U.S. Law Enforcement Starting to Focus on Maritime/Seaborne Terror

Renewing concerns over the safety of the maritime sector in the United States, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the FBI have identified eleven individuals working within the U.S. merchant marine community with suspected links to terrorist organizations, according to FBI Counter Terrorism Chief Gary Bald. All eleven have been placed on the 'No-Fly' and 'Watchlist' maintained at the Terrorist Screening Center (TSC). The TSC is administered by the FBI and was created to consolidate terrorist watchlists and provide 24/7 operational support for thousands of Federal screeners across the country and around the world.

Testifying before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology, and Homeland Security, January 27, 2004, Bald revealed that a 14-month joint investigation, designated 'Operation Drydock', included an extensive review and background check of the more than 200,000 merchant marine licenses issued by the USCG to identify possible terrorist links and counterfeit licenses. In addition to certifying an individual's ability to operate a vessel, merchant marine licenses are often used by persons to board and depart ships in foreign ports. "