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| 2007-02-14 |
| This was dated from Monday, but I went to archives and didn't see it from Monday or yesterday, mods. SAN DIEGO - Dozens of dolphins and sea lions trained to detect and apprehend waterborne attackers could be sent to patrol a military base in Washington state, the Navy said Monday. In a notice published in this week's Federal Register, the Navy said it needs to bolster security at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, on the Puget Sound close to Seattle. Listen, I'm all for gov't accountability and all, but this has to be posted in the FR? Is that not some sort of OpSec issue? The base is home to submarines, ships and laboratories and is potentially vulnerable to attack by terrorist swimmers and scuba divers, the notice states. Nah, swimming is forbidden by Allan. Unless, of course you intend to take over a public pool and refuse mens and infidels from swimming there. Several options are under consideration, but the preferred plan would be to send as many as 30 California sea lions and Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins from the Navy's Marine Mammal Program, based in San Diego. PETA protest in 3, 2, 1... "These animals have the capabilities for what needs to be done for this particular mission," said Tom LaPuzza, a spokesman for the Marine Mammal Program. LaPuzza said that because of their astonishing sonar abilities, dolphins are excellent at patrolling for swimmers and divers. When a Navy dolphin detects a person in the water, it drops a beacon. This tells a human interception team where to find the suspicious swimmer. Dolphins also are trained to detect underwater mines; they were sent to do this in the Iraqi harbor of Umm Qasr in 2003. The last time the animals were used operationally in San Diego was in 1996, when they patrolled the bay during the Republican National Convention. Not only infidel dolphins, but Republicans to boot? Is there no stopping the evil Bushitler and his Halliburton buddies? Sea lions can carry in their mouths special cuffs attached to long ropes. If the animal finds a rogue swimmer, it can clamp the cuff around the person's leg. The individual can then be reeled in for questioning. What is exactly is the catch limit on jihadis in Washington State? And, is "fishing" season open year round? The Navy is seeking public comment for an environmental impact statement on the proposal. More about the EIS at linky, along with some lovely quotes from the PETA director. The mind boggles that we have to get "public input" on something like this. |
| Posted by:BA |
| #7 "They call him FLIPPER, FLIPPER ..... YO RINNIE". |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2007-02-14 20:17 |
| #6 And only 4 times out of 10, the sea lion rips the limb off and eats it. The Navy considered more training but finally said, "Aw screw it, we save on fish." |
| Posted by: Silentbrick 2007-02-14 14:34 |
| #5 Sea lions can carry in their mouths special cuffs attached to long ropes. If the animal finds a rogue swimmer, it can clamp the cuff around the person's leg. I'm impressed. |
| Posted by: Mike N. 2007-02-14 14:05 |
| #4 Time for David Brin to write a prequel to his Uplift books. |
| Posted by: Eric Jablow 2007-02-14 13:50 |
| #3 Perhaps the cuffs could be fitted with grenades? Please... |
| Posted by: DanNY 2007-02-14 12:31 |
| #2 In light of the highly successful operation on the New Orleans levies they are clearly ready for action. Operation FlipperÂ…Engage! |
| Posted by: DepotGuy 2007-02-14 11:50 |
| #1 Screw the dolphins and sea lions. I want sharks with laser beams! |
| Posted by: Steve 2007-02-14 11:21 |