Questions Remain After Devices Found on Boats

[longnecker]

Questions Remain After Devices Found on Boats
ANNAPOLIS, Md.- Several watermen in Dorchester County say they have many questions, but no answers after devices were found under the stern of their boats.
Dean Price, a waterman at Madison Bay Marina, said that on Jan. 14 he found a bracket hidden on his boat. Attached to that bracket were two devices, including one with an antenna.
"I've never seen anything like it," Price said.
Price then called 911, not knowing if the device was a bomb. According to reports, Maryland State Police and the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office arrived on the scene. Maryland Natural Resources Police Sgt. Randy Bowman also arrived on the scene. People who were on the scene tell WBOC that Bowman then told police they could leave the scene.
A bomb technician was brought in and the device was removed and turned over to the Department of Natural Resources.
Several other watermen reported finding brackets on their boat as well, but no devices were attached. Watermen say they want to know who put the devices on their boats and why.
"I've gotten nowhere with the Department of Natural Resources, from anyone. I don't have any answers," Price said.
WBOC contacted DNR for comment on the matter and was referred to Natural Resources Police Sgt. Art Windemuth, who said, "This is an ongoing investigation and we do not comment on ongoing investigations."
http://www.wboc.com/Global/story.asp?S=13949133

[Curly]

Years ago (in 2002) we received alerts from the Feds indicating the desire terrorists have to mess with our ports by sending SCUBA divers to plant devices. In years past we've received all kinds of alerts and it's some pretty scary shit, especially the ones that involve our kids. Trust me, whatever nightmare YOU can think of, they already have. It's just a matter of time.

[longnecker]

DNR Admits Placing Devices on Boats of Watermen

ANNAPOLIS, Md.- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources on Friday took responsibility for placing tracking devices on the boats of several watermen.
During Friday's meeting with the Eastern Shore delegation of state lawmakers in Annapolis, the DNR admitted its police force placed the boxes there legally to track repeat violators.
Rep. Michael Smigiel asked DNR Secretary John R. Griffin, "Were court orders obtained before any tracking devices obtained before placing?"
Griffin replied, "I think my best answer is we followed all necessary law and procedures."
Smiegel asked Griffin if the DNR when to court to get permission. Griffin replied to the affirmative.
"did you go to court to do so?" dnr: "yes" smigiel: "thank you" today's exchange got heated at times. Voice of john griffin, dnr: "wait a minute -- we're not talking bout big brother with all due respect. We're talking about habitual offenders who steal from the public trust!" senator richard colburn says there's talk of legislation to even further the reach of the tracking devices. Sen. Richard colburn, (r) maryland: "the overall issues i'm concerned about is tracking all watermen. It's like 1984 george orwell big brother somebody's private property's going to have a tracking device on it." natsot: working boat these working watermen in the off-season say they hope the eastern shore delegates block that move. Bo hughes, waterman: "it's not right, i mean, lot of people get violations for things. Ain't got to be tracked all the time." dnr's secretary also brought up the fact that the natural resource police force has been dramatically reduced over the years. Sen. Colburn countered to add more officers instead of attaching more devices onto watermen's boats. Live reporting in dorchester county by the marina, ko im, wboc news.

[max1]

Some watermen are the worst pieces of shit you could come across on the water, I have seen and talked to them.One guy who comes out to the river we crab in, intentionally moves his lines over top of ours and then wants to blame us I almost had to shoot holes in his hull last year cause he tried to swamp us. Another waterman had a fist fight with him because he claimed since he had lived here all his life the river was his to crab. .....they deserve it. Then there is the majority who do it right and follow the rules. I get stopped by the DNR every time I go out and not once have they been anything but professional.

[Curly]

Max, you aren't the first person I've heard that from. A few guys I work with do the crabbing thing and they have a few stories to tell about some of the nutjobs they have to deal with.