Terrorism experts say future attack could involve strikes on port complexes, claim hundreds of thousands of casualtiesLOS ANGELES -- A future terrorist attack could involve strikes on several port complexes -- including Los Angeles-Long Beach -- and claim hundreds of thousands of casualties, according to terrorism experts. The grim prediction came out of a conference of terrorism experts yesterday at the University of Southern California. It was hosted by the USC-based Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Local experts at the conference predicted there would be another terror strike and, in the words of one of them, it would make 9/11 "look like peanuts," the Daily News reported. - NCTimes
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Coast Guard warns ships of inspections 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.
At the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach in California, the Coast Guard gives as much notice as it can, said Lt. Tony Migliorini, a spokesman for the port. "It's kind of a balancing act," he told CNN.
Even during boardings at sea, the port typically notifies ship management in advance that the Coast Guard is coming aboard, Migliorini said.
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. - CNN
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I feel safer...because I don't live near a port. Heck of a job, George.
