Operation Waterway Watch

Because of the terrorist attacks against the United States there has been an increased public awareness of illegal activities. Much like the Neighborhood Watch program, the Coast Guard Auxiliary has initiated Operation Waterway Watch. USCG District Marine Safety Offices (MSO) have created complimentary programs such as River Watch, Bay Watch and Coast Watch.

These programs are meant to inform, educate, and enlist the assistance of all persons who witness suspicious activities. It provides information on what to look for and who to call and is meant to cause uncertainty in the minds of potential terrorists and criminals. Through our Vessel Examiners and Recreational Boating Safety Program Visitors, we are enlisting the assistance of the marine industry and the boating public to be our eyes and ears.  

In Hampton Roads, those in the marine industry and our recreational boating community know every inch of the coastline because it is where we work and play.  You can help authorities in increasing our collective security. Operation Waterway Watch and the district specific programs create an effective deterrent measure. This program is meant to inform, educate, and enlist the assistance of all persons who witness suspicious activities. It provides information on what to look for and who to call and is meant to cause uncertainty in the minds of potential terrorists and criminals.

What the marine industry and recreational boater should be alert for:

Of particular interest are activities around:

• Under or around bridges
• Around entrances to tunnels
• Near power plants
• Near water intakes/treatment plants
• Around oil or chemical facilities
• At fuel docks
• Near military bases
• Cruise ship terminals


Unfamiliar individuals who:

• Take photos, videos, notes, or sketches of commercial/passenger vessels, bridges or waterside facilities
• Loiter near or ask specific questions about commercial /passenger vessels or waterside facilities
• Attempt to buy or rent fishing or recreational vessels with cash for short-term, undefined use
• Attempt to gain access to waterside facilities without proper or no identification.


All vessels:

• Recovering or tossing items into/onto the waterway or shoreline
• Unusual diving operations
• Unusual boat characteristics
• Any aggressive activities
• Unattended vessels
• Recovering or tossing items into/onto the waterway or shoreline

Recreational vessels:

• Fishing in locations not typically used for fishing
• Unattended vessels
• Unusual number of people on board
• Lights flashing between boats and shore at night

Commercial vessels:

• Operating/transiting in an area not typically transited
• Anchored in an area not typically used as an anchorage area
• Divers near vessel
• Unusual transfer of personnel or items while transiting
• Unusual night operations

In facilities & waterway structures:

• Fishing/hunting in locations not typically used for fishing/hunting
• Suspicious activity
• Unattended vehicles in unusual locations
• Unusual vehicle characteristics
• Any aggressive activities
• Unusual filming/photographing
• Divers entering water near facility or bridge
• Recovering or tossing items into/onto the waterway or shoreline
• Unusual night operations
• Observed security changes or lack of usually observed security
• Missing fencing, lighting, etc


Any information you provide will be handled confidentially.  Record pertinent information such as personnel and vehicle descriptions, along with license plate numbers and boat numbers if possible.

Do NOT do anything more than provide information!!!  Do NOT try to stop any illegal activity!!!

If a terrorist act is taking place immediately, call 911.

If an attack is NOT imminent or taking place, call 1- 877-24 WATCH !
 

To assist you, we offer 2 resources you may download, print and keep aboard your vessel:


The "Suspicious Activities" Waterway Watch Handout is a one page handout designed to help you identify Suspicious Activities and how to report them.  Both are available in Adobe (.pdf) and MS-Word formats

Possible Indicators of Suspicious Activities (Adobe Acrobat format)
Possible Indicators of Suspicious Activities (MS-Word  format)
 

"Report Form" Waterway Watch" Handout. A one page report form for note taking if suspicious activities are encountered.

Waterway Watch Report Form (Adobe Acrobat format)
Waterway Watch Report Form (MS-Word format)