Jsmoke- not trying to be a prude, but let me shed some light on this. I was the Safety /Compliance Manager for Talens Marine on 9/11/01. I was in Cameron conducting an inspection w/ the USCG when the planes struck. At that moment, we had a fully loaded LNG ship between Cameron and LC. Do you know what happen next?
We get reports of a missing plane through USCG and the ship is un-escorted inbound. It became a target due to the proximity to the strategic oil reserve in Hackberry. If a terrorist strike would occur on a LNG ship at the turnaround, you would be able to fish at the LC airport! The LNG terminal itself is fortified and like the pentagon, can take a lick. However, the ships are not as well protected and have the same punch of a atominc bomb due to the liquified state of the gas.
With that said, the easiest way to attack a merchant ship, is by small vessel, like the USS Cole in Yemen. I understand it is agravating, and they have run me off as well at times, but they just have to. I feel good knowing some "rent a cop" as you put it is doing his $8.00/hr job he is paid to do to protect my A$$ from a huge fireball. I hope the new terminal just north of Hackberry has the same security service also protecting it!
And by the way, if you are ever fishing in the turnaround when a LNG vessel is coming in, you are really going to be pi$$ed! No matter how well the fish are biting, you have to leave! And they mean now!
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