Department of Homeland Security proposes water security measure

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By KOMO Staff

Summary

The Department of Homeland Security has proposed a new measure to help tighten security in the waterways in western Washington as well as around the country.

Story Published: Oct 31, 2007 at 6:05 PM PDT

Story Updated: Apr 8, 2010 at 4:17 PM PDT

Department of Homeland Security proposes water security measure
The Department of Homeland Security has proposed a new measure to help tighten security in the waterways in western Washington as well as around the country.

The proposal would require all boaters to carry an I.D. card with them at all times on the water in order to help the Coast Guard maintain a list of chronic offenders and ward off larger threats that may sneak in through the Port of Seattle.

"We deal with threats in our own lives every day. This is one more component, that we shouldn't overreact to, but we can't ignore," said A.D. Vickery with the Seattle Fire Department.

The controversy lies in the proposal's potential effects on the owners of private boats. Along with a major port, Seattle has more pleasure boats per capita than any other metropolitan city in the U.S.

"A nuclear bomb in a small boat would do every bit as much damage as a nuclear bomb in a container," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said.

The proposal would also require boaters to first pass a safety course, which would include security issues, such as identifying restricted areas.