Hope everyone had a great labor day weekend. The unofficial end of summer weekend unfortunately also brought up a short week leading up to the 12th anniversary of probably the most devastating event in American’s history – 911. This was one of those events that almost everyone vividly remembers where they were and what they were doing when it happened.
Many American boaters have asked, “How can I help?” This is how — By participating in America’s Waterway Watch.
HomePort Security
America’s coasts, rivers, bridges, tunnels, ports, ships, military bases, and waterside industries may be the terrorists’ next targets.
Waterway security is better than ever but with more than 95,000 miles of shoreline, more than 290,000 square miles of water and approximately 70 million recreational boats in the United States, the U.S. Coast Guard and local first responders can’t do the job alone.
Be aware of suspicious activity, particularly near the locations above, including…
- People appearing to be engaged in surveillance of any kind (note taking, shooting video/photos, making sketches, or asking questions).
- Unattended vessels or vehicles in unusual locations.
- Lights flashing between boats.
- Unusual diving activity.
- Unusual number of people onboard.
- Unusual night operations.
- Recovering or tossing items into/onto the waterway or shoreline.
- Operating in or passing through an area that does not typically have such activity.
- Fishing/hunting in locations not typically used for those activities.
- Missing fencing or lighting near sensitive locations.
- Anchoring in an area not typically used for anchorage.
- Transfer of people or things between ships or between ship and shore outside of port.
- Anyone operating in an aggressive manner.
- Individuals establishing businesses or roadside food stands near sensitive locations.
- Small planes flying over critical locations.
- People attempting to buy or rent fishing or recreational vessels with cash for short-term, undefined use.
To report suspicious activity call the National Response Center at 1-877-24WATCH. For immediate danger to life or property, call 911
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