Ludicrous Security Requirements
by Vince?Daliessio
For Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) vessels entering Boston Harbor;
When the tanker reaches waters approximately two miles from the Harbor, five USCG vessels meet it and establish a 500-yard perimeter or "bubble" around it. The two forward vessels are equipped to ram an offending vessel if needed but are charged with herding suspect vessels away from the hull of the tanker. The two aft USCG vessels are equipped with heavy weaponry and are charged with dismantling a suspect vessel if the forward USCG vessels fail to stop the advance...
...Another security "bubble" or perimeter is established at the 1000-yard mark, from the transport tanker. This 1000-yard bubble is comprised of, four Mass. State Police boats (two forward and two aft), one Boston PD boat to the port side, and one Environmental Police boat on the starboard side. These vessels will approach a suspect vessel and attempt to "chase" it from the area.
In addition to water assets, the Massachusetts State Police has the responsibility to shut down traffic on the Tobin Bridge while the tanker is in close proximity to it. A State Police Helicopter hovers and provides observation from the time the tanker is met outside the Harbor until it is docked.?...
...Boston Police Department estimates that it ties up 20 - 30 members per trip (Inbound/Outbound).
...The Distigas (sic)?Facility has paid the Everett Police Department $1.0 million since Sept. 11, 2001 for the five officers detailed per tanker.
As it happens, I have some experience with LNG, having helped construct the pipeline in Trinidad?used to transport the gas from offshore platforms to the liquification facility. ?Numerous articles and scientific papers I have read, including the security assessment?seem to agree that the threat of disaster from trrrism or accident is remote. One wonders how profitability is maintained, given the expense...
