PLANETDATA / MARITIME SECURITY NEWS
PlanetData - The Security News Network is a free news and information resource focused on maritime, global, corporate, cyber, homeland and aviation security, law enforcement and intelligence. PlanetData hosts timely and comprehensive content gathered from over 1,000 online sources, as well as from our editors, contributors and members. This newsletter entry carries a summary of PlanetData’s weekly maritime security roundup.November 4, 2009
• Cyprus: Israel Captures Ship Smuggling Arms to Hezbollah
Nov 4, 2009 — The Israeli navy has seized a cargo ship that Israeli officials claim was smuggling weapons and munitions from Iran to Syria or Lebanon, and eventually to the terrorist group Hezbollah. The Antiguan-flagged Francop, was captured early Wednesday (11/4) in the Mediterranean Sea near Cyprus and has been taken to Ashdod in southern Israel. The Jerusalem Post reports that the ship is carrying more than 60 tons of rockets, anti-tank missiles and ammunition.
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• Puerto Rico: U.S. Customs Opens New Private Boat Reporting Center in Puerto Rico
Nov 3, 2009 — Last week U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) opened Puerto Rico's new centralized calling center for pleasure boats arriving on the island from the Virgin Islands or any other foreign departure point. The private vessel calling center is open 24/7 and located at the Pan American Dock in San Juan, P.R. All boaters arriving at any Puerto Rico port of entry must report to the center by using the toll free number 1-877-529-6840.
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• Coast Guard Ends Search for 9 Missing from Mid-air Crash
Nov 2, 2009 — The Coast Guard announced on Sunday morning that it had suspended the search for survivors of the downed Coast Guard C-130 Hercules aircraft and Marine Corps AH-1 Super Cobra helicopter near San Clemente Island, California. The mid-air collision happened last Thursday.
The San Diego Union-Tribune quotes Joseph Castillo, commander of the 11th Coast Guard District, explaining the decision. Castillo said, "Due to the wreckage we've found, the nature of the collision, and the length of time since the crash, we've reached the conclusion that survival is no longer viable."
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• Spain: Spain Passes Law Allowing Armed Guards on Ships
Nov 1, 2009 — The Spanish government on Friday passed a law that allows Spanish-flagged ships to put armed guards on their vessels when outside Spain's territorial waters. This law of course is aimed at preventing pirate attacks on Spanish vessels, particularly fishing boats, in the waters off East Africa and in the Gulf of Aden.
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• Somalia: Pirates Ask for $7 Million Ransom for British Couple
Oct 31, 2009 — Somali pirates claiming they are the ones holding British husband and wife Paul and Rachel Chandler hostage have asked for a ransom of $7 million. The demand was made in a telephone call to the BBC on Friday (10/30). This is a particularly large ransom demand given that the pirates are holding a lone couple who were on a sailboat, and not a commercial ship with a valuable cargo and large crew.
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