Saturday, May 20, 2006
Commerce beats security every time.
We have all heard about how well the chemical and nuclear industries have been at self administered security measures. Why waste money that could go to profits? Now the NY Times is reporting that this Bushovik ideal has made its way into the Coast Guard.
Under intense pressure from shipping companies concerned about costly delays, the Coast Guard is tipping off some large commercial ships about security searches that had been a surprise, according to high-ranking Coast Guard officials.So now we know that port security is valued at less than $40,000 an hour. Sure makes me feel secure.
The searches began after the Sept. 11 attacks as part of a major revamping of the Coast Guard and its new antiterrorism mission. But shipping companies say the surprise boardings at sea cause unnecessary delays, costing up to $40,000 an hour.
"We're trying to facilitate commerce and keep the port secure — and sometimes the two conflict," said Capt. Paul E. Wiedenhoeft, who is in charge of the port complex here at Los Angeles and Long Beach. "When possible, we're trying to give shippers as much notice as we can."
"There is systemwide noncompliance with the new security laws,"Michael Mitre, director of port security in Los Angeles for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union
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