Coast Guard halts surprise ship searches

Coast Guard halts surprise ship searches
May. 20, 2006 at 9:42PM

The Coast Guard will be giving ample notice to commercial ships before inspections, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reports. Previously, searches of ships would come as a surprise.

With concerns from shipping companies about costly delays, the Coast Guard made the decision to give warnings, the newspaper said, which comes as good news to shipping companies.

Some companies were set back $40,000 an hour for delays during surprise boardings. Unannounced inspections began as an anti-terrorist mission after September 11, 2001.

But the decision is causing controversy in the commercial shipping industry, where some officials argue that giving notice could provide a potential terrorist with time to conceal weapons, the Star-Bulletin said. Some shippers see the warning as defeating the purpose of the inspection.

From http://tinyurl.com/ocdba washingtontimes

Quote: But the decision is causing controversy in the commercial shipping industry, where some officials argue that giving notice could provide a potential terrorist with time to conceal weapons, the Star-Bulletin said. Some shippers see the warning as defeating the purpose of the inspection.

Gee ya think? Once again money and profit before all and that includes your security and the security of your family. Maybe after the terrorists set off a nuke in one of Americas ports things will change, however I doubt it!