Homeland Security boards Canadian boat, orders it to port

[Newsjock]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/232717_whalewatch15.html?dpfrom=thead

Friday, July 15, 2005
By PAUL SHUKOVSKY
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

... In a scene repeated by numerous Canadian vessels every day throughout the summer, the SeaKing -- a 24-foot bow rider with the word "whale watch" emblazoned on the side -- raced across Haro Strait and into American waters in search of orcas. But instead of finding whales, the tourists found themselves face to face with Homeland Security agents who boarded the vessel, questioned them and ordered the boat to port when they found the skipper had forgotten to bring his papers.

... For years, American and Canadian whale-watching boats have moved across the border near the San Juans without having to check in with customs. And although any vessels on the frontier can be stopped and boarded at the discretion of federal officers, whale-watching boats essentially have been immune from the practice.

... (The skipper of the boat that day, Canadian Jim Baldwin) said the officer told him that "because you didn't check into customs, he could seize the vessel and ourselves and bar us from returning to the U.S. He said I could have a terrorist on board and not know it. Terrorists are known to have come from Canada."

... Dennis Hazelton, customs' port director on San Juan Island said whale-watching boats "don't have to report in and don't have to clear ... unless they touch land or come into (physical) contact with other boats."

more

[nine23]

1. Yup. Those Muslims really have it in for those infidel orcas.

Seriously, these vessels (on both sides of the border) are well marked with HUGE LETTERING/company logos saying "Whale Watching"; they're full of "obvious" tourists with lifejackets, cameras, binoculars, etc.; and when they do "skirt" the border/"invisible line in the water" chasing whales, it can usually be measured in feet, not miles.

Basic paranoia, ripe for pointless abuse by Homeland Security agents. Too bad for the entrepreneurs on BOTH sides of the border running these eco-friendly sustainable businesses...but then again, they're all LIB/DEM ENVIROMENTALISTS. I wish them well.

[Pachamama]

3. Anyone ever bother to look at the "boundary" in the San Juan Islands?

It zig zags back and forth where unless you had a GPS going at every location, you wouldn't know when you were in Canadian or US Waters.

I used to live in Washington, owned a house on San Juan Island and would sail through and around the straits. The Ferry that goes to Victoria goes through that way and its nearly impossible to know when you've crossed into "the other side" ESPECIALLY IF YOUR WHALE WATCHING!

This is so screwed up...I guess they (Homeland Security) is so effing paranoid and is trying to either purposely destroy our relationship with the Canadians and the entire friendly border system and economic tourist industry between our two countries, or they are completely incompetent.

Hmmmm...I wonder which it is? :eyes:

[nine23]

4. Yep. It all used to be so friendly "back in the day".

I used to live on Saltspring Island. I'm sure you'll agree, having experienced the whole San Juan/Gulf Islands "vibe", it used to be a very beautiful thing for all - it worked both ways. We were all "islanders" first. Americans would think nothing of leaving Friday Harbour for Ganges just for a day at the pub; we'd leave Ganges to spend weekends hanging out at Snug Harbour resort...all very laid back. Too sad.

I have no problem with them checking out suspicious activity, but these whale-watching vessels - from both sides - are ridiculously obvious with their intentions.

Again, just plain sad for all concerned.

[lumpy]

2. Well you can kiss the US tourist

industry goodbye. The ugly Americans at work.

[Judi Lynn]

5. You can't be soft on those whale sympathizers, you know.

Our Great Republican in Heaven wouldn't like it. He's done everything he can to help us live in a world without any life anywhere other than Republicans and the workers, after all.

[Mika]

6. Meanwhile in Miami, smuggler's go-fast boats arrive nightly from Cuba..

.. ferrying future Luis Posadas and Orlando Boschs (good terrorists/our terrorists).

Like this,

[Judi Lynn]

10. Better watch out, Mika, lest someone tell the pResident you mentioned

a couple of _Bush family friends/Republican heroes/mass murderers in a potentionally less than worshipful way.


It's an explosive subject.

By the way, it's been really quiet concerning the _Bush administration's plans for their recently pardoned airline bomber/ former Iran-Contra/CIA guy, Luis Posada Carriles.

[BiggJawn]

7. And look for the Canadian Coasties....

...to jack-up the next US boat that comes into Dominion waters...
Tit-for-tat diplomacy.....

[Bassic]

9. Nah...

It will take at least three of those incidents beofre our governement dares taking action that could raise Washington's eyebrow.

[pinniped]

8. Yes, orcas were caught red-handed...

spying. Spy hopping.



This guy has much to be proud of:

--the officer told him that "because you didn't check into customs, he could seize the vessel and ourselves and bar us from returning to the U.S.--