Port Of Los Angeles Uses DHS Grant
To Deter Terrorist Attack On Cruise Ships By Small Boat
April 24, 2008
A Department of Homeland Security grant provided funds for 5,000 feet of a barrier made from floating foam and steel cable that is now in place around the cruise ship terminal at the Port Of Los Angeles.
The floating barrier is suppose to deter small boats from approaching the cruise ships, in hopes of that terrorists in small boats will not be able to approach close enough to docked cruise ship to pose any real threat.
The floating boom looks like the the floating dividers seen in public swimming pools to divide the pool deep end from the shallow end and to divide lap lanes in some pools. Those dividers are normally blue and white. The new dividers used by the Port Of Los Angeles are bright orange and white.
The floating dividers were put into place today, with tug boats stretching them out along the border of the off-limit areas.
"The barrier stops the vessel, then forces it to bounce back," said George Cummings, director of homeland security for the Port of Los Angeles
Boats the defy the off-limit zones could face fines of up to $500 or six months in jail under an ordinance that went into effect in January 2008.
While the floating dividers were being towed into place, the port took the opportunity to run emergency response drills.
