WASHINGTON — U.S. ferry operators have been warned by the FBI to be on the alert for any potential terrorist activity on their vessels.

Separately, the FBI also said that it is reissuing a "Be On The Lookout" advisory (search) for suspected terrorist Abderraouf Jdey (search), who is to be "considered extremely dangerous."

"Law enforcement officers are requested to stop and detain Jdey and to contact the FBI for further guidance," the FBI stated.

In its weekly law enforcement bulletin (search), the FBI said ferries could be a likely terrorist target because of their "easy access" and "minimal security checks," but there was no specific information regarding what types could be targeted or when.

"During the past year there have been numerous reports of suspicious activity and possible surveillance of ferry operations around the United States," the FBI bulletin said.

The bulletin also says: "The FBI possesses no information indicating specific terrorist targeting of U.S. ferryboats and terminals. However, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security (search) assess that ferry operations represent a viable and vulnerable target should Al Qaeda or other terrorist groups choose to exploit their vulnerability."

The bulletin was issued late Wednesday to law enforcement agencies throughout the country. In it, the FBI states that because of their "accessibility, soft targets, particularly ferries, which have the potential to yield a high casualty count, remain attractive potential targets for terrorist attack."

"The fact that many ferries operate in close proximity to oil terminals, tourist facilities and places of commerce further enhances their attractiveness as terrorist targets," the bulletin says. "The easy access and minimal security checks associated with allowing passenger vehicles on board make ferries particularly vulnerable to vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices."

The FBI also notes that Al Qaeda is "known to conduct sophisticated surveillance over periods of time that can extend from months to years. Initial surveillance would likely involve research and monitoring of a number of potential targets before on is selected."

The FBI states that terrorists would likely conduct this surveillance to focus on identifying specific vulnerabilities in order to "refine a plan of attack."

"Surveillance of ferryboat and terminals may include the use of watercraft to monitor ferry handling, speeds and routes," the FBI states. "Terrorists may also pose as passengers or pier-side observers of ferryboat and dockside activities.

In January, Jdey was identified as one of five individuals depicted on videotapes recovered from the destroyed residence of Usama bin Laden's military chief, Muhammad Atef (search). Officials say Atef was killed by a U.S. airstrike in November.

Attorney General John Ashcroft then identified Jdey, who also goes by the name Al Rauf Bin Al Habib Bin Yousef Al-Jiddi, as a 36-year-old Canadian citizen born in Tunisia.

The videos depict the individuals, including Jdey, apparently stating their "last will" and their intent to become martyrs, according to the FBI. One of the men was shown cradling a rifle and another, hailing from Yemen, was suspected of being intended for the Sept. 11 attacks.

The other four men in the video were identified as Abd Al-Rahim, Muhammad Sa'id Ali Hasan, Khalid Ibn Muhammad Al-Juhani and Ramzi Binalshibh. Binalshibh is a Yemeni who U.S. officials say was associated with Sept. 11 hijacker Mohamed Atta (search).

Then, Ashcroft said the FBI was also searching for an associate of Jdey, identified as Faker Boussora (search), 37, also a Canadian citizen born in Tunisia. Ashcroft characterized the men as "extremely dangerous."

According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., Jdey lived in Montreal for several years, although Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien said the man no longer was in Canada.

I posted this because I am thinking that the last time we were on the ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke, which was 11/02 I don't remember any kind of security check at all......and you all know how much security airline travelers have to go thru but the ferry system I don't think has any.

You have me seriously concerned here. We are planning to take our first trip to the Outer Banks on Septemember 7th. We were planning to do a tour of the lighthouses, including the Ocracoke Lighthouse, on the 10th. Hmmm...

Of course, on further reflection, I'm sure it is much more likely that they would target ferries near NYC, or even Seattle, rather than the OBX.

Still, it does give one pause, doesn't it?

You know it never even occurred to me when we were down there in November. However, after reading about maybe the threat to ferry vessels I started wondering about security on the ferry's. I work for a agency in the Pentagon but was not in the Pentagon on 9/11/01. Although I wasn't in the Pentagon that day I can't forget looking out of the window about 1 1/2 miles away at the black smoke coming from the building. I just grabbed my purse and headed south. I live about 40 miles from the Pentagon and I just wanted to get home as quick as I could. In fact I left at about 10:05 AM that morning before traffic started to back up.

Anyway, I know that when we drove onto the ferry they really don't check for anything....now maybe if you are an Arab looking man or woman maybe they would check I don't know.

I did a search on www.google.com for ferries and looked at the recent news articles. There are new security measures for ferries that they are expected to implement by 10/01/03. I'm not sure what all that will involve.

it is crazy to worry about such things,, do you worry about driving your car for hours a day? could lightning strike you ? will the sky fall? there is no plausable reason to get worried about such things

I gotta agree with you on that concerning the Ocracoke Ferry, however around NYC you always have that in the back of your mind. I know you can't stop living but after 9/11 anything is possible around here.

Okay, Don't Worry Be Happy!

If I was any one I wouldn't go there you never know, you might have fun. I'm sure Ocracoke is tops on their priority list of things to destroy as well as tourist having fun , think about they might get almost 50 people in a stoke.

What???? I think your message must be in some kind of gibberish code.

Hmmm, I am glad you think that message must be gibberish because I didn't understand it either!

I agree. Terrorists are trying to get you to change your plans, to not do things you normally would do. I don't know what kind of target the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry can be. It's just another case of get overly excited. I've been to NYC many times since 9-11-01 and never thought once about not going. You must live your lives, period.

Gene....I agree that we can't let terrorists control our lives and I certainly don't let them control my movements or activities. I was just saying that those of us who live in the NYC area, and could actually watch from our county WTC 1 & 2 burning, always now have that in the back of our minds. Not enough to change plans but nevertheless still always there.

OK is this more legible


If I was you or any one else I wouldn¡¦t go there. You never know you might have fun. I'm sure Ocracoke is tops on their priority list of things to destroy as well as tourist having fun If you think about it they might get almost 50 people at one time . Wow

Faites-vous sous le stand maintenant ou je le mettent en français

I think you better work on your English more before you start butchering another language.

I think what our poor friend is trying to say is:

If I were you, I wouldn't go there (OBX). After all, you never know, you may have fun.

I'm sure Ocracoke is at the top of Al Chaida's list of things to destroy. They want to stop people from having fun.

If they sink the Ocracoke Ferry, they maight get 50 people at one time. Wow! (I'm pretty sure this last part was meant sarcastically.)

Hope this helps!

By the way, this is why I don't send my children to public school in SC.

Je comprends. Merci.

Une mille mercis a vous monsieur.
Je n'ai pas peur des terroristes sur le bateau d'Ocracoke.

Well Miss Perfect in the English language, I'm sorry you didn¡¦t understand what I was trying to say but you have deciphered it very well. I guess I got my point across in spite of your impeccable understanding of grammar. By the way Miss Perfect...the word is MIGHT....not mAight!

How an any one worry on Vacation

No, I don't worry about it either.

I have resisted posting of late but this should be of no conern, the ferries, run close enouigh to the shore that you can walk practically to the points, the sand bars break through during most of the day and of course the "Submarine Nets" would catch any torpedos that may be launched from out side the inlets,BUT on the other hjand if you would prefer to stay home that is fine with me! < Grinning>