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After 9/11, think tanks across the country came together to find out how to protect our infrastructure and our country from future attacks. We tried to consider where terrorists might try to attack us and what methods they might use to attack. In fact, I have a group of experts operating online, and one of the things we were concerned about is the incredible number of waterways that terrorists could have access to in order to get closer to their destination and create a terrorist act.
An interesting article recently appeared in the New York Times on December 5, 2011 titled; “Underwater Drones Give More Eyes to Port Police Unit as Searches Increase,” by Al Baker, who stated that when President Obama was visiting recently:
“The NYPD Port Unit and the Secret Service searched the sites for bombs, then cleared and surveyed them. This underwater security shows a growing reliance on a new tactical weapon for police: a submersible drone does not manned, remotely operated vehicle or ROV. The Port Police Unit has 6 of these underwater drones, similar to those used by the US military and offshore oil companies. “
It’s very smart and prudent for law enforcement, and the federal government is thinking here. Our US Coast Guard and US Navy also work very hard to protect our ports and military bases, as they should. Being able to know what is under the water is of supreme value. It will also help us find pollutants and potential sources of environmental pollution that could cause dead zones and damage aquatic life and our ability to fish for food.
Being able to study undersea currents, observe undersea volcanoes, and keep an eye on subsea pipelines, communication lines, and cooling systems of generation plants is extremely important. We need to protect our ports, our docks, and our cruise industry. Having widespread surveillance underwater might sound a bit paranoid, but you should know that terrorists are thinking here, so let’s not lower our guard, just because it’s been a long time since we’ve seen a major attack on our own soil.
Our intelligence community has uncovered several plots in the past, and some of them have involved plots that include infiltration through waterways and our shores. Let’s not forget that we are at war with people who want to disrupt our civilization, cause economic chaos, and terrorize our population. In fact, I hope you consider all of this and the value of autonomous underwater vehicles and the importance of our nation’s security. In fact, I hope you will please consider all of this and reflect.
