Ten Dangerous Scenarios

Attack a nuclear plant

Cripple the
Transportation System

Destroy the
Fort Peck Dam

Detonate a suitcase bomb

Attack the Alaska pipeline

Contaminate a ventilation system

Cut off power to
a major city

Shoot down
Air Force One

Attack a chemical factory

Destroy a stadium

>> See the entire list <<

Scenario: Bomb a ship in a major harbor

Scenario

Following the model used in the USS Cole attack, bomb a ship in a major harbor to close the harbor and disrupt commerce.

Description

On October 13, 2000, a small boat parked next to the USS Cole and blew up, carving a 40-foot by 40-foot hole in the side of the Cole. The skiff contained approximately 500 pounds of a plastic explosive called C-4.

Terrorists could re-enact this scenario in a variety of U.S. harbors to disrupt ship traffic flowing through the harbor. Possible attacks include:

  • Blowing up a supertanker in Port Arthur, Texas. According to this article, Port Arthur, "is home to more than a dozen oil refineries and related plants, each with its own pier, that process noxious, volatile chemicals. In addition, more than 200 pipelines carrying fuel and other hazardous chemicals snake under Port Arthur in every direction."
  • Blowing up a liquefied natural gas tanker. According to one reader, "a tanker full off natural gas routinely runs through Boston harbor right next to the financial district."
  • Blowing up a cruise ship

Damage Potential

Closing Port Arthur would probably have a noticeable effect on the nation's fuel supply. It would definitely raise fuel prices for a period of time by shutting down the refineries in the area.

A large explosion in Boston harbor could damage buildings in the area and cause casualties.

An attack on a cruise ship would cause significant casualties, and would also have an economic effect on the cruise industry.

Potential Solutions

A direct solution would be for all large ships to post armed sailors on deck who shoot at any small craft that comes within 1,000 feet of the vessel. Electronic suveillance techniques (including motion detectors, infrared imaging, etc.) could help with finding and tracking boats approaching the ship.

A constant and consistent Coast Guard presence in all important harbors would also help. This article in the NYTimes on 3/5/2002 stated, "Now, almost six months later, security is certainly more intense than it was in August. But a kind of complacency seems to have set in, even as senior officials in Washington begin to talk more urgently about the terrorist threat from the sea. Many of the off-duty Port Arthur police officers who were hired to patrol the refineries in the fall have been sent back to the station. The two additional Coast Guard boats sent here to patrol the harbor have left."

Related Links


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