The Lost

Published February 19, 2006 |

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you’re always afraid
You step out of line the man come and take you away – stills

“The United States’ maritime borders include 95,000 miles of open shoreline, 361 ports and an Exclusive Economic Zone that spans 3.5 million square miles. The United States relies on ocean transportation for 95 percent of cargo tonnage that moves in and out of the country. Each year more than 7,500 commercial vessels make approximately 51,000 port calls, and over six million loaded marine containers enter U.S. ports. Current growth predictions indicate that container cargo will quadruple in the next twenty years.Standard sizes of cargo containers allow cargo to be quickly transferred from ships to trucks or railcars and transported immediately to anywhere in the country. This rapid transfer of cargo is a possible conduit and target for terrorist activities. Prior to September 11th, the primary focus of intermodal transportation was the safe movement of containers in a timely manner. As a result of the terrorist threat, the United States must develop a security regime that minimizes the risks and consequences of a terrorist attack without slowing the movement of cargo.” *

Somewhere hidden along those 95,000 miles of shoreline, in one of those 361 ports, among thousands of containers, on hundreds of vessels, sits one cargo container totally indistinguishable from all the rest. When US custom officials finally get around to opening the rear doors they will find a whole shipment of Valley Kayaks. In among them is one all white Anas Acuta with silver trim and strip. Mine.I hope they don’t realize that Anas Acutas’ are subversive by nature. . and being destined for my isolated home in the frozen tundra of Siberia. . ah, Wisconsin, it will certainly be led astray.

* The Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Hearing on Port Security: Shipping Containers 2-13-02 memo.
Photo from Encarta

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