Coast Guard wants to take terror fight farther out to sea

Hearst Newspapers

WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta urged Congress Thursday to dramatically expand the zone in which the Coast Guard can stop and board foreign ships as a precaution against potential terrorist attacks on seaports.

Mineta said the Coast Guard should have the authority to inspect all ships within 12 miles of American shores, four times the current limit, noting that the need to improve maritime and port security was "heightened" by the Sept. 11 terrorist raids.

Under current law, the Coast Guard can board any foreign-flagged ship within 3 miles of the shoreline. The agency can inspect vessels up to 200 miles off shore, but only for fishing and pollution violations. Otherwise, it must receive consent to board from the captain of a non-U.S. boat or ship.

Mineta told a House Transportation panel that the expanded jurisdiction to board foreign ships would give the Coast Guard more time to make sure vessels are carrying legitimate cargo. He also asked for more money to pay for the Coast Guard’s expanded patrols since the terrorist acts.

"I desperately need additional resources for the Coast Guard," he said.

Mineta said he supports legislation in the Senate that would provide ports with more security personnel and new screening equipment similar to the changes under way at the nation’s airports.

Coast Guard officials attending House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation hearings later explained why they favor the 12-mile zone.

"We would push port security as far as we can go," Rear Adm. Kevin Eldridge said after Mineta’s testimony.

A bill introduced by Sens. Ernest F. Hollings, D-S.C., and Bob Graham, D-Fla., would extend the zone from 3 to 12 miles.

"Perhaps the most vulnerable link in our transportation system is the component that few Americans ever see: our major seaports," Hollings said.

Each year, 156 million tons of hazardous material and 1 billion tons of petroleum come through U.S. ports.

U.S. officials have expressed concern that terrorist operatives could use a fuel-laden ship to attack coastal targets, much like hijackers used airliners to bring down the World Trade Center and damage the Pentagon.

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