Boaters beware in Beantown, big apple: boaters are finding that they won't be welcome in some of the nation's most popular waterways for certain periods this summer. Security concerns for the safety of our political leaders has led to boaters being prohibited in parts of New York and Boston harbors, the Potomac River and Sea Island, GA

Parts of the Potomac River were shut down for a weekend in May as the "Greatest Generation" veterans were honored at the World War II Memorial; and the Intracoastal Waterway was closed, as was the Georgia coastline out three miles, for last month's meeting of world leaders at the G-8 Summit.

These restrictions pale in comparison to the tight security planned for this summer's presidential nominating conventions in Boston, July 26-30, and New York, from August 30 to September 2. Both have large waterfronts with commercial and recreational vessel traffic, and since the convention sites are located on the water, particular attention is being given to them as possible avenues for a terrorist attack.

Some experts fear a terrorist attack similar to the Spanish train bombings that influenced their election could take place at our conventions--with hopes of influencing the outcome. Convention harbor security has received close congressional scrutiny since al-Qaida has already used small boats to attack U.S. interests. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), in particular, has voiced concern over the adequacy of port security.

"Only modest resources have been dedicated to maritime security over the past two-and-a-half years compared to the investments made to secure the airways," McCain told the Coast Guard at a recent oversight hearing. He expressed concern that no comprehensive maritime security plan exists.

Even though we can't close our nation's ports or our major airports, it is very easy for the Coast Guard to shut down the waterways around the convention sites. That means, during these events, the "Stay Out" signs will be posted for recreational boaters from sections of the Boston's Charles River and Manhattan's Hudson River. "The government is looking at a virtual lockdown of activities around these sites," said FBI Director Robert Mueller during a speech in Washington, DC.

Both conventions are classified as National Special Security Events, which means the Secret Service is in charge. The Secret Service has promised to give Boston and New York the same degree of protection that is given to the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, DC. They are silent on specifics, so the bad guys won't be able to exploit any security vulnerabilities.

From the head of Homeland Security to the local harbor police on the scene, various threat scenarios are receiving their attention. The Coast Guard is practicing stopping a major attack like the USS Cole-type bombing, when terrorists blew a hole in the hull of a Navy ship in Yemen killing 17 sailors.

Another drill being practiced is one where terrorists take over a recreational boat, and load it with explosives. The security goal is to stop them before they penetrate the security zone with the intent to blow up the city's waterfront. These threats, and others, have the local Captain of the Port waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat.

Boston Boaters Boxed In

Boston and New York officers charged with convention security visited Sea Island, GA, before and during the G-8 summit for a preview of what they will be up against later this summer. A wide range of protesters are organizing for the conventions. Police worry that terrorists will use the antics of protestors to mask their attacks, and because Greenpeace has used inflatables to try to disrupt events in the past, harbor officials are keeping an eye on terrorists co-opting this form of delivery.

"The Boston police have already visited our marina," said Peter Davidoff from 16-Constitution Marina. "They want to restrict our boaters to well defined pathways in and out of the harbor, and want us to identify our slipholders during the time of the Democratic National Convention."

Rowes Wharf Marina has been given special attention because of its location near the Boston Harbor Hotel--site of many convention activities. The harbormaster referred all questions to Coast Guard CMDR Tina Burke, Chief of Port Operations. "Rowes Wharf is receiving our special attention, and we will have increased presence there," is all she would say.

"Although the port will not be shut down, we may be asked to enforce additional security zones by the Secret Service," said Burke. She has also asked Coast Guard Auxiliary Capt. Richard LeVangie of Boston's Hub Division to provide his members' boats to add an extra set of eyes in the harbor during this time.

The Captain of the Port has listed a security zone around the Fleet Center convention site, extending from the N. Washington Street Bridge on the East to the Monsignor O'Brien Highway on the West--cutting the Charles River in half. He also extended the security zone for the waters around Logan Airport out to 250 feet. "We were asked to close the Charles River for the week leading to the convention, but after meeting with boaters there, we narrowed that down to the actual convention dates," said Burke.

The Boston Fire Department's fireboats will add another security dimension in the harbor, lending a hand in protecting the thousands of conventioneers that will be attending events throughout the city. In addition to their fireboats, they have trained scuba dive units that practice many unique missions. "We are not discussing any of our operations for security reasons," said Fire Department spokesman Scott Salman.

In case of an actual terrorist attack, the Fire Department boats--in coordination with the Coast Guard and police units--would use their powerful hoses to extinguish any resulting fire.

Boston officials are confident that the port will be secure for the convention. "After all, the city has been planning security for the convention for the past 15 months," said Boston Police Commissioner Kathleen O'Toole. Movement will be restricted for boaters during this time--on the bright side, it's only for a week.

Boaters Banned from Big Apple Bash

There certainly will be more Coast Guard and harbor police boats on the Hudson River's Manhattan shores than recreational boaters, as the captain of New York's port beefs up his forces for the Republican National Convention. Certainly security will be tight in the waters just off the convention site at Madison Square Garden, however, not all of the main events will be held at the Garden, Republican planners said.

In addition to the gatherings in the city, many of the delegates will be visiting the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum on the Hudson River between 12th Avenue & West 46th Street, where a security zone already exists. Boaters are also reminded that permanent security zones remain in place within 150 yards off Liberty Island and Ellis Island, and 175 yards off the United Nations building.

"We will probably bring in patrol boats from other units to augment our presence on the water," said LCDR Ernie Morton, head of New York Coast Guard Waterways Operations. As a rehearsal for the convention, Coast Guard and New York harbor patrols beefed up security for the annual Fleet Week this past Memorial Day weekend. A safety zone was established around all visiting Navy and foreign ships as they transited to their berths at Manhattan's piers on the Hudson River.

Plan on being boarded and having your papers checked on the Hudson River and on the East River around the airports weeks before the start of convention.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Boat Owners Assn.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group