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American Morning

U.S. Still Investigating Ship Off New Jersey Shore

Aired September 13, 2002 - 07:47   ET

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

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: As the nation remains on high alert, federal authorities and Navy specialists may be breathing a sigh of relief.
Susan Candiotti has the latest now on the hunt for radioactive material on board a cargo ship stopped near New York on the eve of 9/11. Susan is here in New York.

Good morning. What more do you know?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

Well, we know that the timing of the ship's coming in and where it had been before it was due to arrive in the New York area are just some of the reasons, Bill, that authorities wanted to take a closer look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDIOTTI (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 one, 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.

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 of 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.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CANDIOTTI: We do expect to be getting more details on what they found aboard the ship, what exactly those traces of radiation were all about. We expect to get more details on that as the day goes on from authorities.

But so far, authorities say, you know, there might have been a simple explanation for that, Bill. It's not all that unusual, they say, from time to time to find traces of radiation aboard a ship. But again, it just goes to show you that they're taking every precaution these days.

HEMMER: Indeed. Exactly right.

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