ShipSpotting.com Forum
Shipspotters all over the world => Shipping News and information => Topic started by: Magogman on February 04, 2006, 03:46:55 AM
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The Great Lakes (North America) website www.boatnerd.com has photographic coverage of the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard's defensive protective measures for Sunday's "Super Bowl", the championship American football game of the National Football League. The game is to be played in Detroit, Michigan in a stadium that is within a mile of the heavily trafficked Detroit River. Armed Coast Guard vessels are keeping any traffic away from downtown Detroit's waterfront although at this time of the year river traffic is light (due to the mild winter in the United States the river is open and there are still a few ships transiting Lake Erie, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The Sault Ste Marie locks and the Welland Canal and St Lawrence Seaway are closed for the winter).
Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks the "Super Bowl", the single most watched sporting event in the U.S., has been feared by authorities to be a potential target for terrorists so extraordinary security measures are taken every year. From the photos on boatnerd.com it appears that the U.S. Coast Guard is taking the threat seriously and keeping any water traffic clear of downtown Detroit.
As an aside several inches of snow are forecast to fall in the Detroit area Saturday and Sunday although the football stadium has a roof on it.
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Well, they certainly seem to take the threat (?) seriously, perhaps a little too seriously? But I really like their armed rubber boats, hihi!
//Susanne
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agreed; I go up that way quite often and this is the first time I have seen the Coast Guard with their machine guns mounted on both large and small vessels. Looks like they are having fun. Its probably much to do about nothing but that is the way it is in the U.S. these days.
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This is quite regular for LNG vessels approaching US.
Have experienced it in Boston, Lake Charles and Cove Point.
Rgds
Christian!
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I know what you're talking about, the "like" container ships as well. We've had them on board several times, especially early in the morning, heavily armed, checking our passports and visas. One trip they came on board three times (we had four arrivals)... I hope that made them feel really safe, we just felt tired :lol:
//Susanne
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Yup, just another "evidence" on how we sailors are blamed to be criminals when we enter US waters! There are hundreds of similar stories...
I am not saying that the US should not take the threat seriously, but there is a limit!
Rgds
Christian!
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I couldn't agree more, but since they wont change I'm just trying to make fun of this whole situation. 18 swedish seamen, kicked out of bed 4 in the morning, sitting in the messroom guarded by guys with guns and God knows what else they've got. It's kind of funny in a way!
//Susanne
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They better not borrow H.M.S. Daring for guarding the game. The Radar on this ship is said to be able to pick up a cricket ball. If the ball goes high during the game, it could be shot down.
Imagine the uproar.
:lol:
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I think this is a lot overblown on the part of the federal authorities. For one, there is no commercial traffic on the Great Lakes during the winter months when the St. Lawrence Seaway is closed. Most if not all the Great Lakes vessels are in winter lay-up. I wonder then if the Coast Guard is afraid of small craft then launching attack. But then again, I know of no one who goes pleasure boating/fishing on the Great Lakes during winter. And I doubt terrorists would use a boat to launch an attack since the stadium is no where near the shoreline. I think this response is more show than anything else.