Let's say that the USCG, or US Navy, instituted a volunteer program in
which you would be required to pass a background check including
security clearance, physical (within civilian specifications - we're
not talking NAvy Seals of Marine Recon types here), complete the basic
Captain's level license (whatever that is) in return for which, the
Navy or USCG would pay for the use of your vessel to do port security
patrols and other security type work as deemed necessary and
appropriate.

Would you participate?

Probably not, I don't live near a major port.


John H wrote:

Would I get to mount a .50 calibre on the bow?

Looking for a way to get up on plane quicker?

Actually I think an M249 would be more likely, Mama Deuce would probably shake
your boat (and mine too) to pieces.





RG wrote:
Not likely. (snip for brevity)
4. But, the bottom line is that my boat is a PLEASURE vessel. I'm not
looking for anybody to pay for its use, and I wouldn't want anybody
dictating how/when/where it was used. My bathing suit wouldn't pass for a
uniform, and I'm pretty sure they would frown on sipping a cold beer while
on duty. I'm a working stiff with a job, and treasure my boat as a place to
get away from many of life's impositions. I'm fortunate to have a 12-month
boating season (79 degree high today, woohoo!), and I take full advantage of
it. It would be a bad trade for me.

Totally agree. I put in my time in Uncle Sam's Canoe Club, and have no wish to
play weekend warrior or revisit "glory days" (which they weren't).


But since I'm inland, most likely a
moot question for me since I have nothing much to guard, with the possible
exceptions of Hoover and Glen Canyon Dams, which actually would be
tactically devastating targets if hit successfully. But I wouldn't think
they'd likely be targeted from the water. More likely from above, I would
think. Interesting question, though.

I dunno, the British had some very serious ordnance experts work on the problem
of dam removal during WW2 and concluded that a special depth charge sunk right
against the upstream face and detonated at the bottom, would be the easiest and
surest way to take out a big dam.

For the Hoover Dam, I think it's more likely that terrorists would try a truck
bomb. I understand they've closed the road across the top of the Hoover Dam,
though.

Regards
Doug King

On Wed, 14 Jan 2004 11:29:49 -0500, DSK wrote:

~~ snippity ~~

4. But, the bottom line is that my boat is a PLEASURE vessel. I'm not
looking for anybody to pay for its use, and I wouldn't want anybody
dictating how/when/where it was used. My bathing suit wouldn't pass for a
uniform, and I'm pretty sure they would frown on sipping a cold beer while
on duty. I'm a working stiff with a job, and treasure my boat as a place to
get away from many of life's impositions. I'm fortunate to have a 12-month
boating season (79 degree high today, woohoo!), and I take full advantage of
it. It would be a bad trade for me.

Totally agree. I put in my time in Uncle Sam's Canoe Club, and have no wish to
play weekend warrior or revisit "glory days" (which they weren't).

I understand that, but it's always stuck me as silly not to recruit
former vets to do this kind of work on a volunteer basis. I would
certainly volunteer to do it if this kind of program were available.

~~ snippity ~~

For the Hoover Dam, I think it's more likely that terrorists would try a truck
bomb. I understand they've closed the road across the top of the Hoover Dam,
though.

To bust the base of Hoover Dam would be an accomplishment unless they
got really, really lucky and got a nuke into a vent tube or something.

Even at the top, that Dam is huge. I'm not sure a truck bomb would
even dent it significantly.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
----------
"My rod and my reel - they comfort me."

St. Pete, 12 Lb. Test

On Wed, 14 Jan 2004 11:29:49 -0500, DSK wrote:

Let's say that the USCG, or US Navy, instituted a volunteer program in
which you would be required to pass a background check including
security clearance, physical (within civilian specifications - we're
not talking NAvy Seals of Marine Recon types here), complete the basic
Captain's level license (whatever that is) in return for which, the
Navy or USCG would pay for the use of your vessel to do port security
patrols and other security type work as deemed necessary and
appropriate.

Would you participate?

Probably not, I don't live near a major port.


John H wrote:

Would I get to mount a .50 calibre on the bow?

Looking for a way to get up on plane quicker?

Actually I think an M249 would be more likely, Mama Deuce would probably shake
your boat (and mine too) to pieces.

Nope, M2 or nothing. Going down shakin' wouldnl't be a bad way to go!

John H

On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!

I dunno, the British had some very serious ordnance experts work on the
problem
of dam removal during WW2 and concluded that a special depth charge sunk
right
against the upstream face and detonated at the bottom, would be the
easiest and
surest way to take out a big dam.

For the Hoover Dam, I think it's more likely that terrorists would try a
truck
bomb. I understand they've closed the road across the top of the Hoover
Dam,
though.


No, the road is still open across the dam. Just drove across it last
November on a trip to Vegas. US Highway 93, which is a major highway, runs
right across the top of the dam. Guess it seemed like a good idea in 1933.
For a while after 9/11, commercial truck traffic, RV's and (GASP!)
trailered boats with enclosed areas were not allowed to traverse the dam.
That restriction didn't last long, but all vehicles pass through an
inspection point before being able to proceed to the dam since 9/11. The
good news is that construction has started on a bridge immediately
downstream of the dam (similar to Glen Canyon), that will carry all traffic
that now crosses the dam. Unfortunately, it is very challenging terrain,
and will take years to complete. Should have been done years ago, but very
big $ required to get it done.

I'm no where near qualified to understand the physics required to breach a
major dam. The depth charge scenario while plausible, would likely have to
be pulled off by divers to get the charge in position. The dams have always
had standoff boom lines that prevent vessels from getting too close to the
dams. I would imagine there is security personnel stationed on or near the
dams watching with high-powered optics any and all marine traffic activity
in the vicinity of the dam, but have never actually heard of such. Who they
would call on the radio to intercept suspicious marine activity is another
story. On-the-water law enforcement on the lakes is primarily handled by
National Park Rangers, and they are spread very thin.

There is a high volume of commercial air traffic that crosses directly over
Hoover every day and night (the dam is well lit) either taking off or
landing from McCarren Intl. in Las Vegas, or cross country traffic to and
from LAX. Also quite a bit of smaller aircraft traffic doing sightseeing
tours to the Grand Canyon out of Vegas. Wouldn't take much extrapolation of
the 9/11
scenario to imagine how easy it would be to destroy most of the water supply
and power generation capability for the entire southwest US, including
Southern California. Very scary, indeed.

On Wed, 14 Jan 2004 09:10:14 -0700, "RG" wrote:


Let's say that the USCG, or US Navy, instituted a volunteer program in
which you would be required to pass a background check including
security clearance, physical (within civilian specifications - we're
not talking NAvy Seals of Marine Recon types here), complete the basic
Captain's level license (whatever that is) in return for which, the
Navy or USCG would pay for the use of your vessel to do port security
patrols and other security type work as deemed necessary and
appropriate.

Would you participate?


Not likely.

1. No problem with background check and security clearance.

2. I'd like to think that I could pass the physical, but God only knows. I
turn 50 in a couple of months, and I'm about 50 miles south of buff. Can
you say sea slug?

3. I would truly enjoy the pursuit of a Captain's license.

4. But, the bottom line is that my boat is a PLEASURE vessel. I'm not
looking for anybody to pay for its use, and I wouldn't want anybody
dictating how/when/where it was used. My bathing suit wouldn't pass for a
uniform, and I'm pretty sure they would frown on sipping a cold beer while
on duty. I'm a working stiff with a job, and treasure my boat as a place to
get away from many of life's impositions. I'm fortunate to have a 12-month
boating season (79 degree high today, woohoo!), and I take full advantage of
it. It would be a bad trade for me. But since I'm inland, most likely a
moot question for me since I have nothing much to guard, with the possible
exceptions of Hoover and Glen Canyon Dams, which actually would be
tactically devastating targets if hit successfully. But I wouldn't think
they'd likely be targeted from the water. More likely from above, I would
think. Interesting question, though.

Thanks.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
----------
"My rod and my reel - they comfort me."

St. Pete, 12 Lb. Test

On Wed, 14 Jan 2004 14:35:50 +0000, JDavis1277 wrote:


I'm not suggesting everyone stop enjoying what they are doing. I'd just
like to see some boating issues also under discussion for a change. Even
Lloyd's diesel for Christ's sake. I'm desperate.... the weather's not
conducive to being on the water most days so surely we can find
something to discuss????


Since you asked...

Engine will be delived to the boat at 9:00 am (precisely! - local joke)
Jan 31. Boat will be hauled at 9:30 Fri so I can pull the old prop,
replace the cutlass bearing and install the new exhaust thruhull.

Stringers are almost rebuilt - just need filling, sanding and gelcoat.
Then it's on to replacing the water hoses and exhaust.

I'm doing a lot of things that should have been done years ago, like
adding a raw-water strainer (in addition to the slotted bronze one on the
thruhull), proper ventilation, bigger, less convoluted exhaust, etc. so
the new engine will run even better.

Really looking forward to this - can't wait! Too bad Chuck's not around
any more - we could have swapped "new-engine" stories...

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36