NCJ Number
61648
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 46 Issue: 9 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1979) Pages: 68-70
Date Published
1979
Length
3 pages
Annotation
A HOSTAGE-TERRORIST TRAINING EXERCISE ON THE SEAS, UNDERTAKEN BY THE COAST GUARD AND POLICE, IS PRESENTED AS A CASE STUDY.
Abstract
THREE COAST GUARD (CG) OFFICERS CHECKING THEIR PATROL BOAT ON A STORMY NIGHT ARE FORCED BY TWO ARMED GUNMEN TO TAKE THEM OUT TO SEA. THE GUNMEN HAVE THREE BOUND HOSTAGES AND BOXES LABELED 'HIGH EXPLOSIVES' AND 'RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL.' THE SCENE IS REPORTED, AND TWO POLICE SWAT TEAMS, 3 NEGOTIATORS, AND VARIOUS CG OFFICERS PURSUE THEM IN A LARGE CUTTER. BOTH LAND-BASED POLICE AND COAST GUARDSMEN ACKNOWLEDGE THE CIRCUMSTANCES TO BE DIFFICULT AND UNFAMILIAR. PRESS DISCOVERY OF THE CRISIS AND CONSEQUENT MONITORING OF CG COMMUNICATIONS ESTABLISH THE NEED FOR PRIVACY DURING NEGOTIATIONS. WHEN THE TERRORIST BOAT IS DISCOVERED BY RADAR AND APPROACHED, TERRORISTS THREATEN TO KILL THE HOSTAGES AND DUMP RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL INTO THE WATER UPON FURTHER PURSUIT. FURTHER DEMANDS FOR HELICOPTER-DELIVERED MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR ONE HOSTAGE ARE SUBSEQUENTLY REVEALED AS ATTEMPTS TO SECURE NEW TRANSPORTATION. NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE FOR 2 1/2 HOURS; THE SITUATION DETERIORATES, AND THE TERRORISTS MANAGE A SUCCESSFUL ESCAPE DUE TO A FIRE ABOARD THE CG CUTTER. THREE IMPORTANT FACTS EMERGED FROM THIS EXERCISE: (1) A MARITIME ENVIRONMENT PRESENTS SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN HOSTAGE-TAKING CRISES, (2) LAND-BASED POLICE ARE LESS EFFECTIVE ON THE SEAS, (3) AND SUCCESSFUL PURSUIT AND AND CONTROL OF MARITIME TERRORISTS REQUIRES DETAILED PLANNING (WITH PROPER EQUIPMENT ON BOARD) BY PURSUIT CRAFT AND THE CG OR OTHER TEAMS. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (PAP)