Homeland Security Concern

[White Bear]

Saw an item on the nightly news about the concern Homeland Security has on the use of small boats for terrorist activities. Now that the camel has gotten his nose into the tent through TWIC he is bringing his entire family to come live with us. Federal registration for all pleasure boats and security checks/licenses for all boat operators - don't bet against it!

[Tony Meola]

White Bear

I just read the same but it seems they have decided that we should be their eyes and ears. Something about setting up inspections of boats for proper equipment and force the States to update boating laws and licensing and making them push for us to pay attention and call in anything we see that doesn't look right. Here we go more rules and regulations.

[Harv]

Like Bruce said, Just another excuse to empty our pockets.

[In Memory Walter K]

Harv-Think we'll confuse them if we have TWIC cards or will we have to eat another fee? Walter

[Harv]

Walter,

I would imagine that possessing a TWIC card may supplement any other fee for boating safety or awareness. Registering or licensing fees may be another story, but I'll rightly tell them, hey, I already paid for registration, I already paid for a license, I already paid for a TWIC, if you need any more money from me, take a number and get in line.

[Tony Meola]

Harv

Come and live in NJ. Gov. Corzine has cornered the market on taking money from people. Once Hillary gets in, he is going to go to Washington to show them how to really do it right.

[In Memory Walter K]

Tony-you guys elected him just like we did Spitzer, Hillary and Schumer and Massachusetts did Kennedy, Kerry and Barney Frank. Doesn't say much for us does it. So much for a well educated society. Walter

[Trey Dibrell]

OK, I give up. What is TWIC?

Trey

[In Memory Walter K]

Trey--Transportation Workers Identifications Credentials---$132.50---must have by end of September if you have a Captain's license or risk losing it if you are boarded and dont have it on your person. Necessitates fingerprinting, photograph and a security check. No nearby offices where you can get it.
Walter

[Carl]

There is some merit to the idea of doing something about recreational boats in certain areas.

In my area, New York Harbor, I have spoke with a few guys from the Coast Guard and Homeland Security that have had a hand in grabbing some very suspicious individuals cruising in patterns under the VZ Bridge and other places of concern.

Charging for bogus licences' and registration fee's will have zero effect in my line of thought, I think the simple "if you see something, tell someone" would be much more effective. I have also heard all boats may be required to have transponders in the near future, which of course would need be registered and not cheap.

[Capt Dick Dean]

I will get a TWIC certificate if requied and won't be unhappy about it. I will also keep a heads up when on the water. I will continue to pump my fist for the Coast Guard as they patrol the Fire Island Inlet.

I know that 9/11 touched everybody. My youngest had his building evacuated becaues it was a block away from the Trade Center. He said there were people jumping out the windows. He was one of the thousands who walked the bridge to Brooklyn for saftey. It was horrible.

[Carl]

Capt Dick Dean,
I know what you mean my wife worked in the Twin Towers, thank god she got there after the plane hit otherwise she would have been inside. Thank god she decided to move away before they collapsed. The last time I had spoke to her was about 10 minutes after the second plane hit and she wasn't more then a block away. She was there for the first bombing as well. Thinking about it several years later I still find my chest tighten up...

It is something I guess we take kind of seriously here. You get lots of reminders too when the ships and ferries are escorted by lots of boats with real big guns mounted on them and Navy ships come in with escorts and you need to evacuate the channels. Last year I was taking some classes in Manhatten and on several occasions we would have soldiers along for the ferry ride, it's not a great feeling having soldiers in full uniform patroling the boat you are on with an escort as well. Threats are pretty real around here, even though there is not much press about it anymore.