WMD's May Be at Sea on Mystery Ships

[subgenius]

Three mystery ships are tracked over suspected 'weapons' cargo
By Michael Harrison
19 February 2003

Three giant cargo ships are being tracked by US and British intelligence on suspicion that they might be carrying Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.

Each with a deadweight of 35,000 to 40,000 tonnes, the ships have been sailing around the world's oceans for the past three months while maintaining radio silence in clear violation of international maritime law, say authoritative shipping industry sources.

The vessels left port in late November, just a few days after UN weapons inspectors led by Hans Blix began their search for the alleged Iraqi arsenal on their return to the country.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/story.jsp?story=379623
Remember: Loose lips sink ships.

[corplinx]

Well JK........ Subgenius???

Sorry, I just thought..... well. You know, JK has posted a few worldnetdaily stories in the past (one that was yanked 5 minutes after he posted it) with alarming things like these in them.

The ships would fit Saddam's MOD with keeping his WMD munitions in mobile units.

Of course, its all just speculation until you have evidence of whats really on them.

[subgenius]

Originally posted by corplinx
Well JK........ Subgenius???

Sorry, I just thought..... well. You know, JK has posted a few worldnetdaily stories in the past (one that was yanked 5 minutes after he posted it) with alarming things like these in them.

The ships would fit Saddam's MOD with keeping his WMD munitions in mobile units.

Of course, its all just speculation until you have evidence of whats really on them.
If you weren't such an ugly ignorant brute I'd take that personally;)
This is a reputable source and hardly alarmist.
Use your head for something other than a horn rack, to paraphrase my dad.
Of course its "suspected" that's why I didn't assert it as fact.
:p
Go back to your pen until further notice.
:p

[Goshawk]

Well, the TimesOnline is also apparently running the story (although their server seems to be wonky lately, so the link may not work).

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,5461-583365,00.html

I have no doubt that there probably are three cargo ships out there that for whatever reason have been maintaining radio silence since November, but I'd suspend judgement as to whether it's because they're loaded up with WMDs. There are other reasons (stupidity, incompetence, drug smuggling) for ships to maintain radio silence and just generally act suspicious.

[Bjorn]

British and American Intelligence are tracking three giant cargo ships which they believe may be carrying Iraqi weapons of mass destruction (Emma Hartley writes). And who and what is Emma Hartley? :confused:

Seriously, I used to know a tiny bit about tracking ships at sea, and there is no way 'giant cargo ships' could disappear from any resourceful group/country/organization that wanted to keep an eye on them.

[Jon_in_london]

Originally posted by Goshawk
There are other reasons (stupidity, incompetence, drug smuggling) for ships to maintain radio silence and just generally act suspicious.

I think stupidity may be at the fore. Rcently there was a ship in the English channel that hit another ship and sunk. Despite the presence of a french frigate, salvage ships, beacons etc... another merchant ship ploughed into it a few days later.
It might seem to be stretching it but, believe it or no, ANOTHER ship ran into it a few days later despite continued warnings.

So, dont underestimate the stupidity of merchant seamen. (No offence to any merchant seamen on this forum)

[richardm]

Originally posted by Bjorn
And who and what is Emma Hartley? :confused:

Seriously, I used to know a tiny bit about tracking ships at sea, and there is no way 'giant cargo ships' could disappear from any resourceful group/country/organization that wanted to keep an eye on them.

I don't think there's any question of the ships disappearing; they've been tracked since November (which is why we know about them!)

I'd suspect that either (a) the story is made up or (b) we weren't told about it in order to avoid alerting them. Apparently the US (or UN) is unable to decide what to do about them; they don't want to try boarding them in case they are scuttled. And I suppose also, boarding ships in international waters would be piracy?

Interesting story, though. It'll be interesting to see if anything comes of it.

[Graham]

Originally posted by richardm


And I suppose also, boarding ships in international waters would be piracy?



Does anyone know what the truth of this is - boarding foreign flagged ships in international waters, I mean?

It's something I was wondering about when the Spainish navy boarded that Korean ship witht he Scuds on board. Who has the authority to authorise something like that?

Graham

[subgenius]

Originally posted by richardm


I don't think there's any question of the ships disappearing; they've been tracked since November (which is why we know about them!)

I'd suspect that either (a) the story is made up or (b) we weren't told about it in order to avoid alerting them. Apparently the US (or UN) is unable to decide what to do about them; they don't want to try boarding them in case they are scuttled. And I suppose also, boarding ships in international waters would be piracy?

Interesting story, though. It'll be interesting to see if anything comes of it.
These are my thoughts as well.
But how about those Iranians?
http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14325

[rikzilla]

Originally posted by subgenius
Three mystery ships are tracked over suspected 'weapons' cargo
By Michael Harrison
19 February 2003

Three giant cargo ships are being tracked by US and British intelligence on suspicion that they might be carrying Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.

Each with a deadweight of 35,000 to 40,000 tonnes, the ships have been sailing around the world's oceans for the past three months while maintaining radio silence in clear violation of international maritime law, say authoritative shipping industry sources.

The vessels left port in late November, just a few days after UN weapons inspectors led by Hans Blix began their search for the alleged Iraqi arsenal on their return to the country.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/story.jsp?story=379623
Remember: Loose lips sink ships.

I heard this one from CNN this morning....

Maybe we need a UNSCOM navy???? A bunch of little white zodiacs with UN painted on them??? :rolleyes:

-zilla

[subgenius]

They are all refusing frequent requests to provide details of their cargo or destination and officials are worried that the vessels are maintaining radio silence in clear contravention of maritime law, which states all ships should be in constant communication.

http://www.thisislondon.com/news/articles/3453118?source=Evening%20Standard

[zakur]

Originally posted by subgenius
They are all refusing frequent requests to provide details of their cargo or destination and officials are worried that the vessels are maintaining radio silence in clear contravention of maritime law, which states all ships should be in constant communication. Boston Globe Story on 'Mystery' Ships (http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/051/nation/Report_of_Iraqi_arms_ships_not_confirmed+.shtml)Th e International Maritime Organization said it was not against the international law of the sea for a ship to withhold information or maintain radio silence on the high seas.

[arcticpenguin]

That Boston Globe story is dated 20 February 2003. Is anyone aware of more recent updates on the 'mystery ships'?

[subgenius]

Originally posted by arcticpenguin
That Boston Globe story is dated 20 February 2003. Is anyone aware of more recent updates on the 'mystery ships'?
Never heard anything more about it. I was just wondering yesterday.

[Smalso]

Just wondering how it refueled and resupplied.

[zakur]

Originally posted by Smalso
Just wondering how it refueled and resupplied. Don't try to understand...these ships work in mysterious ways. ;)

[DrChinese]

I find it extremely suspicious that this thread - about missing ships containing WMD - was started by...

SUBgenius!

Coincidence? I don't think so!

[John Bryce]

If the story is true, I would not be at all surprised if the US or UK Navy has a sub shadowing the ships right now.

[arcticpenguin]

bump - so no one has heard anything?

[zakur]

Originally posted by arcticpenguin
bump - so no one has heard anything? I did a search of all the usual news outlets. Nothing new since the original reports about a month ago.

I think, also, that this story may have just been a rumor that was 'over-reported.' It looks like the Boston Globe story has been taken down, but IIRC, they quoted U.S. Intelligence as saying "We don't know anything about this," German Intelligence as saying "There are no such ships," and UK Intelligence as saying "We don't talk about security issues."

Also, I did a search on Usenet and it appears the only people that gave it any lengthy discussion were on alt.fan.rush-limbaugh and alt.prophecies.nostradamus. That says a lot right there. ;)

[subgenius]

The matriarchal totalitarian leftist media is suppressing this story, because they're against the war.
They all should be given a year in prison, mandatory.
Want proof? I said so.

[WildCat]

You can read all about the origins and purpose of this ship here. (http://www.lyricsxp.com/lyrics/r/ride_captain_ride_blues_image.html) :p
WildCat

[subgenius]

Originally posted by WildCat
You can read all about the origins and purpose of this ship here. (http://www.lyricsxp.com/lyrics/r/ride_captain_ride_blues_image.html) :p
WildCat
Even though you're obviously a commie liberal matriarchal totalitarian, welcome to the jungle.

[WildCat]

Even though you're obviously a commie liberal matriarchal totalitarian, welcome to the jungle.
Well, we wildcats are made for the jungle! But the PC term (for us commie liberal matriarchal totalitarian-types) for jungle is "rain forest". Thanks for the welcome!
WildCat