Coast Guard warns ships of inspections

[Coexist]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/05/20/coastguard.tipoffs/index.html

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Coast Guard sometimes alerts large commercial ships they will be searched as they approach port so as not to burden shipping companies financially, the Coast Guard acknowledged to CNN on Saturday.

The New York Times first reported the story earlier in the day, saying that commanders of some ports provided up to 24 hours notice to ships to keep commerce moving.

<snip>
Former Coast Guard Cmdr. Stephen Flynn, a critic of tipping off ships, told The New York Times it was counterproductive to give notice. "If you say, 'heads up, when you get close to port in two days we're going to board you,' that sort of defeats the purpose of boarding," he told the paper.

<snip>
However, The Times reported that though the port security chief in San Francisco, California, said vessels get notice, Capt. William J. Uberti of the port told the paper that shippers and carriers were "not supposed to have a clue" about random boardings.

Lovely. I feel so safe.

[ClintonTyree]

1. That's like the Police telling a crack dealer..........

"we're going to serve you with a search warrant tomorrow"........what do you think the chances would be of them finding anything? :eyes:

[davekriss]

2. If you think of 9-11 as a black flag operation...

...then it makes perfect sense. There is no threat, at least none from entities beside our own government.

[MADem]

3. Say, we're coming!! Chain all your illegal shit to the underside of the

vessel before we come and give ya the once over!!!!