Nuclear Plant
Boat Security

In 1993, TMI Alert presented video to the NRC showing how a boat could be used to attack Three Mile Island. The security cameras never swiveled to follow the approach of our pontoon boat. We urged the NRC to deploy boat barriers to prevent waterborne attacks.

There are two primary concerns regarding water-borne attacks, using a boat as a bomb delivery vehicle or as a commando transport vehicle. The Department of Homeland Security has recognized that terrorists have used boats to attack the USS Cole and an oil tanker of the coast of Yemen in recent years. Therefor, the US Coast Guard has recently created a boat exclusion zones at Three Mile Island and the Peach Bottom plant also in Pennsylvania. The zones are designed to prevent a boat bomb from destroying the water intake systems. The Susquehanna River is the ultimate heatsink for TMI. The zones do not provide adequate protection since there are no watercraft barriers in place to prevent intrusion. The only advantage to the zones is that guards will not have to watch multiple recreational boaters which could previously enter those waters. Any boat which enters the zone will now receive special attention by guards and possible response from local, state or federal authorities.

TMI Alert's Recommendations extend the exclusion zone to surround the plant deploy water craft barriers the US Coast Guard should patrol the waterways at TMI as it does at other nuclear plants additional guards to thwart a commando attack (additional measures which we have suggested to proper authorities but do not publicize)

These small water craft denial barriers manufactured by Wave Dispersion Technologies Inc. could be utilized to keep boats away from Three Mile Island and out of the channels. The barriers rise 2 ½ feet above the water line.

The enhanced version of the Vessel Exclusion Barrier would be the best shield against water craft intrusion. See http://www.whisprwave.com/ for more information.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have installed these barriers as part of Homeland Security programs to protect dams. They are also used to protect U.S. Naval ports.

Ironically, this photo from the U.S. Geological Survey terraserver
shows a boat going right past Three Mile Island's water service buildings.



This page updated by Three Mile Island Alert February 2004