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American Morning

Coast Guard Has Responsibility For Keeping America's Ports, Waterways Safe

Aired July 25, 2002 - 08:40   ET

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

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The Coast Guard has primary responsibility for keeping America's ports and waterways safe. Since 9/11, that mission has focused on keeping terrorists from using the ports for access.

This morning, Brian Cabell, watching one of the new anti-terror teams go through the practice phase in Wilmington, North Carolina. Rather impressive stuff, too.

Brian, good morning.

BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was impressive, Bill. Good morning.

It looked like a firefight this morning, it certainly sounded like a firefight along the Cape Fear River, but it was not an actual firefight. It was a drill. It was training for a specially trained team of Coast Guardsmen who will be protecting ports and the 95,000 miles of coastal area around the United States. But I'll tell you, what we saw here this morning had to alarm some residents and motorists who were passing by.

Mounting this attack by both water and land were the supervisors of this team. They were the simulated terrorists, if you will. Protecting the ship was this team of 100 Coast Guardsmen, who are being especially trained. This is the second of two teams being trained for this particular duty. The first team is already in Seattle. They were at the mission earlier.

Ever since September 11th, military authorities became aware there was a problem with American ports, 361 American ports to protect, 95,000 miles of coast land. They had to do something. So what they've come up with is this concept, of specially trained teams, 100 men and women, along with six boats for each of these teams, two so far trained already. Two more will be trained later on this summer, and then they hope perhaps another six or so to be trained and sent all around the United States to protect these ports. They will be headquartered at particular areas. This one is going to Virginia, one already in Seattle. The next will go in Los Angeles, and also down to the Galvanston, Houston area, but they will be mobile. They will like SWAT teams. Whenever a threat is perceived or whenever one is expected, this 100-man team will be sent there.

So training ends here today. This team will be sent to Virginia tomorrow -- Bill.

HEMMER: Interesting stuff. And again, as you mention, very impressive.

Thank you, Brian. Brian Cabell there on the shores of Wilmington, North Carolina. Once again, here's Paula.

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