Hull Would Avoid Worst Effects of Terrorist Attack or Serious Accident Involving LNG Ships

Hull residents would escape the most deadly effects of a liquefied natural gas spill at a proposed terminal on Outer Brewster Island, but the town could still be in danger from a terrorist attack or serious accident, experts said.

Officials from AES Corp., which wants to build the terminal on a state-owned island 2.1 miles from the Point Allerton section of Hull, have said Outer Brewster’s remote location and distance from populated areas make it an ideal location for the project.

While experts agree that the terminal would be far safer than an existing one in Everett, which requires massive tankers carrying highly flammable LNG to pass within a few hundred yards of tightly packed neighborhoods, they said any absolute claims that Hull would be protected during a catastrophe are too bold.

‘‘Whether or not the nearest residents in Hull fall within the harmful zone is going to be established by further study, but it’s not true to say there’s no possibility of harm at that distance,’’ said James Fay, professor emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a leading expert on LNG safety. ‘‘Given a big enough fire, it may well be.’’

Partriot Ledger: http://patriotledger.com/articles/2005/10/10/news/news02.txt

Antiterrorism Maritime Homeland Security Barriers For LNG Tankers, LNG Plants & Terminals

The heightened focus upon maritime homeland security has led to increased scrutiny of the security measures that are in place to protect our nation’s key infrastructure elements. The LNG Terminal infrastructure that has been created over the last 50 years is vital to our country’s economy and welfare; consequently they represent a high value target for terrorists.

The terrorist acts against the United States on September 11, 2001, have increased the need for maritime port safety and maritime port security measures on U.S. ports and waterways. In response to these terrorist acts, and in order to prevent similar occurrences, the United State Coast Guard has established temporary maritime security zones around all LNG terminals.

Read: http://www.whisprwave.com/lng-terminal-security.htm

Tamil Tigers Resume Fight

Sri Lanka’s military fought a fierce artillery duel with Tamil Tigers in the island’s restive east early on Tuesday, just hours after the rebels said they were resuming their two-decade independence struggle.

Read story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061128/wl_nm/srilanka_battle_dc_2

New Navy Ships Designed to Combat Modern-Day Pirates

The U.S. Navy awarded a $208.1 million contract modification to Maine shipbuilder Bath Iron Works to design and build a Littoral Combat Ship, a new breed of speedy and easier-to-maneuver Navy vessel.

The Navy’s long-range plan calls for 55 Littoral Combat Ships, which are designed to meet threats posed by modern-day pirates and terrorists who turn speedboats into suicide weapons.