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From: Joe Engel (no email)
Date: Mon Dec 01 2003 - 12:04:29 EST
As we have discussed before, what's going on out there is that in
response to 911 and the continuing threat of terror attacks on the US,
the USCG has moved way over into the law-enforcement / military side and
is following its orders to do everything it can to prevent infiltration
or attack from the sea.
This includes operations Patriot Readiness and Noble Eagle. The USCG
and other LE assets have always had the right to stop / board and search
any vessel without probable cause. They are doing this more
aggressively in any circumstance that they feel are suspicious based
upon their training and guidelines.
So in this example I would speculate that they received a report, or
came upon a lone vessel anchored in a bay and decided that they would
check it out. Sounds like they did this in a very polite and
non-threatening manner using the "show me your lifejacket" as a reason
to scope out the situation. Having done so, they thanked you and moved
on.
As A USCG Auxiliary patrol facility owner and operator I am under orders
to report ANY suspicious activity and that includes any vessel at anchor
at a time or place where that would not normally be the case or a vessel
that has been at anchor for more than a specific time without being
checked out.
This information, boat numbers, description and observations are ALWAYS
radioed into the local USCG where a database is kept. If the boat has
been checked one way or another, nothing is done. If there is no
record, or anything else pops up, you will probably get a similar visit
from a group of friendly but very careful Coasties.
Operation Patriot Readiness will be coming to you as a recreational
boater very soon now. You will be asked to volunteer to learn
observation guidelines and participate in observation and reporting. As
will all commercial vessel personnel, water activity groups, yacht
clubs, boating clubs etc.
Like it or not, we are living in a changed US. We are at war. I do not
think we will be going back to our idyllic and somewhat naive lifestyles
for a long time if ever. It's called the "new normalcy" in the USCG and
I am pretty sure that's the way it will be for some time.
I, for one, am very grateful that they are doing this and I hope that
they continue and escalate these inspections. They are, after all,
doing this in response to orders from our own best minds as to the best
way to defend our country. These young men and women, our own kids,
need you support and encouragement. They are the good guys. They would
rather be just about anywhere else than on a small boat at 4:00 AM
rousting out some anchored sailor. But we the people have asked them to
do this for us. I honor them for it.
Joe Engel
Portland, OR
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