Re: "Poverty stirs turbulence in Asian waters"

da.roberts wrote:
> POINT TAKEN BILL, BUT THAT KIND OF SOPHISTICATION IS NOT COMMON NOR WOULD IT
> BE EASILY SET UP ON MOST SHIPS WITHOUT THE ADDITION OF ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
> AND WHILE GPS IS GOOD THERE ARE ERRORS AND THEY WOULD BE VERY LUCKY TO MAKE
> INTO ANY BUT THE MOST SIMPLE APPROACHES (LIKE LA)
> "WShoots1" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> > Hi, Doug,
> >
> > I guess the best way to explain my view is to post (below) a response I
>
> gave to
>
> > someone who emailed me direct. He was not as kind as you, but that part
>
> and his
>
> > name are deleted. <G>
> >
> > By the way... I don't believe a thing traitor GWB says.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Bill in Texas
> > * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> > << Terrorists could not hijack a ship and set on autopilot so that it
>
> would run
>
> > into the docks. >>
> >
> > I guess you've never heard of plotting a course and setting way points in
>
> an
>
> > electronic device. With today's GPS for guidance, that can be done very
> > accurately. With radar as one of the inputs, collisions enroute can be
>
> avoided.
>
> > << At all harbors a pilot  and docking pilot are required to navigate
>
> harbor
>
> > waters. >>
> >
> > That's a legal requirement, not a technical necessity. By the way, what's
>
> a
>
> > docking pilot? On every ship I'd aboard, the same pilot handled the vessel
> > between the roads and the dock.
> >
> > << A vessel set on auto pilot as you suggest would run aground far from
> > reaching any docks. >>
> >
> > See above. Of course, a harbor's VTS would probably go on the alert,
>
> should a
>
> > "bogie" come into view. But is the Coast Guard equipped to board an
>
> ocean-going
>
> > vessel under way that may not have a ladder down?
> >
> > Some years ago, the Japanese had a fully-automated, unmanned tankership.
>
> The
>
> > world, though, wouldn't allow that spook to roam the high seas.
> >
> > Bill in Texas
> > Marine Service Engineer (retired)
Do we really want to give into fear? or fight the folks who are trying 
to subvert the constitution.  Am I off topic? sorry.