Afloat twelve miles outside San Francisco's Golden Gate, a Korean cargo ship awaits some armed visitors. Sea Marshals Shawn Copp and Terry Wunder climb aboard, along with a local harbor pilot. Soon they begin issuing commands to the ship’s crew.

"I need these two doors locked."

After September 11th, the Coast Guard here began putting Sea Marshals aboard ships before they enter San Francisco Bay. This is just in case the unthinkable happens on the high seas.

Captain Herith says, "A terrorist could infiltrate a member of the crew. A terrorist could come on board a vessel on a stowaway kind of capacity, in a container for example. A terrorist could board as a passenger. A terrorist could board while the vessel is underway."

Crews are watched for any signs of suspicious behavior. The sea marshals make sure the ship stays its course.
And that course best be far from things like the Golden Gate or any other bridge. A ship may be slow, but as one of the largest moving objects in the world, a hijacked ship could be a devastating weapon of destruction.

If Sea Marshal Sean Copp doesn't like what he sees on the bridge, he has the power to do something about it.
Sean Copp says, "All hands on the bridge are going to go ahead and get on their knees except for the essential personnel. We're going to lock down the bridge and provide security for the pilot."

Ninety-six hours before a ship enters the bay, the crew's identities are run through an intelligence database. The ship’s cargo and recent routes must be accounted for. Local pilots have always guided ships to berth, only before they did it alone.

The pilot says, "There's security in the wheel house. Up until now we didn't think we needed it, but apparently it's a good thing."

Security measures like this are rare in the international shipping industry.

Eugene Kratuls, ship’s chief mate says, "As far as the crew, it's hard for me to believe we're in danger out here, but in case it happens then of course it's good these guys are here."

They are here, making sure that when the ships come in, they steer straight for the dock.

Further discussion

For additional information about the U.S. Coast Guard and Operation Noble Eagle—Homeland Defense, look at these Web sites:

Related Websites:

• US Coast Guard
  
• The Office of Homeland Security
  
• Operation Nobel Eagle - Details
  
• Operation Noble Eagle Web Site
• Noble Eagle information