to is nothing more than an overt security posturing...there's a lot more going on behind the scenes that's out-of-view, doesn't get published, nor will it here...but it happens...and the passengers, and the media outlets, are completely unaware - as it should be.

The program they reference is one aimed at utilizing the public's participation and was not meant to be the "one size fits all" solution...this has actually been in effect in one form or another since 2002, just under another name - America's Waterway Watch.

[Ptarmigan]

Oh ye of little faith...before anyone gets all up in arms over what works and what doesn't work...or something over which we have little or no control...take it from a 1st-hand source i.e. someone who's on the water doing the job...

What you see and or write in reference to is nothing more than an overt security posturing...there's a lot more going on behind the scenes that's out-of-view, doesn't get published, nor will it here...but it happens...and the passengers, and the media outlets, are completely unaware - as it should be.

The program they reference is one aimed at utilizing the public's participation and was not meant to be the "one size fits all" solution...this has actually been in effect in one form or another since 2002, just under another name - America's Waterway Watch.

Probably why we have not seen any terrorist attack since 9/11.

[gtalum]

Probably why we have not seen any terrorist attack since 9/11.

More likely that's because they're planning something much bigger that takes time to prepare.

[Cookiely]

They can't.

Like the TSA and airport "security", it's just an attempt to make it look like they're doing something about something over which they have little or no control. I'm sure the banners they put on cruise ships ("Stay 500 Feet Away") will prevent a lot of strikes too.

My aunt took me to a movie, and I saw my first cruise ship up close. They had a couple of security guards (who were definitely more interested in ogling the women at an open air bar than watching out for the ship), but believe me I was in throwing distance of the ship. I was much closer than 500 feet.

Oh ye of little faith...before anyone gets all up in arms over what works and what doesn't work...or something over which we have little or no control...take it from a 1st-hand source i.e. someone who's on the water doing the job...

What you see and or write in reference to is nothing more than an overt security posturing...there's a lot more going on behind the scenes that's out-of-view, doesn't get published, nor will it here...but it happens...and the passengers, and the media outlets, are completely unaware - as it should be.

The program they reference is one aimed at utilizing the public's participation and was not meant to be the "one size fits all" solution...this has actually been in effect in one form or another since 2002, just under another name - America's Waterway Watch.

Thank you for sharing this information. It does make me feel better.

[Ptarmigan]

More likely that's because they're planning something much bigger that takes time to prepare.

Perhaps. Or perhaps, they are just all talk.

[gtalum]

..perhaps, they are just all talk.

I'd like to think so, but 9/11 seems to indicate otherwise.

[Ptarmigan]

I'd like to think so, but 9/11 seems to indicate otherwise.

I don't think there would be another 9/11 type attack. I think it will be more like a Beslan type attack.

[gtalum]

I hope you're right. Personally, I think that the detonation of a nuclear device in my lifetime within a major US city is inevitable.

[Ptarmigan]

I hope you're right. Personally, I think that the detonation of a nuclear device in my lifetime within a major US city is inevitable.

If a terrorist had nukes, they would of used it by now. That has not happened. Although it would not surprise me if they did use nukes in the future.

[gtalum]

If a terrorist had nukes, they would of used it by now.

Not necessarily. It's not like you can just throw one in the trunk and drive into lower Manhattan. It is a big undertaking to use a nuclear device. Plus, depending on their specific goal, timing is a big issue. They may just be waiting for the opportune moment to create the most possible panic.

[Ptarmigan]

Not necessarily. It's not like you can just throw one in the trunk and drive into lower Manhattan. It is a big undertaking to use a nuclear device. Plus, depending on their specific goal, timing is a big issue. They may just be waiting for the opportune moment to create the most possible panic.

That's what I was thinking too. A nuke would be a big undertaking. I don't think New York is the only target though. For terrorists they want to create a lot of shock, so they would target a unlikely place.

[gtalum]

I don't think New York is the only target though.

I was just using Manhattan as an example. I agree that it will probably be some other city. Probably a second-tier city that nobody would consider a target, to maximize the panic effect.

[Cookiely]

I don't think New York is the only target though.

I was just using Manhattan as an example. I agree that it will probably be some other city. Probably a second-tier city that nobody would consider a target, to maximize the panic effect.

Lets pray that its not Washington DC which is where I thought they would use a device if they had one.

[Ptarmigan]

I was just using Manhattan as an example. I agree that it will probably be some other city. Probably a second-tier city that nobody would consider a target, to maximize the panic effect.

I know.

[H733Driver]

I don't think New York is the only target though.

I was just using Manhattan as an example. I agree that it will probably be some other city. Probably a second-tier city that nobody would consider a target, to maximize the panic effect.

Lets pray that its not Washington DC which is where I thought they would use a device if they had one.

Yeah...especially since DC falls within my maritime area of responsibility...could be a "long duty week"...