Machine guns on the Great Lakes

[Lordof7]

I'm not sure where the best place for this is, but I thought at least to give the GLWC a heads up, if you haven't already heard.

I just read in the NY Times that the Coast Guard is trying to arm most of their boats on the Great lakes with machine guns in the name of anti-terrorist measures. What many find disturbing is the establishment of "34 permanent safety zones" for live-fire excersizes (where the CG will practice). The article interviews some fishing charter captains, who weren't happy at all, as they felt some of their good spots were now live-fire zones. Additionally, many people are pissed that the Coast Guard tried to slip this in under the radar - the announcement and invitation for public comment was buried in some federal web page. Even local mayors were completely unaware. Whether or not you think this is a good idea, it may affect diving accessability, so you might want to check it out and spread the word.

Here is the Coast Guard website about the program, including the maps of the proposed safety zones. I don't know if any wrecks are there, as I haven't dove in the Great Lakes yet, but I really want to, which explains my interest.
http://uscgd9safetyzones.com/

 

[bladephotog]

Interesting. Just a quick look at the proposed zones raises some concern around Whitefish Bay and Port Sanilac areas. I dive there a lot but would have to look closer to see if the dive sites would fall inside those zone. Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[Hoosier]

Wow!!!

Next step looks like a random search on the charter or fishing boats. All divers' equipment should be checked in and dive plans should be pre-approved.

Sad Sad Sad.....

 

[hnladue]

I don't get it.... The Coast Guard has had ARMED boats for like forever!!! At least here in NY whenever the Coasties had to escort the Fast Ferry in or out of port they were armed. They had guns themselves AND a machine gun mounted on the front of the safe boat..... So why is this such a concern now? It's nothing new and they've been doing it for over a year.

 

[JBRES1]

I'm not sure , but it looks like 7 live fire zones in the southern part of lake Michigan.
Most of the sited look to be 5 to 6 miles off shore from the major port/marinas in the area.
It may just be me. but do they really need 7 live fire zones in the Chicago / Northwest Indiana area .
But let me ask one question- How often will these live fire tests happen.
If they use these areas a few weeks a year, I could live with that.
But again how do you let people know when live fire tests are going on , other than a shot across the bow or the warm fuzzy feeling of a 50 cal. bullet zipping past your boat .
Jim Breslin

 

[mnj1233]

The Coast Gaurd is not asking permission to do what they already do. They are being forced to stay within certain areas and provide advisories etc. Seems safer to me and I am affected as I live on and dive in Superior.

 

[Web Monkey]

Who cares?

The safety zones are not places where you can't ever go, they're places you may get chased out of if the CG happens to be doing a live fire exercise.

Terry

I'm not sure where the best place for this is, but I thought at least to give the GLWC a heads up, if you haven't already heard.

I just read in the NY Times that the Coast Guard is trying to arm most of their boats on the Great lakes with machine guns in the name of anti-terrorist measures. What many find disturbing is the establishment of "34 permanent safety zones" for live-fire excersizes (where the CG will practice). The article interviews some fishing charter captains, who weren't happy at all, as they felt some of their good spots were now live-fire zones. Additionally, many people are pissed that the Coast Guard tried to slip this in under the radar - the announcement and invitation for public comment was buried in some federal web page. Even local mayors were completely unaware. Whether or not you think this is a good idea, it may affect diving accessability, so you might want to check it out and spread the word.

Here is the Coast Guard website about the program, including the maps of the proposed safety zones. I don't know if any wrecks are there, as I haven't dove in the Great Lakes yet, but I really want to, which explains my interest.
http://uscgd9safetyzones.com/

 

[Web Monkey]

But again how do you let people know when live fire tests are going on , other than a shot across the bow or the warm fuzzy feeling of a 50 cal. bullet zipping past your boat .
Jim Breslin

They have chase boats that keep other boaters out of the area during exercises. If you're close enough to get hit (or even know something is going on), they won't be shooting.

Terry

 

[tedtim]

The Rush-Bagot Treaty of 1817 allowed each country to station four vessels, each equipped with an 18-pound cannon, to safeguard the Great Lakes.

Apparently, this treaty has now been reinterpreted. The focus for the CG weapons is law enforcement and not war. It is an interesting development and one that has drawn more than a little attention on this side of the border.

See a CBC story from March 2006 on this at http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/03/15/coastguard-060315.html#skip300x250

 

[rookers]

And who wants to get smoked with an 18-pounder? Not me.