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CNN Live At Daybreak

More Details Expected About Cargo Ship Suspected of Carrying Radioactive Material

Aired September 13, 2002 - 05:08   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: More details are expected to be made public today about a cargo ship suspected of carrying radioactive material. Authorities say a search of the 700 foot freighter is wrapping up favorably off the cost of New Jersey.
Susan Candiotti has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Palermo Senator was off limits to anyone trying to approach. When we saw the freighter, it was flanked by two Coast Guard cutters and surrounded by a half dozen other ships. The U.S. Coast Guard monitored a 1,000 yard safety zone to make sure no one got too close, while investigators checked the cargo, more than 600 containers.

On board, the FBI used highly trained specialists from the Navy and Department of Energy to determine whether the ship was carrying anything radioactive. The Coast Guard had discovered traces of radiation during an inspection at the Port of Newark.

Authorities say they had good reason to give the freighter a closer look. It was docking one day before the president's arrival to commemorate September 11. And then there were its ports of call, starting from South Korea in June to China, Egypt and Spain before coming to the U.S.

SEN. CHARLES SCHUMER (D), NEW YORK: They were lucky on that. But they go through so many. So many ships go in without that inspector boarding that ship that the odds are just much too small.

CANDIOTTI: During the investigation, the ship was ordered offshore about five miles from Long Island, New York and about 13 miles east of New Jersey.

(on camera): Just a handful of the 22 people aboard were allowed to disembark at the Port of Newark. So the remainder of the crew, the majority of them, remain on board as investigators try to track down the source of the radiation.

(voice-over): Apparently it wasn't much to worry about, says CNN consultant David Butler, a biochemical radiation specialist. The area's population never in danger from radioactive emissions.

DAVID BUTLER, BRUHN NEWTECH: If that were the case, then there wouldn't be all these other ships parked around it. They'd have moved it a long way offshore and also, of course, they would have taken everybody off the ship.

CANDIOTTI: Now the FBI says the inspection appears to be ending well, no cause for alarm, but one more example of the heightened state of alert. Once the Palermo Senator clears inspection, it is scheduled to deliver cargo in the New York area before heading to Norfolk, Virginia and Savannah, Georgia.

Susan Candiotti, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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