Coast Guard Issues Warning, FBI Says No New Threats

June 9, 2002

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard warned last evening of a potential terrorist threat, but the FBI said no new threat information had been received since a similar warning it issued last month.

The Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Puget Sound said it issued a notice to ports and marine businesses of "a credible threat to maritime interests from swimmers and divers."

Lt. Scott Casad declined to give details on possible targets or say what triggered the notice, sent to news outlets shortly before 6 p.m. The warning was to be issued nationwide, but the Seattle-based Marine Safety Office was the first to release it, he said.

Casad also declined to say whether the warning was based on information different from the information that triggered the FBI warning May 23.

FBI agents have been questioning scuba-diving instructors about suspicious activity, including students interested in underwater demolition. Last week, the State Patrol was making random vehicle searches at ferry terminals. Casad asked that any suspicious maritime activity be reported to the Coast Guard at 206-217-6230 or 1-800-688-

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/134471109_dige09m.html